Casa Victoria Fine Dining and Banquet 紫爵金宴 — Restaurant in Markham

Counter-intuitive though it may be with a name like Casa Victoria, this eating establishment does NOT serve Spanish, Portuguese or Italian fare: it is indeed an authentic Hong Kong Cantonese/ Taiwanese (?) restaurant, despite its ornate and “Versailles”-like palatial decor, complete with giant suspended chandeliers.

Made a reservation for Saturday 12:15 dim-sum for 2. Regardless, we still had to wait by the door for 20 mins before being seated, as it was SO. CROWDED. with primarily if not exclusively an Asian clientele.

However, once shown to our table, service was prompt, and our over-the-top lunch order to compensate for the extended wait-time - a combination of 5 dim-sum items, 2 a la carte appetizers, and a beef bean-sprout chow fun (pan-fried flat-ribbon rice noodles) dish - arrived swiftly without error or omission.

Fried items were particularly well-executed, the classic taro dumplings and spring rolls done GBD (golden-brown and delicious for the non-Foodies out there in Restaurant-Review Land) without any excess grease.

Beef rice rolls with cilantro - oddly incorporating yellow bean or corn kernel(?) - offered no visible cilantro. Nonetheless, the filling was tasty, and rice-flour pastry supple and silky.

Pan-fried beef rice noodles (with Chinese broccoli/ choi sum, it turned out!) was quite excellent, the beef having natural “chew” while remaining surprisingly soft for the plentiful and large slices included. Amazingly, the meat was cooked to a respectable “medium” doneness (see photo) without copious quantities of tenderizer used.

Of note, the deep-fried salt and chili tofu cubes - SUBLIME! Even better as leftovers when reheated in a toaster-oven ! Super-crunchy, well-seasoned, dry exterior, ethereal feather-light inside. Positively. Dreamy.

Turnip cake slices contained ample preserved meats (Chinese cured sausage and ham) crusted with sesame seeds then pan-fried to achieve some colour. A welcome change to the pale, pallid version easily obtained at other dim-sum joints.

Chiu Chow meat-and-peanut dumplings were more elegant than at most other dim-sum venues, the pastry steamed up translucent to the point that the generous and tasty filling was completely visible and not simply an opaque mass of sticky stodge.

The eating area was quite congested (no surprise for weekend dim-sum in Markham!) and acoustically very loud, making any conversation difficult at peak time but once the crowd thinned closer to 2 pm, talking across the table became more manageable.

Our main server Jennifer was both friendly and attentive, recharging our teapot even after we paid our bill, dawdling over our last hot “cuppa”.

Our dinner experience - while unconventional (covered by another review) - was equally good, with portions generous in serving size.

Casa Victoria is earning its place as our “new” favourite local Chinese go-to! Consider this...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Casa Victoria, a fine dining establishment renowned for its delectable dim sum. Overall, my experience was enjoyable, with the highlight being the flavorful dim sum selection available until 3:30 PM. The restaurant boasts an inviting environment, although the service could benefit from improvement, especially considering the "fine dining" label.

The dim sum offered at Casa Victoria is undeniably tasty. The flavors were rich, and the variety of options provided a delightful culinary experience. It's worth noting that the availability of dim sum until 3:30 PM is a definite plus, allowing patrons to enjoy these delectable treats beyond the typical morning hours. This flexibility is a welcome feature that sets Casa Victoria apart.

The ambiance of the restaurant contributes to the overall dining experience. Casa Victoria exudes an elegant and sophisticated atmosphere, making it an ideal venue for special occasions or intimate gatherings. The tasteful decor and comfortable seating arrangements create a pleasant environment for patrons to enjoy their meals.

However, while the environment is praiseworthy, the service falls short of expectations. Given the "fine dining" designation, one would anticipate a higher level of attentiveness and professionalism from the staff. During my visit, the service was adequate but lacked the finesse and attention to detail that one would expect in such an establishment. A more refined and polished approach to service would elevate the dining experience and align better with the restaurant's reputation.

It's important to note that despite the service shortcomings, the overall experience at Casa Victoria was still enjoyable. The delicious dim sum and elegant ambiance make it a worthy dining destination. Additionally, the pricing at Casa Victoria is reasonable given the quality of the food and the restaurant's atmosphere.

In conclusion, Casa Victoria offers a delightful dining experience with its flavorful dim sum and elegant ambiance. The availability of dim sum until 3:30 PM is a definite advantage, and the restaurant's environment sets the stage for a memorable meal. However, improvements in the service department are necessary to truly live up to the "fine dining" label. With some refinements in the service aspect, Casa Victoria has the potential to become an even more exceptional dining...

Casa Victoria Fine Dining and Banquet, located at Warden and Highway 7, is a dim sum spot that lives up to its reputation. We visited for lunch and were immediately struck by how packed it was, even on a weekday—clearly a testament to its popularity. Despite the crowd, the service was efficient and friendly, with the staff managing to keep up with the steady flow of customers without missing a beat.

We ordered a variety of dishes, including classics like BBQ pork buns, har gow, and siu mai, as well as several others that you can see in the photo. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The BBQ pork buns were perfectly soft with a sweet, savory filling, while the har gow featured delicate, translucent wrappers encasing plump, juicy shrimp. The siu mai was generously portioned and full of flavor. On top of these, the sesame balls and other dumplings added variety to our meal and were equally delicious.

The portions here are notably larger than most dim sum places, which made the experience feel even more satisfying. We also enjoyed pots of fragrant tea to accompany the meal, rounding out the classic dim sum experience. The balance of quality, flavor, and presentation made every dish memorable.

The atmosphere was lively, with the bustling dining room adding to the charm. Casa Victoria has a luxurious feel to its decor, yet it maintains a warm and inviting vibe. While the restaurant is undeniably busy, the attentive service ensures that you’re never left waiting too long.

I would definitely recommend Casa Victoria for anyone looking for delicious, authentic dim sum in Markham. It’s worth the wait and effort to snag a table—just be prepared for the crowds, which only add to the dynamic atmosphere of this fantastic...