Gimme Some Dim Sum!

The line was long. It actually extended around two corners and was about three people wide at any spot. Parents stood while their children kicked in strollers, couples sat next to each other on the small wooden benches that lined one of the walls, and groups of friends laughed while they anxiously shuffled, waiting for their number to be called. Why the wait? These patient people were literally lining up for one of the best Dim Sum restaurants in all of Montreal and somehow I was one of them.

I admit that when I was woken this morning from a deep Sunday sleep I had no idea that I would be headed towards China Town for an adventure into the Asian pallet. But sometimes the best adventures are the surprises. My roommate Zen, a native Chinese student from Beijing, had offered to take Kellie and I out to one of his favorite restaurants for lunch. We were joined by two other Champlain students, Shwa and Alex.

Finally our lunch crew’s number was shouted into the lobby over a microphone, “Number 19! Number 19! 19! 19! 19!” The woman's rapid, urgent voice reminded Shwa of a rodeo caller. I almost agreed.

The host lead us through the crowded dining floor. The entire room was packed from wall to wall with its noisy lunchtime crowd. Huge tables were littered with plates and silver tea kettles. Men half-reclined with their chairs pushed back from their tables, obviously taking in the post-feast stretch.

We picked our way through the crowd towards a back corner table. No sooner had I noticed the great view from our corner window than our first treat arrived. The dish was presented by a woman who spoke a few words of quick Chinese and placed the small, white porcelain bowl on the table. She waved her hand over the curious concoction of mushrooms, noodles, and dark broth. Zen gave her the okay and the dish was ours. She briskly turned away and presented the same dish to a neighboring table. This style of dining is called Dim Sum and is what the restaurant is named after.

The entire meal was presented in this way. Single dishes were brought to our table where we gave the yay or neigh. If we chose to eat the dish a quick mark in blue pen was placed on a white card that sat in the center of our table. This, I would learn later, was our bill. If we chose to pass, the server would move on. The portion style could be related to tapas. Two plates could easily fill me up, yet 7 or 8 could be shared among a small group. At least 25 dishes came our way. We ordered about 12 of them.

Food came at a quick fire place. Dishes flew like frisbees from the waitress cart to our table. Before we knew it our table was a mess of fried noodles, pork bones, bean buns, sticky chicken rice, dumplings, and shrimp rolls, to name a few.

My favorite dish was by far was something that resembled a flakey pastry. The crispy layers were sweetish and hearty. I learned from Zen then the pastry-like wrap was in fact made of egg whites and the dish was a close cousin to the American omelet. I tasted no relation. Still, the dish was by far one of the most unique and delicious plates ordered.

It was clear that none of the food was going to waste. Though we ordered enough food to feed the entire Habs hockey team, almost every scrap was gone by the time we threw down our napkins.

The best part? All that food, that spot on service, and the entire unique experience was only $15 per person. The lines in front of the restaurant should have given it away from the very beginning. I can not wait to go again!
--b--