Hoang Hoa 13th September 2012

Present; Jim, Karen, Kim, Megan, Ron, John

Wine: Redgate Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Margaret River
Stanton & Killeen Moodemere Red Durif 1992
Taylors Merlot 2008

Food;
Spicy Duck with pancakes
Mermaid Tresses

Silver fish
Home style pork ribs
Ma Po bean curd
three treasures chicken
Five spice crispy lamb

The mermaids tresses were very fine, cooked in sugar, crispy, cold with what we think was blachan.  The duck pancakes crispy, spicy, delicious with a hoisin sauce that had a hint of cinamon.  Ron was up to his elbows in duck grease, face full of duck and said in characteristic style that he didn't like it.  the rest of us just said that we loved it.

The silver fish (I think they mean whitebait) was not universally liked, Ron said he was not fussed, it was like cardboard.  Karen and I liked it, there were big chunks of garlic and chilli, the batter was crispy and altogether, it worked.

The pork was boneless, just fell apart, mouthwatering, magnificent..

Mapo bean curd, silken tofu with the addition (not usual) of corn kerals.  The chilli was hot, the flavour nice.
3 treasures chicken, with mushrooms, eggplant and tofu and ginger, brilliant!

Conversation:

• medical centres on Canberra (?!!!)
• Johns latest trip to Canada
• how to manage underperforming staff
• phones (i-phones)
• travelling and Disneyland (who wants to go?)
• kids swimming lessons

The bill for the 6 of us was $243.  It was not as good as it has been, the service was a bit slow  Everyone enjoyed it all, though some complained that the ma po bean curd was a bit hot, but that's just how the rest of us like it