You Win Some Then You Dim Sum

Dim Sum is the pride of the Cantonese. Literally, it means, "touch of the heart," because that's how much it means to my ancestors and their descendants. The food is always prepared fresh and the small dishes are typically steamed hand-made dumplings or buns or other wonderful things. You enjoy these small dishes while having bottomless tea (your choices of tea, mind you) while enjoying your company. Dim Sum is commonly a weekend brunch and is a fantastic time to chit chat with friends and family.

I grew up having Dim Sum on average of once a week. It's quite literally in my blood.

Kristin and I went to Thom Pham's Wondrous Azian Kitchen today in Minneapolis to try their highly-touted dim sum brunch. This was spurned by a livingsocial coupon that gave us $30 off for $15.

I'm just going to approach this with one-offs.

1. I don't know what it is about non-Chinese people serving dim sum. Not being able to order in Chinese just feels weird. It'd be like ordering McDonald's in any language other than English.

2. They had push carts. Only redeeming value.

3. Tea was not included. This takes away half of dim sum. Maybe even 55%.

4. 20% gratuity was included regardless of the size of party. Of all the times I had dim sum in Boston, New York, and San Francisco (remember, their is no tipping in most other countries that would serve dim sum) and I don't think I've ever even tipped 15%.

5. NO FREAKING INCLUDED TEA?!?!?!?!? I could order Jasmine tea if I wanted. Somewhere in Quincy, MA, my father is shaking his head.

6. Dishes were $4, $5, and $5.75. WHAT?!?! (Dim Sum is typically $2.50, $3.50, and $4.50...and that's pricey)

7. MOST, not all, I'll confess, offerings were frozen or at least steamed/cooked in a way that was just low-grade. Dumplings often had two wrappers - that's like serving a burger with two buns.

8. The "churng-fun" (long rice noodle w/shrimp or beef) was way too thick and didn't contain the rudimentary cilantro. I didn't know what I was tasting.

9. The steamed buns were definitely frozen. We tried their "cha-siu bao" and custard bao. The bao to filling ratio was probably 10:1. Again, I didn't know what I was tasting.

10. No Chinese mustard on the table.

11. Tea was not included.

12. The waitstaff was nice and polite. I can't imagine attempting to explain perhaps the most beloved Cantonese cuisine to Cantonese people if you're not Cantonese and don't speak Cantonese. They were professional and smiley.

13. We waited 40 minutes for a table.

14. The braised beef balls were pretty good. Filled with cilantro and served over watercress. This I did enjoy.

15. The "hai-keem" (crab-claw) wasn't bad. Again, the proportion of batter to meat was 10:1, but it wasn't too bad.

16. The "law-bak-go" (white turnip cake) wasn't bad but was missing the requisite fillings (pork, chive, and dried shrimp). They didn't serve it with hoisin on the side either.

17. "Guylan" (Chinese broccoli) was $5 for what looked like 8 strands or maybe half a pound. 1 pound of Chinese broccoli at a grocery store is $1.

18. Tea was not included.

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Here's where I'm gonna try to look on the bright-side.

Most people around here do not know Dim Sum or moreover, good Dim Sum. And that's fine. The experience is not necessarily lost on the population and is still, in most likelihood, an enjoyable meal. While it's not as tasty as what I know Dim Sum should be, if someone didn't know otherwise, it's still nice. I'd imagine someone who's never had a fine Memphis BBQ, would find Chili's baby back ribs to be pretty good.

I like the gyro and souvlaki at Opa!, a Greek food court restaurant at the Mall of America. I'm sure any real Greek would say it's crap. Maybe not. I think it's pretty good.

I assume the founder of Wondrous Azian Kitchen isn't targeting the Chinese or even Asian-American community; he's targeting the less-thrifty non-Asian-American community. I can't hate on him for that. Business is business.

