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We went to this Japanese restaurant which is called Tairyo now - I don't know when the name has been changed but I was a bit confused when I saw that the restaurant is called "Da Yu" on this site. But, looking at the address and directions given it must have been the same.
The menu has clear pictures of the food with English subtitles! The food was really great. If you say in advance that you want to have dinner for the RMB 200,00 you can eat and drink as much as you like. We had a salad, sushi, beef, 3 kinds of fish, fried rice, soup, dessert and as much beer and sake as we wanted (and we could even order more food if we wanted). One minor point; you had to eat very fast to keep up the pace the cook in front of us....
We were a bit reluctant to visit this place as we heard some time ago that this place is not what one would expect from a so-called French restaurant since the French chef has been replaced by an Asian chef.
But one has to try itself before judging it...so there we go!
The ambiance of the la carte restaurant is really nice. There is ample space between the dining tables so you can have dinner quietly and quite privately. Although the pianist was not a real Chopin the music created a classical, romantic atmosphere. In the restaurant the lights are changing colours. Not too much and not bothering at all but it contributed to a romantic touch.
The wine list showed many wines (also Italian....) and for not too much RMB's you could find a good wine of your choice.
Both of us did not have an appetizer/salad but a soup. The Kenyan tomato soup was not impressive. It tasted more like a tinned soup than like fresh Kenyan tomatoes. The French Onion Truffle soup tasted like it was diluted with water and you could find a few little pieces of onions. The bread accompanied the soup was not very fresh.
As main dish we both had a Angus Tenderloin steak. After our soup-experience we did not expect too much from it but we were mistaken. The steak as well as the served sauce was very tasteful. It came with one small piece of carrot, one piece of broccoli and one mushroom so for the 'big eater' it is recommended to have an appetizer / salad.
We paid for the steak about 120 RMB's.
For a change (and because of the lack of a side dish) we both ordered a dessert. And this was really a surprise! I had an Apple Strudle which came with peach mousse and my partner had Chocolate Mousse which came with a huge wafer and several puffs. It reminded me more of an art project than a dessert and they tasted delicious. The cappucino was good as well.
By the way, they also have various 8-course menus which I would like to try another time.
All in all, I can recommend this place for having a good Western diner in a nice ambiance but I would not classify this as a typical French restaurant (advantage compared to a real French restaurant; prices are more reasonable).
Nice detail: when we were walking outside the restaurant we heard lovely French music playing..... no, it was not bad at all!
DCT is a French quality wine company who are importing wines directly from France. The owners, Frederic and Barbare, are really lovely people and when you talk with them you feel their passion for the wines they sell. They can tell you everything about the wines, from birth to bottle to its sale in China.
It is also possible to enjoy their wine-tastings which they used to arrange every Thursday afternoon around 17.00 (if you want to join, please check if they are still organising this on Thursdays). They will do their utmost to find the perfect wine for you.
They even have a home-delivery service!
It is highly recommended to visit DCT and try their wonderful wines. I am sure you also will fall in love with some of their unique, tasteful wines.
It is difficult to rate this hospital fairly because I cannot compare it to another one. I haven't been in another one, fortunately.
However, especially after reading reviews from other hospitals recently I was a bit worried to visit one.
The fact that I knew there was an English speaking doctor/nurse and my husband's Chinese colleague was willing to join me I went to this Friendship Hospital. This Chinese lady called the Dr Shi beforehand so she was waiting for us in the reception room. Suprisingly, I didn't have to pay in advance for the registration but I could see the first doctor straigt away.
Dr. Shi stayed by my side to translate the doctor's findings. After his examination we had to go to another room for an ultrasoon examination. I didn't have to wait, the room and the second doctor were ready to start the ultrasoon survey. Although other nurses and doctors walked into the room it didn't bother me at all. They were quiet and passed us quickly. Fortunately I could keep my shirt and skirt on (even my shoes) so I did not feel embarrassed at all! The doctor and Dr Shi examined the ultrasoon thoroughly and seriously.
After this we had to go to the first doctor again for the final results. And again, we did not have to wait a single minute. Dr Shi and the Chinese lady who joined me translated everything clearly and the doctor even took the time to make clear sketches of his findings.
Although I want to keep my hospital experiences in Dalian on a low level this was not a bad experience at all. They didn't give me any medicines to take/buy - I understood in some hospitals they like to sell chinese medicines even if you probably do not need them - and the entire visit lasted about 20 to 30 minutes. After the examinations I had to pay for my registration and the ultrasoon examination and, as far as I know, the costs were reasonable.
I have to emphasize that maybe because of my Chinese "guide" I had a privileged position in this hospital. But I can recommend this hospital and Dr Shi to anyone else.
I have to admit that I have rated and reviewed this hospital as a Chinese/Dalianese one and not as a so-called international (western) hospital. It is maybe useless to say that compared to most of the hospitals in Western Europe it probably would not have stand the test but it seemed fair to me to review this as a local hospital. In my opinion, for examinations and/or GP (family doctor / General Practitioner) kind of things this hospital and Dr Shi and her colleagues passed the test.
This shop, which is located near restaurant Cafe Igosso, is very small and tiny. A couple of weeks ago I visited this place but I was a little bit disappointed. The shop's flyer showed some nice items but once in the shop the selection was far from ample. Especially when you are looking for a typical Chinese gift this is not the really place to be. From the few articles in the shop the major part was not Chinese made but Vietnamese, Japanese etc (so it is promoted as an Asian shop correctly). I should say, just visit this little shop when you are in the neighbourhood because it could be that the assortment has been increased in the meantime.
The saleswoman did not pay much attention to potential clients in the shop. As far as I can remember prices were reasonable.
Emma.S
