It's a surprise to me that people don't line up around the block to get into the Eating Garden. Two-for-one lobster is always on special, and these bright red critters – chopped into manageable chunks and stir-fried with sliced ginger and green onion or black bean sauce – are sweet as can be. If the idea of fussing with lobster shells is beyond you, there are tiger shrimp with satay sauce served on a sizzling hot plate, or deep-fried with chicken makes a tasty combo.
Mr. Friendly Cheung, the owner, loves to cook and his dishes have contemporary style and smart seasoning. With his wife, Debra, he has turned this into a cheery spot. Large paintings echo the pink and green floor and tables. High-backed black lacquer chairs add pizazz. Thick corn and diced chicken soup benefits from a tiny spoonful of hot pepper sauce or a splash of soy. Three kinds of sauteed mushrooms piled in the centre of a broccoli crown makes a stunning vegetable dish. Nothing is pre-cooked here; it's all made from scratch from fresh ingredients, so during peak hours there can be a wait between courses. But if you're in a hurry, Friendly can be convinced to cook a little faster.
~ Sara Waxman