Lunasia is yet another new entry into the higher end dim sum category. In the building that used to house Triumphal Palace in Alhambra (on Main, about a block east of Atlantic), Lunasia is of the menu-ordering genre of dim sum (as opposed to the cart genre).
The dim sum was generally very good, though most of the typical dishes are better prepared at Sea Harbor, Elite, or just down the street at King Hua.
There were three dishes which were stand outs even among the stiff dim sum competition. The pork belly consisted of thinly sliced squares of belly, with a nice, very thin cracklin' skin on one side. They were succulent and delicious with a great pork flavor and they were on the lean side, which I like. The Xiao Long Bao, Shanghaniese soup dumplings, were among the best I've had at a dim sum restaurant and better than some I've had at Shanghainese restaurants. With a rich, tasty broth, the XLB were great bites. Lastly, the baked pork buns were a stand out. Instead of the more typical filling of small pork cubes and sticky, sweet sauce, the Lunasia filling was more of a puree; it was less sweet and was nicely seasoned, and there was more of the filling than typical, which makes for a better mouthful of bun.
Given the growing number of great dim sum we have these days, I'm not sure if I would rush back to Lunasia, though those pork bellies may just call out to me loudly enough to draw me back.
Lunasia
500 W Main St
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 308-3222
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1 comment:
except it's not new at all. Only the partnership has changed. the chef stayed, as approximately half the staff. Tthings are very hit and miss here, except for the long wait, which is guaranteed.
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