Fortune Star Chinese Restaurant

439 Prince Street

Sydney, NS

Our October outing took us to the Fortune Star, a Chinese restaurant located between Big Ben's and the old video store that is up for sale, across the street from the Esso station and, as luck would have it, also across from the Chinese restaurant that we went to in April of 2014. At one point in its life, this building looks like it had been the home of a steelworker, who perhaps would have walked to work just over the hill. As Sydney grew and the commercial area expanded, this home became part of the business district. It was added to and renovated until it became the location of at least two Chinese restaurants. The entrance is actually from the side of the building as shown above. 

The inside of the restaurant is similar to other Chinese restaurants - very colourful:

The restaurant runs from the front of the building to the back, with just a few rows of seating at either booths or tables. Not much attention has been paid to the interior of the restaurant - the floors aren't even, the tables don't match, the chairs don't match, the utensils don't match, the washrooms are similar to those you find at summer campgrounds, and there is next to no insulation in the walls. In fact, if it's cold outside, you best wear your woolies to sit down to dinner.  

The menu is not extensive either - you are not going to get a dessert here, other than the traditional fortune cookie.

We solved that problem by bringing our own Sobeys chocolate cake.

And forget getting a good cup of tea! Although the Fortune Star uses lovely little individual silver teapots that do not drip and you are given a good cup and saucer, the water in that teapot is warm. By the time your Red Rose teabag steeps, well, it's just drinkable.

So by now, you might be assuming that this restaurant is not going to get the UAG Seal of Approval.

You couldn't be more wrong! 

This is our new favourite Chinese restaurant for two very good reasons. First of all, the service was beyond exceptional. Not only was it Service with a Smile, our waitress was the most accommodating and pleasant person we've met. When we asked for plates for our cake, she said "no problem" - when we asked for more forks, again "no problem" - when we asked for a knife, she not only said "no problem", she told us to be careful with the knife. Secondly, the food was excellent, made fresh in the kitchen with quality ingredients and served in large helpings. We could not have enjoyed the food more.

Just look at what we ordered:

Number 9 with a substitution of Chow Mein

Wonton Soup

Number 2

Number 3

Number 9

Number 12 with something missing

Yes, indeed, there was something missing. The orders of Ginger Fried Beef arrived at our table in separate bowls:

Ginger Fried Beef

How good is this Ginger Fried Beef? Well, it is nothing like the Ginger Fried Beef served elsewhere - it is so tasty that after the first few bites, I poured the bowl over my rice to ensure that I got every last drop of that heavenly sauce. If I had been at home, I would have used a piece of bread to clean the bowl - I kid you not. The chefs in the kitchen at the Fortune Star know how to cook Chinese food and they do it with passion. The restaurant and the take-out counter were both busy while we were there and we now know why.

This is a small restaurant on a very busy street that wisely has access from two main roads, parking along one side of the building, and a well-organized take-out counter. The owners have not invested in the building itself - they have invested in the staffing and in the ingredients. This balance means that the customer enjoys excellent food at a low price. The Fortune Star is a treasure, simply wonderful, and yes, it gets our Seal of Approval, with appreciation and thanks.

And the Sobey's chocolate cake? It was great too!