老實說，我會說中文。
我真的是！
I’m Chinese – born and raised in Canada. My family is from a village in Southern China and we speak a variation of Cantonese.
我會說中文或至少是我的家人，而且我想我會說中文。但是，把我帶到一家中國餐館裡，我不如說克林貢語。
I could be asking for the most basic of things – say, a glass of water or a napkin or directions to the restroom – and I get THE LOOK… A kind of Spock-like look with one eyebrow raised — a pondering look, a tilt of the head and a long pause. I don’t know if it’s my “Canadian” accent or my dazzling good looks （眨眼） 這讓他們感到困惑，但服務員只是凝視著。
When dining with my husband, who incidentally is also Chinese-born and raised in Canada, he always tries to rescue me by “translating”. Meaning that he repeats what I said exactly word-for-word. This act makes me feel even more incompetent because they always instantly answer or nod affirming they understand and return with said item – no questions asked and no pondering look.
和我婆婆共進晚餐 （上圖） is a very different affair altogether. I don’t have to say a word to a single waiter as she takes control of everything and I pay the bill. Even though this meal was in celebration of Mother’s Day – she, of course, loves me and orders my favourites without fail! I happily sit, smile and EAT!
Tonight’s meal was at a very busy, family-run Chinese restaurant. Old school with no glitz or glamour but just good, reasonably priced food.
財富餐廳
3833 Midland Avenue，士嘉堡
416-292-6833
Steamed Chicken with Ginger and Green Onion sauce. The chicken is tender but really it’s the ginger and green onion mixture that really sets this dish off.
Pork Chops in Chefs Special Sauce with Onions. The “chef’s special sauce” is a sweet tomato-based sauce.
Beef and Chinese Broccoli. Tender marinated beef stir-fried with ginger and garlic with crisp “gai-lan” and oyster sauce.
Hot Pot Chicken. I have no idea how they cook this dish but it’s the best, there are tonnes of whole garlic cloves, onions and Chinese “Lap Cheong” sausage. This hot pot dish takes the longest to make and is the first to go. There are never leftovers! My favourite part of this dish is the tender little pieces of garlic.
