Windows On The Bay Restaurant

10 Steps to Remember When Eating at a Chinese Restaurant

 

Introduction

Chinese food appeals to many of us because it is tasty and relatively inexpensive. We are also under the impression that Chinese cuisine is healthy as it includes large portions of vegetables and low amounts of fat. That’s true when the dishes are prepared the traditional Chinese way in China. But American-Chinese restaurants have modified their food for American tastes and as a result, it is not as healthy as the traditional one. Western Chinese restaurants offer appetizers, fried rice, meat rolled in butter, and sweet sauces among their “goodies”. And to top it all, the portions are much larger than the ones served in mainland China. That’s why, having all this in mind, if you want to eat healthy at a Chinese restaurant, you have to choose wisely.

 

1. Start by choosing a good restaurant

When you are in the mood for Chinese food, avoid the typical Chinese restaurant where you can eat as much as you want for a fix price. Chances are you may not want to leave the restaurant until you feel you got your money’s worth. Unfortunately, if you do so, the restaurant will get your money but you will get the calories. Not a win-win situation. Instead, go to a restaurant where the waiter takes your order.

 

2. Start with a soup

A smart move when eating at a Chinese restaurant is to order a soup. Two advantages: first, less overall fat in your meal and second, the soup broth will fill you up. This translates into eating less when the waiter brings the main course.

 

By starting your meal with an appetizer you may ruin your goal of calories, carbohydrates, fat, etc. Pork ribs, egg rolls, fried wonton and any other fried foods are high in fat, sugar, and calories. If the waitress brings Chinese fried noodles to keep you busy until the food is served, put them aside or ask her to remove them from the table. Instead, you can kill time while you wait for the food by drinking Chinese tea. No calories there unless you add sugar.

 

3. Choosing the main course

When choosing the main course look for dishes that are abundant in vegetables and have small portions of meat. You can reduce calories by choosing seafood or chicken instead of choosing beef, pork, lamb or duck.  You can also order two dishes: one that has meat as the base and one that is mainly vegetables such as green beans or spinach and mix them.

 

4. Avoid fatty dishes

Read the menu carefully and avoid for the fattiest dishes. Some words will give you a clue: beef rolled in butter or breadcrumbs, crunchy pork, etc. Find out if the meat was fried before being sauté with the vegetables. If that is the case, ask if they can sauté the meat you have chosen instead of frying it.

 

5. Watch out for hidden carbohydrates

Sweet and sour sauces as well as other typical sauces of the Chinese cuisine are full of carbohydrates and if you are diabetic, they can raise your blood sugar. Sugar and starches keep adding carbohydrates to many main dishes. You will also find carbohydrates in the corn flour used to thicken sauces and in the ingredients used to marinate the meat. Read the small print and ask a lot of questions to the waiter.

 

6. Be careful with the rice

You know that at a Chinese restaurant, you are going to be served a big bowl of rice and as you may be aware, rice contains many carbohydrates. Avoid fried rice and regular soy sauce to flavor it; you will end up with a lot of fat and sodium in your meal. If possible ask for brown rice which is rich in fiber. If they don’t have it available, hold the rice. Remember that a cup of rice has at least 45 grams of carbohydrate.

 

7. Reduce the salt

Order dishes with light sauces, not too thick. If you need soy sauce ask for the low sodium version and mix it with steamed brown rice, not with fried rice. To add flavor to your meal you can add some hot sauce; it has less sodium and less calories.

 

8. Share the dishes

If you have company, order one main dish, a soup or aperitif and some rice. Then, share it.

 

9. Eat with chopsticks

Eat your meal with chopsticks. If you are as skilful with them as I am, they may slow you down. But don’t worry because as everything in life, it has a positive side: you will probably eat less. Don’t fall into the temptation of asking for a fork and a knife; you may regret it.

 

10. And for dessert…

As for dessert, order fruit and never mind the ice-cream with sugared walnuts which I know by experience it is hard to resist. But if you have followed the above recommendations, you will feel pretty good about having eaten a healthy meal. So, why ruining it?

Tags: Chinese Cuisine, Smart Move, Soup Broth

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Historical writings indicate that Cambridge traces its roots from that of Oxford. According to Roger of Wendover, an English chronicler, two scholars suffered capital punishment on charges of murder of a woman. Opposing the King, many of the scholars left Oxford and travelled to other parts. One of these groups settled down at Cambridge and was responsible for the commencement of this university.

Life at Cambridge

For a student, Cambridge is a great and vibrant place to be in. It is one of the cities in the UK which preserves the rich culture of the British in its ancient buildings and rolling green meadows. Adding to its bewitching beauty, Cambridge has a lot more story to narrate to its visitors.

