Din Tai Fung, The Gardens

There is always a very long queue outside Din Tai Fung, The Gardens. Besides that, I've read so many good reviews about this restaurant, so it's certainly worth a try in my books. It was easy convincing GP and Fuji to dine here - I just had to mention that Din Tai Fung is an award-winning Taiwanese restaurant.

We have learnt that in big shopping malls, it is better to dine before 12 noon (for lunch). Only 11.30am and the restaurant was already 3/4 full.

Similar to Fong Lye Restaurant, you will be given a menu here and you tick what you want on the order list. For appetizer, we ordered the Taiwan century egg (RM3.80). This is unlike any century egg I've eaten before, at home or in other restaurants. It has a very soft centre, almost cream-like and is topped with a pickled ginger. Very nice! And no, it doesn't smell!

I've heard so much about the xiao long bao from Din Tai Fung, so we definitely had to try this! This is a dish you have to eat quickly as the skin hardens once the dumpling starts to cool. From reading the xiao long bao facts from the menu, I now know that a xiao long bao has at least 18 exquisite fold each, has translucent fine skin, plump and juicy and freshly made when ordered. Educational, right? And the xiao long bao that arrived at our table ticked all the right boxes! (For those who hasn't eaten xiao long bao before, this is steamed dumplings filled with minced pork and soup). Really delicious.. next time I'm gonna order a dozen. (RM9.80 for 6).

We also ordered the Taiwan Spring Roll (RM5.80) and I have to say I really liked it! Crispy skin, with very flavoursome minced pork and chives filling.

For our main course, we ordered the braised beef la mian (RM16.80). I've never tried la mian (translated hand-pulled Chinese noodle) so I can't compare it to anything else. But it tastes very similar to the thick-type mee suah. The la mian is served with a braised beef soup with tender beef chunks. (I couldn't really get a good picture -the la mian was drowning in the soup).

We also ordered the Cha Jiang La Mian (RM12.00), which is a bowl of la mian topped with minced pork, tofu pieces and green peas. Tastes decent.

*All dishes ordered today are the chef's recommendation.

Comfort: The decor is perhaps a bit too simple. Baby and I enjoyed watching the staff make dumplings in the half-open kitchen. You can also observe the xiao long bao "steaming" action.

Service: The service here is very good, the waiting staff were very friendly. I wonder if they're extra friendly because we have a baby in tow. Baby was so happy when the waiter gave her a balloon.

Price: Tea is pretty expensive, RM12 for a pot of Tie Guan Yin. Overall bill, RM70 for 3 persons.

Location: Din Tai Fung Restaurant, LG207 Lower Ground Floor, The Gardens, Mid Valley City, Lingkaran Syed Putra, 59200 Kuala Lumpur. (03-2283 2292)