I've never been a vegetarian in my whole life but i was rather eager to try a vegetarian restaurant in Dickson: Au Lac Gourmet Vegetarian Restaurant (4/35-39 Woolley Street, Dickson (02) 6262 8922). It is reputable for its mock meat dishes, so i decided to be a bit adventurous and give it a try. The worst case scenario will be me resorting to vegetables and tofu, which i love anyways.
Au Lac is not a fancy place but a small and simple restaurant with a few Vietnamese-themed decorations here and there. Its menu looks very similar to a normal Vietnamese restaurant's except the fact that its meat it's not real meat but soy meat.
As soon as i saw Roast Soy Duck on the menu i knew i had to get it. I was really curious to see how the 'fake' roast duck would look and taste like. To my surprise, the mock duck actually had crispy skin and even 'stuff' that resembled duck fat (sorry, but i don't know what the fat is made of), that's imitation at its best no? The taste was pretty decent for an imitation of the real roast duck, although i still prefer to have the real thing.
We also ordered a Sizzling Beef with Mixed Vegetables which to my opinion, was the least exciting dish of all. The mock beef looked like real beef but the taste resembled more like pressed soy.
Saving the best for last, i was utterly surprised by Salt & Pepper Squid that we ordered. That is by far, the best 'fake' squid i've ever had (not that i had any before *bleh). In terms of presentation, it looked very similar to the real one and the texture was close enough too. The first bite just makes you go 'WOW' because your mind is totally fooled by its looks and texture. After a few pieces though, you can gradually tell that it is not the real thing. The entire dish was very enjoyable to eat, definitely the highlight of the meal.
Our meal at Au Lac Gourmet Vegetarian Restaurant was a delight with great surprises such as the Roast Soy Duck and the Salt & Pepper Squid. If one day, if ever, i decide to become a vegetarian i wouldn't mind having that Salt & Pepper Squid with a humble a bowl of rice everyday!
7 snowdrop meringues:
the mmeats look pretty real!
can we use fake money to buy fake meat there? :P
First good review I;ve heard about those guys for awhile.
Looks good but a bit surreal.
ZOMG!!! DUCK!! *_* *yum!*
@Hao: i wish!!
@Fiona: Thanks =)
@The InTolerant Chef: especially the squid, i reckon
@Supa Ninja: hehhehee..not as good as the REAL ONE
Wow that faux squid looks absolutely like real squid! I am not vegetarian either but I do like eating vegetarian food :)
There's a place that is similar in concept near where I live. Its amazing, how meat-like they can make things look.
I love the way the 'beef' dish looks - nice and crispy. Too bad the flavor didn't match the appearance!
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