With its home-made desserts and unpretentious service, Moon House Dessert Bar has won over many residents in Happy Valley. It came as no surprise, therefore, when it set up another branch in the same neighbourhood. But while Moon House Dim Sum resembles its sister establishment in many ways, sweet treats are just part of a diversified menu.
Dim sum is served throughout the day, which is an unusual practice in most Hong Kong restaurants. There is also a good selection of appetisers, as well as rice and noodle dishes for those who want a hearty meal.
From the dim sum menu, the pea sprouts dumplings ($28 for four) were unavailable. Our waitress suggested trying the spinach version. We did and the small dumplings were a delight to the palate, with delicate wrapping and a generous filling of crunchy spinach.
Stir-fried green beans with minced pork and olive leaves ($38), a Chiu Chow speciality, was another enjoyable dish. Olive leaves infused a wonderful piquancy into the string beans and minced pork, and created contrasting flavours on one plate. Unfortunately the dish had been prepared with too much oil.
Rice wrapped in lotus leaf ($62) was a huge disappointment. Although the rice was well complemented by generous helpings of diced pork and shrimps, it was greasy and did not carry the fragrance of the lotus leaf.
The dessert selection was good, although not as extensive as that found at the sister outlet. We resisted the warm sago pudding with yam - our all-time favourite - so that we could try something new. Rice dumplings in ginger soup ($18) was a soothing choice, and chilled sago cream with mango and pomelo ($25) a refreshing summer treat. Credit must be given to the staff, who were friendly and knowledgeable. Dinner for two totalled $180.