I’m in LA for the weekend from the Bay Area. We are looking to meet up with friends around 11 AM for dim sum tomorrow. Totally fine to go anywhere in LA or SGV. Considering Sea Harbour, but am open to other recommendations:
Specifications:
Don’t want super expensive, but doesn’t have to be super cheap, either.
Not necessary to have carts, but not against it either
Would be interested in some originality in dishes, but also want to try some of the classics.
Really just looking for your gut reaction of your top 2 favorite places. I already looked at this thread which is why I was thinking Sea Harbour.
Have you been to Dragon Beaux since it’s up in your neck of the woods?
I ask because if you have, there’s nothing like that locally, unfortunately. That being said, what @CiaoBob said: Sea Harbour if you need an L.A. pick.
Ok based on your parameters below, it’s Sea Harbour because …
Sea Harbour is definitely not cheap (not cheap like Top Island for example), but then while it’s on the expensive side it’s most definitely not super expensive.
Check. Sea Harbour.
And for what it’s worth, you should be against carts.
Sea Harbour has some of finest in originality. While not as avant garde like, say, Chef Tony’s in Vancouver, it offers some of the more interesting dim sum items in SoCal.
Went to Lunasia today. Started rough with a gross octopus appetizer, and baked pork buns that just weren’t good. But then quality turned up in a hurry with excellent pan fried turnip cakes, har gow, shiu mai, and steamed pork buns. Also a really good spinach dumpling thing.
We had a very good meal at Sea Harbour. Tried several items.
The French pork buns were my favorite with their sweet crispy top and soft inner texture.
Chinese broccoli was fairly standard. Good.
Braised chicken feet were very good with a strong star anise flavor. Very tender and easily fell off the bone.
Har gau were quite good. Very freshly steamed when they arrived, no gumminess.
Shumai with the truffle topping was not that exciting for me. Aside from the truffle they sort of lacked flavor. Meh
Fried potato balls were filled with scallop and maybe some sort of cream cheese. They were really nicely fried and had a great texture but the filling was really bland. Maybe just lacked salt? Sort of like crab Rangoon but less good which is too bad because it could have been wonderful.
Shrimp rice noodle rolls were great. Very fresh shrimp.
Shrimp and chive translucent dumplings were also very strong
Steamed pork buns were good but not as good as he French baked ones.
Milk egg tarts were great–not too sweet and flaky pastry.
I think that’s about it! Estimated wait time at 10:55 was 35-45 minutes. Actual wait was 55 minutes. Service was fast once we sat down. I’d definitely return to this place in the future. Thanks all for suggestion! Total bill for enough food for 4 was $75 before tip.
Awww crap missed this, totally underwhelmed by Sea Harbour couple weekends ago. LA’s dim sum scene needs some new blood. The best dim sum I had so far this year was at Ping Pang Pong (not a joke) in Vegas
