Tea Smoked Seabass gone at Louie's
Not having had the smoked seabass at Louie's and having read glowing reports of it here on Chowhound, I made a trek to Chinatown for lunch today in the hope of having some. I had that dish at a Chowdown in the East Bay last year and though very delicious there, the consensus was that it was better at Louie's. Well folks, those who enjoyed it at Louie's previously should cherish the memories. It is no longer being served and, according to my waitperson, it is not coming back. When this occurred is hard to say. The lunch menu posted at the entrance door lists $8.99 specials with that dish listed among the choices. However, the lunch menu presented to me at the table substituted a steamed fish dish on chinese greens. The price for the specials dropped to $7.99 but you only now get one entree choice. I asked to see the dinner menu and was surprised to see the tea smoked seabass still listed. When I brought this to the attention of my waitperson she insisted that was an error and it is not being served at lunch or dinner. Disappointed, but still hungry, I opted for the Szechuan scallops on the lunch special, or should I say the Szechuan scallop, the portion was so small I don 't think even one large scallop was included in the melange of practically raw onions and green peppers ensconced in a totally bland sauce (marked "hot" on the menu). The only thing on the plate that saved it from being a total disaster was a delightful sweet/sour daikon radish pickle sprinkled with black sesame seeds. I don't think I will be going back.
How about it Chowhounds. Are there any other restaurants in SF that are serving the tea smoked seabass? Please post if you know of any.
