Yum cha @ New Royal Garden, Glen Waverley, Melbourne

 Decided to come here for yum cha one weekend as it was near to where we were meeting friends and our first choice, Gold Leaf in Burwood East was booked out.

And it wasn't a bad choice: the food was tasty enough and the service was amiable and fun. It was also pretty good value it came to about $22 per person, which for yum cha in Melbourne, is very good.

As one does at yum cha, we ordered a range of dishes. There were a few whiteys at the table so lots of dumplings were ordered, something I never go for at yum cha. I'll be the first to admit that the Cantonese aren't the best at dumplings. I didn't try any the dumplings here but the people around the table seemed to enjoy them. Two things I do always order at yum cha are the lo mai gai and Malay sponge cake. Both dishes are nicely done here, in particular the lo mai gai which was flavoursome, with plenty of filling. The salt and pepper squid tentacles were also well done, a welcome relief from the often very plain versions served up at other yum cha joints around town.

The people serving also seemed to be having a good time, a welcome change from the grumpy and acerbic servers at many other yum cha restaurants. Here they were friendly, game for a laugh, attentive and not pushy.