There have been plans and a few fantasies run around the place. And when we finally alighted at Mainland China, there was a slight buzz of anticipation. It did not disappoint. A golden lion welcomed us as we walked out the elevator. The music was a pleasant surprise. Unlike the usual cloying sound that gets on your nerves a minute after you take your seats, this music is a welcome compliment. And that is all the description I can justify myself spending on the ambience because once the first drink hits the table, it is all about the food.
We went for the buffet this particular afternoon. The server comes over and your water glass is filled and plates are placed in front of you. The drink menu is served along with the glasses. We ordered an Iced Alaska and a Mojito. Also, along with that, the option was given for jasmine tea. The drinks, all good, but the prize of the show is the jasmine tea. Light, fragrant and refreshing, it forms the perfect backdrop for the meal to come.
Too many adjectives.
The phrase from Becoming Jane comes to mind, especially for the soup and platter of appetizers that followed the drinks. The soup option was veg and chicken hot and sour soup. The broth is delicately spiced with threads of chicken or vegetables running through it. While the soup is served, the waiter brings over the pickled cucumbers and black bean sauce for the appetizers. As the soup levels are slowly lowered, the appetizers are brought to the table. Spicy sticky chicken, Crispy chilli vegetables, Schezwan potatoes, vegetables dimsum and chicken dimsum. The appetizers are actually the highlight of the meal. Whatever comes later and before, you will remember these little delicious bites.
As your plate clears, you are immediately flooded with requests for refill. Go for the crispy vegetables. They are the best of the lot. Then, of course you realize that the main course deserves your attention as well and start saying no to the next request. But, the tea is fine. You can keep drinking that all the time.
The main course is not as good as the appetizers. The fried rice is nice and so is the shredded chicken in chilli sauce. The chilli eggplant is good as well. But, the rest of main course though with cool names like lobster and shrimp, is all right. Especially, after the high of the appetizers. But still as far as Chinese food goes, it beats most of the places by a mile.
The desserts are different from the usual Chinese cuisine - no fried ice-cream or tapioca pudding. There was fried wantons though with chocolate sauce along with bread pudding, creme caramel and abundance of tropical fruits. The desserts are cut into nice bite-size pieces for convenience and a very light end to the meal.
The word light has been used very liberally in this post. And, rightly so. There are a lot of options for the buffet and plenty of refills. Even with the additions, you do not feel stuffed at the end of the meal. In fact, you feel nicely full and come away with a smile of satisfaction that involves having good food. This place is ideal for nice brunches on sunny afternoons and the conversation that it inspires.
Location: Near SPAR building, Somajiguda
What to try: Go for the buffet lunch and definitely the jasmine tea
Rating: 3.8/5
We went for the buffet this particular afternoon. The server comes over and your water glass is filled and plates are placed in front of you. The drink menu is served along with the glasses. We ordered an Iced Alaska and a Mojito. Also, along with that, the option was given for jasmine tea. The drinks, all good, but the prize of the show is the jasmine tea. Light, fragrant and refreshing, it forms the perfect backdrop for the meal to come.
Too many adjectives.
The phrase from Becoming Jane comes to mind, especially for the soup and platter of appetizers that followed the drinks. The soup option was veg and chicken hot and sour soup. The broth is delicately spiced with threads of chicken or vegetables running through it. While the soup is served, the waiter brings over the pickled cucumbers and black bean sauce for the appetizers. As the soup levels are slowly lowered, the appetizers are brought to the table. Spicy sticky chicken, Crispy chilli vegetables, Schezwan potatoes, vegetables dimsum and chicken dimsum. The appetizers are actually the highlight of the meal. Whatever comes later and before, you will remember these little delicious bites.
As your plate clears, you are immediately flooded with requests for refill. Go for the crispy vegetables. They are the best of the lot. Then, of course you realize that the main course deserves your attention as well and start saying no to the next request. But, the tea is fine. You can keep drinking that all the time.
The main course is not as good as the appetizers. The fried rice is nice and so is the shredded chicken in chilli sauce. The chilli eggplant is good as well. But, the rest of main course though with cool names like lobster and shrimp, is all right. Especially, after the high of the appetizers. But still as far as Chinese food goes, it beats most of the places by a mile.
The desserts are different from the usual Chinese cuisine - no fried ice-cream or tapioca pudding. There was fried wantons though with chocolate sauce along with bread pudding, creme caramel and abundance of tropical fruits. The desserts are cut into nice bite-size pieces for convenience and a very light end to the meal.
The word light has been used very liberally in this post. And, rightly so. There are a lot of options for the buffet and plenty of refills. Even with the additions, you do not feel stuffed at the end of the meal. In fact, you feel nicely full and come away with a smile of satisfaction that involves having good food. This place is ideal for nice brunches on sunny afternoons and the conversation that it inspires.
Location: Near SPAR building, Somajiguda
What to try: Go for the buffet lunch and definitely the jasmine tea
Rating: 3.8/5
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