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Ontario...
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Hamilton
My name is Jamie and I have the best Dim Sum restaurant anywhere,
right here in Hamilton, Ontario. I used to have to travel to Toronto
to get a good dim sum lunch but since I have discovered this restaurant,
all that has changed. Catherine and Sam own and run the Crystal
Dynasty Chinese Restaurant. They are not only friendly
and gracious but Sam cooks the best dim sum I have ever had anywhere
in the world (including Hong Kong and mainland China). I bring
all of my friends and family whenever they come here. I invite
any journeywomen (and their friends) to come to Hamilton to have
this delightful food. Address: 94 Cannon Street West, Unit 3 &
4. Tel: (905) 308-8208 P.S.Thanks for such an inspiring newsletter.
I always read it three or four times and savour every word.
Jamie, Hamilton, Canada
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Kitchener
Cameron Chinese Seafood -- I have been living
in China for the last 3 years. You might have expected that I
would be telling you about my favourite dim sum restaurant here.
But I am not going to do that, because I have never been to a
dim sum restaurant in the city where I have lived most of the
time, Beijing. One reason is because dim sum restaurants are far
more popular and common in the south of China.
On the other hand, when I am back in Canada, I am starved for
my 'real' Chinese food. I like to head to Kitchener (the city
beside my hometown of Cambridge) to Cameron Chinese Seafood for
a fix. Steamed barbecue pork buns and turnip cake--here I come!
21 Cameron Street. Tel: 576-3030.
Linda, Beijing, China
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Ottawa
My suggestion for delicious Dim Sum is the Yangtze Dining
Lounge. Address: 700 Somerset St. W. Tel: 613-236-0555.
Expect it to be very busy on weekends, but well worth the wait.
Helen, Ottawa, Canada
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My best experience with Dim Sum was one of my first experiences.
The Yangtze in Ottawa in the
heart of China Town is amazing. It opened my eyes to a whole new
type of dining experience. Address: 700 Somerset St W (Near Cambridge
N). Tel: 613 236 0555.
Olga , Guelph, Canada
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Toronto
There are lots of dim sum restaurants in our city but here are
two that stand out in my books. Both of these are atypical of
the stereotypical Chinese restaurants. That is, they are quiet
and have a contemporary ambience. They serve very good to excellent
dim sum choices, but definitely cost a bit more.
Cha Liu is an all day dim sum (small) restaurant
on a 2nd floor which overlooks Yonge Street. (N. of Eglinton).
Order is by al a carte menu. Tel: 2352 Yonge St., 2nd Fl. Tel:
416-485-1725. Website: http://www.chaliu.com
Lai Wah Heen is located inside the Metropolitan
Hotel; take the elevator up a couple of floors. Expect standard
(plus newly created selections) of dim sum. Contemporary décor,
quiet, good service and delicious dim sum by al a carte. Address:
108 Chestnut Street. Tel: (416) 977-9899. Website: http://www.metropolitan.com
Lily, Toronto, Canada
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I live in Switzerland but my favorite Dim Sum restaurant is
in Toronto. It's called Dynasty. Whenever I go to Toronto I have
to have Dynasty's Dim Sum at least once. Lots
of Chinese patrons there which is a good sign. Sometimes it does
get quite busy and loud, but the food is worth it. Yummie. Here
are the details -- Address: 131 Bloor St. W 2nd Floor. Tel: (416)
923-2323. Website: http://www.toronto.com/dynasty
Barbara, Bern, Switzerland
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I just have to write to you about our favourite spot in Toronto
which is about one hour west of where we live. After a day of
shopping or galleries in Toronto we always visit The Whistling
Oyster at 11 Duncan Street downtown in the theatre district.
They have a wonderful Dim Sum menu. But that's not all. Every
day between 3 and 6 p.m. is happy hour when you can order smaller
inexpensive versions of all of their Dim Sum menu items. This
is a great way to taste a wide variety of what they have available.
Table seating is available with a view to the kitchen and you
can also order at the bar which is what we prefer. Shelley makes
everyone feel welcome, there is ususally lots of chatting between
customers and it is not long before you feel like you are part
of the gang visiting your own local hangout. Check it out, you
will not be disappointed! Website: http://www.whistlingoyster.ca
Mary Lou, Cold Springs, Canada
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My favourite Cantonese dim sum restaurant is Jade Dynasty
Chinese Cuisine at 5505 Leslie Street (northeast corner
of Leslie and Finch intersection) in North York, Ontario, M2H
3W6. Phone: 416-492-3688. To start, this restaurant serves a very
good quality tea. Dim sum is served on linen tablecloths rather
than plastic sheeting. I tend to go with friends who share a love
of shrimp. We call our lunch "Shrimpfest". We order
shrimp based- dim sum. Jade Dynasty orders a very good quality
of shrimp and they do not skimp on quantities stuffed into noodles.
