Dim Sum

So one of the perks of living in a predominately Asian community is that all of the foods that I grew up with and are used to and, dare I say, actually crave sometimes... is right around the corner. No, seriously. Right around the corner. Like yesterday - after the hubster's little incident on Wednesday morning, he decided to call in sick since he still wasn't feeling quite himself. He slept until about 11.

When he was up and ready, we decided to go out to eat. Driving down Bolsa Avenue, aka Little Saigon, the hubster suggested we go to the Asian Garden Mall and eat at the food court (tons of "authentic food" at better-than-restaurant prices). As I turn into the parking lot, I look to my left (to check for cars and pedestrians) and see Seafood Cove. Then I look at the clock. 12:30pm. Then I say, "I haven't had dim sum in a long time" and promptly make a u-turn and drive across the street.

It used to be Dragon Phoenix restaurant, sitting on the second story of the buildings facing the Asian Garden Mall, but recently (about a year ago or so) the owner decided to retire and sold the restaurant to the Seafood Cove people, who fixed up the place a little bit and who, I've noticed, also changed some of the dim sum dishes too.

Now, for those who know me, you probably wonder, what in the world would I be doing at a seafood restaurant? Well. First and foremost, it's a chinese restaurant. Granted most people come for the seafood, but I still like most everything else. And I definitely don't feel deprived. And something about dim sum makes me happy. Something about the food coming to you and seeing it before ordering it (and getting it on the spot), even though I usually end up getting pretty much the same items anyway.

Today we got five dishes, which, surprisingly we didn't finish and needed to package some to go.

From top center (aka 12 0'clock) clockwise: chicken feet (for the hubster only!), steamed rice rolls filled with BBQ pork (one of my staples at dim sum), pork dumplings (steamed in a little aluminum foil pan because it contains broth like the famed Din Tai Fung dumplings - these are kind of comparable, except the dough is thicker), a flakey pastry roll filled with BBQ pork, and steamed tripe. Total bill: about $15.

(if the dishes look half-eaten, it's because they are :) )

I am a happy camper.