Chinatown's downtown location rolls out dim sum at lunchtime

July 23, 1:51 PMAustin Restaurant ExaminerKay Marley-Dilworth

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Austin Restaurant Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Along with the usual luncheon combos, Chinatown's downtown location began offering dim sum this week.  Waitstaff wheel a small red cart around to tables, giving diners a chance to pick and choose from a variety of savory and sweet dim sum.  

Our table had already ordered lunch entrées but  couldn't resist allowing the charming waiter to describe the contents of each small steamer basket.  The miso sake sea bass smelled divine.  I almost couldn't resist the sugar cane shrimp, either.  Fat rolls of shrimp paste fashioned around sticks of sugar cane are both appealing to look at and tasty.

Instead, we opted to try the Phoenix Talons (pictured).  A fancy name for chicken feet that are fried, boiled, marinated in black bean sauce and then steamed.  Texturally, chicken feet are a hard sell.  They most remind me of limp chicken skin on stewed chicken.  Soft, gelatinous and flappy-skinned, when you bite into the Phoenix Talons the small bones literally fall right out of the mouthful.  It's not for the faint of heart or non-adventurous eater.

The pork with garlic sauce and chicken with mushroom entrées did not disappoint.  Spicy and flavorful, both dishes are priced under $9 and came with soup and an eggroll.  Delicious food and attentive, friendly waitstaff sealed the deal for me, ensuring that I will be a repeat customer.  Besides, I have to go back for a full dim sum lunch experience.  Next time, no chicken feet.