Reading Roars!

It’s the start of the Chinese New Year, and what better way to celebrate locally than by going out for a nice Chinese meal (sure, I’d rather be partying in Shanghai, but never mind that). On Wednesday evening, myself, two colleagues and a visitor from Redmond dined at the contemporary Chi Oriental Brasserie on Caversham Road, Reading.

When I entered the restaurant I got a nice whiff of pine furniture (at least I think it was pine). Very postmodern, I thought. We were seated at the far end of the restaurant, a good distance away from the sound equipment being set up for the Bee Gees tribute band lined up for 10pm.

Drinks were Tsing Tao and green tea. We ordered the food straightaway, having been recommended already a set meal. While we were talking about public transport in Seattle, among other things, our ears were pleasured by the soothing sounds of the Bee Gees tribute sound check. We decided not to stick about until ten.

The starter, when it came, was not bad: crispy seaweed, satay chicken, barbecued spare ribs and sesame prawn toast. Crispy aromatic duck followed, arriving with pancakes, spring onions, cucumber and Hoy Sin sauce. Finally, the main course was served: chicken with cashew nuts in Yellow Bean sauce, beef slices with peppers in Black Bean sauce, King prawns in chilli sauce, vegetables and egg fried rice.

The meal came to £35 per head, minus drinks, which I thought was rather expensive for what we got. The food was good, but a little simple for my liking. The service and setting were satisfactory. As for the Bee Gees tribute, however, well I guess our love wasn’t deep enough to hear them perform.