Dim Sum
#61
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
Lippo serves the normal dim sum, but also serves Chiu Chow specialties. The chiu chow dumplings are pretty standard in all dim sum restaurants, but there are also things like the vinegar-sugar noodles, Chiu Chow congee (rice in soup), fishball noodles (which Chiu Chow is known for), braised meats (lo shui), etc. that you'd probably only find at Chiu Chow restaurants like Lippo. Their vegetarian duck is really good too if you decide to go there. Portions are pretty good for the price.
Summer Palace serves the typical Cantonese fare, but their dishes more refined and a little more creative. You'd find them putting seafood such as scallops or shrimp in dishes that don't normally have them, or almonds in their sponge cake. Portions are also smaller than what you'd get at Lippo.
It's hard to compare the two since they both serve dishes you can't get at the other. But if I had to compare, I'd say the food at Summer Palace is generally better than at Lippo, but not enormously. I think Lippo is a a good balance between, price, quality, and service/atmosphere. I believe the Shangri-La also offers discounts on the bill if you pay with credit cards from certain banks (HSBC, I believe).
Summer Palace serves the typical Cantonese fare, but their dishes more refined and a little more creative. You'd find them putting seafood such as scallops or shrimp in dishes that don't normally have them, or almonds in their sponge cake. Portions are also smaller than what you'd get at Lippo.
It's hard to compare the two since they both serve dishes you can't get at the other. But if I had to compare, I'd say the food at Summer Palace is generally better than at Lippo, but not enormously. I think Lippo is a a good balance between, price, quality, and service/atmosphere. I believe the Shangri-La also offers discounts on the bill if you pay with credit cards from certain banks (HSBC, I believe).
Asides from those Chiu Chow regional things, it's not like this restaurant puts some sort of 'Chiu Chow style spin' on all the usual Cantonese dim sum items (hargow, char siu bao, etc), correct?
All in all, I am leaning towards Lippi CC now. Being an acclaimed hotel restaurant, I guess it's no surprise that Summer Palace sounds pretty much along the lines of Shang's and Yan Toh Heen. And if you don't think the quality is that much better, then it would not be worth paying 2x.
#62
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 257
Okay, thank you. When I read your post, I looked up Chiu Chow and realized for the first time that it's the name of a city (been going to HK regularly for over a decade, but I don't know anything about the mainland). I thought Chiu Chow was just the name of my favorite dumpling at Tim Ho Wan.
Asides from those Chiu Chow regional things, it's not like this restaurant puts some sort of 'Chiu Chow style spin' on all the usual Cantonese dim sum items (hargow, char siu bao, etc), correct?
All in all, I am leaning towards Lippi CC now. Being an acclaimed hotel restaurant, I guess it's no surprise that Summer Palace sounds pretty much along the lines of Shang's and Yan Toh Heen. And if you don't think the quality is that much better, then it would not be worth paying 2x.
Asides from those Chiu Chow regional things, it's not like this restaurant puts some sort of 'Chiu Chow style spin' on all the usual Cantonese dim sum items (hargow, char siu bao, etc), correct?
All in all, I am leaning towards Lippi CC now. Being an acclaimed hotel restaurant, I guess it's no surprise that Summer Palace sounds pretty much along the lines of Shang's and Yan Toh Heen. And if you don't think the quality is that much better, then it would not be worth paying 2x.
#64
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ANC
Programs: AS; Hyatt; Bonvoy
Posts: 1,718
There's some great information on this thread - thanks to all who have contributed opinion and recommendations.
I'm printed the posts to a PDF so I'll be able to easily reference them during travel.
I'm printed the posts to a PDF so I'll be able to easily reference them during travel.
#65
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AMEX AC CX UA AA DL
Posts: 3,008
Also, someone earlier mentioned that Luk Yu has good food, but mediocre service if you're not a regular that tips well. Does this mean slow service? Waitstaff attitude issue? Something else? Location looks pretty good otherwise, even if I have to give up "takes credit cards" or "near an MTR station".
I once went with my friend during CNY and every staff member in the restaurant front and back lined up to collect red packet from her.
Then a race horse owner showed up. All attention turned to his table and ours was ignored thereafter.
My feeling (after several visits) is that they are all "old style" restaurant workers, no modern hospitality training or much education in general.
