Autumn Flavors at the Garden

Recently, I've been enjoying a lot of Chinese cuisine! Tonight, I dined at the very artistic Xiqu Centre with a friend, savoring a delightful Cantonese meal that left me feeling very satisfied and nostalgic. The restaurant is located within the Xiqu Centre's atmospheric Garden! The interior is elegantly decorated with a theatrical theme, providing a feast for the eyes as well as the palate. We started with a special drink, Preserved Plum and Tangerine Peel Soda for $32! The sweet tangerine peel and preserved plum paired with refreshing soda was a thirst-quenching delight. Next, we had Cucumber with Kumquat Vinegar for $58! I've had cucumber with vinegar before, but the addition of kumquat gave it a fresh fruity aroma, making the crisp cucumber even more delightful. Crispy Fish Skin with Salted Egg Yolk for $78! It was fried to perfection, crispy without being greasy. The salted egg yolk clung to the crispy fish skin, offering a savory and crunchy experience that was truly captivating. Pan-fried Tiger Prawn with Premium Soy Sauce for $88 each! The aroma hit us before the dish arrived. The rich soy sauce flavor permeated the prawn meat, providing a deep umami taste that went beyond the surface. The prawn's bouncy texture made it a favorite of mine. Traditional Baked Oyster Pot for $198! The charred aroma from the oyster pot was enticing. The rich egg flavor combined with the sweet oyster meat and savory chives made it as appealing as baked fish intestines. Gele Mountain Spicy Chicken for $238! Made with fresh chicken and my favorite frog legs, the sizes of the ingredients were just right. The spicy flavor made the crispy chicken and frog legs incredibly tasty, perfect for pairing with beer. Hunan-style Braised Pork for $168! The glossy, reddish appearance was very appealing, and the aroma was irresistible. The braised pork was tender and flavorful! The pork skin was aromatic without being greasy, and the meat was cooked to perfection, melting in the mouth. The special sauce was sweet but not cloying, making it very appetizing. Golden Dried Shrimp and Mustard Greens Clay Pot for $98! The sizzling sound and aroma were enticing. The mustard greens were crisp and paired perfectly with the savory dried shrimp and minced meat, making it hard to stop eating. Classic Taishan Vegetable and Preserved Meat Clay Pot Rice for $138! The so-called vegetable is similar to mustard greens, and combined with the must-eat preserved meat of autumn and winter, it made a perfect clay pot rice. The balance of the vegetable's sweetness and the oiliness of the meat made the rice fragrant and not greasy, very delicious. No Chinese meal is complete without Chinese desserts! Mulberry Mistletoe Lotus Seed Egg Tea for $38! The tea was rich and flavorful, with the sweetness perfectly balanced, just to my liking. Nine-year Lily Bulb and Red Bean Soup for $42! My father loves this red bean soup. The fragrant red beans gave the dessert a sandy texture, and the tangerine peel aroma made it very flavorful. Among all the delicious dishes we tried tonight, the braised pork was the most impressive, and the spicy chicken was also very appealing. This place will definitely be my go-to restaurant when I crave Chinese food again.