Golden Court Abalone Restaurant

Last night we were invited to a 10-course meal at Golden Court Abalone Restaurant located on the northwest corner of Highway 7 and West Beaver Creek Road in Richmond Hill for a wedding.  Normally I don't do weddings but a few people said that it was a pretty good experience and that I should put my two cents worth towards the food. 

The traditional ten-course meal usually covers has the same foods from one event to the next however wedding parties and event organizers can certainly customize their own personal choices by removing or adding to the existing menu. 

The first thing to arrive was the roasted pork.  The pork itself was nicely glazed however our pork had very little to no meat on it.  Surprisingly there was quite a bit of bone on some of the meat considering they usually just serve the top layer and rarely get to the bottom layers. The skin was crispy and it was served with traditional gelatin.  If there was not as much bone to it, I would have it given it full marks. 

Next to arrive was the crab claw.  The crab claws lately have become more complex.  In the past, where most places would just serve meat and crab, many places are starting to add small pieces of shrimp to them to give it that extra flavor.  With a bit of vinegar added on the side, it made it a nice crab claw to have. 

Pork

Crab Claw

Scallops and Mushroom

The scallops and mushroom were next to arrive and to me this was the best dish of the night.  The scallops were slightly overcooked or seared on the outside but the inside was very juicy and tender. Only a simple garlic and onion sauce was used.  The mushrooms were also sauteed quite nice and although this whole dish might have been just a tad heavy on its MSG and flavor, the dish alone is something I will order the next time I am at the restaurant. 

Next was the shark fin soup.  Since many places in Toronto are about to ban this delicacy, Richmond Hill residents can still enjoy this wonderful Chinese delicacy.  It came in a huge bowl and as far as I can see, each bowl served had plenty of shark fins in it.  The stock was beautifully done as well. The chefs certainly took good care in making this dish. 

The snow peas and abalone were next to arrive.  The wedding party's family however had relatives who brought in their own abalone so we had fresh abalone to eat.  It would be have been great to eat the abalone here just to see if there stuff is as good as their name but none the less it was prepared very well and the abalone's rubber texture was perfect. 

Shark Fin Soup

Abalone and Snow Peas

Roasted Garlic Chicken

The lobster arrived next and it was baked in garlic and onion sauce.  The pieces unfortunately were pretty chewy and the meat was stuck inside the shells pretty good.  The chewiness suggests either we had quite an older lobster or the meal was overcooked.  The taste however was fine. Certainly no complains there. 

 The chicken was okay.  Nothing remarkable here.  Sprinkle with some roasted garlic, the meat was both dry and juicy pending on which area you got.  The only question I had was what ever happened to the shrimp crackers.  It seems many of the restaurants are doing away with that lately.  

Each table got two fish and it appeared to be tilapia fish.  Easy steamed with onions, this fish or bass is commonly used at weddings.  Although the fish was tasty, I believe it was tilapia simply because of the amount of bones that came out of it.  Most weddings normally use bass because there are less bones and scales but this would be the choice of the wedding party.

Lobster

Dumpling Noodles

Fish

The final dishes to arrive are the noodles and rice.  The rice looked dry and for whatever reason did not look as appealing as the noodles.  The noodles were different in that the wedding party chose to have noodles with dumplings which was actually very good and with its soup base made it a nice way to end the evening's meals.  I personally think that it was an excellent choice of change and that all restaurants should consider doing this. 

Overall it was a good night.  The food came pretty much on schedule and there were no major delays.  The food was tasty and with the exception of the lobster, all the other foods were very good.  I have also had the dim sum here as well during the day before and I have to say this place does meet standards.  We had a good night and the staff was very courteous.  Overall I give this place a 4.25 out of 5. 

Golden Court Abalone Restaurant

270 W Beaver Creek Rd
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3Y9

(905) 707-6628