“Dim sum” refers to a Cantonese style of cuisine that consists of an assortment of small bites of food, generally steamed or fried (e.g dumplings, buns, rolls). Skip brunch as usual; your money is better spent here. -jrs
Your first go at dim sum might be a bit overwhelming, if you’re an introvert like me. The dining room is busy and bustling, loud with activity and conversation. You don’t order from the waiters, but rather choose your food from trolleys, wheeled around the tables by servers. The options appear unending—and if you are not that familiar with the food, you might have little idea of what you’re ordering. But rest assured: everything is good. Go with a group, that way you can have a dozen different dishes, and definitely find something to your liking.
At the start, the staff leave a bill on your table to keep track of what you’ve taken, a kind of running tally. It’s a great system: You can linger, eat as much as you like, and pay only for what you choose. Trust me: The experience beats a boring, overpriced brunch of bacon and eggs any day.
I recently had dim sum at Ruby Rouge in Chinatown (1008 rue Clark). The food was spectacular, the service perfect (attentive, very friendly). My bill ran to $30, but I ate enough food for two sensible people. You can expect yours to reach $20 or so per person, depending on how much you order. Highly recommend.
