If Prometheus had been given the opportunity to indulge in the "Dim Sum Unbound" offering of Grand Hyatt’s No. 8 China House, we would no longer have an epic drama about the torments and trials the Greek mythological figure underwent, but a lyrical review about the wonders and pleasures of Chinese cuisine. This special ongoing lunch offering of the Chinese eatery at the BGC hotel is an indulgent, thoroughly satisfying culinary journey to the wonders of dim sum.
Steamed, baked, fried, congee, soup, noodles and desserts — the menu list of "Dim Sum Unbound" at No. 8 China House assures us of variety, high quality and impeccable ambiance — at an eat-all-you-can price point that matches favorably with dining offerings at comparable venues. The show kitchens, the view from the floor-to-ceiling windows, the efficient and attentive service — there's certainly more to No. 8 than their signature traditional Peking duck, and the Dim Sum Unbound promotion is a great example of what else is cooking on the fifth floor.
There are those go-to’s that you’ll find in any dim sum promotion, so my “assignment” during the lunch I had was to find the more unexpected and unusual — or, at the very least, menu offerings that could be considered unique to No. 8. Their pan-fried beef buns were the first of such dishes — comfort food given a novel twist that works, and can make a repeat customer out of me.
My lunch "discovery" would be their fried chicken mushroom spring roll, the crisp wrapping blending with the soft, mushy filling; so that each complemented each other in a way that made this one of my all time favorite spring rolls.
There’s a fried red bean puff that had me intrigued, and I’m still wrapping my head around just how much it meant to me. It’s both savory and sweet, and I’ve always categorized these a "little treats," best served towards the end of the meal, or in this case, like an amuse bouche at the very start of the lunch.
From the steamed section, we had the usual suspects of siu mai pork dumpling, and Har Gow shrimp dumpling - and they were both up to par. The glutinous rice, with chicken, shrimps, and pork sausage was done very well, and if not so filling, would have devoured my portion.
The chilled noodle, with chicken and peanut was a refreshing new take on noodles, and I loved how this is served during lunch in a tropical country. When cold soup or cold noodles are done right, they truly hit a good spot with me, and I’m all for adding them to my dishes, as a surprise element.
Had the chilled almond pudding; and can’t complain, but this one is fairly standard.
Was really pleased with my lunch, and I know if I bring my three sons, they would love the fixed price and eat to your heart’s content aspect to this promotion. They love dim sum, and the Grand Hyatt will very easily shoot up the ranks of where they can satisfy their dim sum craving.