紫蘭軒 Purple Orchid — Restaurant in Richmond Hill

Food: 4 Stars Service: 4 Stars Ambience: 3 Stars Value: 3 Stars Overall: 3.5 Stars

Purple Orchid, formerly known as the well-loved Golden Court Abalone, has seamlessly transitioned under its new name while still preserving much of its familiar essence. I recently visited for a dim sum lunch, curious to see if this transformation had altered any of the qualities that made its predecessor a favourite among many dim sum enthusiasts. To my pleasant surprise, in many ways, Purple Orchid has managed to keep the original spirit of the Golden Court Abalone alive—the restaurant's ambience, attentive service, and food offerings all felt quite reminiscent of the old establishment.

Dim sum at Purple Orchid had a lot to offer, and I was impressed with the variety on the menu. From traditional staples like shrimp dumplings (har gow) and barbecue pork buns (char siu bao), to a few more unique dishes, there was something for everyone. The food was decent and tasted fresh, which I appreciated, as freshness can be a defining factor when it comes to a good dim sum experience. The dumplings were perfectly steamed, and the ingredients were noticeably fresh, giving each bite a clean and satisfying taste. In particular, the siu mai had a good balance of flavours, without being overly salty or greasy.

However, while the variety and quality were certainly enjoyable, I found the experience a bit on the expensive side, especially for just two people. Our total bill came to around $90, which included a mix of steamed and fried dim sum dishes, along with a couple of servings of tea. Though the food was of good quality, this price point was a little steep compared to similar dim sum restaurants in Richmond and Vancouver, where you can often find comparable quality for a lower cost. I think that for a larger group, the experience might feel more economical, but for just two diners, the value proposition felt a bit off-balance.

The service at Purple Orchid was polite and attentive. The staff made sure that our teapot was always filled, and they checked in with us regularly to make sure everything was satisfactory. During our meal, one of the staff members encouraged us to come back in the evening to try the dinner menu, which they said featured some new signature dishes that set Purple Orchid apart from its predecessor. I thought this was a nice touch—it showed that they are eager to share what makes their new identity distinct, beyond the familiar dim sum offerings.

The atmosphere at Purple Orchid has remained much the same as it was during its Golden Court Abalone days. The decor has had a slight refresh, but the overall setting is still upscale, comfortable, and well-suited for both small family gatherings and larger celebrations. The dining area is spacious, with traditional Chinese decor touches that lend it a warm and welcoming vibe. The layout is convenient, and tables are well-spaced, providing a sense of privacy even when the restaurant is relatively busy.

In summary, Purple Orchid is a solid option if you're in the mood for some quality dim sum, though it's worth noting that it comes at a slightly higher price point compared to other similar establishments in the area. If you were a fan of Golden Court Abalone, you'll likely find much of what you loved still present here, and the staff's warmth and eagerness to welcome diners back for dinner is a positive sign that they're working to carve out a unique identity for Purple Orchid. I’m curious to return and see how the dinner menu measures up—it might just be what sets Purple Orchid apart and justifies its price a bit more.

Overall, it’s a four-star experience: good quality, pleasant service, and a comfortable setting, but with room for improvement in terms of value for smaller dining parties.

xx...

⭐ 1 star – Very disappointing experience. Would not return.

We visited this restaurant expecting a smooth dining experience, but unfortunately it was frustrating from start to finish. Order not placed at all: After waiting 20 minutes with no food, we asked a server who ignored us. We had to go to the front ourselves, only to find out our order had never even been entered into the system. No apology—only after pressing them did they admit the mistake. Food came suspiciously fast after that (first dish in under 3 minutes), raising concerns about freshness or whether it came from another table. Duplicate dishes kept arriving, even though we kept saying, “We’ve already received this.” A male staff member (possibly the manager?) started training a server in front of us mid-meal on how to cross off dishes properly… during service hours. Clearly not ready to operate. Food quality was poor: Chicken feet arrived in 3 minutes (??), and the squid was so dry it was nearly inedible. Flavorless and overpriced. False promotion: They told us only cash payments could receive the advertised “discount.” We had specifically asked at the start whether debit was okay and were told yes. Only at the end were we told about the “cash only” policy. Slow checkout: We waited over 10 minutes again at the end just to pay. Staff seemed unconcerned and said, “OK, we’ll just give you 10% off” as if they were doing us a favor. We ended up sending an EMT because they refused debit in the end. Automatic tip was added, which wasn’t the biggest issue—but the lack of transparency and poor service made it feel unjustified.

⚠️ Overall: chaotic service, questionable food quality, poor communication, and misleading pricing. I don’t leave reviews often, but this was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. Not...

Today, my friend and I decided to give Purple Orchid a second try after the disastrous experience 10 months ago. I am glad to say the experience today was much better. The tapioca pudding was delicious as with the rest of the dim sum items we ordered. No, not everything was perfect but they are acceptable to me. There's definitely rooms for improvement. The service was excellent. The new decor is fresh and modern. Not the typical stuffy-gold-everywhere Chinese-style. It is still on the pricey side but at least the quality is passable.

Be warned that a 12% service charge is automatically added. They do advise you when they hand you the bill. Nothing sneaky there. But i have to say, their service was pretty excellent today.

So, I would go back again and hope for further improvement going forward.

• Previous review 2024 Nov * I was very excited to see the reopening of the restaurant with a new owner and name. While everything looked the same, the quality of the dishes unfortunately not as good. Some traditional items were ok, the baked sago pudding however was just an unappetizing goo. I'd give them the benefits of the doubt due to the rushed reopening and try again at a much later date after they had a chance to settle in the...