Ordering is done off of an extensive order sheet and supplementary
offerings are made by circulating wait staff. This restaurant
has a private room for groups of 25 - a great idea for family
gatherings, and reunions. Prices are reasonable, service is good.
I have been eating dim sum in Toronto for over 25 years and this
happens to be my favourite place.
P.S. Many Torontonians will recommend Lai Wah Heen
in the Metropolitan Hotel at 108 Chestnut Street in downtown Toronto.
It's located just one block north of Toronto City Hall. Phone:
416-977-9899. They have an elaborate if not extravagant Cantonese
dim sum menu with lots of seafood including lobster as well as
Peking duck. They offer an a la carte menu or set dinners. The
New York Times claims they serve the best dim sum in Toronto if
not North America. I simply find that it is very expensive for
what dim sum is intended to be - an informal meal shared with
family and friends, with little pleasing mouthfuls of food.
Jane, Toronto, Canada
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In Thornhill, I recommend Furama House Chinese Restaurant.
Address: 100 Steeles W, Thornhill Tel: (905) 731-3288. The food
is reasonably priced, tasty and diners are offered a good variety.
This restaurant is at the north end of Toronto, just west of Yonge
St (the major artery). Having tasted Dim Sum in London, Vancouver
and San Francisco as well as Toronto I can still say that Furama
House is an excellent choice.
Wendy, Richmond Hill, Canada
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I recommend Bright Pearl Seafood Restaurant
at 346 Spadina Ave. Tel: (416) 979-3988. Website: http://www.brightpearlseafood.com/
This restaurant is best experienced with tour operator Shirley
Lum, owner of A Taste of The World Tours. Shirley gives the best
"behind the scenes" experience of dim sum: the tradition
and meaning behind the dishes and the etiquette for enjoying this
delightful food experience. In addition, Shirley can teach even
the most resistant diner how to use chop sticks! Check out her
website: http://www.torontowalksbikes.com/
Elizabeth, Aurora, Canada
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Toronto's Bright Pearl Restaurant (346 Spadina
Avenue and St. Andrew) is our family's dim sum favorite as well.
In discussion with Stephen Chan, the managing director of Bright
Pearl Seafood Restaurant, Stephen explained that he is working
hard to welcome and accommodate the needs of his non-Asian clientele.
While in Hong Kong it's common for extended families to enjoy
Dim Sum together; one of Stephen's goals is to see Canadian families
enjoying their meals in exactly the same way. On any given weekend
Mr. Chan's dining hall is packed with a range of multicultural
guests eager to enjoy their version of a Chinese style brunch.
He makes sure that novice diners are presented with a simple English
brochure. It contains a brief history of Dim Sum with photos of
the dishes served from traditional carts wheeled around the restaurant.
This is only a simple piece of paper yet it carries a message
of warm welcome. With a little creative thinking the intercultural
bridges this Chinatown restaurant is building are indeed impressive.
Website: http://www.brightpearlseafood.com
P.S. Get there early if you can. Dishes are discounted until 11:00
each morning. A bell sounds at 11:00 sharp and then choices go
back to regular price again.
Evelyn, Toronto, Canada
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I'd like to contribute my Toronto dim sum secret to the Journeywoman
Network.There's a small dim sum place in the heart of Kensington
Market that I've been going to for years. Called Saigon
Pearl, it's run by Vietnamese people who should know
something about Chinese food as their country was influenced by
the Chinese for at least a hundred years. No need to dress up
here. The place is a tad on the grungy side but unlike the big
Chinese dim sum parlours (where the food is mass made, reheated
and rolled around on trolleys), this dim sum is made specifically
to your order. Furthermore, it's very inexpensive, quite delicious
and has lots of regulars. Saigon Pearl is situated at 2 Kensington
Ave # A just north of Dundas Ave. It's right around the corner
from one of Toronto's thriving Asian market and restaurant areas.
Tel: (416) 598-1573
Marilyn, Toronto, Canada
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