LET'S GO DOWN TO 'CANDY TOWN'! (Candy Town Cantonese Restaurant Sheffield)

Member Name: totalserenity

Product:	Candy Town Cantonese Restaurant Sheffield
Date:	21/06/09 (194 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A WONDERFUL RESTAURANT RIGHT IN THE HEART OF SHEFFIELD!

Disadvantages: NO ACCESS FOR THE LESS ABLE-BODIED/WHEELCHAIR USERS AMONGST US...

For my first restaurant review I have chosen to write about my favourite authentic Chinese restaurant named 'Candy Town' - ran and owned by Dorena Cheng - plus her extended family, situated in a busy residential downtown area of Sheffield since 1986, which I visited with my daughter Laura Beth for my birthday late in May 2009.

Wanting to do a thorough and comprehensive review for dooyoo, I took along my Fuji Finepix Z5 digital camera to capture some covert pictures of the interior to jog my memory whilst typing up this review!

Such was aforementioned offspring and mine's success at snapping some surreptious shots under the guise of taking some memento photographs of my 45th birthday celebratory meal, that we managed to attract the curious attention of two of the female waiting staff - who quite literally stopped what they were doing to gawp over to our table for two as darling child pointed the little silver gizmo here, there, and everywhere after whispered strict instructions to "be casual so as to not attract attention"...*sigh*...

So to start at the beginning then, shall we?

It was an unusually subdued Bank Holiday Sunday evening in Candy Town, with the restaurant being a lot quieter than usual.

As always I pre-booked the table in advance - although this is not usually a necessity to book before the day, unless you require a multi-numbered booking on either Friday or Saturday nights - the restaurant's busiest two sittings.

Candy Town is open both lunchtimes and evenings, with the opening hours being:

Mon-Sat: Noon-2pm, then 6pm-11.30pm
Sunday: Noon through to 10.30pm.

Seating capacity is approx the 150-200 mark, set with around about 30 differing in size from 2-8 seater tables - with the larger having the added advantage of a fun Smorgasbord-style middle circular tray - that can be swivelled round so each member of the party can access all the various wonderfully flavoured dishes laid out upon it.

The restaurant itself is approached from a Katy-cornered entrance joining the adjacent Boston Street leading to a steep set of slabbed stepped staircase.

An exact location can be found on the internet on a variety of restaurant review websites, the Candy Town homepage itself featuring a Google street map - which is detailed enough for most would-be visitors to have no difficulties in finding.
Parking is never a problem either, as there are ample spaces down the Boston Street side road; alternatively London Road is one of Sheffield's busiest areas for public transportation - or it would cost only a few pounds taxi fare from the city centre, if you so chose.

The approach to the upper front doors of the interior is lit by an impressive if a tad shabby brass multi-layered crystal chandelier, and the walls are almost totally covered in mirrors - novel, but not good if you suffer from vertigo like my boyfriend *Bob*!

One of the most important facts to mention at this point is that unfortunately this eatery is totally unsuitable for wheelchair users - plus the less able-bodied amongst us.
Sadly there is no lift or other access, and as a severe arthritis sufferer I tend to struggle by the time I get to the top of the challenging, twisting flight of stairs.
A stick or crutch user could probably manage if they took their time, like I do - with some support or guidance if necessary, of course.

On reaching the top, the immaculate toilet facilities are offset to your right (fresh flowers found within on the washbasin unit - a nice, homely touch methinks), with the glass-fronted doors leading in towards the small bar area to the left.

There are a few seats for customers to rest upon if either waiting for the takeaway meal option that is available (or if a vacant table if an impromptu visit was the order of the day), to the right of the small entrance lobby.

The restaurant is large, airily spacious and dark red carpeted throughout. The décor is quite plain; with the scheme being predominantly cream in colour accompanied by medium pine wood trim in places - alongside huge, ornately arresting Chinese dragon emblem panels scattered strategically throughout the walls.
There are two sunken ceiling features which are strikingly simplistic and attractive, whilst the large 8 double windowed room decorated with burnt orange blinds is well lit with many tiny fitted lights throughout; as well as glass-fronted wall lights for added ambiance...

