After arriving at Yeung Sing one chilly evening, we were soon enjoying the warmth of this friendly restaurant while perusing its enticing menus. The decor and ambience of this Michelin-recommended establishment created a feeling of Oriental opulence. Listening to the gentle music being played by the talented young pianist in the dining area put us in a relaxed mood – we were thoroughly looking forward to the evening ahead.
After agonising over many sublime-sounding dishes, our order was swiftly taken by the friendly waiter. The menu has broad appeal, boasting a combination of familiar classics and more unusual, innovative offerings. The chef is also happy to make English dishes if requested, and can cater for vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free requirements with ease, making this an incredibly accommodating restaurant. Two additional rooms provide space for private dining, ideal for corporate or party bookings. Unable to select just one starter, we opted for the mixed appetisers. Ribs with a light, crisp coating and a drizzle of tangy sauce were served alongside thick sesame prawn toast, spring rolls, satay chicken and crispy seaweed. All were quickly devoured and greatly relished. The crabmeat and sweetcorn soup I sampled was wonderfully flavoursome, with an abundance of deliciously fresh crab. My partner enjoyed the vegetarian soup – a hearty offering, rich with colourful vegetables, mushrooms and tofu.
As we received the main courses, we were worried that that our generous starters may have subdued our appetites. As it turned out, our concerns were misplaced as the sight and smell of the dishes before us were enough to reinvigorate our hunger. My stir-fried squid was lightly battered and precisely cooked for a pleasing texture. Each firm, fresh piece was wrapped around succulent minced prawns, with the chilli and garlic adding perfect levels of spice and flavour. The Szechuan fillet of beef was meltingly tender, eliciting quiet sounds of pleasure and satisfaction from us as we ate. The savoury sauce was delicately spiced, complementing the delectable beef without overpowering it. Unable to decide between rice and noodles, we had gone for both. The rice was light and fragrant, and the noodles, interspersed with fresh, crunchy bean sprouts, were the best I’ve ever tasted.
With no room for dessert we headed off, vowing to return and berating ourselves for not having discovered this gem on Nottingham’s doorstep sooner.
