$e And sweetie, if you come all this way - starters. They were followed quickly by chicken and mushroom rice rolls. While not on the menu, a wink-wink-nudge-nudge (order it and they will come) will quickly procure these cilantro and rice wine laden delicacies. This is sometimes the only reason | come; it's certainly not to be reminded of inebriated escapades the night before. While vegetarian spring rolls and pan-fried veggie dumplings are-lovely, it's the lo-han that vegetarians will truly go gaga for. Mushrooms, water chestnuts and various fungi (did you hear the one about the mushroom that walked into the bar) make this steamed dumpling crunchy and tasty. For seafood | waver between har-gow and shrimp and scallop:dumplings. The har-gow are steamed shrimp dumplings with a vaguely clove-like flavour, while the shrimp and scallop are imbued with the inevitable oily richness that scallops pro- © vide. If it's raining out and you feel like a sensory onslaught, they make a mean vegetarian hot and sour soup. | prefer the gently bam- booed flavour of bean curd, and vermicelli soup, stressing the no- dried-shrimp factor vehemently. Laden with vermicelli, mushrooms, and fried and chewy bean. curd it has a lovely herbal flavour that | adore. And sweetie, if you come all this way, don't pass on the green onion cakes. Fried savoury pancakes dipped in soup or with a little peanut sauce or hoisin satisfy that chewy doughy morning pastry craving like nothing else. Topped with the definitely acquired taste of sesame balls packed with the murky sugary flavour of sweet bean paste and copi- ous amounts of green tea, we are stuffed and ready for the hushed ambience of a matinee. But definitely not the gentle hum of my com- puter as | pen this and other tomes regarding the mild shock of con- sciousness as per Baudelaire, etc. Fortune cookie says: You will be the focus of attention. If you've never had dim sum, or are more used to carts filled with lukewarm dishes, Chonqing’s piping hot, fresh from the kitchen process is a revelation. The more friends you have the cheaper it will _ be, but rarely more than $9 or $10. If you want to pay $5, go to don °t Dass OTl the McDonalds for crying out loud. cdtPimeitiamenm= Green onion cakes! through rain-slicked city streets | arrived at my doctor's office, which was selling marzipan logs that had been rolled in lavender flavoured sequins. If you have ever heard of such a confection, please contact me immediately. 12 @ a And sweetie, if you come all this way - starters. They were followed quickly by chicken and mushroom rice rolls. While not on the menu, a wink-wink-nudge-nudge (order it and they will come) will quickly procure these cilantro and rice wine laden delicacies. This is sometimes the only reason | come; it's certainly not to be reminded of inebriated escapades the night before. While vegetarian spring rolls and pan-fried veggie dumplings are lovely, it's the lo-han that vegetarians will truly go gaga for. ‘Mushrooms, water chestnuts and various fungi (did you hear the one about the mushroom that walked into the bar) make this steamed dumpling crunchy and tasty. For seafood | waver between har-gow and shrimp and scallop dumplings. The har-gow are steamed shrimp dumplings with a vaguely clove-like flavour, while the shrimp and scallop are imbued with the inevitable oily richness that scallops pro- vide If its raining out and you feel like a sensory onslaught, they make a mean vegetarian hot and sour soup. | prefer the gently bam- booed flavour of bean curd, and vermicelli soup, stressing the no- dried-shrimp factor vehemently. Laden with vermicelli, mushrooms, and fried and chewy bean curd it has a lovely herbal flavour that | adore. And sweetie, if you come all this way, don't pass on the green ‘onion cakes. Fried savoury pancakes dipped in soup or with a little peanut sauce or hoisin satisfy that chewy doughy morning pastry craving like nothing else. Topped with the definitely acquired taste of sesame balls packed with the murky sugary flavour of sweet bean paste and copi- ‘ous amounts of green tea, we are stuffed and ready for the hushed ambience of a matinee. But definitely not the gentle hum of my com- puter as | pen this and other tomes regarding the mild shock of con- sciousness as per Baudelaire, etc. Fortune cookie says: You will be the focus of attention. If you've never had dim sum, or are more used to carts filled with lukewarm dishes, Chonging’s piping hot, fresh from the kitchen process is a revelation. The more friends you have the cheaper it will be, but rarely more than $9 or $10. If you want to pay $5, go to McDonalds for crying out loud Act IT ‘And to conclude | had a dream that after racing my car through rain-slicked city streets | arrived at my doctor's office, which was selling marzipan logs that had been rolled in lavender flavoured sequins. If you have ever heard of such a confection, please contact me immediately. don’t pass on the green onion cakes! 99 19 @