If your in Ottawa looking for authentic Chinese food- this place is a sure bet. It may not look like much but it makes up in some great dishes. I recommend the shredded pigs ears in chili sauce- simply the best anywhere! (If you can find it) The Peking duck is delightful and a gem- a must have for anyone who never tried it! The owners are friendly and honest folks who just want to bring a little authentic Chinese cuisine to the capital!

The secret gem of the Orient, right in Ottawa. How do I sum it up in one word or two? Succulent feasting!

The ambience is limited. From its appearance, it looks like a dime a dozen other Chinese restaurants on Somerset: florescent lighting, plastic decor coating in faux-gilding, slightly shabby tables and settings, guests speaking in mandarin who have obviously mastered chopsticks at about the same time as they learned to walk. You simply would not know that this restaurant vastly excels beyond its surrounding.

As a tall blonde haired woman, with my tattooed husband, we felt a little out of place. But, the owner, May, made personal appearances and inquiries at our table as we scrumptious chowed down on fried whole lobster with garlic and ginger, chicken slow cooked in a bamboo shoot, a stir-fry served in a hollowed out pineapple, and a stoneware pot of sizzling pieces of tender pork. The presentation, sounds, smells, were a performance of food mastery that barely rivaled the fabulous flavours of the actual dishes. Just amazing!

We've eaten at the standards; Mekong, Yangtze's, etc, but each thing we had at May's Garden was of a league of its own above them.

Simply the BEST hot and sour soup I've ever had (my husband it now officially addicted to it, and we get it for take out whenever we need a little pick-me-up). Of course, this place has become a staple of our dining go-tos within the last couple of months.

We went back last week and split their whole roasted duck and duck soup (we had to preorder 24 hours in advance), which was incredibly flavourful and tender. With imported beers, it came to just over $40.

This place is a real gem. Creative cuisine, well executed plates, friendly and attentive service.

If you're willing to forgo luxurious interior design, and see the savings directly reflected on your bill, May's garden is the right place to be.