China Club — Restaurant in Gurugram District

An Exemplary Royal Sichuan Dining Experience (7* Michelin Chinese)

Housed in the bustling Global Business Park, MG Road, Gurugram, might not sound a good location for a World Class Restaurant to some, but CHINA CLUB has proved that discerning diners are led more by their TASTE BUDS rather befooled by their eyes. Winners of Times Food Award in Excellence for more than 8 times in 13 years says it all about them.

A Magical Afternoon (As their hoarding says, "Here Chef's Create Magic") was what we bunch of Epicureans experienced on A Pleasant December Sunday. I felt like one of the Chinese National, taking a walk towards the Chinese Courtyard made with modern touch.

China Club gives you a feel of Royal Palace, which was feted with Surprising aplomb of vast Chinese Gastronomica. If you love Chinese, you will feel felicitated by chefs from Sichuan who serves you real Chinese and Asian food. The high standards of their food makes them little more priced than locals, but serving you as close as 90% real Chinese makes them ‘value for money’ to Me.

You will be served dishes made from finest ingredients, like Sichuan pepper, spicy beans paste, tofu or bean curd, snow peas, black mushrooms, Bokchoy, Oyster sauce, Celery, preserved dry chilli, ya cai, Asparagus, caraway powder, lava beans. We enjoyed Array of Vegetables, chicken, lamp, shrimps, sea food Tossed with Subtle flavor and not overpowering color, spices or flavors.

So, Overall Score for CHINA CLUB from my experience is 5/5 *. Highly recommended for those who understands Michelin Flavors.

Royal Ambience and Majestic Interiors

The Royal white/peach marbles and High roofs, with a modern touch of Hanging Roof Giant Cylinder Chimes in the center. The sides open cabin seating along with walls, and Center round tables reminds you the same that we have witnessed in Chinese Movies.

A Giant L-shaped bar is located on the right corner, right at the entrance of the restaurant). The Choice and Selection of Wine and Liquor as per standards around is praiseworthy.

The Legendary Authentic Chinese (A tour to FARAWAY Chinatown)

They have A see thru kitchen located at the end of the restaurant, where you can witness Authentic Chinese fiery delights, churned to the perfection by their Sichuan Chef's.

Their dish portions are generous and so is their hospitality and courteousness.

A. Bottoms Up of Finest Wine, Beer, Cocktails and Mocktails: 5/5

B. 4 Appetizers -Cumin flavored chicken skewer, fried tofu and peanuts: Loved the heat, crunch and fried small bits of tofu they added: 4.5/5 -Sautéed shredded sole with dry chilli and black mushroom: 4/5 -Stir fried corn seeds with spicy salt: 4/5 -Stir fried beans with dry chilli and ya cai: My favorite, just perfectly done, color: 5/5

C. 1 All time favorite soup Lemon chicken coriander soup with chicken or mushroom: 3.5/5

D. 3 Veg Mains -Braised Whole asparagus in black pepper sauce: In love with this one: 5/5 -Braised Broccoli, baby corn and mushroom in white garlic sauce: 3.5/5 -Eggplant stuffed with bean curd in sweet chili sauce: I used to HATE Eggplant before this and this was Delish "Dish of the day": 5/5

3 Non-veg Mains -Master Chef Yuan Sheng signature shrimp with fresh chilli and cucumber in Oyster Sauce: My personal favorite: 5/5 -Home style sliced chicken with black fungus: 4/5 -Double cooked lamb with yeshan chilli: 4.5/5

E. 2 Accompaniments -Sticky fried rice with lava beans, mushrooms, capsicum: 4.5/5 -Mixed Vegetable Fried Noodles: 4/5

F. 1 Desert Caramelized Banana Toffee dipped in Brandy: Perfecto and Sinful: 5/5

G. Complimentary Jasmine Tea served with the main course works well to cleanse the palate, so that you can enjoy the clean flavor of preceding dishes: Mild yet bang on flavor: 5/5

So, Overall Score for CHINA CLUB...

We live in a world where there is an increase in food intolerances. I have a rare condition which can only be managed by eating limited fats. I avoid eating out but at times I don’t have a choice.

I called the restaurant before hand and spoke to Shiv. He discussed I could possibly order steamed rice, vegetables etc. So far so good. I asked if I could speak to the chef so it’s easier for everyone. He denied my request by saying the chef is Chinese. I was a bit shocked but understood he might be trying to tell me language will be a barrier.

We arrived and got a table. I was with my husband and friends. I explained what I can and can’t eat again. I mentioned there can be serious consequences over a period of time if I eat something that I am not suppose to. If I speak to the chef I can explain all the possible options. I was informed the chef can’t talk to you because he won’t understand. I asked the wait staff how will they communicate with him to explain the instructions but they were confident they will do it.

