Kam Shing

[FrenchPeach]

Hello,
Do any of you know if the Kam Shing restaurant that recently opened on St.Martin (same side of St.martin as Hot and Spicy) is the same Kam Shing that is on Cote des Neiges? I'm hoping that it's the same owner..
Thanks for your help!

[hungryann]

I was at KS on CDN last week and parked in the Maxi to also get some groceries and lo behold I saw a van that said Kam Shing Laval. I think gus 30 is right (see above) .On another note, I had the Moo Shu Pork and it was not very good and they charged extra for the pancakes (75c each). What's up with that? I thought the pancakes were a sine qua non of any moo shu. It's like ordering fajitas and being charged for the tortillas! BTW, who has really good Moo Shu pork in Mtl?

[bomobob]

Years ago, the best moo shu, as well as the best of a lot of other things, used to be had at Chung Mei on Queen Mary, but they went way downhill many moons ago. That's kind of useless, isn't it?
Memory blank...the place right across from Beijing...upstairs, tip of my tongue. Used to go there a lot about 20 years ago, and it was really good moo shu.

[InterFoodie]

I have loved Kam Shing for many years but my last few visits were really disappointing.
It seems the food was much better when they were smaller and across the street.
Last week the salt & pepper chicken was so burnt & dry I didn't know whether to eat it or bury it. When I mentioned it I just got shrug from the waiter, we ended up not eating it but still having to pay.
Are they slipping or have I just had back luck lately?

[devilishlyj]

Might just be a slip up. I notice it with some dishes more than others since I tend to do take-out at least once a month. Soup is easy for me to basically judge upon sight, but never had anything bad to that extent ever. Once I had Peking Hot Soup that was like spicy water. But the next time they redeemed themselves.

[ios94]

I've been going to Kam Shing for many moons (both the CDN and Victoria locations). I don't know exactly who owns the Laval location but it is the exact same menu and the exact same food. (had take out from them a few weeks ago) I asked one of the guys if they are connected to the CDN locations and told me they are.

[pointblank42]

I can answer all of your questions. I'm a good friend of the owners of Kam Shing.

So, here's the story, CDN location is the first location. It's a partnership. Other locations are owned and operated solely by one of the two partners. The one on Van Horne, and the one in Laval belongs to my friend and his family, so go there. ;)

The one on the West Island belongs to the other partner.

Original location is called Kam Shing, and when the partner opened up in the West Island, on his own, in order to avoid trouble, he opened it as the "Nouveau" "New" Kam Shing. As a result, the one in Laval, is called the "Vieux" "Old" Kam Shing.

All cooks/chefs at CDN, Van Horne, and Laval were trained and taught by my friends family. Although, if you want it straight from the Head Chef, your best chance is to eat at Van Horne, although he does occasionally fill in at the Laval location.

As for food plates gone awry, it all depends on which chef is making/preparing it, some are better than others at certain plates, so, that's where you'll see a difference, otherwise, recipes are the same...I go about once a week...so, as much as I like my friend, the food has to be good for me to go back every week for a meal.

[devilishlyj]

Wow good to know!
I am totally craving now....*rubs belly and thinks of peking hot soup*

[YUL]

Long time reader, first time writer
I can only confirm what was written by pointblank42. I tried VKS in Laval today and I recognized one of the waiters I used to see at Victoria KS. I ordered my fave Hot and Sour Soup and it was more or less the exact same as the CDN locations. So it really is the real mccoy. Very happy!

[FrenchPeach]

FYI - Just called the Kam Shing on CDN. Turns out that the one in Laval is not the same owner...shame.

[InterFoodie]

Kam Shing means Golden Palace

I have been going to the one on Cote Des Neiges for 15yrs+

Always great food and large portions.

Sometimes I just call ahead and do takeout.
When you do takeout you just show up to the cash and get your order and pay.
The owner is ALWAYS working the cash, I have tried to talk to this guy or at least exchange pleasantries in all the 15yrs+ he has never said anything, stone cold face.

One day I told him that I was on the West Island and I saw a restaurant called Kam Shing and if it was his restaurant.
The guy went off like a cannon, telling me how they stole the name, how he was suing etc.
I could not get him to stop talking; I though he was going to have a stroke.
Now every time he sees me he actually has a few words to say!

[ios94]

It's actually called, "Vieux Kam Shing" no joke. I was next door at Milsa last night and noticed it. For them to throw in the "Vieux" probably means it's not the same owners as French Peach has already confirmed.

[gus_30]

Just to let everybody know the Kam-shing restaurant on st-martin is indeed the same as the one on cote des neiges! I went and saw the owner of the original Kam shing working the cash! The food is exactly the same...even the containers. I'm not sure where everybody is getting their info but its the same been there and ate there...its the same!

[celfie]

why is it that the menu and food containers at the west island location are the exact same. some kind of joint business venture gone awry?

[gus_30]

I don't think its a joint venture. The west island Kam shing has nothing to do with the other two. They simply cut,copied and pasted! I guess thats why its called the NEW kam shing. Someone in this thread mentioned the original owners are suing or planning to taking legal action against the west island establishment. So, i guess they added the word "vieux" to seperate themselves from the guys in the west island but thats just a guess.

[BLM]

Does the Victoria location of Kam Shing, have any connection with the CDN Kam Shing restaurant?

[devilishlyj]

The one on Van Horne? Same owner. I've grown up on the Cote Des Neiges one, but we also eat at the other location sometimes.

[celfie]

it turns out that the west island edition has crispier more delicious gen tao than the others oooh what a treat. personally, i never quite got the appeal of the CDN one - i find that experience way too stressful.

[Venusia]

I really enjoyed the CDN one in its old location, with its big windows and evening sun; reminded me of a 70s boardwalk resto. I like the new one too, though even more so now that smokers have been banished.

Is the owner the small older man? He's the one that does my takeout orders, but he also seats people in the dining room too. I've always found him pleasant and chatty; actually, I find most of the waiters are very friendly with my family.

I've never eaten at the WI one although I have ordered takeout many times. The decor colors are dated, IMO.

Both places serve too much onions in their beef with black bean sauce; I just went to President today and barely any onions in the dish.

[marcrobert]

Venusia, Just order "no onions" next tiime :)

[bomobob]

I got dragged to the Waste Island one a while ago for a work lunch, and despite it being a very suburban type restaurant, the beef flank stew with tofu was very good indeed. I tried a piece of someone's Gen Tao, and I have to say it was really good, which is pretty rare.

[celfie]

is this one called "Newer new Kam Shing" ?

[FrenchPeach]

Celfie;

All that I saw was 'Kam Shing' on the sign but mind you, I was driving by in my car. It's located in a little mall.