A fish forms part of the logo that also carries the slogan “New Fashion Seafood Cuisine”; odd then that there is very little marine life being served up in Mirage, a new western eatery not far from the Olympic Centre.
Don’t let that put you off; both the fish above the door or lack thereof on the menu, for Mirage is the kind of place that has potential to solidify the dining scene in the hitherto desert of western cuisine that is this part of the city.
So what is on the menu? Many of the usual suspects; pizza and carbonara being two staples of Italian fare that China has managed to conquer, at least in terms of delivering an authentic taste. Full marks to Mirage on this count.
Steak however, is another matter, and the problem is one of succulence. It’s not that the beef is not imported; it’s the “bull in a China shop” approach employed in its prepartion kitchen side.
Elsewhere on the menu, The Nanjinger did not partake of Mirage’s soups, but they should be a safe bet according to considerable positive review online. Instead, we eyeballed the Tirimasu and were pleasantly surprised to receive a very generous proportion of mascarpone cheese.
One measure of a decent restaurant must surely be whether the owners have simply popped down to Metro for a few bottles of cheap plonk, which they then sell on for a price per glass that they paid for the bottle. Not so at Mirage where the wine menu has airs of actually being well thought out. Prices too are reasonable. In the unlikely event of not being able to finish the bottle, staff are happy to point out they will keep it for you, for next time.
When it comes time to visit the bathrooms, find them clean, spacious and fitted throughout with American Standard plumbing.
With seating capacity for approximately 200, and only two other diners when The Nanjinger was present, it will be some time before the investors at Mirage start breaking even. Here’s hoping they have deep pockets.
Mirage is located at the cross of Leshan Lu and Yue’an Jie,a little south of Yingtian Da Jie. Tel: 87754686
