gamblin' lotus

The Christmas season is always filled with too many celebrations -- firm-wide Christmas party, department party, team party . . .

I have always thought that it must be tough to be born in December, having to compete with the craziness that accompany the silly season. Also, December birthday celebrants seem not to receive a separate birthday gift AND Christmas gift. So, I sympathise with Khariss for being a December baby.

Nonetheless, the celebration for Khariss' birthday was fantastic. Me, Malc & the birthday celebrant spent a wonderful dinner at Lotus Pond (Level 2 Star City Casino, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont NSW, ph 02 9777 9000).

When we entered the restaurant, we were so pleased to see that the restaurant was largely filled with Asian people . . . maybe they know that this place is good. Good thing we booked beforehand, or else we would have waited a long time for a table.

Our meal was very delicious to say the least. We started with soup (hot & sour for me and chicken and corn for Malc & Khariss). And then the main dishes:

(1) sweet and sour pork - well balanced flavours and lightly battered meat

(2) soy chicken with rose wine - surprising flavours, delicate and juicy

(3) squid and broccoli - spicy and tender

(4) mixed vegetables - fresh and crispy

We finished off the meal with dessert. Khariss and I had mango and coconut pudding which was twice as good as the mango pudding served in yumcha restaurants, the Lotus Pond pudding had real mango bits! Malc had date & tamarind pudding with butterscotch sauce & five spice mascarpone, this deserves special mention as Malc was in absolute heaven eating this dessert.

After the meal, we asked for the bill and our waiter asked us if we have a "Star City Casino Card." We said we don't gamble so we don't see a need for this card. However, the waiter told us we don't have to gamble to get this "discount card." Hmmmmmm . . . .