Dressed in suit and tie, he played host to every table, taking orders and making recommendations. Most of the servers are men in suits, helped considerably by more staff who bring food, clear plates the moment they re empty, brush crumbs and pour tea and water. Dishes are brought to a serving stand tableside, where fish is filleted, diced quail is served onto lettuce leaves for China Gourmet s famous quail tacos and orders are transfered from serving dishes to plates. That s the kind of classic service that gives dinner here an air of ceremony and reinforces the old-fashioned feel I love. The menu is a relief from the usual overcrowded Chinese menu.
Fewer choices make it easier to order.
Its appeal comes from the textures oily crunch and delicately cooked flesh. If you were to order take-out and these dishes at home, you might not understand what s special about China Gourmet. It is not an entirely new adventure in Chinese food, not trendy or exotic. The food is rich with oil and salt, a dependable source of flavor, like French food that doesn t stint on butter. You have to eat in to understand that China Gourmet s distinction comes from top-notch ingredients, careful service and attention to detail.