China Plate Wednesday 1 March 2017

Present:

Jim, Karen, Kim, Ron, John, Megan.  Andrew was in Ballarat.

We had:

Entree

Beijing Duck Pancakes

Rock Salt soft Crab

Main:

Eggplant with Spicey Salt

Lamb with Spicy Cumin
Fish fillet vietname style
Yuxian Shredded pork

 As soon as John and I walked into China Plate we realised that we had made a mistake that night.  There was one very large table right next to us and the noise was overwhelming (75-80 decibels) but Karen had already broken a glass so it was too late to decamp next door to Portia's, so we were stuck with it.

Not their fault I guess, but it did limit the conversation to whomever we were sitting next to.

 The food was good, as always.  The duck pancakes though were not up to usual standard.  They came out already rolled, very meaty with not enough hoisin and no spring onion.  There was much disappointed expressed around the table.

 The soft shell crab was well received but we should have ordered two servings and the one plate did not go around enough for all of us.

The mains didn't disappoint. The fish had a lovely smell of fish sauce or blachan, we couldn't agree which.  Although deep fried, it didn't taste oily it was so light and with the veges it was a lovely dish. The lamb was very crisp and tasty, maybe a bit too dry for cumin lamb, but well received none the less. The pork was brilliant and was voted the best for the night until the aubergine with spicy salt came out and disappeared quickly without a trace.  This seems to be their signature dish at China Plate and is just delicious, a fabulous way to serve aubergine, crisp and salty.

Desserts were the standard banana fritter (do they really have them in China?) and sago pudding, enjoyed by those who still had room.