Comments on: Marigold Regal Chinese restaurant, Haymarket Chinatown

By: Not Quite Nigella

Not Quite Nigella — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 17:48:36 +0000

Hi kaydee-That’s great, it’s not often when you get such good service at yum cha! Definitely a rare find!

By: kaydee

kaydee — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:37:26 +0000

The Regal has become a favourite for those quick yum-cha lunches midweek with workmates. The service is fantastic as is the food (I did stick with what I know, however a dining companion did recommend the chicken feet ). Once we wanted to order something that wasn’t on as yum-cha and not only was it not a problem, but the waiter gave us two plates of it (!) as well as giving us his name so if we needed anything next time we were there, we could ask for him (even if we weren’t seated in his section). You can’t beat that for service, which is a rare find in Chinese restaurants these days.

By: Not Quite Nigella

Not Quite Nigella — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 01:49:47 +0000

Hi Maria-I think only some chinese restaurants will show you the duck and carve it in front of you (the bigger, more upmarket places tend to). Other places will carve it in the back.

Hehe about your husband and you and parking! It must be a male thing

I am not sure if it had cheese in it to be honest. It did blister on the top like it had some cheese in it but I couldn’t taste any cheese in it. The taro can be quite dominant in flavour though.

It was good to meet up with my cousin’s wife although the food wasn’t all great. I suppose that’s the risk one takes when they try new dishes. Do you have a Chinatown area near you? I find that’s where you tend to get better restaurants. Having said that, my favourite place is a suburban place but it depends on what you order

By: Maria

Maria — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:59:11 +0000

I just love crepes.. so a savoury pancake with duck would probably hit the spot for me. I don’t think I’ve seen a duck presented before (excluding TV) with its head still attached to the body. I think it was great that so many of you were able to dine together and try different dishes. Lol..about the parking-greeting. If I’m meeting my husband somewhere because we’ve been unable to travel together.. he’ll usually ask me where I parked.. and then tell me where he parked if I don’t ask him the same!

Did the vegie sauce have any cheese in it? I’m only asking because it looks like it has!

I detect a feeling of “not an overly mind blowing banquet”… so I hope the company was much better!? I’m yet to find “good Chinese” in the town where I live. Though there is one place I know that gets the “special fried rice” right..so that’s something at least

By: Not Quite Nigella

Not Quite Nigella — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 00:24:07 +0000

Hi Y-Hehe I’m comforted in knowing that it’s a ritual for other families-so mine doesn’t seem as odd!

I must get myself to Zilver. Hmmm yes the skin must be crispy, there’s nothing worse than skin that isn’t crispy. Then it’s just a roast duck!

By: Y

Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:45:34 +0000

Marigold used to be the place we always went as a family for Yum Cha. And we always greeted each other with “where did you park” as well. We haven’t been to Marigold lately though, since discovering Zilver. Also, my parents now favour a place in Eastwood for dinners – their duck pancakes are pretty good as they’re not too fatty and have plenty of crisp skin.

By: Not Quite Nigella

Not Quite Nigella — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:48:52 +0000

Hi Tian-Oh right, I thought that yam and taro were the same thing (they are in some parts of the world). They’re quite similar in taste and look-and I’ll take both at any time!

Hi Amanda-Hmmm well I’ve had some hits and some misses at both Golden Century and East Ocean. The criteria for me is the live seafood, especially lobster and Peking Duck. For people that don’t like those dishes though, it may be a different experience.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:48:47 +0000

How does the food compare with Golden Century? We used to stick pretty much to East Ocean. We took the in laws there once and sat next to Bill Granger and his family, so now they request a visit every time they’re in town. I agree with Tian though that Zilver has really pulled ahead of the others.

By: Tian

Tian — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:44:27 +0000

NQN – oh yea, thanks for reminding me of those! .. that yum cha dish is called woo kok. it’s usually made from yam, not taro

By: Not Quite Nigella

Not Quite Nigella — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:45:35 +0000

Hi Lori-It’s funny you say that. The family has stopped having dinners in the city for the same reason Thinking about it, we only had the dinner in the city as my cousin’s wife who was here on business was staying right near the Marigold and it was easiest for her. I love a city meal though as it always seems more exciting but it’s hard to get everyone on board.

I agree about the duck skin, there was definitely enough for probably 4 more pancakes and to add 2 more wouldn’t have broken the bank!

Hi Tian-I love taro in anything but in this dish, it had a buttery creaminess. Have you tried the deep fried yum cha dumplings with taro on the outside? I think there’s also a duck dish with tafo on the outside also deep fried. We’ll try anything with taro!

I’ve yet to go to Zilver but have it on my list!

Hi Kathy-Hehe thanks! Peking Duck can do that