Menu helps Fat Pang live up to his nickname

The menu at last night's China Club dinner in honour of Mr Patten offered plenty that could get him back the bulk he carried at the start of his term as Governor.

The meal, hosted by socialite entrepreneur David Tang Wing-cheung, followed a cocktail party for guests including pro-democracy legislators.

After appetisers including soft-shell crab, mushroom fritters and deep-fried beef fillet, Mr Patten dined on braised seafood soup with mashed winter melon, and sauteed prawns with Yunnan ham and vegetables.

Next came whole spotted garoupa, half steamed and topped with crab roe, and the remainder baked with garlic.

After that was stir-fried vegetables in a taro basket, and roast Peking duck, followed by fried noodles with bean sprouts in soy sauce.

For dessert, there was none of the Governor's famous trifle, but a platter of fresh fruit.