Located in Eros Corporate Tower (Nehru Place), largely an office block, Royal China could have easily stooped to a place speedily dishing out masaledaar chowmein and momos with liberal stuffing of garlic and ginger. But as I discovered that evening, the restaurant, located on the 16th floor of the Tower, has chosen to pamper diners with good food in a chic and elegant atmosphere. As I took my seat, the glass walls offered me a dazzling night view of busy Nehru Place.
For a Chinese food lover like me, it was a delightful journey. I fell in love with the place as I sampled the dim sums, every bite delivering a foodgasmic experience! Royal China promises to serve authentic Chinese cuisine and offers an elaborate menu. So, it is better to take your server’s suggestion as the elaborate menu can overwhelm you. Scallop dumplings, sea food dumplings, prawn and chives, pork sui mai dumplings, roast pork bun, chicken and prawn sui mai, prawn cheung fun, fried sea weed, wanton soup, chicken with vegetable clear soup, flaming prawn in superior sauce, Mandarin fillet steak… “Oh that’s the sesame! the chive! hmm prawn!” – my taste buds revelled in the distinct flavours. Getting the sea food dishes right can be a tricky business; too long on the heat and it turns rubbery; too less, and you can taste the sea-bed in your mouth. Royal China hit all the right chords. I chose to round off my meal with a smooth creme brulee.
The drinks on offer match the fine food. Royal China’s fully stocked bar can whip up a mean watermelon martini, or a red and green apple sangria. My last drink for the evening – I took it as a token of love and a kind gesture from the bar – was a martini – for which, I’m sure, even James Bond would readily travel many miles – ‘Slice of Orchid’; to me, it was a perfect finish to a fine dining experience.