Canton Fare @ Solaris Mont Kiara & Plaza Damansara, KL

Have you heard of Canton Fare with its motto, "King of Roasts" strategically located near to SOHO KL? Tucked in line with many Western and Korean cuisines, it is a one-of-a-kind Chinese restaurant featuring a selection of the finest roast meats.

Upon arrival, I immediately feel the warmth in it. The interior is bright and well-decorated with Chinese vases, and furnished with dark-colored tables and chairs. A very beautiful interior for family dining.

#1 Complimentary Fried Fish Skin

While waiting for our order to arrive, we are greeted with a platter of crispy fish skin deep-fried into golden perfection. A very light snack to munch on while having a good time of chit-chatting. 

#2 Suan Ni Bai Rou (蒜泥白肉) @ RM16

Here comes the starter--- Sliced pork belly with minced garlic sauce. The cucumber adds contrast to the dish, while the sauce works well without any pungent smell here. It is very appetizing as the overall flavour is quite tangy. 

#3 Iced Black Fungus (冰鎮雲耳) @ RM16 

To sample the true taste of Hong Kong dish, here's the way to go. Dip the cold black fungus  into thick Hu Ma Jiang (胡麻酱) gravy, then I'm delighted with a mouth-watering, balanced concoction of tastes--- Sweet, salty, sour and spicy with a hint of wasabi! How special the homemade sauce is; Definitely a must-try!

#4 Crispy Aromatic Duck (脆皮香酥鸭) @ RM38  

 Then we are introduced with the main course of the evening, a new creation of this humble restaurant. The duck is deep-fried and shredded into thin slices, revealing the tenderness of inner flesh. 

Served with translucent skin, cucumber and sauces, you can wrap the meat and your choice of condiments with the skin and munch through the layers of texture which gives the best time of enjoyment!

#5 Two Roast Meats Mix (烧腊双拼) 

@ RM23 (Small) / RM32 (Medium) / RM55 (Large) 

The star of the evening finally appears. With a choice of Roast Pork, Emperor Char Siew and Roast Duck, you can tell how true their motto "King of Roasts" is.

We order a medium portion of  roast pork (Siew Yuk) and BBQ pork (Char Siew). The roast pork is crispy, more of succulent meat than melty fats. While the char siew is showered with BBQ sauce, I find the sauce quite mild and not fully immerse into the char siew. That being said, milder taste is a great way to go for elders who often dine there. 

 #6 Crispy egg plant, bitter gourd and prawn with salted 

egg yolk (咸旦炒三宝) @ RM25 (Small) / RM35 (Medium) 

If you're not a pork eater, Canton Fare also offers a good range of Hong Kong style chicken, seafood and vegetables. However, in this dish, the salted egg yolk batter is so rich in flavours that it veils the original freshness of the prawns.

#7 Pi Feng Tang Prawns (辟风塘虾球) @ RM38

A dish which prawn lovers must try! The batter is light and slightly garlicky. Although I can't normally take the pungent smell of garlic,  I'm more than satisfied with the sweet and spicy taste in the crispiness here!

#8 Taiwanese 3 Cup Chicken (招牌三杯鸡) @ RM22 

Despite of the relatively small portion, the huge chunks of chicken stewed in the hot pot is so succulent and flavourful. The basil leaves seem quite fresh but I hope it can go boneless next time to ease both kids and elders. 

#9 Braised Tofu with Vegetables and Roast Pork in Claypot (丝瓜豆腐火腩煲) @ RM25 

To be frank, I personally don't like having roast pork in this way because it is lacking of its original taste. To my surprise, it becomes even softer and more flavourful in the rich braised sauce! 

#10 Coupled Kai Lan (金枝玉叶) @ RM17 (Small) / RM24 (Medium) 

A medium portion like this is good for sharing too. While enjoying the crisp deep-fried green leaves with some salty anchovies, the braised stalks are as good and healthy in a different way!

#11 Si Yau Wong Fried Noodles (鼓油皇炒面) @ RM16 

Chinese always prefer rice or noodle to accompany the main dishes, so here we go with this stir-fried noodles with seafood. Soy sauce can be way too salty, but not in Canton Fare. The springy noodles retain the crunchiness despite of being ssoaked into the sauce for a good 20 minutes!

#12 Vegetarian Mee Sua (干炒斋面线) @ RM10 

hey serve meatless dish as well, for example this platter of stir-fried noodles with mushroom and vegetables. Anyhow I'm quite disappointed with its bland taste and dry presentation.

#13 Wat Tan Hor (海鲜滑蛋河) @ RM16 

Canton Fare is quite generous with the seafood in this simple braised kuey teow. I love it with raw eggs and the slippery gravy, but a thicker gravy would be better for my liking.

#14 Tang Yuan (姜汁汤圆 / 桂花汤圆) @ RM 8

Besides the traditional Ginger Wine Tang Yuan, they have the signature Gui Hua Tang Yuan with light flowery aroma. It's my first try on this osmanthus dessert and instantly I fall in love with its fragrance. Other than that, the oozing sesame paste fills my mouth when I pop in a piece of glutinous rice ball. 

#15 Red Bean Soup (红豆沙) @ RM5

I assume this is Chinese's all-time favourite. This dessert is expected to be a little sweeter although I have a sky high limit on sweetness in food.

#16 Red Bean Pan Cake (红豆窝饼) @ RM 10

The pan cake is quite delicate with a layer of red bean paste in between the crispy flour layers. Just a perfect end-note for the evening before we sip on some cooling herbal tea. 

#17 Left: Lily Bulbs, White Fungus and Longan (百合雪儿龙眼糖水) @ RM5

Right: Sugar Cane and Water Chestnut (竹蔗马蹄水) @ RM5

Verdict:
1. A good place to visit if you stay nearby and craving for some Hong Kong styled food.
2. Recommended: Two Roast Meats Mix, Pi Feng Tang Prawns, Si Yau Wong Fried Noodles
3. Price wise, I can only afford it during special occasions.

Canton Fare 
5, Jalan Solaris 4, 
Solaris Mont Kiara, 
50480 Kuala Lumpur. 
Contact: 603-6203 0223

NOTICE:
Canton Fare at Solaris Mont Kiara is closed from 19 August 2012 onwards.
Check out another outlet of Canton Fare here: 

71G, Jalan Medan Setia 1,
Plaza Damansara,
Bukit Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: 603-2093 5279

Website: www.globalfoods.com.my
Email: info@cantonfare.com.my
Facebook: fb.com/CantonFare
Operating Hours: 11.30am - 3:00pm & 6.00pm - 10.30pm daily