Wow, we loved the big comfortable room and the large menu selection.  We were excited to find a place we could bring the dumpling-phobic members of our family; there’s something for everyone here.  But the big bonus was… BEER AND WINE!  (Next girls night out, yeah)

The food?  Great.  I can comfortably recommend this spot.  We’ll definitely be back and try some more of the non-dumpling options.

Garlic Vinegar Cucumber Salad- fresh, light, good starter

Kim Chi- solid

Fried Pork Dumpling- OMG!  Excellent.

Boiled Fish Dumpling- very good but no one holds a candle to our beloved Kingburgs.

Green Onion Pancake-  Soo good I forgot to snap it before we dove in.  I think this is my favorite GOP; crispy, flakey, chewy!

Mandarin Style Beef Chow Mein- Lovely; not oily or over sauced, great balance of light and hearty.  This made me want to try some of their other options.  Can’t wait to bring my noodle obsessed daughter.

Can you guess?

The Mr. and I have been afficionados for years and have come to take our love rather seriously.  We often get asked by curious friends about our favorite saké.  Below is one of our old faithfuls; relatively easy to find, mid priced (retail; price is often doubled in a restaurant) and always delicious.  Now remember, premium saké is meant to be enjoyed chilled and this one is very easy to drink;  dry, floral bouquet with a hint of melon.  Enjoy!

Wakatake Junmai Daiginjo Onikoroshi “Demon Slayer”

As with all of our stops we find that each place has it’s shining moment and in the case of Michelle’s Pancake I would say the Smoked Pork Pancake was the highlight.  If you go don’t miss this one.  I also really enjoyed the shredded tofu salad and am now on the hunt to find a grocer that sells them.  UPDATE: I found them @ 99 Ranch Market!

Free Boiled Peanut appetizer

Fermented Garlic Paste- Sis and I were fascinated by this unusual condiment.  I’m not sure if it is in fact fermented but it sure packed a punch.  Anybody know what this is let me know.

Cold Shredded Tofu Salad- light and refreshing dressed with a bit of garlic, vinegar and sesame oil

Smoked Pork Pancake- Chinese version of a taco. Assemble the goodies, add a touch of, hoisin, vinegar and garlic paste…sooo good.  Along with East Dumpling King’s Beef  Roll, I CRAVE these things like BAD!

Tomato Egg Handmade Noodle- this was another assemble it dish.  These noodles were amazing and the mixture was a perfect compliment to the rest of the meal.

Beef and Carrot Pancake- beware these guys squirt.  OK, not my fave but oddly enough they tasted better once they cooled down considerably.

Pan Fried Fish and Pork Dumpling- I think these would have been better if we chose to have them boiled however they don’t hold a candle to our beloved Kingburg’s Sole Dumplings (show and tell soon)

One of our favorite vineyards in the Santa Rita Hills is Melville.   The comfortable Mediterranean villa style tasting room offers some beautiful wines some at very affordable prices.  Last time we picked up a couple of bottles; one being the 2008 Pinot Noir from Verna’s Estate, a great value @ $24.  One word I would use to describe it would be elegant.  This would be a lovely addition to Thanksgiving dinner and you don’t have to tell your guests how much you paid, they’d never guess.

2008 Melville Pinot Noir Verna’s Estate

Over the last 5-6 years Melville has consistently been producing some of the best Syrah, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay the Central Coast has to offer. Better yet, the wines are completely affordable and generally ready to drink on release. The new Verna’s Estate Pinot Noir is a perfect example of the frugal drinkability Melville has to offer. From the get-go the nose tells you that you are going to be in for a wildly delicious ride. Strawberry, lavender, Rainier cherry are all presented on a crisp, vibrant frame. The lightweight nature here is nothing to fear, remember this is Pinot and Greg Brewer, more prominently know for his work with Brewer-Clifton and Diatom, makes some of the most feminine, and yet flavor-packed Pinots in California. Using 12% new French oak and 33% whole cluster fermentation, Greg keeps the raw materials in full view. The red fruited nature of this wine resonates throughout backed by echoing flavors of beef carpaccio, flowering thyme, spearmint and Asian plum. Is it too early to start thinking about turkey? (Bryan Brick, K&L) tasting notes courtesy of K & L Wines

Oooh Shrimp balls!

Fresh Sashimi!

Large Live Maine Lobster $6.99 a pound!  I’m so tempted to get a lobster pot but still squeamish about having to actually kill it.  I may have to get over that.

Bottom tray of bamboo steamer- Black Cod, garlic and ginger slivers, green onion, pinch of sea salt, pepper and Braggs liquid amino’s

Upper Bamboo- Baby Bok Choy

On the side- Shimeji, baby king oyster and shitake mushrooms sauteed in garlic olive oil and Braggs liquid aminos

Steamed for 12 minutes and topped off with a touch of sesame oil.  Mmm Mmm Good