Popular with the Chinese community (always a good sign if the Asian patronage is high!), plus small and informal business meetings are held there on a regular basis. Nevertheless I would say this is a predominantly family-orientated eating place - although it can be a very pleasant dining experience as part of a couple on the less raucous weekday evenings.

Not the kind of atmosphere if you are planning to propose to a loved one however, plan somewhere a little more intimate and candlelit for that occasion please!

The predominantly female waiting staff are without exception all Oriental in origin - and it is lovely indeed to hear them speak in their sing-song mother tongue to each other throughout their diligent serving duties!

On being led to your table you are each presented with a heavy bound burgundy binder with gold writing - both with Chinese symbols plus English script on the front - laid before you on an immaculately double dressed linen-clothed table, before being asked for your drinks order.
As always the Oriental way of serving is respectful, unobtrusive and efficient; although you can always request more time to peruse the menu if you so desire...

Al a carte options are available throughout the Anglo-Chinese menu, although the most popular options are the six different A-F set meal choices - plus two vegetarian options named A & B, also - which tend to be around £1 cheaper per person.

Drinks ordered, and with a rapid underground surveillance scan of the house wine price starting from a reasonable £8, Laura Beth plumped for a Smirnoff Ice costing £2.30 - while I made do with a big glass jug full of free iced water. Being the designated driver is not much fun at times, especially when your sixteen year old daughter succinctly reminds you it is legal for her to drink when accompanied by a meal in a restaurant, 'Grrr'!

The well stocked bar caters for all tastes, from soft drinks (£1.50+) to shorts - both via the bottle - or from the half dozen or so optics on display.
Of course 'Tiger' beer is the order of the day by many men at £2.00 a small bottle, who savour this famous light beer's distinctly unique and well-loved flavour!
The drinks section of the menu is found in the back of our bound folder, with the choices being ample for dining out needs.

Sparkling wine - or bubbly - can be ordered if you so desire, my favourite tipple Asti Spumante Martini was £13.50 the last time I priced it up on 20th June.

Jenny, our lovely waitress for the evening - a delightfully petite and pretty lady - who is growing her hair longer as her hubby 'fancies a change', as always happily fed my penchant for 'ice', 'ice' and then 'more ice'...well it was a particularly balmy evening, folks!

Scanning the room for details to include, I realised at this belated point that I've got this reviewing lark bad -after all it's my celebratory supper - time to get a life methinks Rebecca!

Unable to switch off as the lovely Jenny serves my budding alcoholic of a child her one allowed liquid feed for the meal/day/week, I silently noted our waitress's neat black and white attire, the basic stainless steel salt and pepper pots, plus the disposable large table top napkin designed to prevent stainage of the lovely table linen beneath...

Laura Beth giggled with glee as I surreptiously started taking the odd picture of the authentic bottled dark soy sauce, the wooden toothpicks, the glass Pyrex bowl with warm water and a slice of lemon ready to cleanse our fingers after our two course starters, 'Yummy'!

On deciding our set menu choice B at '£14.50 per head, for minimum 2 people', we looked forward in anticipation to the plentiful, freshly produced feast that was about to befall us!

The majority of patrons usually decide upon the respectably priced set menus, although needless to say there are literally pages of wonderful Cantonese speciality dishes such as King Prawns in Oyster sauce for £8.50.
Most of the main course dishes cost around the mid £8 mark, except of course the house speciality of crispy duck served with pancakes and hoi sin sauce for £14 per half a deliciously seasoned bird...

There is an array of starters also; our personal favourite is Sweet corn and Chicken Soup, although we respectfully decline an appetiser knowing full well of the size of the mini-banquet to come!

Starters vary in price from the lower priced soups at the £2.50-£3.00 region, working up towards £7.50 for a quarter of crispy duck.

Desserts are available also, but I have never yet partaken of the usual lychees or vanilla ice cream that seem to be the staple fayre at most Chinese restaurants. There is always a juicy fresh orange served as a complimentary end to the main meal, sliced into thin segments if you are too full to eat anything more substantial after your banquet.
Coffee and jasmine tea are obviously also available - and am happy to report the tea is very authentic indeed, served in a delicate little pot with tiny twigs infusing the hot water within...

