Nelson Wang, the brain behind the legendary China Garden, needs no introduction. He came to Mumbai with limited resources and opened the first outlet of this chain which gained instant popularity in no time and soon opened up in New Delhi in C.P and The Ashoka Hotel, Chanakyapuri. The GK 2 branch opened up after the closing of their restaurant in The Ashoka Hotel, and over the years served some delicious Asian delicacies topped with impeccable service and outstanding hospitality to the elite clientele staying in the posh vicinity.
The décor of the 2 tier restaurant is as classy as it can get. You enter into a spacious lobby area with a mini bar and then guided to a dim yet uniformly lit first floor with ample sitting of the plush sofas.
We start off with some great refreshing mock tails VIRGIN CAPRIOSHKA and DAIQUIRI. The food started off with LOO PHAI KUT, the pork spare ribs which were juicy succulent, saucy and super delicious. Then served were the SMOKED CHILLI PRAWNS, presented nicely in a bottom flamed triangular vessel with smoked red chilies. We could not resist ourselves to order the second helping for this dish. THE GIN CHICKEN, small fried dumplings of minced chicken too was relished. STEAM DIMSUM FISH, the last of the appetizers was cotton soft fillets of basa fish tossed in a mildly spiced sauce served dimsum style, garnished with sliced red chilies the main course began with a peppery HUNAN PEPPER PORK and KOREAN CHILLY BUTTER GARLIC PRAWNS. Followed was the delicate BLACK OLIVE FISH, basa nicely battered and pan fried tossed in a black bean sauce. Our favourite amongst the main course was the SOYA WINE CHILLY STEAK, the beef meat was very succulent, and it was mildly spiced yet very balanced. The staples which were served along with the main course were FORTUNE RICE with BLACK MUSHROOMS and VEGETABLE TEPPAN NOODLES, which made our meal wholesome. The meal concluded with a soft textured CARAMEL CUSTARD topped with fresh cherries, which had a mild yet delectable bitterness of black rum.
I guess this review will not be complete without the mention of the General Manager, Mr. Mark Encel,a thorough professional who has served the establishment since very long and who makes sure that the guests have an elated dining experience whenever they visit The China Garden.
