Veggie food review - Chalfont Dynasty (Chinese)

Family gatherings...

Whatever your feelings on the good ole family 'gathering' - one thing's for sure - going to a great restaurant is a real bonus for a more harmonious night out!

Whenever we are in Bucks' visiting family a visit to the Chalfont Dynasty is always a little treat. Having found that eating out  can be somewhat of a challenge when you're vegetarian, in actual fact Chinese and Indian restaurants make a great choice, as they usually offer lots of vegetable dishes and are usually very willing to create dishes especially for you.

This restaurant is no exception and on every occasion that we have visited they have been consistently friendly, welcoming and helpful. 'Ni Hao' (hello)

What we were eating:

To start - vegetable spring rolls and tempura.

In between - vegetarian crispy 'duck' - yes really!

Main event - veggie singapore noodles, salt and chilli bean curd, dry shredded four vegetables (taken from the set vegetarian menu below).

A 'rude not to' dessert - banana fritters with syrup and ice-cream.  

[no pic - I was too busy scoffing!]

From the menu:

£16.50 PER PERSON

VEGETARIAN PLATTER (WITH NUTS)

* * * *

L VEGETARIAN SOUP

* * * *

VEGETARIAN SINGAPORE RICE NOODLES &

CHOICE OF ONE MAIN COURSE FROM BELOW

* * * *

L BUDDHA MIXED VEGETABLES

DRY SHREDDED FOUR VEGETABLES

SWEET & SOUR BEAN CURD

BEAN CURD WITH SPICED SALT & CHILLI

SZECHUAN YU-HONG BEAN CURD

CHINESE LEAVES & NUTS IN CREAMY SAUCE

Although there is a set veggie menu here the main menu doesn't list many vegetarian dishes. However, you can ask for whatever veggie version of a dish you like and they will happily make it for you. They are also aware of detail such as not using vegetable stock or shrimp powder on crispy seaweed etc and they will warn you not to eat the prawn crackers.

And a real bonus is that they will prepare all foods without the allergen / carcinogen / neurotoxin - MSG (you will taste the difference and not be insatiably thirsty all night!).

The starter was really hot and crispy, although it would be better with a dipping sauce - but again they supply something if you ask (we had sweet chilli).

The crispy vegetarian duck is a revelation. I think it's crispy fried tofu - served with the usual accompaniments - and as the main flavour comes from the sauce anyway - its delish and the ideal way to continue eating something that I'll admit that I used to love, but simply cannot eat any more.

Two main dishes and a noodles are plenty for two people - the portions aren't huge but with 4 courses they don't need to be! The veg were tasty, full of texture and served nice and hot.

Dessert was a simple treat. Freshly cooked, crisp, sweet and as it should be.

Despite serving a table of 11 - all of whom ordered different foods - things went very well and the owners of this restaurant managed to strike the right balance of courteousness with a homely welcome . They are patient and attentive. The restaurant itself is a nice size, tables are adaptable, toilets are clean. It's never too busy week nights - although in my opinion this is a shame, as it really is consistently good.

At 27GBP per person it did, at first, seem a little expensive - but then I think the flowing drinks may have had something to do with the cost!

So - as family get-togethers go - this was a great one. Much lively chatter was had over the lazy susan while we tried to not spin it so fast that uncle chris never could get his rice, mum (83) expanded her repertoir of asian foods and got to grips better with chopsticks (the only person who did, I might add) and 2 of my nieces wanted to try the the salt and chilli beancurd - which, they liked! (A veggie conversion pending one day?)

All in all a lovely evening. 'Xiexie'. [thank you]

We'll be back.

Chantal xx

Chalfont Dynasty

 Address:
9 Nightingales Corner
Cokes Lane
Amersham
Buckinghamshire
HP7 9PZ

Telephone:
01494 764038
01494 765419

Opening times:
Lunch: 12.00pm to 2.15pm
Dinner: 6.00pm to 11.15pm