A quaint little
place tucked away in the backstreets of Connaught Place...
Source : First City
October 1994
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A quaint little place tucked away in the
backstreets of Connaught Place, Fa Yian is another Chinese restaurant that Delhi
can boast of now. A cursory look up and down the street tells me that the area is
dominated mostly by small time shop owners. My heart sinks to the bottom of my sole.
As I trudge up to the restaurant, I spy a bamboo tree and a Yako (a large Chinese
lamp) at the entrance lending a touch of the oriental. Once inside, soothing sounds
of splashing water attract my attention to the source, a tiny waterfall in the shape
of a large urn. I delight in the mood of this place. It just invites you to unwind.
Marble topped tables, low wooden chairs which look extremely comfortable, lamps
of handmade paper, even the menu cards gilded in raw silk frames, lots of potted
plants hanging from the roof, whites and moss greens the colour schemes used, lending
the restaurant a touch of the green house. My hosts (not one but two) have already
decided what I am going to eat and I am thankfully saved the task of choosing from
a host of strange sounding dishes. From what I gather the emphasis is on a totally
different kind of Chinese food. What I will be eating, are mostly dishes served
during dinner, usually an elaborate affair at Fa Yian. Lunch, on the other hand
is more simple, the emphasis being on efficiency, for the hurried Executives who
usually haunt the place. As one dish after another arrives on the table I notice
that care has been taken to create visual appeal. Delicately carved tomato rosettes,
or the Chinese cabbages accompany most of the dishes. Drums of Heaven (Rs. 50) is
average. Sui Chiao, steamed chicken dumplings (Rs. 60), arrive attractively garnished
with fresh, crisp spinach leaves in a bamboo basket. A Chinese version of the popular
Momo, it floors me with its taste. The steamed dumplings stuffed with chicken, fairly
melt in the mouth, leaving a pleasant taste of Oyster mushrooms (all brought from
Hong Kong), Chicken on Toast (Rs. 55) is delicious. The crackling toast topped with
chicken and sprinkled with sesame going down excellently with the more subtle tastes
of Vegetable Chowmein (Rs. 35), home made and actually tasting faintly of eggs.
Not one for sea food, I politely taste the Stir Fried Prawns (Rs. 180), and as usual
find it too strongly sea food-ish to carry on further, I give up after a mouthful
or two. Honey Chicken Dry (Rs.90), cubes of chicken marinated in honey with cherries
floating prettily on the gravy is actually quite nice. Sweet but not so sweet that
it drowns the flavour of chicken. From the vegetables, Egg Plant in Black Bean Sauce
is my preference, and I am amazed at the way the brinjal is cooked, making it almost
a delicacy. The meal ends with Jasmine Tea (Rs. 25 per pot) because my small appetite
does not allow me to have another bite. My final assessment? Its a place worth a
try. Or two or three. Good food, good service (meal is on your table within 15 minutes
of ordering). A great family place to eat out at. Try it out!
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