After many nights spent wandering around Uptown for Halloween and Homecoming, the Bricker Boys have passed by one spot more times than we can count: Crystal Palace. Located at 10 King St. S., this Cantonese restaurant is one of those places you see time and time again but never quite get around to trying. With all of the mystery around the palace, we finally decided it was time to step inside and see what we had been missing.
Crystal Palace offers a homey vibe, almost as if a family has invited you into their home for dinner. While this cozy, lived-in feel creates a relaxed and welcoming environment, parts of the restaurant felt unfinished and somewhat unpolished, taking away from its overall appeal.
Fortunately, the fish tank adds a splash of life to the otherwise shabby space. As for the menu, the palace lives up to its name, offering over 200 options ranging from classic Cantonese dishes to combination plates, giving diners plenty of choices to explore. With the atmosphere assessed and menus in hand, it was time to see what the kitchen had to offer.
Will wanted to try a little bit of everything, so he went for Combo Plate #3 which comes with a variety of items including one of his Asian favourites, lemon chicken, as well as chicken chop suey and chicken fried rice served with an egg roll. As for the taste itself, while everything came out steaming HOT, it lacked the flavour that he is used to from his favourite Cantonese restaurants. All elements of the meal could’ve used more seasoning. Overall it gets the job done at under $20, but it won’t be winning any awards.
Bradley went with the Cantonese chow mein, a piping-hot plate of noodles, vegetables, and shrimp, chicken and beef, all tied together by a tasty sauce. The dish was flavourful and satisfying, making it a solid choice for anyone craving a nourishing meal. Unfortunately, his hopes of pairing the meal with a Tsingtao, a classic Chinese beer, were crushed when he learned they were all out. A Coors Light did the trick instead. At around $20 for the whole meal, Bradley got a hearty meal, even if the lack of Tsingtao left a slightly sour taste.
Ben decided to take on the beef ho fan, one of his favourite noodle dishes. Unfortunately, the dish fell short of his expectations, as it lacked some of the rich and savoury flavour he has come to expect from a good beef ho fan. While the beef and noodles were cooked nicely, the overall taste felt a little underwhelming compared to other versions that he had tried. By the end of the meal, he was left feeling that the dish had potential but lacked the depth of flavour that usually makes beef ho fan one of his go-to noodle dishes.
Liam went with the Special Combination Plate No. 2 for $14.51: a classic trio of chicken balls, chicken chop suey, and chicken fried rice. The chicken balls came out golden and crispy, while the chop suey and fried rice delivered the familiar, greasy comfort of an old-school Chinese takeout joint. It may not be fine dining, but in the middle of midterm season, a hot plate of battered chicken, wok-fried rice, and nostalgia is exactly what’s needed.
We are excited to introduce a new feature to the Bricker Boys’ Bites, our special guest segment! Leave it to our special guest, Magregor, to sum up the vibe in a brief statement: “I like noodles, so this is good. Let’s try the shrimp … tastes like shrimp.” Accurate, straight to the point, and impossible to argue with. Magregor says it all.
With a massive menu, hearty portions and a homey atmosphere, Crystal Palace has plenty going for it, even if its unpolished interior and lack of the flavour we were looking for leave room for improvement. We finished our meal with a fortune cookie, but whether Crystal Palace is a hidden gem or a fortune best left untold is for you to decide. Until the next bite!
Here are our ratings: Affordability 10/10, Atmosphere 6/10, Drinks 8.5/10 & Food 5.5/10
Contributed photo by Bricker Boys
