eatwith.ROBINLEUNG.com

Location: #2200 – 8181 Cambie Road, Richmond, BC

Phone: (604) 270-3003 | Hours: N/A

Website: Twitter Page

Red Star Seafood Restaurant is classified as one of those high-end Chinese restaurants in Vancouver. It’s even a little pricier than Kirin. However, I don’t think this restaurant deserves being in the “high-end” class, mainly because its service is so-so and the staff are a little cocky. It’s one of those Chinese restaurants they serve you like royalties if you are a regular visitor. And it just so happens that they were having a banquet later that evening, so we were given less attention.

We decided to go for a less traditional dim sum lunch today because my girlfriend and I had a date with our mom’s. So, we just let the mom’s order. First up is the BBQ Duck with Plum Sauce. We have heard that the BBQ Duck here is really good. So, we decided to give it a try. Conclusion, it wasn’t bad. The flavour was there. The meat was juicy. But, I think I like the ones you get at H.K. BBQ places more.

The chicken bun was soft and tender. This is my regulars, I always get this anywhere. I go for dim sum.

This was actually a special combo, but this is the first part of the combo. A lobster steamed rice roll. In my opinion, I could not taste the lobster. But, on the contrary, I rather have no taste than bad taste.

The second part of the combo is the lobster congee. The taste was pretty fresh, but not as good as the lobster congee I have tried (but not yet reviewed) at Happy Valley Seafood Restaurant on Boundary. The lobster congee compared was relatively smaller here and less meat. However, the lobster was still quite fresh.

This dish is one of my mom’s favourite and she usually gets it anywhere she goes for dim sum too. The best one I’ve tried was also at Happy Valley Seafood Restaurant. This one was alright. I don’t really remember the taste of it, so it’s probably not that addicting. The fish collan is deep fried and then stirred in with the green onion and premium soya sauce for taste.

Overall, I think Red Star is a little overpriced in their selections. The food is mediocre. However, the ambiance is quite nice. But, the waiting area is outside the restaurant right in front of the elevators. I wonder why the waiting area is always an unimportant place inside a restaurant. Talk about first impression!? The air conditioner was very weak when we went, they had fans vrooming. The service was also mediocre for a high-end Chinese restaurant. Let’s just say I expected way more from them.

Where do you think is the best place for fresh lobster congee? Let me know in the space below.