Golden Regency Restaurant

Today we had a chance to enjoy a ten-course meal at Golden Regency Restaurant.  It is located in Pacific Mall in the south Markham which is also home of hundreds of Chinese stores in the area.  There were about 15 of us and we were here to celebrate a birthday so as a result we decided to go big or go home. By the way sorry about the bad quality of the pictures.  Lots of food not a whole lot of space.

The first dish to arrive is of course the meat dish.  It comes with the usual pork for one to consume.  However this time around, there was something a little different.  Tonight it came with pork’s feet.  Now normally you wouldn’t see this type of thing on the first dish and I have to admit it wasn’t all that great tasting. 

The next thing to arrive was the winter melon soup.  The melon soup is a huge tradition in Chinese culture.  They will cut the melon top off and take some of the meat out.  They added mushrooms and dried scallions to give it that extra flavor.  The melon looked like a decent size and it was more than enough to serve all of us.  There was so much in fact that some of it had to be brought home for consumption. 

Chicken

Meat Combination

Next came the shark fin soup.  This controversial soup was okay although it was lacking slightly in taste and flavor.  I don’t know if it was wise to serve this back to back with the winter melon soup as I think the winter melon soup took away some of the taste.  Plus after drinking two bowls of the winter melon soup it was difficult to down another 1 or 2 bowls of shark fin soup. 

Next came some of the vegetables.  The chicken, scallops in beans and carrots were to arrive.  The scallops were soft and juicy and nicely done.  The chicken was chicken.  The beans and carrots were unremarkable.  Overall the dish was good but nothing special.

Then came the shrimp and beans in egg white.  Interesting dish.  Again on its own it probably would have been remarkable but given the similarity to its previous dish I thought it was odd that they would serve a dish so close to the previous one.  I am not a big egg white fan so I really couldn’t tell you whether it was great or not.  I can tell you that there was a lot left behind. 

Winter Melon Soup

Chicken, scallops and Beans

Shark Fin Soup

Next came the fried fish.  With some seafood and broccoli on top of the dish it provided the dish with an interesting contrast in texture.  The crunchiness on the bottom with the softness on top provided a good contrast.  Of importance, it was good that the food was served right away as the fried fish would have easily become soggy and soft. 

I believe the next one to arrive was the scallops in cucumber dish on top of bok choy.  I liked this dish only because it was somewhat refreshing of sorts.  Not a whole lot of MSG and not too bland, it was almost cooked as is.  Sure there was sauce and all but it tasted good and healthy. 

There was also a lobster in there as well. I have to admit was gently surprised of how this dish was made.  It could have easily been made with just simple garlic on lobster.  However, this one came with vermicelli and the lobster’s membrane and brain matter mixed in one.  This is something quite unique as I have had it only once one other time not here at this restaurant.  Very nicely done and when served hot, this dish was excellent. 

Bean and Shrimp in Egg White Sauce

Chicken Feet with Mushroom

Beans and Meat

Scallops in Cucumber on top of Bok Choy

Fried Fish

Last but not least was the chicken.  It was fried well and sprinkled with some spices to add to the flavour.  The meat was half dried half juicy.  Personally I have always enjoyed the juicier chickens because the dry chickens are very difficult to swallow and are often flavorless. 

There was also the traditional rice and noodles and red bean dessert.  The red bean dessert soup was somewhat nasty.  It was very water downed and had absolutely no taste to it.   Not too many of us ate it.  It was just unfortunate that it had to be the last meal of the night although by then thank goodness all of us were full. 

Lobster

With plenty of free parking and space, this restaurant can see almost 250-300 people.  It is also very popular for weddings and there was even one going on when we were there.  Loved the lobster, hated the first dish and the last.  Of importance, if you want the winter melon soup the way we had it one has to call in and order a few days in advance because it takes almost a day to make it.  If it wasn’t for the lobster it could have gotten lower marks.  I give this a 3.25 out of 5. 


Golden Regency Restaurant
4300 Steeles Avenue E
Markham, ON
(905) 948 - 8811