Happy Harbor Dim Sum

If you've never had dim sum you are missing out!

So what is dim sum?  It's essentially Chinese food served in bite-sized pieces in rounded, steamed containers or on small plates.  Depending which dim sum place you go to, they may serve your food via cart.  This is where multiple carts are circulating around the restaurant allowing customers to freely choose what they would like.  Other dim sum places will provide you a slip form to fill in your order and eventually the dishes come out one by one from the kitchen when they are ready.

Often dim sum is served in the mornings and brunch, but of course there's exceptions such as the ones in Vegas.  

I really liked Happy Harbor.  Probably would give it a solid 4 star review.  They are in a shopping center off Gale Ave. and Nogales St. in the Rowland Heights area.  Not too shabby.  Interior is gleaming with bright lights and has a clean, cut look and feel.  All of the waiters sort of look like butlers because their attire reflects that of one. 

My boyfriend and I went there to celebrate his cousins' birthday and had a good time surrounding myself with good people and good food.  

Some of my favorite dishes are the...

1.  Steamed Pork and Shrimp Dumplings

2.  Shumai

3.  Spareribs

4.  Steamed Beef Noodles

5.  Har Gow

6.  Luo Buo Gao

7.  Lime Green Red Bean Buns

8.  Baked BBQ Pork Bun (which is heavenly!)

9.  Egg Tart

10.  Mango Pudding (even though it wasn't as sweet as I'd hope it to be).

A few snippets I took at the restaurant:

That's it for now!  See you guys next time!!!

<3 Lina Chen

1015 Nogales St.,  Rowland Heights, CA 91748

626.965.2020.

Yabby Hut

Needless to say my experience at Yabby Hut was more like "Crappy Hut."

As soon as you walk in, there is this potent cajun smell that fills the air of the restaurant.  It's strong, but it's absolutely great especially for a food-lover like me.  We were immediately seated at a booth where the waitress placed a big white sheet of paper covering the table and handed us plastic bibs with an image of a lobster in the middle.  There's no plates or utensils so expect a messy table with cajun spices all over your fingertips.

I ended up getting crawfish mixed in with their "Hot" (pro) cajun spices which was a bit more heat than what I had anticipated.  I can withstand spicy foods, this was a little unbearable.  The natural desire for it runs through my blood, but the "hot" was just too much to bear.  By the end of the night, the lining of my lip was red and plumpy as if I had undergone lip surgery and my tongue was on fire!  My best friend Sujin ordered the same thing as I had and all I can say is that she ate it like a boss.  So this is just a warning for those who like (or don't like) their foods extra spicy!

Once you order your food, the waitress will then bring out a big plastic clear bag full of yummy-goodness full of whatever you ordered whether it be craw fish, shrimp or other seafood items along with a cob of corn soaked in the spicy juices.  I guess what I didn't like the most is putting in the effort to get small amounts of meat.  In this case, that's what you have to do.  It's just not really worth it to me--taking the time to peel the shell, eat the meat of the body (which is so much smaller than the head), and to suck on the crawfish's head to get the brain juices (only if you like it).  According to the waitress It takes at least 2 lbs. minimum to fill an average persons stomach.  The crawfish were tiny and $8 per pound, mainly because we came during off season.  The value to me just wasn't there.

I feel like I had higher standards for Yabby Hut due to word of mouth of how "amazing their crawfish is" and the constant "I want to go to Yabby Hut" from others only skewed my perspective.  I won't completely disregard them since I feel like I haven't given them a fair chance, but I plan to go again only when the crawfish are in season, large, and actually worth eating.  I'll also make sure to order "mild" (amateur) instead of hot.  Also, I believe Yabby Hut is the original crawfish joint in Colorado, so there's really no other place to compare it to other than the Boiling Crab her in Cali.  Have to admit though, the Boiling Crab is better.  Hands down.

<3 Lina Chen

3355 South Yarrow Street  E-131, Lakewood, CO 80227
303.985.0231.   www.yabbyhut.com