I have been interested to see how a post which, had I been asked in advance about controversial posts, would have been the one I would have guessed would be the least controversial of all.
I am referring to my writings last Thursday about the good old Lee How Fook Chinese Restaurant in Lindisfarne.
It's surprising how much discussion that particular subject has stimulated, especially at my workplace, where there are a few avid Rita-readers who like to continue the discussions in person!
It appears everyone has an opinion about the state of Chinese food in Hobart, including one of my Commenters, curly lasagna, who also seems not to want anyone from the western shore to venture across that big divide commonly called the Bridge to partake of eastern shore goodies!
I'd volunteer to do a Chinese Restaurant "crawl" in the interests of research, but realistically can't bear the thought. My general opinion still stands - that the best Chinese food for me here in Hobart is food I've made myself. That's why the Lee How Fook was such a surprise to me.
Thursday, 10 May 2007
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7 comments:
And here's me thinking Chinese food is so passe. I am DESPERATE for some decent authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Hobart and please don't tell me to eat at the Vietnamese Kitchen at Salamanca or Siagon Kitchen at North Hobart. They are not the real deal. I want Vietnamese food cooked by Vietnamese people. Please.... before I succumb to the lesser experience that is Chinese! - Fooda for Thought
Rita, I too have given up looking for quality, authentic chinese food in Hobart.
We do the lunch specials sometimes, but you know that's pretty much the same old slop. Although you do get cravings, you know...oooh its satay combination with fried rice today!
I once planned to do a sweep of as many Chinese restaurants as I could from Glenorchy to Kingston during a long holiday.
I decided against it after speaking to friends who had tried lots of them.
So now, I get into Wing and Co for my Hong Kong black bean, chilli and peanut sauce mix, black bean and garlic, japanese seasonings and malay curry powders.
So, I do it at home with good books picked up over the years. Some for $1 at fares etc.
Some were gifts from pals, such a great Indonesian book.
It may not be Iron Chef quality but, with the occasional disaster, much of it is okay.
The limiting factor is my (lack of) skill. I'm sure the recipes are first class.
The old (long-gone) much-touted Asian Restaurant at Wrest Point was one of the earliest disappointment.
We need a good one. Surely someone can do it?
Sir Grumpy.
Well Rita the amazing Le How Fook debate got too much for me and the missus so we decided to go over and check the place out for ourselves (we live on the western shore by the way so Curly Lasagna’s fears may not be groundless).
To call the place unpretentious would be flattering. It is basically a Chinese takeaway with a few tables in an adjoining room. To be honest it was difficult for us to understand what the fuss was about. The food and service seemed ok but nothing to rave about (mind you I’m not in the same class as “Anon-Fiona” as a judge of Chinese food).
It was a fairly quite night and it was not until we observed the interaction between Linda and some of her regular customers that the penny started to drop. She engaged with them in such a friendly way that we, as strangers, were a bit envious.
My theory is that the Le How Fook is a genuine family restaurant where the regular customers get to feel part of the family. This would explain the rather weird protective attitude of Curly Lasagna who is no doubt a welcomed regular at the restaurant.
This theory would also suggest that your very favourable review of the Le How Fook was not based on you going there as an anonymous stranger. I bet you went there with a Le How Fook regular.
Finally, this raises the “quality of service” question of making customers feel important by acknowledging them as people and friends and making them feel as though they belong in the restaurant.
It's true Pedro, that welcome thing.
I read a review today of a place and the reviewer's last comment was... No one said hello, no one said goodbye.
It didn't get a great review!
Sir Grumpy
I only came across the Lee How Fook resteraunt because I was using Google Map, with Street View, and saw the resteraunt on screen. Googled the name and found this review page. Just leaving my comment for the fun of it. I'm in the UK, by the way.
Thanks for popping by and leaving your comment, vanwhistler. Whereabouts in the UK?
I'm in Giltbrook, near Eastwood, Nottingham, England.
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