dimsumfan

Wow... seems like a lot of people know about this place, but have yet to eat there! A well-traveled friend told me they have the best xiao long bao he's ever had. That warrants a visit. After all my Vancouver research, I'll be heading up to stay in Richmond for three nights next week, which means four days of "fieldwork" to back up the research! I'll be sure to report back my findings, as we'll likely do a few dim sum places, the Richmond Night Market, Yaohan Plaza, etc. Maybe I should check the eGullet protocols to see if it's possible to organize a gathering in case anyone wants to join in?

Cayenne, did you eat there, and what do you think of the food? Anyone else with tales to tell about the quality of the food there?

Heard a good report about "Top Shanghai Cuisine Restaurant" on Ackroyd Road in Richmond - especially that the xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are delicious. Anyone have any tales to tell regarding this restaurant? Recommendations? Information on when it's open? Thanks!

Lazily leaving out the prices: Breakfast: Maybe a croissant from Le Panier and some fresh-squeezed juice as I wake up with the vendors at Pike Place Market. Oh, I know there might be better breakfast choices, but location, location, location makes me want to start the day at the Market. Lunch: Meat plate at Salumi. Gotta have as much meat as possible! Afternoon tea: Panama Tea House. What a place to relax! Dinner: Almost any dish at the Malay Satay Hut. I'd probably go for the dry curried baby squids. Can you say "tender"? If more people, I'd share a plate of the pork chops. Seem so simple, yet so good! Dessert: Chocolate chaud at Le Pichet. Hmm... full-circleness to this day.

The owner is multi-lingual and takes great pride in his restaurant's food, as well as customer service. Very refreshing. Let him bring you his choice of dishes for your table next time - he'll treat you well.

Planning a trip to Oaxaca and have found postings here extremely helpful - thanks! Looking forward to chocolate and chile scene there, including a cooking class or two. But wondering how much seafood I will find there. Regardless, I'd still like to get to water (my partner wants to hit the beach) for a few days. A long time ago, I read an article about mobile food in Mexico that talked about things like oysters sitting out in the sun, as well as salt-rimmed cocktail glasses packed with shrimp, then filled with tomato-and-shrimp broth plus lime plus cilantro and served with oyster crackers. But not sure where to find things like this. So... any suggestions on a place to add on to a week or so spent in Oaxaca? I don't want it to entail another flight unless it's a cheap one. I see that Huatulco is an interesting ride south from Oaxaca, but not sure if there's anything going on there or nearby. I'm told Zihuatanejo is an interesting option, but that ground transportation from Oaxaca is challenging. And, to make this more challenging for you, I'd love a place that isn't just a beach/resort scene, as I'd like to do/see something while my partner enjoys the beach. [That said, I read on another board that the Yucatan Peninsula might offer the combination food/beach/sight-seeing that I'm seeking, but I'd have to give up Oaxaca which I'm reluctant to do.] Help! Open to any and all thoughts and ideas!

Thanks, Ling. The challenge with choosing restaurants is that quality can change over time, or even day-to-day! So it's great to get reviews of places that have been without comment for some time. If anyone would like to chime in with their picks for Richmond, I'd love to know your: 1. Top 3 xiao long bao 2. Top 3 dim sum 3. Top 3 other Chinese restaurants Thanks!

Ling, where are the best xiao long bao you've had in Richmond or Vancouver? In fact, if you or anyone would like to list your three favorite Richmond places to eat, I'd appreciate opinions before my feeding frenzy there next month. Looking for things we might not have here in Seattle! Thanks...

While Gordito's has opened in Queen Anne, their sister restaurant Kamalani's is set to close on June 23. I wonder what will hit that spot next...

Any other opinions on eating at PICA? I was disappointed to learn of this disappointing experience.

Thanks for the great report, and the tip about making reservations. I'll soon be making a pilgrimage to Richmond for a similar feeding frenzy. For dim sum, I think Kirin is a la carte, but what about Floata? Order off the menu, or service via carts? Would you recommend going early for the discount, or would they not have all items ready at that time?

1. Malay Satay Hut 2. Than Brothers 3. Saigon Deli - either the BBQed Pork Banh Mi for $1.75, or a rice box for $3. Speaks a bit more to my budget these days than my desire, but great bang for the buck!

Thanks... just discovered it myself. If anyone has new info to add, that would be great!

moderator note: merged with previous thread on Xiao Bao Seeing this issue come up in various posts, but would love to consolidate into one thread. I'm looking for the best xiao long bao (Shanghai soup dumplings - you know, the ones with the soup INSIDE the dumpling) in Vancouver or Richmond. I've had them in Seattle, Shanghai, and Taipei - but the best I've found are at Joe's Shanghai in New York (though I must say I had plum-filled ones in Taipei that are forever in my mind). Looking for that elusive combination of delicate wrapper strong enough to hold the soup, and delicious soup and meat filling.

Anyone know a source for buying fermented tea leaves in Vancouver? I'm desperate to find some to make Burmese fermented tea leaf salad. Apparently made from green tea, but perhaps impossible to buy in North America?

I wouldn't ordinarily go to a restaurant like this, but we had a great meal at Fish Club during the last promotion. Quantity and quality both! I'd be interested in your recommendations for cheap but good sushi in Vancouver if that's not illegally off-topic.

A group of us checked out this place last night. Bravo! Food quality was similar to the Tamarind Tree, but the service was much friendlier and more attentive. We enjoyed the green papaya salad with grilled shrimp (the salad could have been a little spicier), duck soup, beef in lop leaf, bahn xeo (the Vietnamese pancakes - voted favorite dish at the table), and a broken rice dish. We'll definitely go back again and sample other items, including the pho!

Thanks for this report! I'm glad to learn about another place for Pho. Did you notice any other interesting dishes on the menu? Any notes about the price range?

Glad to hear the positive reports. Anyone know if they have a website? I'm wondering if they do slices (perhaps to go), and if they're open mid-afternoon. Thanks!