Lido in Richmond

[Paul B]

On Sunday my wife and I dropped our son off at the airport early in the morning. We then headed into Richmond hoping to score some dim sum. But either we were looking in the wrong places or it was simply too early -- we couldn't find any place open. Then we saw a very busy parking lot in the Market Square (Central Square?) plaza -- this is the one just south of the Aberdeen Centre. People were streaming into a little restaurant called the Lido. Naturally, we followed. We had to wait a few minutes to be seated and while we did a young woman, surprised (I think) to see occidentals in the restaurant, told us she comes all the way from Coquitlam to have breakfast at the Lido. She recommended the pineapple buns.

We got a seat and were confronted with a menu and signs entirely in Chinese. Eventually an English menu was found and we noted different types of baking, congee, rice rolls, "instant noodles," and not much else. We ordered two pineapple buns, a bowl of smoked duck congee that came with a turnip cake, and a beef rice roll. The buns came immediately and were still hot from the oven. Good, but a bit bland. The congee was fine -- not horribly salty like much congee I've had, but still rather bland. The rice rolls were big, soft, and fresh, but -- you guessed it -- bland. The turnip cake was terrific. The whole meal cost $13 and we were stuffed.

So, here's the question -- this place is obviously recreating some essential Chinese culinary experience that draws people from all over the lower mainland. What is it? Is this a form of Hong Kong diner that I'm not familiar with? Does anyone know? People were lined up out the door when we left.

I'm not sure I'd go back to the restaurant for the food, but it was an interesting culture experience.

[chocomoo]

Li Do's just another Hong Kong style café. Some people (those who were lining up) swear by their pineapple buns & egg custard tarts. One of those pineapple buns usually comes with a big pat of butter in the middle of the sliced bun (hence the Cantonese slang for it, "baw law yau" (pineapple butter).

Those "instant noodles" on the menu really are instant noodles - they're a staple on breakfast menus in HK style cafés for some reason... Along with egg & spam sandwiches (always on white bread with the crust cut off!) and milk tea.

What time did you try the dim sum places? Some are open at 9 a.m., like Jade on Alexandra, and Empire on the corner of No. 3 & Westminster Highway (where London Drugs is).

[nondual1]

Shi-Art (食藝) at Richmond Centre is also open early for dim-sum. Spicy Court (映月軒 at Cambie and 41st) is but a hop, skip and a jump away across the river; it even offers a discount if you settle your dim-sum bill by 11:00!