Chinese Cultural Centre
197 First St S.W., Calgary
403-457-0072

Price range: $2.50 – $13.95
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

One of the highlights of Chinese New Year is gathering with friends and family for a meal, which you can do at the new Chinese Cultural Centre Restaurant.

Weekday dim sum begins at 10 a.m. (9 a.m. on weekends). You mark off items off a paper list so dishes like har gow (shrimp dumplings) and steamed spareribs ($4.08) arrive piping hot rather than turning stale on roving carts.

The rice roll ($4.78) stuffed with plump pieces of BBQ pork was particularly fresh and flavourful.

The lunchtime buffet ($10.95) featured more than a dozen frequently replenished dishes. Standouts included crispy salt and pepper squid and Singapore fried noodles.

We were impressed by how fresh the food was. However, that was also the restaurant’s weakness. There was a long wait for the made-to-order dim sum. And despite being advertised as starting at 11 a.m., the buffet was not ready until just before noon.

The basement-level restaurant has ample seating but service is spotty.