I'm proposing to my Chinese girlfriend and I need your help....

[sucralose]

Hi ladies,

I've been with my girlfriend for 3.5 years and I finally decided to take the plunge. I've got the ring, I've got the plan.... now I just need the right food for the occasion.

Essentially, I'm setting up a surprise romantic evening and I'm changing around our place, so it should be a nice surprise for her when she gets home from work. She'll never see it coming : )

I want to start with a really fantastic authentic Chinese meal (not at a restaurant, it has to be in our home for my plans and preparations to work), and then I've got a whole bunch of tricks up my sleeve, but I'll keep those to myself.....

So here's the problem: I'm a white guy. I need some advice on where to get this food, and what it should be. My research has given me a list that I fear looks like a menu put together by a white guy who did research. My girlfriend is born/raised in Canada but she is Chinese (speaks Cantonese, her family from Hong Kong).

Money is no object.

Ladies? I'm in downtown Toronto. What's the best option for me? What should I serve, where should I get it? What's the best way to get it to my place? Catered, or delivered, or what? Although I've had some great authentic Chinese meals in the past 3.5 years, I'm still pretty clueless... I eat what is put in front of me : )

Your advice is much appreciated!

[MrBurns]

Your best bet is get help from her mom, if she likes you she will love you.
Barring that, practice a few times, it's not that hard but that ultra hot wok in the restaurant works best.
Don't get fortune cookies, not Chinese!

Good luck.

[sucralose]

that's sound advice, Mr. Burns.... I thought about asking her Mom, unfortunately she's on vacation until just before Christmas..... I can't get in touch with her....

she does like me, thank goodness.... : )

[henryh]

I want to start with a really fantastic authentic Chinese meal (not at a restaurant, it has to be in our home for my plans and preparations to work)

Er...jokes aside, if you've been with her for 3.5 years you should know what she likes to eat. That would probably impress her more than if you put together a menu of obscure Chinese cuisine. Failing that, get food that you like to eat.

[george benjamin]

Im really not sure whats the problem.

Why not restaurant take out?

[Natsuiro]

I don't think you should worry so much about it and just try your best.
I think it's more the thought that counts.
If she chooses not to marry you because the food wasn't 100% authentic, it probably wouldn't have worked out anyways. =P
You don't want someone who won't marry you because the food was bad but you also don't want someone who will marry you because the food was good.
Good luck!

[a_y3n]

No matter what food is there. As long as you put effort into it and she can see that. It should be fine.

(Woohoo! 1000th post =) )

[maniackjr]

Congrats man. Don't know of any ritzy Chinese places, try looking for an upscale restaurant so the situation is not awkward. Just wanna know how old you and gf is.

Try a place with a clean hardwood floor. Carpets and rugs look pretty dirty even if they look clean.

[red120]

Probably better if you just put together dishes that she and her parents like to eat. Don't know what your plans are, but if you do end up reconsidering restaurants, any good upscale restaurant will accommodate for any plans or preparation you want to do... to a pretty big degree, too. There are a few good ones in Toronto.

[sucralose]

thanks for your thoughts everyone : )

a few responses:

henryh : i know how to make her happy, which I place more value on than knowing what she likes to eat! But besides that, it wasn't really the problem... since we've never had an engagement or wedding type of meal, my question is more about whether there are certain foods that are culturally relevant to the occasion that I should consider. I probably didn't make that clear in my original post, my apologies.

Natsuiro: she'll marry me either way : ) I just wanted to put a bit more thought into the meal, that's all.

Maniackjr: she's 31, I'm 28.....

I'm getting the sense that maybe we should just go out for dinner.... I really needed this to happen at our place, but I might have to modify the plan if I can't guarantee a really really good meal at home (without having to cook it, of course).

thanks everyone!

[Talamasca]

Once she sees the bling, she'll forget about the food. But congratulations and good luck!

[shadomoon]

Congratulations!

Have you thought about Lai Wah Heen? You could consult with the manager about an appropriate menu. I had a very small wedding dinner there many years ago and the manager was extremely helpful with menu selection.

Good luck. I'd love to hear how it goes.

[M@rk]

Have you thought about just getting all her favorite foods together? I obviously can't speak for your girlfriend, but most Canadian-born Chinese would appreciate a Western meal more than a Chinese one, and their favorite foods are usually not Chinese. Most have these meals everyday, and it's the fact that it isn't Chinese that makes it sort of a special occasion-type of meal.

But I get that you want to symbolize embracing the culture and all, so that's good too

[henryh]

my question is more about whether there are certain foods that are culturally relevant to the occasion that I should consider.

Not really. Not that I've been married before but proposals are more of a "western" custom. One thing you will have to do later on though is buy pastries for whoever you plan to invite to the wedding though.

[DrunkDog]

Chicken Balls and fake wonton soup are sure to win her over. I suggest Mandarin.

Oh, and don't forget the fortune cookies!