Food Review: TGIF @ Canton Paradise Tea House

Went to try something different on Friday to celebrate TGIF! 

My hubby's work place is near Star Vista so we decided to try something new there. 

Was walking around exploring the place and saw Canton Paradise Tea House which was filled with people.

I've heard from my bestie that Paradise Group's food are all really good so we decided to give it a try. 

It was our first time there, so we randomly ordered the following: 

 1. Baked BBQ Honey Pork Bun

I like this bun because it's not too oily and the skin is thick. I really like bun with thicker skin and lesser filling.

But to my hubby, this bun is not to his liking. 

He said the skin is not crispy enough. 

As compare to Tim Ho Wan's Char Siew bun, we still prefer Tim Ho Wan

2. Signature Shrimp Dumpling Noodle

We ordered this because it's supposed to be their signature noodle but to our disappointment, the noodle is extremely normal and plain. The shrimp dumpling tastes like those frozen instant cook food. 

So we'll suggest that you don't try this. Waste of calories and money. 

3. XO Fried Carrot Cake

If you do not mind gaining some calories, I'll recommend you to try this. 

This carrot cake is really tasty with golden crispy fried skin fused with XO taste.

The downside is that it's pretty oily as you can see. 

4. Fried 桂花糕 

Okay, I have to say, this is the worst!

It's too sweet, the water chestnut is crunchy, and the whole thing is extremely oily. 

Fattening and not tasty. 

I guess Gui Hua Gao is not preferred to be fried. 

The overall experience at the restaurant is average. 

The service is good and the waiting time for the food is short. 

However, the food is to our disappointment. 

I guess maybe we have ordered the wrong dishes and they have better dishes. 

But once bitten twice shy so I guess I won't be planning to patronize this place any sooner. 

But if you'll like to try their other dishes, the location is as follow:

#B1-45/46, The Star Vista, 1 Vista (nearest MRT: Buona Vista)

Ciao, 

Evelyn 

Food Review: Tim Ho Wan @ Plaza Singapura

Yes, I've finally tried the legendary TIM HO WAN! All thank to my lovely hubby. 

The long queuing hour is something that is well known and it's also the reason that hinder us from trying the legendary Dim Sum. 
But this time round, my hubby decided that we should try it and very sweet of him, he had went to queue first. 
By the time I've reached, there were only like 3 people in front of us and I saw a very long queue behind us. He told me that he has queued for more than one hr before I've reached. 

Finally it's our turn to try

My hubby said that this may be our one and only attempt in trying the Dim Sum due to the long waiting which he's not sure whether he'll conquer a 2nd time, so we ordered many, just to make sure that we tried most of the legendary Dim Sum. 

Though the queuing time is really long, their serving is efficient.
In seconds, they served our 1st dish after we've made our order. 
But the down side is the food comes faster than the speed we were clearing it, as such, many dishes starts to pile on our table. 

The very 1st dish we've tried is what known as one of the Big 4 Heavenly King - Baked Bun with BBQ Pork.  

One of Big 4 Heavenly Kings (四大天王）: Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (3 pics) S$4.50

One of Big 4 Heavenly Kings (四大天王）: Baked Bun with BBQ Pork (3 pics) S$4.50

Baked Bun with BBQ Pork: 

The skin of the bun is something impressive and different from the normal steam pork 包. There is air gap between the pork filling and skin which creates a layered texture. "hope u get what I mean" 

Frankly, the pork filling is normal and nothing too surprising.

This dish comes in 3 pieces at S$4.50 which mean one bun is priced @ S$1.50 

The price is reasonable for its quality

I shall introduce all the 4 heavenly kings first. 

One of Big 4 Heavenly King (四大天王）: Steam Egg Cake (1pc) S$3.80

One of Big 4 Heavenly King (四大天王）: Steam Egg Cake (1pc) S$3.80

Steam egg cake:
This steam egg cake is pretty disappointing. 
I'm a fan of steam egg cake. I really love steam egg cake texture when it's firm and layered.
But this one, it's more fluffy and 松. 
From its 2nd photo, it can be seen that the cake is loose. 
But I guess, there are people who like fluffy cake and this serve them well. 
Though the texture is not to my liking, I will have to give credit for its taste. 
But maybe the chief can consider making another version that has firmer texture. 

One of Big 4 Heavenly King (四大天王）: Pan fried carrot cake (3 pcs) S$4.50

Pan fried carrot cake:
The pan fried carrot cake is too good to be true, mo tak teng! 
The taste and texture are just heavenly!
It has strong flavor that is not too salty. 
It's nicely fried and not too oily 
Definitely a MUST MUST TRY

The last but not least, one of the big 4 heavenly kings, is Vermicelli Roll Pig's Liver which we did not try. 
Because my hubby said that it's too unhealthy so we tried the healthier alternative: Vermicelli Roll with BBQ Pork.

Vermicelli Roll with BBQ Roll S$ 5.50

Other than those mention in the Big 4 Heavenly King, I'll like to recommend their spring roll with egg white.

Spring roll with egg white (3 pcs) S$ 4.20

Spring roll with egg white (3 pcs) S$ 4.20

Spring Roll with Egg White:

Picture speaks a thousand words. From the photos above, you can see that the egg white and prawn are alluring. 

The spring roll skin is extremely crispy.

The prawn and egg white merger is match made in heaven. 

I'll say, most of their dishes (almost all) are really good. The following are the other dishes which we've tried and think it's worth your calories. 

Prawn Dumpling (4 pcs) S$ 5.50

Pork Dumpling with Shrimp (4pcs); S$5.00

Glutinous Rice Dumpling (1 pc) S$5.00

Glutinous Rice Dumpling (1 pc) S$5.00

Beancurd Skin Roll w/ Pork & Shrimp (3 pcs) S$ 4.00

Congee with Lean Pork, Century Egg & Salted Egg S$4.20

Our overall dining experience is good and the food is value for money. 
Moreover, you will not need to be afraid of food wastage if you ordered too much, because Tim Ho Wan allows you to pack your food remaining. 
So feel free to order as much as you want. 

Locations: 

68 Orchard Road #01-29A
Plaza Singapura
Singapore 238839

Opening Hours:
10.00am – 10.00pm (Monday  – Friday)
09.00am – 10.00pm (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday)

Strictly no reservations

They have recently opened a new outlet at:

450 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh #02-02
ERA Centre Toa Payoh
Singapore 319394

Opening Hours:
10.00am – 9.00pm (With effect from 1st November 2013) 

(Monday – Sunday & Public Holiday)

I've heard from the staff that the new outlet at Toa Payoh offers different varieties. 

So if the queuing hour permits, we will try the dim sum at the new outlet

Hope you'll find this review useful.

With Love, 

Evelyn