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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVillage Squire, 1980-04, Page 2741r - SQUIRE'S TABLE Almost every small town in Western Ontario has a restaurant that specializes in Chinese food. Some are better than others. But Village Squire kept hearing rumours of an outstanding Chinese restaurant "the best Chinese food from here to Toronto", one well travelled gentleman insisted, in Exeter. "Well worth the trip", another fan of Cantonese food (who lives 40 miles from that town) told us. We visited the Golden City restaurant on Exeter's Main St. recently and we're happy to report the rumours are true. Golden City serves outstanding Chinese food at a reasonable price. The key to Golden City's quality seems to be the freshness of the ingredients they use. Fragrant, steamy wonton soup ($1.20) fresh bright green scallions, bits of spinach, and plenty of small thin slices of barbecued pork. It's a big bowl, almost a meal in itself. The colours are lovely and the soup is piping hot. All vegetables are sliced and added fresh while he's cooking your order, the chef tells us. None of this pre-cooking and holding treatment he says some other Chinese restaurants use. Even the egg rolls are superior. you can distinguish the bright greens, and tiny bits of various types of meat added to the standard bean sprouts inside the crunchy covering. Golden City egg rolls look, and taste, much better than your standard restaurant fare. Our main courses kept up the high standard. We tried Tai Dep Voi, chinese vegetables with shrimp,barbecue pork, beef and chicken at $6.50. We're real vegetable fans and the variety, crunchy texture and the appetizing looks of the dish didn't disappoint. Honey garlic spare ribs, were our other choice of $6. We got a large serving of meaty ribs in a delicious tangy sauce. Both main courses came in metal pedestal serving dishes. It took us several tries to finish them both and they kept hot throughout. A nice touch. One bowl of plain rice came with our order and we got a refill at no extra cost. The Golden City isn't fancy. You sit at ordinary tables covered with plastic tablecloths. But some of the cups and bowls are authentic Chinese and chopsticks, for the purists, are supplied on request. A few Chinese lanterns liven the place up. A slight warning. If you want Chinese tea, make that clear. We asked for tea and SPRING IS HERE, and so is our new selection! Once again we have chosen with you in mind, and our qualified staff are here to help you with new and exciting ideas, for decorating your home, your entertaining, cooking and gift giving! Or just come and browse. Brides are invited to register with us. 405, MAIN STREET EXETER, ONTARIO 235-2957 9-6 Mon. Tues., Wea., OPEN Thurs., Sat., Fri., 9-9.� got the North American variety, with cups, saucers and cream. But our waitress brought Chinese tea once we explained ourselves and charged us for only one pot. Service is friendly and fast but you feel under no compulsion to eat and run. Golden City is a family place, with the owner's kids around and other diners enjoying the casual atmosphere. The place has an extensive menu, with offerings ranging from two lobster dishes (in season, at $13.50 and $16.50) to all the standard chow meins, chop sueys and sub gums. Golden City, by the looks of the comings and goings at the front of the restaurant, enjoys a pretty good take-out business. The take-out menu is also large and prices are somewhat cheaper than eat -in selections. Some people who've been unlucky with Chinese food think of it as all looking much the same, covered in a brown -grey gravy. One meal at the Golden City will change their minds. For nutritious perfectly cooked Chinese food that looks as good as it tastes, the Golden City holds its own with any Spadina or Dundas St. restaurant in the heart of Toronto's Chinatown. EASTER ,- FLOWERS rc Plower; Valu 4-- When they are bright & beautiful Smile...for the young & old Send a flower... get a smile from Country Flowers (Exeter ) Inc. 395 Main St. EXETER 235-2350 VILLAGE SQUIRE/ANRIL 1980 PG. 25