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The Culinary Jewel in Hartlepool's Crown by L A
Butcher
Along Hartlepool's Navigation Point, restaurants and cafes are lined up
like beautiful gems along the waterfront. They are all competing for
favour, their menus beckoning to passers-by as they attempt to entice
you with the selection of foods being served inside the premises. The
choice is astounding and varied, and the decision will be a difficult
one as you pause in front of each restaurant and cafe in order to read
the menus.
However, amidst this row of stuning gems, one jewel shines brighter than
the rest, and the temptation is irresistible...the Lotus Garden.
Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted warmly regardless that we
had not thought to make reservations, and although every table had
already been booked way in advance for the evening's entertainment, a
table was found for us, one that we would have to vacate before the
booking party arrived. The Maitre D' was visibly distressed over the
fact that he had to set a two hour time limit on the table we would be
given, a time limit that would not allow us to enjoy the evening's
entertainment, but we quickly assured him that we had no intention of
remaining for the entertainment, we were all starved and simply wanted
to sit down and have a lovely meal. Reassured, the Maitre D smiled and
we were ushered off to our table.
The interior of the Lotus Garden is not garish as is oftern the case
with traditional Chinese restaurants. It is sumptuous yet refined and
modern, elegant yet comfortable, and although it is packed with
stylishly decorated tables, patrons will not feel that the tables are
pressed in around them, nor will they ever feel that they are
underdressed in a pair of jeans and a shirt.
Having chosen a 'House Banquet' for three from the mouth-watering menu,
we settled in our seats, prepared for the inevitable wait, however,
within 5 minutes the lovely Chinese waitress arrived with our entrees of
Chicken & Sweet Corn Soup. Needless to say that we were impressed by
the speed in which we were served, but that was nothing compared to our
delight after just one mouthful of our entree. Absolutely scrumptious,
each and every mouthful was a culinary joy, and our amazement and
delight grew with each new course. The food was just so delicious, so
addictive, that we all yearned for more, and we were kept satisfied as
empty plates were quickly removed and yet more lovely concoctions were
set down before us.
At first, thinking that we were being served rapidly because our table
needed to be vacated by a certain time, I turned my attention to the
other tables which had filled during our first course, and noticed that
the service was the same for every table. As dishes were emptied, they
were replaced almost immediately.
During the course of the meal, David Nin, who is the Managing Director
of the Lotus Garden, wandered through the packed restaurant; chatting
amiably with the restaurant's patrons, charming everyone with his
wonderful sense of humour and making everyone feel welcome with his
laid-back attitude and quick laughter. He is a veritable font of
information, and his forthright nature quickly put us at ease.
Although celebrities do tend to flock to the Lotus Garden for a
wonderful meal and great entertainment, they are treated like everyone
else. In fact, David often tells them that it isn't necessary to bring
their usual entourage of bodyguards as everyone is treated equally, and
if a celebrity is recognised, David is an expert at making you believe
otherwise. There is no hierarchy amongst the patrons of the Lots Garden,
and that is how it should be.
Regardless that the Lotus Garden does not use advertising in order to
promote itself, it is constantly packed. Therefore, it is strongly
advised that you reserve before turning up as you may not be as lucky as
we were in getting a table.
During the course of our meal, there was this feeling of decadence as we
ate, steadily, for the entire two hours that had been allocated to us.
We were stuffed, yet we felt an inexplicable sadness when the final
plate was whisked away, and before the final mouthful had been
swallowed, we had already decided that we would definitely return to the
Lotus Garden the next time we visited Hartlepool. We will, of course, be
booking in advance, and are already looking forward to eating the night
away whilst being wooed by the Lotus Garden's live entertainment.
After having scoffed down a delicious Chicken & Sweet Corn Soup, a
succulent crispy duck, a tangy Sweet & Sour Chicken, a Curried Beef, an
extraordinary Kung Po Chicken with yellow bean sauce, Beef & Green
Peppers with a black bean sauce, a savoury prawn rice and an
extraordinary Banana Fritter in an exceedingly light and crispy coating
with sweet syrup, I can assure you that £17.00 per person for the 'House
Banquet' was money well spent.
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