Star Land & Amesbury Sports Park

This isn't so much a post about a difference from Massachusetts and Minnesota as I haven't even looked to see if these exist here, but I just wanted to write about how much I miss Star Land in Hanover and Amesbury Sports Park in Amesbury.

If you live in the South Shore, do yourself a favor and just go to Star Land. While you may contract a VD from just being on the premises, you're not gonna get the same bang for the buck anywhere else. Actually, I don't even know if this place is still open. I remember going there for the 8PM $2 (or $3?) round of mini-golf. Skee-ball. Bumber Boats if you went in the day time. This place was boss.

In the North Shore, you'll find OGO at the Amesbury Sports Park. What's OGO?

"The Outdoor Gravity Orb is an 11 foot transparent inflated sphere with a 6 ft suspended smaller sphere inside with a 2 ft air cushion around it."

I don't have to say anything else. Just GO. 

Sleet

Sleet sucks. Taking your dog out for to wizzle when it is sleeting sucks. It feels like slushie everywhere. Which, you would say, sounds pretty awesome, but it's not.

What's Pho Dinner? Hand Rolls and Pea Pods!

One huge fear I had in moving to Minnesota was the dearth of authentic asian cuisine. Coming from Boston and being raised by good Cantonese parents, I had ample exposure to the best southern Chinese cuisine while experiencing the vast culinary diversities Beantown had to offer.

I wish to give props to:
• Hei La Moon for dim sum
• Peach Farm for best all around Chinese
• East Ocean City for the best Cantonese seafood
• Cafe Mami for the best home-cooking Japanese
• Minado's for the best Japanese value
• Oishii for the best sushi
• Smile Thai for the best Thai
• Pad Thai Cafe for the best Thai runner-up
• Le's for the best Vietnamese

I am happy to say I believe I have found great asian food in the twin cities.

Let's start with Vietnamese. I've noticed in the Twin Cities there is a great abundance of Vietnamese people and food - and I believe I've found the best eats.

1. Quang's in Minneapolis. Excellent all-around Vietnamese food at the right prices. Usually busy on the weekends but worth it. Only problem for me is that I live in Woodbury which is like eastern St. Paul. Which is far.

2. Trieu Chau on University Ave. This place has the best pho broth I've ever had in my life. They claim no MSG and that nutmeg is the secret ingredient. It could be crack cocaine for all I care because I dine there probably once a week. Great sandwiches if you get there in time too.

For Chinese, Peking Garden in Midway is the most authentic I have. My in-laws eat there often and it is no joke. A great chef who makes outstanding Cantonese dishes. Not the cheapest meal you'll eat (attention people who have never had authentic Chinese food...it's not that cheap and it's never a buffet!), but you'll get what you pay for. Honorable mention (and this still surprises me) goes to Pagoda in Dinkytown. They weren't any good in the past but with new fresh from Hong Kong chefs in the kitchen, things got A LOT better. Haven't tried their dim sum yet but I've enjoyed the past three dinners I've eaten there.

For Thai, this is a hike, but Sawatdee in Maple Grove, is excellent. Their curry is homemade and it's the business. Worth the journey. I can't say the same for the Sawatdee in St. Paul.

For Japanese, and I owe this to the Shimotsus who introduced Kristin and myself to it last Sunday, hands down my vote goes to Sakura in Downtown St. Paul. Holy moly, this place is legit. The fish was fresh and the creations were exquisite. Scallop Sashimi with a lemon wedge? YES PLEASE.

Special thanks go to the Paudels who took Kristin and me to Everest on Grand to experience Nepali food. A wonderful cuisine filled with curries, spices, lamb, yak, and more household meats like chicken and beef. Excellent!

It was important for me to write this. I've learned now in 1.5 years living here that while the majority of the cuisine available is of the American variety (which is fine by me) there is diversity in the culinary offerings. I will still tip my hat to Minnesota for some of the best steak and burgers I've ever had in my life.

I'll write more - I promise.