Which Chinese do you feel like

Do you feel like eating Chinese tonight?

But the choice isn’t really that simple. After all, China is a huge country and its cuisine varies greatly between regions.

“It’s more a case of which type of Chinese cuisine do you feel like eating,” said Derek Pang, the manager at Regency Chinese Cuisine, next to Docklands in King Street, in the city.

“The concept of ‘Chinese food’ is like thinking ‘European food’, because it varies so much, just like French dishes are different to Italian, and Greek and so on,” Mr Pang said.

“For example, northern China has completely different types of dumplings and noodles to other regions. It’s similar to the variations in types of pasta.”

“Even the term ‘dim sim’ is more of a category than a single type of food because there are so many different types of dim sim, varying between regions.”

“At Regency Chinese Cuisine we offer dishes from all regions of China but specialise in southern dishes – also known as Cantonese.”

The chef’s signature dish is wasabi prawns, lightly battered prawns with a subtle wasabi sauce. But it’s a must to try the “OJ range” – pork ribs, duck or chicken with an orange Cointreau sauce that you won’t forget.

“We are just over the railway line from Docklands,” said Mr Pang.

“There is plenty of car parking at night and on weekends.”

“We would like all of those residents in Docklands to come and try us, and to tell us what they think of our cuisine.”

“We are open on Sundays, which is perfect for a family dinner or lunch, especially our yum cha. It’s a good time to get the whole family together.”

“Yum cha is also perfect summertime dining for a group of friends. It is good value and good daytime food, when you are hungry but don’t want a heavy meal.”

Regency Chinese Cuisine has a special on daily yum cha - just mention Docklands News when you order to receive one free serve of dim sim. Starting at just $4 for a serve of three pieces, there are 24 dishes to choose from on the yum cha menu, including “football dumplings”!

“We have three private dining rooms, which would suit business lunches for all of those people working in the Docklands offices,” Mr Pang said.

“Banquets start at $29 per person.  We provide good quality without being expensive.”

“Often people see the restaurant’s exterior and think we are expensive, but our prices are affordable.“

Regency Chinese Cuisine is at 232 King St, in the city, call 9600 3620 or go to http://www.regencycc.com.au

Puffer fish danger to dogs

Dog owners in Southbank and Docklands have been warned to watch out for discarded puffer fish.

Dr Theo Lynch, of the Port Phillip Animal Hospital, in neighbouring Albert Park, said puffer fish were an irresistible but deadly attraction to dogs.

“People who are fishing in bayside suburbs such as Southbank and Docklands will often leave unwanted puffer fish on the banks, which of course a dog will go for,” Dr Lynch said.

“A puffer fish can kill a dog in eight minutes.”

With the arrival of summer weather, Dr Lynch and his three fulltime colleagues – doctors Craig Goode, Scott McCann, and Emma Prideaux – want all dogs and cats to have their vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date.

“That includes using the latest flea and worm treatments,” Dr Lynch said.

“Heartworm can be particularly prevalent in a wet summer.”

“It is also allergy season for your pet, so owners need to look out for skin irritations.”

Dr Prideaux said apartment residents visited the clinic with dogs of all sizes.

“We have one which is a golden retriever-German shepherd cross,” she said. “Pets are great companions for inner city living.”

Dr Lynch said most of the apartment towers were animal friendly and that having a pet dog was “good from a human health perspective”.

“Taking the dog for a walk encourages people to get out and enjoy the outdoors and foreshore areas,” he said.

“I know many people in Docklands and Southbank apartments with pets – they are welcome to bring them here.”

“We have a cat patient who lives on the 66th level in the Eureka Tower in Southbank.”

“His owner came to us, worried that pussy’s ears couldn’t pop – that is, equalise – in the elevator, and that he would be suffering.”

“I researched it but couldn’t find any evidence that it would be the case.”

Dr Prideaux said the clinic offered cat boarding and grooming and had introduced a dog hydrobath.

“You can come in and wash your dog, or our nurses can do it for you,” she said.

Port Phillip Animal Hospital also has a surgery theatre and diagnostic equipment.

Dr Prideaux is accredited by AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service), which qualifies her to prepare pets that people want to take with them overseas.

The Port Phillip Animal Hospital is open seven days a week, at 46-48 Mills St,  Albert Park.

Call 9686 8838 or visit  http://www.ppah.com.au