I have had a celebratory meal at Chinese kosher restaurant Met Su Yan in Edgware, North west London, England, and take away food from the other branch. If you are interested in Chinese food, or kosher food, or a restaurant in North west London, or somewhere for a birthday or anniversary, here are two places to consider and the dishes you might enjoy.
Met Su Yan, according to the restaurant staff, means delicious in Chinese. The walls have three large pictures, two of Chinese buildings, a third shows Chinese writing. The seating is a combination of banquettes and separate chairs. Tables can be pulled apart to create tables of four to comply with Covid-19 regulations. Hand sanatizer is at the entrance. Serving staff wear disposable masks.
I asked the manager if the two restaurants were related. He said they had started out as a partnership, but separated amicaably, with each partner taking over the restaurant nearest their home which cut down travelling.
Hors D'Oevres (Starters)
My recent take away food at home came from the more central branch and started with the mixed hors d'oevres, which was delicious. Everybody enthused over the (lamb) ribs in sauce. (Why lamb? Pork is not kosher.)
This good experience prompted us to make a booking at the Edgware branch. I had forgotten which dishes I liked.
I looked at the menu online in advance. I could then work out that I had previously liked the ribs. For my own benefit, I am noting here what I was keen on. Others liked the sesame toast, but my preference was for the lamb ribs.
Pricewise, there are two set meals, for three courses or four including the Duck. I thought it made things simpler to choose the set meals. You still get a chance to have the duck, and choose rice or vegetables (one of us chose rice, the other vegetables), and portions are generous enough for us to share.
Birthdays
I asked in advance what they do for a celebration. For a birthday or anniversary they bring out a candle on a dessert, not just a little blow out wax candle, but a dramatic flaming candle.
Duck
We were all familiar with what we in the UK call, 'Peking duck', served English style. Unlike China. I have been to what is supposed to be the best resaurant in Beijing for Peking Duck, served to the locals with just the skin, no meat. In Singapore, too, you must specify if you want your Peking Duck Western style or Chinese style.
The way we like it is with ultra-thin white flat pancakes kept warm in a bamboo lidded steamer. Help yourself to a spreading of thick plum sauce (which looks like thickened soy sauce). On top add finely shredded spring onion. Then thin sticks of cucumber, like finger long chopstick thick piece of cucumber. Finally, shredded duck.
Chicken
For my main course I chose chicken with cashew nuts. I had looked at the menu online the evening before. I saw Chicken 'Poh'. I was going to ask what Poh meant. Then I noticed the star which indicated spicy, so my decision was made, stick to the straightforward chicken dish. If I were ordering two portions at home, where it is easy to try out dishes with different cutlery wihtout the risk of somebody else dipping their fork or spoon in your plate, I would order one of each.
Desserts
Desserts were toffee banana, nothing like toffee which to me is soft. On the contrary, banana coated in solid, crunchy sugar glaze.
Chocolate Dessert Surprise
For me the best dessert was the chocolate bombe, which has melting chocolate in a solid-looking case. In the restaurant it was served with white ice cream which was topped with a sprig of mint. If you want to reproduce this at home, search around the internet for the recipe.
At home you could imitate a birthday or grand restaurant. I have seen a chocolate bombe served with the candle on top. You could serve this under a dome with music to anounce the entrance. You could do any varitation of that at home for a birthday or anniversary or religious holiday.
At the restaurant we had too much to eat. The restaurant packed up everything to do except white ice cream which would have accompanied the chocolate dessert.
If you are stuck at home anywhere in north or central London, you might like to hold a party at home using their take away service. Add your own candles on the dessert or cake, your own ice cream, birthday hats, badges and banners.
If you are not Jewish, but your guests include one or more Jewish visitors and you are wondering what you can safely serve them, a Jewish or kosher restaurant might solve your problem. Note that Jewish style food from a restaurant is not necessarily kosher. If you want kosher, this place fulfils the requirement.
Drinks
In October 2020 the choices included Champagne at 75 pounds sterling, red or white wine by the glass, a chablis at 28, an Israeli rose wine, at 22 a sweet Muscat at 18 pounds. There is a 12 per cent service charge when eating in. I ordered a bottled Cranberry juice at 3 pounds.
Note that in a kosher restaurant you will not be served milk (not in ice cream nor in a coffee) after a meat meal. At home when serving to religious guests you might need to serve a non diary creamer or wait some hours to elapse.
Up To Date Prices
When ordering from the menu or in the restaurant, check the online menu and enquire about the latest prices.
Parking
You cannot park outside because there is a double yellow line which means no parking any time. When we visited we could park at night for free in streets nearby. If you have a lady in high heeled shoes or it is raining, you could drop somebody nearer the entrance.
Useful Websites and information
http://www.metsuyan.co.uk/MesuyanEdgwareTakeaway.pdf
https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/social-media-and-email-updates/
Their business card says Glatt Kosher under the supervision of the Federation of Synagogues. We were unable to make a booking during the Jewish holiday of Sukkoth, so keep your eye on the Jewish holidays if you are planning an event or making a booking.
About the Author
Angela Lansbury is a travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. You can read other posts and blogs by Angela and link with her on LinekedIn and Facebook and Twitter and Instagram. Also speak to her at meeting of Toastmasters International, where she is a member of five clubs. Please share links to your favourite posts with your friends and family.
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