Cambridge caters to the needs of all its inhabitants: old and young, ancient and modern. It is a strange, fascinating and inexplicable composition on its own. On one hand, you find the Gothic and the Victorian architecture standing the test of time. On the other, you will find modern day entertainment outlets such as pubs, cinema theatres and restaurants spread across the city. The unusualness of the place lies within it. It cannot be explained but has to be experienced. On the whole, it can be accounted for the most exciting place to be on earth beyond doubt.

Life and activities in this wonderful city revolves around the University. Students hailing from diversified backgrounds have beautifully gelled with the local population not showing them distinct from the rest. Such is the blaze of glory of this city which has contributed to mankind in all its might.

If you have had been attending heavy lectures during the week, students always have the option of taking a vacation in the picturesque landscape of the English countryside not far away from this city. For those not comfortable with the serenity of this place, London is an hour away by train.

Academic Year

Each academic year at Cambridge can be split or divided into three terms of 8 weeks each, also known as full terms. They are as follows:

Michaelmas Term: It lasts between 3rd October and 1st December.

Lent Term: It lasts between 16th January and 16th March.

Easter Term: It lasts 24th April and 15th June.

Admission

Before applying to Cambridge, the first and foremost criterion that you need to satisfy is that you should not have applied to the Oxford University in the same year. This process was brought into place to reduce the burden on the screening officers, who otherwise will have to screen a million applications, within the given short duration of time.

Cambridge’s Reputation

The Cambridge University has acquired a number of feathers to its hat in the field of education and research. Some of these accomplishments have been listed as follows:

According to an international rating on research universities, Cambridge was awarded the second place in the world in the year 2006.

The League Tables of British Universities is a list of top-performing universities published by The Times. Cambridge was rated the first position between 1998 and 2006. The universities are gauged on a number of factors such as the quality of teaching and research, the standards set for entry and the number of dropouts in a year.

The Cambridge university is directly associated with “Silicon Fen”, a group of businesses set up in and around Cambridge. The Silicon Fen has been rated as the second largest venture capitalist initiative for the year 2004.

In the field of research, Cambridge has a lot of achievements to its credit. In a study conducted in 2005, it was established that Cambridge produced more number of PhD’s than any other university and also was responsible to have produced the highest number of research papers for the year 2006.

Cambridge – Getting to Know the World Better

One wonderful aspect of studying in an international university like Cambridge is that it paves the way to a totally grateful international experience. People from diversified walks of life come together under one roof to rewrite the history of the world, yet another time. Are you one among those?

Tags: Cities In The Uk, Exciting Place, Victorian Architecture

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Hong Kong’s numerous eating places are catering for every taste and budget: From über-swanky gourmet restaurants, where the world’s rich and famous have their luxurious dinners of Fois gras and truffles, to authentic “Dai pai dong” stalls and simple “Cha Chaan Teng” eateries where delicious Cantonese fare can be enjoyed…

1) The VIP room – Yung Kee

This seventy years old “culinary institution” has made an international name for itself thanks to its legendary Roast goose, which some say is the best in Hong Kong, if not in the whole world… However, the restaurant itself is not what I want to tell you about, and I would have probably not included it in the Hong Kong top 10 restaurants list, if it was not for its VIP room.

Those of you who really want to enjoy a sensational dining experience, should book in advance for the 4th floor VIP room or the Yung’s club on the 8th floor.  It’s somewhat more expensive but the food and the ambience justify the price… Superb Cantonese cuisine at its best.

Yung Kee is located on 32-40 Wellington Street, Central (Phone: 2522 1624)

2) Da Ping Huo

This small and intimate private kitchen restaurant serves fabulous Szechwan cuisine in a very nice atmosphere. It’s owned by a couple of artists: The husband is responsible for the interior décor and the paintings, while the wife is in charge of the lovely food and the after-dinner performance.

Food is hands down delicious and, as expected, is quite spicy and flavorful… The chef brings most spices and herbs directly from Sichuan and the results are fantastic. You need to book well in advance.

49 Hollywood Road, SoHo (Phone: 2559 1317)

3) Yellow door kitchen

Alongside, Da Ping Huo, Yellow Door Kitchen is one of Hong Kong’s best private-kitchen restaurants, serving fantastic Sichuan and Shanghainese food in pleasant surroundings.

This small and highly praised restaurant is known for the top quality ingredients it uses, as well as for its chef’s dedication, both of which result in some excellent food… Recommended dishes include: Deep-fried eel with sweet & sour sauce, Shanghai style “Eight Treasures Duck”, Sautéed fish fillet with pepper & leek,  Sichuan style Tofu,  Sichuan style dan-dan noodle and  Meat dumplings with spicy Sichuan sauce.

