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. |
