Dim Sum.

I have just returned from my first successful dim sum experience. I say successful because the first time I went many years ago I had no idea what to do and had no guide to help. This time I still didn't know what to do but my co-worker was there to help. A group of us met at Jing Fong Restaurant on Elizabeth St. When you enter the lobby of the first floor you are greeted by what I can only described as an auction for a seat. After receiving a number and it is finally called out from a man with a microphone you ascend the very long escalator. The scene is chaotic and welcoming. A sea of people sits chowing down food, ladies with carts brush by as you attempt to figure out what is being served, and it's hot. We are lead to a table before I can set my jacket down we are already attacked by women with carts of food. The vast hall lends to the pressure of picking out food then and there because you are afraid you will never find this dish again once they disappear. With four people who are taking Cantonese classes with us and five people who are confused we successfully managed to try a whole range of items.
I enjoyed the lack of structure to the meal. I had my 'dessert' sprinkled throughout the sitting. I cannot remember names nor attempt to pronounce them so I will merely describe what was placed before me. I had a cup of tea that was filled by anyone who saw it empty. There were beef crepes, a bit slippery and doughy. An item that looked like a carrot but was in fact dough with a peanut sauce inside, very good. Cut up ribs, satchels with vegetables and shrimp inside, a plate of vegetables retrieved from a vegetable table. The items on the carts are very carb and meat heavy so one must get up and go to a table in the center of the dining room to get something healthy. My most adventurous item was chicken feet. Dangerous because of the amount of bones but chewy and tasted like...well you know.
At the conclusion we added up our stamped sheet that was marked every time something was placed on the table and went to the China town Ice Cream shop. The usual flavors on the menu were coconut, green tea, red bean and zen butter (which I had and had sesame seeds in it). The 'exotic' flavors included chocolate, vanilla, and cookies and cream.
Now I'm stuffed and taking a nap.