Quietly nestled in the new wing of Centrepoint, the Eastern Restaurant may send diners on a little treasure hunt at first but the gastronomic gems it offers at the end of the search will more than make up for the trouble.

• The Vibe
  The Eastern Restaurant is unexpectedly small and ordinary looking. Expect the conventional decorations that usually adorn Chinese restaurants, everything from the high-backed chairs and wooden tables to the Chinese writings on the wall and a glass panel that showcases the chefs at work. However, simple décor and unremarkable furniture aside, the homely and friendly feeling it exudes, coupled with frequent wafts of irresistible aroma from delicious cooking, never fails to draw in crowds of families, executives, shoppers and tourists everyday.

• The Food
  The most outstanding dish is definitely the Eastern Yi Ping Steamed Pork Dumplings ($4 for 4 pieces). It is amazing how the smooth, pearly-white skin is so thin and yet can hold so much meat and soup in it. The skin melts away easily in your mouth, giving way to an explosion of flavours from its fillings. The pork, mixed with minute bits of cabbage is also tender and succulent. With every bite, the delicious broth seeps out and tantalizes your palate with its fragrance and delectableness. However, all xiao long bao (steamed dumplings) lovers will know that no dumpling is complete without some vinegar and ginger slices for that slightly sour and tangy kick to the overall taste.

  Do not miss the Furong Special Scramble Egg ($10.80) if you are looking for traditional, authentic Chinese dishes. When the dish is presented, an egg yolk sits atop a mixture of egg white, strips of crab meat sticks, peas and generous chunks of real crab meat. Scramble everything together, add a dash of vinegar and pepper and you are ready to embark on another heavenly gastronomic journey. However, the combination of flavours may be too rich after sometime, so you may want to eat it with a bowl of plain rice to balance it out.

  Next, tuck into the restaurant's replica of China's famous dish – Pan fried Chive Dumplings ($5 for 3 pieces). While the greased skin of the dumpling is crispy on the top where it is folded neatly like what you see on a curry puff, the remaining parts of the dumpling remain soft and supple, encasing juicy meat within.

  Alternatively, challenge your taste buds to some sizzling Wanton with Hot Chilli Sauce ($6 for 5 pieces). As the name suggests, this fiery dish is made of boiled dumplings that are stuffed with pork and vegetables, and immersed in a pool of vinegar and chilli oil. Careful not to scorch your tongue, as you would not want to miss out the mouthwatering dessert.

  The Egg Puff with Red Bean Paste ($4.50) is dipped in sugar syrup boiled and made pretty with sprinkles of osmanthus. The eggs used to make the outer layer are so skillfully beaten that when the puffs are fried, the outer layer remains soft. Only if you slowly and carefully eat it can you detect a slight hint of frying oil. Even after cooling down, the filling inside the puff remains sweet, warm and mushy. For a modification of this dish, we sampled the Egg Puff with Durian Paste. Filled with heavenly durian fillings, even non-durian lovers would be hard pressed to turn up their noses at this enjoyable dish as the notorious durian pungent smell is hardly there at all, leaving only mouthfuls of creamy goodness. Diners can also expect many new delectable dishes coming up tentatively during Chinese New Year.

• The Service
  The service crew speaks good Mandarin, as they are mainly Chinese nationals. Contrary to popular belief, they are very friendly and attentive. The servers are familiar with the menu, and will even take the initiative to make recommendations and suggest the best ways to appreciate the dishes.

The SD Food Advisor's Take on The Eastern Restaurant
Do not judge The Eastern Restaurant by its limited space and average décor because what it has to offer will definitely make you come back for more. The modest setting and welcoming servers sets its customers at ease and makes the dining experience a lot more relaxed and enjoyable. Though many of the dishes can also be found in other Chinese restaurants, they are made even more pleasing here, with the little customisations that the owner and chefs have added in to suit local taste. For instance, to cater to Singaporean's preference for healthier food, the chefs have taken special effort to make sure their dishes are not too oily, sweet or salty. With even more scrumptious cuisines to be introduced, The Eastern Restaurant will be a sure winner in food that is yummy, healthy and value-for-money.