Memories you'll wanna revisit. Review on Memories of China, MG Road, Bangalore

I am a firm believer of the saying "As you call into the woods, the echo comes back" and generally since i've moved to a broadband connection at home from a dial-up, the echo is coming back faster. I've realized that the thoughts I share with the woods, I mean the "net", comes back pretty fast. And after visiting the Memories of China in Taj Residency for the millionth time in the last seven years, I think it is time to call out to you all through this wonderful forum, mouthshut.

The chinese eating tradition in India is very old. I mean, the Indian way of eating Chinese food. I am 31 and I can recollect even as a small kid, my parents indulged in the occasional eating out primarily at a Chinese restaurant at a 3-star hotel. "Chowmein", "Fried-rice", and "Sweet-Corn Soup" were pretty much standard orders with "Chilli-Chicken", and occasional "Chinese-Choupsey" summing up the rest. I had no idea that Sizuan is a province in China then, but knew instinctively that after two helpings of Sizuan chicken, I needed to use the napkin to wipe off that running nose very aware of the spice.

Now I grew up in a relatively small city and I am surprised how many of you will still recollect the dishes I mentioned as the de rigueur chinese spread ordered in a typical Indian eat-out menu at a chinese joint. Memories of China is no different. And that is what attracted me every time to try out different cuisines.

My first experience of Memories of China was seven years ago one Sunday noon. I was working in Logica then, and had gone to the big store Kids Kemp at the end of M G Road towards Trinity Circle to pick up some toys for a colleagues little one. I was supposed to go to the birthday party that evening and Kids Kemp during those days was pretty much all Bangalore had for decent shopping. After the chores, I walked down the main M G Road and quite accidently stumbled upon Taj Residency nestled at the corner diagonally opposite from Kids Kemp.

I will however talk about one of my recent experiences since the hotel has undergone major renovation and all my old memories are well...now just memories. Let me start with parking. Yeah I know, you guys want to know about that since the only thing that kills a nice evening at a restaurant is to have wasted 20 minutes circling around or with the maze of one-ways, having to take a full circle, or to have parked a mile out and have walked. Well the advantage Memories of China has is that it is one of the three restaurants in Taj Residency a posh hotel. So you get valet parking, and your car comes back on time, without dents or scratches.

Parking taken care, you move inside and find a friendly manager greeting you at the entrance of the restaurant. You are then escorted inside and generally the staff gives you the choice of a seating. You can choose a smoking or a non-smoking section. Also interesting is the fact that on most occasions, you can get a seat even if you have not made a prior reservation. The staff is generally accomodationg but on weekends, however, it is advisable to call and make a booking.

The menu is constantly upgraded and is similar to any upscale Chinese Restaurant in the city. It is not easy on your wallet though, and a meal for two with moderate drinks can easily set you back by a grand and a half. But, the food is mind-boggling. Dimsums, Suimai's (by the way, on weekends do ask for their dimsum menu for a wide spread of authentic dimsums), hot-pots, and various entrees and main course dishes are sure to make your dining experience a worthwhile one.

I typically go to Memorieswith my wife and one of the usual orders for us is an assorted dimsum plate with the Memoriesspecial honey-chilli spare ribs as starters. Soups are an absolute must have and we have tasted most and all are extremely good. I still prefer the chicken sweet corn soup and I will stick my neck out and claim that Memoriesmakes the best chicken sweet corn soup in town.

Memorieshas now introduced the dimsum lunch where for about four hundred bucks, you get to have unlimited dimsums (both veg and non-veg) and a dessert spread-out in a buffet. Also for a additional hundred bucks, you can choose either a prawn, chicken or lamb main course. I just had this lunch and felt it is worth every penny spent. Apart from this they have a Sunday buffet that has four vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes plus soup of the day and dessert.

The only downside to the Memories of China experience is perhaps sometimes a not so professional serving experience some people face. I've been told by friends that sometimes, the waiting and serving leaves a bad taste in the mouth. I have personally rarely faced this but this is something people face sometimes. The management perhaps needs to tighten up their service a wee bit.

In the food department, nobody can raise a question. In fact several times, the restaurant manager has cancelled charges for particular dishes off my bill if I've complained of not having liked the food. They are very particular about this aspect. I think overall Memoriesis a good trip to make if you are in a mood to have some authentic chinese cuisines.

I will rate this experience a 4 out of 5 just on the basis of food. Come on guys, I think even if the server takes a bit longer to get the food, if the food is awsome, isn't it what we really want at the end of the day? Take a trip to Memories and I promise you will not regret your experience.