Maybe it’s just a coincidence with CNY, but my most recent commission from the Food & Drink section at Time Out London was to photograph a Chinese restaurant, Yipin China in Islington.
The review appeared in the mag yesterday (Wed 25 Jan, 2012) and it’s also online.
Geng, the chef-owner specialises in the regional cuisine of Hunan, noted for it’s fiery chilli heat, similar to Sichuan. The above photo is of the rather prosaic Gong Bao Chicken with Peanuts, but there are also many authentic dishes on the menu that get up close and pesonal with all kinds of offal and innards.
I’ve got a long-standing joke with my mate, Chris. It’s a very un-PC throwback to the uninhibited Seventies and Benny Hill’s character, Chow Mein. Just remember Chris, it’s fine for me to laugh, because for me it’s ‘ironic’.
INT. GENERIC CHINESE RESTAURANT
CUSTOMER
Waiter, this chicken is rubbery!
CHINESE WAITER, ‘CHOW MEIN’
Fang you velly much!