Relaxing, and drinking in the laid back atmosphere (I have been in this place in the past when it had been frenetically busy so the noise levels can be rather loud), on this occasion there was a mere half a dozen tables occupied - the quietest I have ever seen the Candy Town in all my twenty odd years of dining there.

Obviously the weekend was quieter than usual, although Dorena commented on her travels past my choice of side table that it had been very busy earlier that day...

Our menu choice consisted of:

1) Candy Town Hot Plate: Sesame Prawn Toast
Seaweed
Spare Ribs
Spring Rolls

2) Aromatic Crispy Duck

3) Sizzling Beef with Special Sauce
4) Chicken & King Prawns in "Phoenix's Nest"
5) Sweet and Sour King Prawns
6) Chicken with Peaches and Cashew Nuts
7) Candy Town Special Rice

There are plastic Chinese symbol-etched chopsticks supplied for each customer encased in a sealed paper wrapper (although cutlery is happily supplied without fuss if you so desire), but on the arrival of our first finger food starter on one big platter - along with two pretty and predominantly pink tiny authentic dishes, plus side plates - such implements are not required at this point.

Now one of the reasons I love Chinese or Cantonese cuisine is the fact you are able to experience so many different flavours, aromas, seasonings, textures and tastes all within one repast - so for someone like myself who doesn't like mixing the different combinations of her food this style of dining is perfect for me!

My daughter has inherited my love for this type of Asian cuisine and this is one of the reasons I favour Candy Town, as the portions are large, fresh as a daisy and beautifully presented.
With only a gentle mixture of both Chinese and instrumental more Westernised music gently drifting in the background, this type of meal is as relaxed and unhurried as a shared supper is meant to be...

On delving fingers first, etiquette later, into the luscious array of wonderfully laid out offerings, we both thoroughly enjoyed the flavoursome crunchy-on-the-outside-and-succulent-on-the-inside golden 8 Sesame Prawn Toast segments, and I had the whole middle pile of deep fried dark green cabbage masquerading as sugar-sprinkled seaweed as my young companion is not a fan (her loss my gain, folks!).
A decent amount of mid brown dried crabmeat powder adorned the seaweed nicely, and the 4 spare ribs were as crispy on the outside as they were teeth-tearing tender on the in!
A quartet of mini tender vegetable spring rolls finished off the first starter magnificently, and we both swished our fingers in the lemon-scented water supplied with satisfied smiles on our faces.

Following the sumptuous first starter, a quarter of crispy duck is duly presented along with 6 soft, supple small ultra-thin steamed pancakes still in the steamer, served with expertly sliced cucumber gorgons and wispy spring onion wafer-thin slices once the dishes have been surreptiously cleared.
The first pancake is expertly assembled by a dextrous waitress, after the crispy duck element of this second sumptuous starter has been shredded with apparent ease - and then piled neatly into the wafer thin pancake with a pair of chopsticks and a smiling flourish upon proud presentation to the ravenous diner!

This is the course I have little chance in experiencing properly for my daughter adores Candy Town's fabulously flavoured specially seasoned duck which is served with a delicious version of the classic Asian accompaniment - Hoi Sin sauce - a rich, dark and deliciously somewhat fruity coating that is used to line the moist little pancakes before the rest of the ingredients are added.

I managed to snaffle a heady two to my child's gobbled-in-an-instant-four...'Hmm'.

The duck was, as always, gorgeous. Rich in its flavour, the meat moist and full-bodied; the crispy coating roasted to perfection - and as per usual, it was finished all too soon!

It is at this point if you so choose you can request a 'Resting Card', a great innovation that lets you rest an already semi-satiated tum for a wee while before you get your second wind to tuck in to a whopping third course.
When you are ready to eat again after a nice relaxed chat, you simply lay the card face down from its erect position and this notifies the ever attentive staff that you are ready to proceed with the epic portion of your Chinese feast!

This ubiquitous race of serving staff are always happy to let you eat at your own pace; even when the restaurant is full I have never felt any pressure to 'hurry up and leave', so to speak.

The second course's plastic crockery (a minor gripe for me a I wish they would use pottery plates, etc), is removed at this point and two tea-tree candle metal plate warmers are brought through with fresh dishes and side plates ready for the next onslaught of gastromic delights!

