I'm a big fan of Gold Mine. Like many devotees, I love its Cantonese BBQ, which I often order to take-away. And when doing so, I always make sure that a little sachet of chilli oil (辣椒油 lajiaoyou) is popped into the carrier bag. Because, in all honesty, I think I love Gold Mine's chilli oil more than I do its food!
And on this riff, can you think of any other restaurants where the supporting act upstages the supposed signature dish?
Gold Mine, 102 Queensway, London W2 3RR (Tel: 020-7792-8331)
Nearest stations: Bayswater, Queensway
That does look very tasty, in a firey sort of way. I don't know whether this qualifies as "supporting acts" but at a lot of restaurants, particularly those of the more fahn dahnin' variety, i find the starter almost always eclipses the main course...
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, depending what mood i'm in, the miso soup and katsu sauce can quite often upstage the fried pork at Tokyo Diner... Oh, and at Song Que and Tre Viet I think the chilli-laden hot and sour fish-saucy dipping sauce often outshines the summer rolls that come with it.
Most definitely (look at me getting all gangster) nuoc cham(?) dipping sauce so often steals the scene from the rolls that are dipped in it!
Delete"Surely the only reason people eat at Nando's is the hot sauce? It certainly can't be for the chicken."
Deleteexactly - just buy the sauce and forgo the trip
I've always thought that pho's aside the smaller dishes at Song Que totally dominate - beef in betel leaf, banh xeo, squid & quail all rule over the beef / lamb / pork / seafood options lurking in the middle of the menu
Agreed. Other than pho, and maybe the bun, I wouldn't go for the mains that bulk out the menu at SQ.
DeleteHmmmm. I like the cucumber and wakame salad, and chicken karaage quite a bit more than the actual katsus at Tsuru.
ReplyDeleteBugger, you've got me craving Gold Mine now!
Wen
@goingwithmygut / @edible_exp
The chilli oil at Hung's is also excellent! I tried to get them to sell me a jar but they refused.
ReplyDeleteLove that you take away the chilli oil in a bag. Not sure if this is quite the same but I came around to ordering the pho at City Caphe more often than its more famous banh-mi. But I do love them both.
ReplyDeleteSurely the only reason people eat at Nando's is the hot sauce? It certainly can't be for the chicken.
ReplyDeleteYeah - shameful to admit. Our office is above a subway - and I end up in there a lot as I'm very busy. The chipotle southwest sauce is better than everything else put together.
ReplyDeleteI feel dirty
Wen - the kara-age at Tsuru is good, although I think it could do with some Japanese mayo on the side.
ReplyDeleteSu-Lin - it is that. Never thought to ask them for a sachet, like I do at Gold Mine, though.
GChick - how I wish City Caphe was in my manor (Julie - I hope you're reading this!)
Anon - cutting! Actually, I quite like the peri-peri chips at Nando's too.
Frank - And so you should. I am very disappointed in you...
Love your tribute to GM's Chilli Oil. Used to live down the road from Gold Mine and completely 100% agree. Transforms even cold duck rice to a wonder.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of other great supporting acts, Hawksmoor's homemade ketchup is def up there for me. Often look forward to it more than the meat itself.
Have you ever made your own chilli oil at home? klyeoh on Chowhound points out that Gold Mine's chilli oil includes dried shrimp and possibly also dried scallops, so I wonder if Sunflower's Cantonese/HK style chilli oil recipe would be a good approximation.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the wider question, I agree with The Grubworm that starters often overshadow main courses. I have occasionally ordered a starter in place of a main course (when not very hungry) or even in place of a dessert (when everyone else wanted a dessert — normally I skip the sweet course). Though I know this messes up the flow in a busy kitchen, so I wouldn't recommend it at peak times.
TBWATW - not tried Hawksmoor's homemade ketchup! That's one for the list.
ReplyDeleteKake - never made my own chilli oil, but have made dipping sauces that feature chilli oil!
I can't believe I missed this post! Have you tried the fresh chilli sauce at Loong Kee? http://bit.ly/x6clwp They are hot as f*ck and sooooo good. I've always tried to remember to take a container while I'm there to take some home but always forget.
ReplyDeleteThere is something special about a restaurant that conjures up its own chilli sauce! I'm afraid I haven't checked out Loong Kee cos I am actually too lazy to try anyehere other than Song Que on the pho mile.
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