Qing Hua chinatown vs lincoln and dim sum question

[juliangen]

I'm a big fan of the Qing Hua on Lincoln but I haven't been to the one in chinatown yet. Is there a drop off in terms of quality? I live much closer to chinatown so if it's not different I'd much rather go there. I was also wondering if there is better dim sum than kam fung in or around to chinatown. I've been to kam fung a couple times and I enjoyed it but I was far from overwhelmed.

Thanks
Julian

[Plateaumaman]

It might have been bad luck but I really didn't enjoy the dumplings I had at Qing Hua in Chinatown. The casing seemed thicker and more bland, and the filling was chunky and unpleasant. I've never had any problems with Qing Hua on Lincoln. That said, I know others have had good things to say about the Chinatown location so hopefully it varies.

I also like the dim sum up the street on St-Laurent, Mai Xiang Yuan. I'd head there before going to the Qing Hua in Chinatown. If pot stickers are your thing, there's a new place that is called Chinoiserie Dumplings et Depanneur on rue Chabot (Papineau/Mont-Royal area) that is has very good quality dumplings in a small space.

I like Maison Kam Fung's dim sum more than that of Ruby Rouge but both are great fun. The earlier in the day you go the better the food is, usually. And there is a new dim sum place now that is a bit more expensive that I plan to try, Le Cristal Chinois.

[SnackHappy]

"I also like the dim sum up the street on St-Laurent, Mai Xiang Yuan."

Thay have dim sum at Mai Xiang Yuan? This is new to me. I thought they only did Northern-style dumplings.

[rosario]

Yes they do only northern dumplings, not soup filled xiao long bao. They are terrific - all made a la minute (none of those frozen things) and available boiled or fried and prices run from $7 to $9.95 depending on filling for 15 dumplings. Appetizer salads at lunch are a steal at $1-$1.50 per plate e.g. celery and boiled peanuts ($3 for dinner). Highly recommended, I have been half a dozed times and never disappointed. Very friendly family run place. No licence but they have another resto across the street where there is booze available.

[Plateaumaman]

What is the other resto across the street? Similar menu?

[rosario]

Don't know, but it sure isn't "street food" set up in the parking lot. Go into Mai Xiang Yuan and ask them where their sister resto is located.

[porker]

I think we're (at least I am) pulling your leg as directly across the street is a parking lot - no buildings, restaurant or otherwise. The parking lot is also very often 'home' for booze-drinking, weed-smoking, homeless people.
{;-/) < funny, joke smiley guy

[EaterBob]

I, too was writing in jest. Although a quick search of the registre des entreprises shows that Mai Xiang Yuan is classified as a restaurant with liquor license and that the owner (or someone with the same name) also has a depanneur in Saint Hubert.

[Plateaumaman]

*Aiya!*

[EaterBob]

The Chowhound thread on Mai Xiang Yuan is here http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/714075 and since when can you buy liquor in the parking lot? :-)

[porker]

The booze for sale in the parking lot is usually only half-bottles {;-/)

[Plateaumaman]

That's what I meant, dumplings not dim sum, was multi-tasking while typing. My bad.

[CaptCrunch]

Anybody went to Christal Chinois?

[porker]

I like RRR over KF (restaurant ruby rouge over kam fung) for dim sum.
I haven't tried the chinatown QH. Maybe try 18 dumplings and let us know the verdict?

[Maximilien]

Q.Hua's room on St-Laurent felt sooooo biiiiiiggggg and empty the last time I went (on CDN Thanksgiving).

Quality was a bit less (IMO) than what can be had at the Lincoln location...

[CaptCrunch]

I haven't tried the Chinatown Qing Hua. In terms of Dim Sum, I actually prefer Ruby Rouge to Kam Fung... (might be worth a try?).