43193 Sun Jan 29 21:59:26 -0800 2006 4 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 210758 We don't have much dim sum experience, but could use a recommendation (for Oakland or SF). DH has a shellfish allergy, so we need some handholding from the staff when it comes to dim sum - we really liked Ton Kiang, but I'm not sure we'll make it out to the Richmond this trip...any suggestions? Thank you! Sun Jan 29 21:59:26 -0800 2006 0 Julie 1 210778 Food allergies can be life threatening and food service workers who are ignorant of the danger may give you an uniformed response, having a language barrier is even worse. Dim sum uses shrimp extensively and in unexpected places like the wu gok (fried taro). Apart from only eating the obvious -like pork buns (cha siu bao), your best bet is to have a friend write up the nature of the allergy in chinese characters to show the waitstaff, to at least avoid the language problem. Your friend should have an epipen, prescribed by their physician, in case there's a problem. Sun Jan 29 23:54:56 -0800 2006 210758 0 Eric 1 210809 Legendary Palace in Oakland. Peony also, but has some detractors. Lots of shrimp being used for dim sum. Concentrate on chicken (sticky rice chicken wrapped in lotus leaves, chicken feet), BBQ pork (buns, rice noodles), beef (beef meatballs, beef rice noodles), and ground pork (pot stickers). Mon Jan 30 11:52:48 -0800 2006 210758 0 Peter 1 210825 Note also that dried shrimp is sometimes used and may be inconspicuous. The histamine response system can detect it, even if the eyes, nose, or tongue can't. Mon Jan 30 13:08:19 -0800 2006 210758 0 Louise 1 210902 I like Yank Sing in San Francisco a lot and would recommend the following: chicken mushroom dumpling, mushroom dumpling, green onion cake, peking duck slices, sweet rice dumpling (those are just my favorites, there are a lot more choices that are vegetarian or don't have shellfish, including some standard items like spring rolls and pork buns). Your meal can get a bit expensive unless you watch how much you're ordering (some people say it's overpriced... I think it's worth it, since I haven't found another dim sum restaurant that has so many good non-seafood choices). I'm not allergic to shellfish, I just dislike seafood and I can usually taste it if even a small amount was added to a dish... (since in your case it is an allergy you could call ahead of time and ask which items are shellfish free). Link: http://www.yanksing.com/main.htm Mon Jan 30 20:30:23 -0800 2006 210758 0 Lila