I could never count the number of times I dined at Gloria Maris Seafood Restaurant, it is the "it" place for wedding reception, Birthday parties, random reunion of friends and family and most especially - my dad's association annual get-together.
I love the food, the ambiance, everything felt so familiar! The 8-10 dishes that arrive, bite after bite, the food seems to be endless. Then my favorite memory will always be: "I am stuffed! I don't want to eat anymore!" Then the almond lychee dessert or Mango Sago would suddenly arrive and I would stuff my face once again.
But after several years, we stopped dining there when more and more restaurants are popping around the Metro. I would look for newer dishes and newer flavors, Gloria Maris Seafood Restaurant was set aside for quite some time.
Then, I got an invite to visit THE NEW Gloria Maris Restaurant as it is now managed by Choi Garden, I knew I had to be there, I had to reunite with the well-loved restaurant of our household.
Keep in mind that the lunch was a 15-course meal but I was able to eat only less than 10 as I need to pick up my son in school, nevertheless I was stuffed and happy!
Shall we begin
Two Tone Almond Seafood Soup
As for most Chinese restaurant, you'll see either Spinach soup or Sharksfin Soup served as starter. The starting point of The New Gloria Maris already gave me a lasting impression. This soup was unique in so many ways!
Firstly, I AM IN LOVE with Pumpkin Soup! For a Chinese restaurant to serve Pumpkin soup seems a bit out of the ordinary --- what made this dish oriental is the part Almond soup that comes with this. The waiter showcased his serving talent by serving each bowl with 2 sides of the soup! Yes, he managed to do it effortlessly which leaves the whole table in awe.
I love mixing both soup together and you get bits and pieces of seafood. I love how both flavors blended well without overpowering each other. It was a combination I never thought would be possible but it worked!