#66
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
Justdifferent in culture. From the food style (many dishes u cant find elsewhere that looks for good margins) to the service.
I guess the same tipping culture exists in the US. If you dont tip well(not to mention tipping or not) and you're a returning customer, you are definately getting mediocre service. I dont personally see much difference u tip before or after your patron (if you are a regular... or even not)
I guess the same tipping culture exists in the US. If you dont tip well(not to mention tipping or not) and you're a returning customer, you are definately getting mediocre service. I dont personally see much difference u tip before or after your patron (if you are a regular... or even not)
attitude mostly. not worth the hassle or money.
I once went with my friend during CNY and every staff member in the restaurant front and back lined up to collect red packet from her.
Then a race horse owner showed up. All attention turned to his table and ours was ignored thereafter.
My feeling (after several visits) is that they are all "old style" restaurant workers, no modern hospitality training or much education in general.
I once went with my friend during CNY and every staff member in the restaurant front and back lined up to collect red packet from her.
Then a race horse owner showed up. All attention turned to his table and ours was ignored thereafter.
My feeling (after several visits) is that they are all "old style" restaurant workers, no modern hospitality training or much education in general.
#67
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,695
There is now a restaurant in Pacific Place called Dim Sum Library, thinking it's new-ish (or I've missed it multiple times at Conrad over the years!). Looks like it'll be an option for solo dining, anyone have an opinion? TIA
#68
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
Exactly a year ago, I asked about the best reasonably-priced dim sum in Admiralty. Ended up going to Lippi Chiu Chow last year. Glad I went, as it was a new place I hadn't tried yet and the food was quite decent. There was one stand-out dim sum item - this fried shrimp thing that came with this incredible spicy mayo dip. On the other hand, some of the other things we ordered (eg, hargow, chiu chow dumplings) didn't blow me away. Considering the food quality and the rather casual service and ambiance, I felt that the price was rather steep. I've been to Metropole before, which didn't blow me away either. I don't remember either place well enough now to be able to say which was better. Hate to say it but, while Crystal Jade isn't Cantonese and it's a completely different category of restaurant than we're discussing here, I still haven't found a place I like more in Admiralty.
Anyways, heading back next month to Conrad. Thinking about doing Summer Palace at Shangri-la this time. It's quite a bit pricier than I'd like. But I don't know where else to try. Looking for a place in Admiralty on par with Pen's Spring Moon in terms of taste, service and ambiance. Is there anywhere else I should consider? I'd love to hear about another dim sum place that's just as good, but cheaper than Summer Palace.
Anyways, heading back next month to Conrad. Thinking about doing Summer Palace at Shangri-la this time. It's quite a bit pricier than I'd like. But I don't know where else to try. Looking for a place in Admiralty on par with Pen's Spring Moon in terms of taste, service and ambiance. Is there anywhere else I should consider? I'd love to hear about another dim sum place that's just as good, but cheaper than Summer Palace.
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
New fusion dim sum with exotic ingredients. They do do a good matching unlike some places with Jambon Iberico and Truffle randomly added.
I think they have been there since CNY 2017.
#70
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,695
Anyways, heading back next month to Conrad. Thinking about doing Summer Palace at Shangri-la this time. It's quite a bit pricier than I'd like. But I don't know where else to try. Looking for a place in Admiralty on par with Pen's Spring Moon in terms of taste, service and ambiance. Is there anywhere else I should consider? I'd love to hear about another dim sum place that's just as good, but cheaper than Summer Palace.
Yup, opened Jan 2017, found in a review!
#71
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Long Island, NY
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Gold
Posts: 732
I recommend Duddell's in Central for dim sum in a fancy setting: (2 Michelin stars)
http://duddells.co/home/en/
http://duddells.co/home/en/
#72
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,378
If you go, I'd love to hear what you think.
#73
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,417
Be careful what you wish for - my parents ended up with a 7yr old begging for caviar all the time [she was - and still is - easily distracted by cheaper salty fish eggs, like greek taroma, but still ]
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Earth. Residency:HKG formerly:YYZ
Programs: CX, DL, Nexus/GE, APEC
Posts: 10,688
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
I recommend Duddell's in Central for dim sum in a fancy setting: (2 Michelin stars)
http://duddells.co/home/en/
http://duddells.co/home/en/