A surprise visit

After 5 big meals in 3 days, I really wasn't planning on having much of a dinner tonight.  In fact, I was planning on reheating the leftovers from last night's dinner.  Unfortunately, the leftovers would have to wait... While I was enjoying my lunch today, I received a call from my uncle informing me that he was in town for a few hours, and wondered if I would like to have dinner together.  I couldn't very well turn him down, so I booked us a table at Tim's Kitchen (桃花源).

I arrived at our early dinner appointment not the least bit hungry, so I proceeded to order the signature crystal king prawn (玻璃明蝦球) and crab claw (原隻鮮蟹鉗) for the others while sitting out the first two rounds.

Braised pomelo skin with shrimp roe (蝦籽炆柚皮) - this was a new dish to my 3 fellow diners, including my cousin Foodie Wannabe who seemed to enjoy it.  I still think it's one of the best in town.

Stewed eggplant with minced pork and salty fish sauce (魚香茄子) - Foodie Wannabe was a little surprised at the use of curry powder in this dish, as he didn't think it was particularly Chinese.  I didn't care, as long as it tasted good to me.

Leaf amaranth in superior broth (上湯莧菜) - pretty decent, with shredded ham.

Fried rice with minced beef, shallots and onions (生炒牛肉飯) - surprisingly wet, but very, very tasty.  Can't believe we actually finished it all.

Foodie Wannabe commented that while food was good tonight, he found many elements from "Western" or non-Chinese cuisines.  He said that this wasn't really Chinese food...  I laughed, and asked the American guest from Dallas whether he thought it was Chinese.

Of course this was Chinese food!  Just because the kitchen used ingredients that Foodie Wannabe had never seen in specific dishes before doesn't change the dish from Chinese to French or Indian.  Poor guy has spent all of his life in Taiwan, exposed to the very limited repertoire of chefs in that market.  I guess it's up to me to teach the kid a thing or two...