The Special Fried Rice is brought in a metal lidded container that contains the freshest, fluffiest mixed rice you could ever wish to eat. Egg, small prawns, tiny chopped pieces of seared pork and a few vegetables such as peas, carrots and spring onion slivers are mixed with lightly fried tender rice granules.
The rice grains are not over soaked in oil as can be the case from some inferior quality eateries, and it is very, very freshly cooked indeed.

The Sweet and Sour King Prawns are served in a fluffy, light golden batter marinating amidst a luscious orange/red sticky sauce infused with peppers, onions and fresh pineapple pieces.
Tinned peaches are the only produce that is not a fresh ingredient throughout this entire medley, but that matters not as it is such an unusual addition to the white breast meat of the juicy chicken pieces within the poultry, seed and fruit dish.
Cashew nuts are a personal favourite of mine, so in my opinion those ingredients work well together in unison to create an imaginative combination soaked in a light gravy flavoured with a touch of peach syrup...

Now if you are wondering what a "Phoenix's Nest" is - it is a fantastic looking edible mesh of miniature fried potato slivers, all moulded together to create a special presentation bowl to encase the succulent mouth-sized chicken slices and freshly sautéed fantastically fleshy King Prawns!
Decorated with carefully crafted carrot shapes such as Catherine Wheels and sculpted squares, with a generous amount of crunchy Mange Tout, and tiny chunks of pungent pure ginger peeled root - this is a treat indeed for both the eyes with its colourful combination, plus the expectant and now salivating palate!

Last but certainly not least is the fabulous sizzling platter of beef in its own sweetly-tinged 'Special Sauce'!

This wooden platter is always brought to the table with a proud flourish as the metal lid is whipped back to reveal a generous portion of the most lovely thinly sliced tender beef bites mounded amongst peppers and the most sumptuous thick and rich deep red sauce, bubbling away noisily - attracting the attention of the other diners amongst you!

In truth there is easily enough food now upon that table to feed three to four people - appetite dependent of course...

But fear not, dear readers, for do not forget that Candy Town also serves as an innocuously upmarket takeaway at the entrance of this lovely restaurant, therefore any foods left over can easily be despatched to the kitchen at the end of your fill, to be bagged for you to take away and then reheat at your leisure.
This comes at no extra charge; it is a commodity that is often used at my favourite dining experience, and you are never made to feel anything other than it is an honour to provide that little extra special service for you.

Needless to say the meal was once again wonderful, in addition I simply cannot stress enough how fresh and melt-in-the-mouth everything is.
I would not entertain reheating this sort of produce if it was not, believe me. It is evident by its very taste and texture that each dish is lovingly and faithfully prepared just before the time of serving.

Candy Town runs like a well-oiled machine.

Well let's face it - it should do after 20 odd years in the business, and apart from the plastic crockery and the fact the chopsticks are not bamboo, I cannot fault it! We were both left feeling, as always, replete and happily satisfied by a fayre that was as bountiful as it was newly cooked.

As always, an enjoyable two and a half hours plus passed in a blur of oral pleasure, as taste after wonderful taste was savoured by Laura Beth and I; thus as a regular patron of this particular restaurant, I can say without no word of a lie that I try and frequent there as often as my finances allow...

The meal came to just under £40 as it usually does for two people in my party, a fantastic price in my opinion for such an enjoyable, relaxing affair.

If you so desire there are many and varied pubs along London Road itself for an after-meal indulgence; but please be aware this area is now a student quadrant - and whilst I have nothing against the little darlings (I was, after all, one myself for years), they are not everyone's social cup of tea...

So, in summary, I am more than happy to award a soy sauce infused sumptuous 4 stars to a fabulous eating experience under the calling card of 'Candy Town', although I am afraid I have to deduct a precious star for non-access for disabled users.

Nonetheless, please check it out if you are in the vicinity and it is suitable for your needs - I promise you won't be disappointed!


*Please note: All prices include V.A.T & 10% Service charge to be added.*

Address: 27 London Road
Sheffield,
S4 4LA

Tel No: 0114 2725311/2725315 Fax No: 0114 27252311

© Written exclusively for dooyoo.

Summary: WORTH EVERY LAST YEN FOR A SUPER EVENING OUT - TRY IT AND SEE?!