Am I missing something? I went into this restaurant expecting Thai food. Instead, I was handed a menu full of Chinese food? Huh?
Thankfully is wasn't bad Chinese food.
Chanay is one of those places that you walk passed regularly but never go in. I've found it constantly empty--not a good look when you have the hustle and bustle of Gouger Street with so many other tempting offerings before you. A bunch of my partners work mates were having dinner here and invited me to tag along. I might've never have tried it if it wasn't for this chance invitation.
Being Chinese--is it meant to be? Huh?--I went with the obvious. This would be a test. Shallot cake, BBC and S&P eggplant. Drum roll please...
Shallot cake - I think this is the make-of-break dish; too often it is bland; too often the pancake is doughy. Chanay's were slightly doughy in places--thus, undercooked; I'd prefer a little crisp in places--through full of flavour. 3/5.
BBC - Generous serving. Lots of bean curd--always a good thing; I feel I am getting my moneys worth that way. Lots of cabbage--something lacking with East Taste's version. Quite tasty. 4/5.
S&P eggplant - Appealing to the eye--they left a lot of the skin on, which breaks things up and makes for a more inviting looking dish. Lots of flavour. A little soggy. 3.5/5.
If it wasn't for the ambience I'd be more impressed with Chanay--it was dead; it always seems dead. The food was quite impressive--much better than a lot of places on the strip. The prices were fair--for two of us, including a bottle of wine of decent wine, it came to a measly $26/pp. The service was friendly--really friendly--and efficient. I'll be back--after I have tried the rest of Gouger Street. You see, I have vowed to stop plonking myself down at East Taste as a safe option all the time and to expand my tastebuds. Well, actually, no. I will continue my quest for the shallot cake, BBC and S&P eggplant benchmark--let's call it the "SCBBCSPE Test"... Catchy, no? Different eateries. The same eats.
+++VEGAN-FRIENDLINESS -- Shallot cake, BBC and S&P eggplant (and tofu). What more does a hungry, Chinese food-fancying vegan need? Quite a few boutique--vegan-friendly--wines on the menu too. read more