The connotation of "Nonya Hi-tea" conjures up kebaya-clad bibiks fussing in the kitchen over the lovely peranakan spices and brews from inherited recipes that's been passed down generations. I had high expectations and it was to be a birthday treat for mum too.

I was dissappointed from the onset having done my first round of walk about surveying the spread. There was none of the tradtional nonya dishes of ngo hiang or buah keluar or chap chye. In place of these key nonya dishes were curry chicken, chee cheong fun, fried chicken wings, pan fried yam cake and even indian rojak found its way into the menu.

But there were other more nonya choices like Kueh Pie Tie, laksa, mee siam and of course a selection of nonya kuehs like Ang Ku Kueh, Ondeh-Ondeh and the other kuehs kuehs that I can't pronounce.

Granted that it was hi-tea so perhaps bite size dishes were more appropriate than the full nonya banquet.

Here's the full spread and my verdict on those I tried:

Chee Cheong Fun : Left out too long and edges were hard and dry

Carrot cake : Looks nice and dark but a tad bland and no Oomph

Pan Fried Yam cake : Ho-hum

Fried Chicken wing : Nice, plump and juicy

Curry chicken : Looks quite good tho I didn't get to try it.

Kueh Pie Tie : Pie Tie shells were a little too thick and oily

Mee Siam : Best from the spread. The gravy was power!

Laksa : Not bad altho I maintain there's something missing from it but I can't put my finger on what it is. Mum likes it tho

Otak Otak : Ok lah.."mai hiam buay pai"

Dim sums & indian rojak : Don't waste your time there

Nonya Kuehs : The saving grace! Almost all the kuehs were decently good. My favourite is the Ondeh Ondeh. They had the right consistency that the gula melaka burst in your mouth as you sink your
teeth into it.

Tau suan : I'm a tau suan specialist and very particular
about it. This one pass on sight but not on taste. Too sweet!!!

And for the traditionalist, they've got Movenpick ice cream to top it off.

I don't think the spread and quality of the food was worth my $32++ per head. Should have gone there for the a la carte lunch instead..would have been more satisfying.