San Gabriel Valley-level quality dim sum returns to Beverly Hills! Since the closure of Hakkasan, there has been a void in the availability of good dim sum closer to the Westside. However, the opening of Capital Seafood Beverly Hills on Restaurant Row (which occupies the space previously held by New Port Seatood) changes the dining landscape, and marks a triumphal return of this Cantonese tradition to this part of town. I found the cooking and quality of my weekend meal to be on par with its sister restaurant, Capital Seafood in the SGV (Arcadia, to be exact).
Reservations: Accepted, though there were many open tables when we walked in. I suppose word hasn’t gotten out. Yet.
Parking: Easy, for there are metered spots all along La Cienega . It becomes a bit pricey if one parks opts for convenience and uses the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. The costs here is $5.50 on weekends (the validation stamp the restaurant gives out, as I found out to my chagrin, doesn’t mean much to the parking kiosk guy as one exits).
Decor: Subdued and elegant. Lots of spacious seats. The live seafood holding tanks are not in full display, but rather are back in the kitchen area. There are private rooms, and also a large bar area.
Service: Quite good. There is a good selection of tea: Your typical Jasmine, Pu Erh, Chrysanthemum & Tieguanyin tea leaves are all available. Tea kettles were refreshed routinely, and plates were changed out appropriately. No complaints here. There are none of those anachronistic dim sum carts here… Dim sum plates are made to order, and arrive fresh from the kitchen. Manager Calvin (@dimsumbrunch) circulates to makes sure customers are well cared for.
… and now, onto the food!!!
Har gow…
Chicken feet…
Leaf-wrapped sticky rice…
Steamed minced beef ball…
Minced pork, dried shrimp & peanut dumpling…
Turnip cake…
Shredded pork & preserved egg congee…
Bake charsiubao…
Steamed shrimp balls coated with glutinous rice…
Shrimp rice noodle… This was superb.
Steamed vegetable bun…
Shrimp & chive fried dumplings…
Steamed charsiubao…
Roast duck (half portion)… Really tasty!
Mushroom e-fu noodles… Winner.
Baked curry charsiu pastry dumpling… These were super good, with a nice balance of flavors.
Sweet soft tofu in ginger syrup… Capital serves a wonderful version of this dish!
Egg custard bun with pineapple crust…
Mango pudding…
Baked crispy bread with almond cream & ginkgo…
Steamed salted egg yolk custard bun…
Baked egg custard tart…
Cantonese sponge cake…
Though most of us here on this food board are willing to drive vast distances for proper flavors, it doesn’t mean we don’t value convenience. For many Westsiders, I predict that dim summing at Capital Seafood becomes a part of their regular rotation. Classic dim sum favorites are well-prepared, and the kitchen delivers orders briskly.
Of course, Capital Seafood also serves full lunch and dinner menus as well. A Cantonese-style banquet menu is available upon request (I, for one, am interested in trying this on a future date)…
RECOMMENDED.
Capital Seafood Beverly Hills
50 N. La Cienega Bl., Suite #130
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
310.855.1234
www.capitalseafoodbeverlyhills.com
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