547608 Mon Aug 11 10:30:55 -0700 2008 4 2 Los Angeles Area 0 3947214 Hi All, I'm planning a family get-together in the OC and a request has been made for great Cantonese. My cousin in San Diego insists that there is none to be found in San Diego so she's hoping that I can find something for our dinner in OC. Because it's a family event with some picky eaters/diners, I'd love to find somewhere that has some sort of ambiance and is on the American-Cantonese side of Cantonese. In other words, authenticity is not essential. Not 100% familiar with the area, so if there's a potential spot somewhere off the 5 or 405 around there that would be fine too! Thanks guys! ~Suebee Mon Aug 11 10:30:57 -0700 2008 11379 Suebee 1 3947241 Great gringo Chinese is hard to come by around here. That said, my best candidate for this shindig is Crystal Jade. It's a nice room, so you got your ambiance. Most other Irvine Chinese places are pretty dumpy. It's authentic Cantonese, so don't expect chop suey / moo goo gai pan on the menu. Don't recall if they have egg rolls or not. They do dim sum during brunch hours (menu style ordering, no carts). The food is solid, and I think it will work well for your group. EDIT: Another possibility is Sam Woo on Culver Drive. They have three separate rooms: a takeout BBQ side, a casual eat-in, and a white tablecloth eat-in room. Menus and prices change accordingly. Mon Aug 11 10:38:52 -0700 2008 3947214 10023 Professor Salt 2 3948142 I second the rec for Sam Woo. Also nearby off the Jeffrey exit is SW Seafood, another authentic place for Cantonese. Another good option, although often crowded, is China Garden, across the street from SW Seafood. If you're further up north in OC, King Lobster Palace has pretty good dim sum. Can't say I've found any good egg rolls at any OC Chinese restaurants, so I don't have any recommendations. I seem to have better luck with egg rolls at Thai restaurants. Mon Aug 11 14:45:10 -0700 2008 3947241 13291 Wonginator 1 3947315 May Garden isn't too bad and they have a couple nice rooms. Right off the 55 and the 405 on Bristol in CM. Mon Aug 11 10:58:46 -0700 2008 3947214 162571 Honeyman 2 3947332 I'd second May Garden. As good as American-Chinese gets around here and it has very nice banquet rooms. They do sweet and sour everything. My favorite is the crispy shrimp. Yum! Inside, it looks like the library of an old English country inn. Very counter-intuitive interior, but perfect for the OP's request. http://monstermunching.com Mon Aug 11 11:03:52 -0700 2008 3947315 11757 elmomonster