Prices are not too bad: Especially if you order their set-dinner, which gives you the opportunity to try different things.

6/F, Cheung Hing Commercial Building, 37 Cochrane Street, SoHo (Phone: 2858 6555)

4) Tim’s Kitchen

This small private-kitchen restaurant has made an international name for itself (including a Michelin award), mainly because of the superior ingredients it uses and the chef insistence on cooking the classical Cantonese dishes, even if that means a lot of preparations…

The focus is given to seafood but there are also some outstandingly good chicken specialties and, as in many private-kitchen establishments, you should book a few days in advance and discuss your order with the chef-owner.

93 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan (Phone: 2543 5919)

5) Caprice, Four Seasons Hotel

Caprice is one of Hong Kong’s most prestigious and sought after restaurants.

Located within the sumptuous Four Seasons hotel, the restaurant offers an unbeatable combination of beautiful décor, gorgeous harbor views, lovely atmosphere and, above all, Superb French cuisine, with a lighter touch…

This unsurpassed dinning experience is complemented by an impressive wine list (predominantly French wines from Bordeaux and Burgundy)

Level 6, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, Central

6) Restaurant Petrus

Restaurant Petrus is one of Hong Kong’s best hotel restaurants and an internationally-known French gourmet institution…

The extremely elegant restaurant is located on Shangri-la’s 56th floor and offers breathtaking harbor views that can be competed only by those of Victoria Peak.

Very classic and luxurious design with perfect table settings, heavy curtains and glittering chandeliers… Tranquil, elegant and romantic atmosphere and, above all, superb French cuisine, complemented by one of Asia’s most impressive wine collections.

Level 56, The Island Shangri-la hotel (Phone: 2820 8590)

7) Lung King Heen

This lavish restaurant specializes in traditional Cantonese cuisine with a contemporary touch, and serves some of the best Dim sum in Hong Kong, alongside a wide variety of creative Shark’s fin and Bird’s nest specialties.

The beautiful décor is classic-contemporary, with plenty of dark wood and Chinese antiques, and there are floor-to-ceiling windows that offer some stunning harbor views.

Four seasons Hotel Hong Kong, IFC complex, Central

Fook Lam Moon

This Hong Kong culinary legend was established more than 50 years ago by a creative Cantonese cook who worked for some of the city’s wealthiest families, before starting his own business.

Using top quality ingredients is what this restaurant is best known for and, indeed, their “unique dishes” are considered among the best in Hong Kong… Especially the Shark’s fin and the Abalone which are possibly the finest you can find in the city.

There are also some less exorbitant dishes on the menu that are still outstandingly delicious… like the Roast chicken, Roast Duck and, of course… the fabulous Dim-sum.

Prices are slightly on the high side, when compared to other Chinese restaurants, but the food is fantastic…

35-45 Johnston Road, Wanchai  (Phone: 2866 0663)

53-59 Kimberley Road, Tsim sha Tsui (Phone: 2366 0286)

9) Yan Toh heen

Strategically located at the swanky InterContinental, Yan Toh Heen serves some of the best Cantonese cuisine in Hong Kong, in an elegant and refined setting that matches in with the fabulous food.

Other than its elegant décor and famous handcrafted jade table-settings, the restaurant boasts large windows through which you can enjoy lovely views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong’s skyline, while indulging on some of the most scrumptious dim sum you have ever tasted…

Prices are on the high side, but the dining experience is simply superb

InterContinental Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim sha Tsui (Phone: 2313 2323)

10) Spring Deer

Established almost forty years ago, Spring Deer is one of Hong Kong’s best and most popular Chinese restaurants.

The restaurant serves classic north Chinese cuisine at its best… Peking duck,   Spiced chicken,   Smoked tea duck,   Beggar’s chicken,   Shark’s fin soup,   Peking style deep fried mutton and plenty of other delicacies…

There’s nothing much in the way of stylish décor or romantic ambience here, but the place is nice, the service is good and the dinning experience is superb (You must book well in advance).

1/F, 42 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui  (Phone: 2366 4012)

For more information about Hong Kong, including a comprehensive Restaurant & Nightlife Guide, some great day trip ideas, details of recommended hotels, shopping tips and suggested city-walks: visit Metropolasia – Hong Kong’s online travel guide, where all the information you need is compiled in one easy-to-use website.

Tags: Roast Goose, Top 10 Hong Kong, Wellington Street

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