Royals

I was scheduled to go to an early afternoon yoga workshop. Having been advised to eat quite early so as to practice on a light stomach, I decided to have morning dim sum. But instead of the cheery but "plebian" joints down in Chinatown, I thought to try "fancy" Crown Princess Dining on Bay St.

Although they get good reviews for their food, their claim to fame is the ornate décor. A hostess in a black butler outfit leads me to a velvet velour chair. The table had actual linen instead of your typical plastic sheet. There is good china and tea is served in a nice teapot. Add to that chandeliers, roman-style columns, and marble walls, not to mention the bathroom. Did I mention the food is served by women in modest French maid outfit?

The dim sum is more expensive here: small ($3.10), medium ($4.30), and large ($5.30). There are also XL and Special Plates. But it is quite tasty with good portions. The har gow is stuffed with large, juicy shrimp. The BBQ pork buns are equally overflowing with slightly sweet pork. The leaf-wrapped sticky rice is average, with not much chicken inside. But the addition of a sliver of egg is a nice touch. The spare rib is rich and delicious, though as usual you will have to fight through the cartilage and fat. The baked eel pastry seems intriguing, and the presentation is neat, but the flavour combination doesn't quite work. Finally, the fried turnip cake is soft with a slight crunch from the turnip and crusty exterior.