I had steamed dim sums for entree and it was as requested. In fact, the food tasted reasonably good. Then I ordered main course. All ingredients were discussed- soy sauce, ginger garlic, boiled noodles, vegetables etc.

I was served. I took a bite and thanked them for being flexible and accommodating my request. In return he told me -“SORRY, WE DID IT TODAY BUT CANNOT MAKE IT AGAIN!”

I mean I understand it is a strange request but I am not doing it because it is fun. I have medical reasons and I was very clear about it. They can’t give me boiled food with a bit of seasoning! I actually liked the taste and thought I would enjoy it but I was hurt and shocked at how insensitive they can be. It was disappointing and shocking for my husband and friends who were in disbelief as well. I believe everyone needs to show compassion but on this occasion I failed to understand how could they say that. I ate my meal thinking it wasn’t made with love or passion or care because of this rude comment. At least, wait till I finish and then maybe say it was challenging. I can recommend a few podcasts/trainings/books to the manager and then the staff needs to be coached on how to understand people, their needs, be compassionate and show politeness. Definitely an area they need to grow in. I hope they at least provide access to people with physical disabilities. People with medical conditions have invisible disability. My request was not because it is a trend or fad - people can have serious and genuine reasons for dietary requests. I request the restaurant manager to join rare disease awareness groups on social media and update themselves. At least update the team about dietary requirements and making polite requests when running a restaurant. The universe will be thankful.

I have eaten at other restaurants in and around Gurgaon and they have welcomed me with a warm smile, safe and delicious food as well as polite words. There’s plenty of places that can offer you choices even with special requests.

Good luck to China Club if you tell customers “Aage se...

Hey diddle diddle My plate in middle And I'll be eating soon My chopsticks on the right It's blade facing in And now we can begin

CHINA CLUB- Authenticity and royalty are the forte of this place.Prices are slightly in higher side due to standards of their food.I visited this place over a Sunday brunch.These guys literally end up being connoisseurs of high quality and standards. Interiors are lavish-open cabins along the wall more like we see in China.The central area has a seating as well.A bar is located right opposite at the entrance and a see thru kitchen is at opposite end. We tried the following dishes and the overall experience is amazing: 1.Stir fried beans with dry chilli and ya cai- Well cooked and flavoures went well. 2.Stir fry corn kernels with spicy salt.This was tangy, crispy on the outside. The corns were nice & soft. The coating of corns made sure that teh corns wud burst in the mouth when bit & that was a nice experience. However, the feel of ‘corn flour’ was there. 3.Cumin flavoured chicken skewer,fried tofu and peanuts-It had soft juicy pieces of boneless chicken sautéed with peanuts that added a whole new dimension to the dish. 4.Sauteed shredded sole with dry chilli and black mushrooms-The fish piece itself was good as it is but the dish cud not make its presence felt in my mind. Infact, for a fish lover, this dish fell way short of the chicken dish. It wud rank last out of the 4 dishes. 5.lemon coriander soup with chicken-as close as possible to the original Chinese version as possible. It had almost nothing in it, was as bland as they serve in say Xiamen or Quanzhou & as flavourful as well. It had wonderful chicken stock. The chicken pieces were useless though & had no taste / flavour. 6.Double cooked lamb-Sauteed shredded lamb with yeshan chilli was excellent. The lamb slices were super soft & yeshan chilly added a twist to this. 7.Braised whole asparagus in black pepper sauce: Loved it.Flavoures blended well and asparagus was super crunchy. 8.Eggplant stuffed with bean curd in sweet chilly sauce-I am not a eggplant fan but this dish was amazing.The stuffing tasted great and the sauce went great with it. 9.Sticky fried rice with mushroom and capsicum-Flawless.Went well with the gravies mentioned. 10.Mixed vegetable fried noodle-Tasted above average. 11.Virgin mojito-The beverage accompanying this was Virgin Mojito & was quite tangy – much like the ‘syrupy’ TGIF kind. It served the purpose of a palate cleanser quite well in general except in one situation. 12.Caramalised banana toffee dipped in brandy- It was average for me as i am not a banana lover.The best part was that sugar was mild and brandy was not overpowering.

The good thing about the food at China club was however the use of good ingredients like snow peas, super duper crunchy veggies, super soft black mushrooms, celery stems etc. It's a place where you can get food as close as possible outside china. The crockery,spices and tiniest of details are taken care of and imported from Thailand and China. The staff is warm and suggest you well.

Overall a highly...