Category: Bistro (££)  For me there is no better Sunday lunch than dim sum. I like the sitting together and sharing. In addition after a week(end) full of gluttony,it is a healthy option,particularly when you manage to stay off the fried stuff. When asking trusted foodies about their favourite dim sum place,Phoenix Palace is popping up again and again. As this year is my year of the dumpling,it was about time to visit Phoenix Palace located in a little side street just off of Baker Street to test their vast variety of dim sum. When we went to Phoenix Palace on a sunny Sunday afternoon,the place was packed. I would estimate that at least half to two thirds of the patrons were Chinese,which promised authenticity and quality. I rather liked the Chinese decor and style of Phoenix Palace,and it is not as stuffy and claustrophic as for example the famous (but in my opinion overrated)  dim sum joint Royal China.

Interesting were the Cold Tossed Baby Octopus (3.80) which came in a chili and lemon sauce. Half of the table hated it;the other half really liked it. I was part of the latter and really enjoyed the chilled pieces of tender octopus with the flavoursome sauce,spicy but not overwhelmingly so. On the insipid side were the Noodles with Spicy Hot Meat Sauce,Sichuan Style (6) – they were not spicy at all and for me there were no Sichuan flavours detectable at all unfortunately. I would not order these again.

My favourites were the steamed Wasabi Prawn Dumplings (3.80) – thin and translucent dough filled with plump and tender prawns followed by a fierce wasabi kick. A definite must have!   Read more... (665 words,11 images,estimated 2:40 mins reading time)