yumming a bit of cha

Just a quick post for my new favourite place to eat, The Regal on Roe! Though they bought over the property from Tra Vinh (the best Viet place to eat in Perth), I still reckon they're an alright bunch (there is always the Tra Vinh on Brisbane St anyway). I went there with my family for the first time on Good Friday (because Chinese Restaurants are the only places open on days like Christmas, Easter and Good Friday) and also because my Uncle Kin was in town and we wanted to go out for dinner with him. The food there was very good (totally owns the place next door - NCC... for my thoughts on NCC click here). Here are a few pics...

After a very nice dinner that night, we were told that Yum Cha would start being served from 31 May onwards! Those little bundles of fat and grease could now be enjoyed during the week! I couldn't wait to try it. This was very exciting news for my yum-cha-loving family. But would it pass the test that many have failed in the past?

About the same time that I heard about the Regal starting Yum Cha, I was asked to choose a place for a work lunch for today. Remembering that Regal would start Yum Cha this week, I made the call to book a table for 7. Thought it was a good idea to get work to pay for my little road-test of the new Yum Cha place in town :D.

The verdict? Very very nice. Everyone was stoked with the food, and they all loved the service and ambience too. NCC, prepare to be owned well and truly (I was told by AJ today that NCC have started renovations - I guess they looked through the window next door and started panicking). Just to add about the service at Regal - it was SOOOO good that the aunties pushing the trolleys and carrying the food from table to table were unlike other yum cha aunties, and didn't try to make you take stuff from them that you didn't want!! They just showed you their goods, and if you said no thanks, they actually moved on without a fight! It was soooooo refreshing!! I would go back again just for that experience!

The dim sum? Just as good as I have had in other places, maybe even better. The only thing that didn't rock my socks was the siew mai - it was a bit on the salty side for me, but still very edible (though really, who goes to Yum Cha for the siew mai anyway - it's the just the filler... bring on the dan tarts man!). The bolo bau was really really good, as was the har-gow and they totally put the fun back into the chi-chung-fun :D

So next time you get the urge to go to NCC for yum cha, slap yourself for being dumb, and go next door instead!!