A night of ballet at Yum Cha

When I travel for work, my itinerary is usually packed. In addition to my clients’ itinerary, there are always unexpected events that demand my attention: a forgotten medication, weather, delayed flight.  These things happen and that is ultimately why I am there.  To make sure that my clients’ vacation continues as I iron out any bumps in the road. 

During my recent trip to Santiago, I booked a tour of the Concha y Toro vineyard (more on that on a different post) and while heading back to the city, I realized that I would arrive sooner than anticipated.  I texted the folks at Yum Cha and they were able to squeeze me in at the last minute.  They had one seat left and this was my view. Rarely do things work out so well.

VIP Seat at Yum Cha

Yum Cha is a Chinese inspired restaurant that constructs its modest tasting menu around a tea pairing.  I will admit that this was the first time I enjoyed a drink pairing that was not wine.  While I am unqualified to say that was either good or bad, I can say that I enjoyed it and made my experience unique.  Some of the teas made allowed me to experience a lightness that I had not experienced while dining.  That is, I did not feel as full as one can sometimes feel after a multicourse meal.  In some cases, I was able to appreciate a more traditional harmony between drink and meal.  But in all, I was pleased with the pairing experience.

The tasting menu itself is expertly constructed.  There is a real sense of direction in every dish.  Each one is delicious and points to the next. The intensity of each dish builds until its apex, a hearty Chinese cabbage dish that left me wanting to lick the bowl. 

Hake, Chinese Cabbage, Sichuan Peppercorn

The experience then takes a turn to an eel char siu dish with plum and cucumber, whose muted sweetness points to and then recedes to the desserts. 

Conger Eel Char Siu, Plum, Cucumber, Red Shiso

And then the dessert courses, a mini tasting menu of sorts, mimic that same trajectory, starting with a super tangy and sweet lemon that is balanced and dare I say alleviated by a white tea from Taiwan.

Lastly, the service was superb.  The ballet in the kitchen was flawless as each member of the small team expertly moved and coordinated the experience.  Not only was the service fantastic, but the friendliness and attention made me feel as if I were enjoying a meal with friends, albeit friends who were excellent chefs. 

I am looking forward to my next visit to Yum Cha.  And to the team, if you are up for it, first and last round is on me!