55329 Mon Aug 04 21:02:42 -0700 2003 11 2 Los Angeles Area 0 286461 We are looking for a location for a gathering of our group of Moms. We are all partial to Chinese restaurants but at this point, the gathering needs to be more towards the South Bay area or Westside. Beijing Islamic in Torrance came up as a possible location. Alas, I don't have time to do independant tasting research before our next tentative meeting. I know they are mentioned positively in the Carl Chu book but I couldn't find any recent postings about them on this list. Has anyone been there and do you have any thoughts--would you go again? Is there something that shouldn't be missed, something that shouldn't be ordered? Oh and can they handle a group of say 20 people? All information will be appreciated. Thank you! Mon Aug 04 21:02:42 -0700 2003 0 jenn 1 286475 I've been there, and have to say that it's a *distant* third as compared to China Islamic and Tung Lai Shun (1st and 2nd, respectively, imho). However, Beijing Islamic does have quite a bit of space, and they do appear to be "dead" most of the time. So it might actually be a place to consider... Have you thought about Seafood Port in Torrance? They have a private room in back, and better food (not Islamic, though). Seafood Port Chinese Restaurant 21180 Hawthorne Blvd. Torrance, CA (310) 370-8478 Mon Aug 04 23:04:05 -0700 2003 286461 0 Joe B. 2 286673 Went to Seafood Port for Chinese New Year this year. It ROCKED. We had a party of 30 - 10 people per table. Great, attentive service. I think we may have ordered seven (or 9? I always forget how many courses its supposed to be) courses, and almost everything was excellent. It sounds perfect for your needs. Wed Aug 06 13:59:56 -0700 2003 286475 0 julia 1 286478 They do have lots of room for a large group. They were very cordial and helpful to us. I have a thing for fresh house made noodles with brown sauce and their's was very enjoyable. Sad to say I do not remember if or what else we ordered. Really good noodles, of the flat variety. Mon Aug 04 23:23:42 -0700 2003 286461 0 Just Larry 1 286515 You may want to consider Regal Palace Seafood, which is on PCH, two or three miles south of Beijing Islamic. It's excellent. Great live seafood, dim sum carts rolling at lunch during the week, extensive menu and a layout big enough to accomodate your group. They have several rooms in back if you want some privacy. My wife and I had our rehearsal dinner there prior to our wedding and they did a great job. My mother-in-law, who is Taiwanese and a pretty tough grader when it comes to Chinese restaurants, raves about it. Regal Palace Seafood 2166 PCH, Lomita 310/326-3228 Tue Aug 05 11:43:03 -0700 2003 286461 0 Food Coma 2 286518 Actually, Regal Palace is only about a mile east of Beijing Islamic and I would recommend it highly. Pacific Coast Highway between Crenshaw and Western has a number of other San Gabriel Valley quality Chinese places including Harbor Palace (1949), PCH (1841) and Szechwan Seafood (2107). Beijing Islamic is OK if you want that style of food and don't want to drive up to San Gabriel. Tue Aug 05 12:03:44 -0700 2003 286515 0 Chandavkl 1 286533 I went there a few years ago and thought it was pretty good. I haven't been to the other two Chinese Islamic places mentioned, although I've frequented the one in Hacienda Heights (now closed) and the one in Tustin. Our standbys are usually the da bing (crusty scallion bread), a lamb dish and the three flavor noodles. Tue Aug 05 13:13:47 -0700 2003 286461 0 Emily 1 287621 Beijing Islamic is good for its specialties - "big bread", handmade noodles, and lamb dishes. Otherwise, if you just want standard Chinese fair you're better off going to one of the other Chinese restaurants further down PCH. Tue Aug 19 16:05:30 -0700 2003 286461 0 John 1 5104617 Beijing Islamic Chinese reopened on Oct 13th 2009. They are on 1223 W Pacific Coast Highway in Harbor City. The entire Restaurant is around 8000 square foot witha a huge Banquet hall. Sitting capicity is around 350. The Glass enterence doors are etched and illuminated in green color. The new phone number is (310)5391755 Thu Oct 15 04:52:47 -0700 2009 286461 1116459 etchlite 2 5105512 Thanks for the info. That sounds like the space occupied by the King Palace buffet, which means one less Chinese buffet in Los Angeles, which probably already has the fewest Chinese buffets per capita than any city in the U.S. Thu Oct 15 10:42:58 -0700 2009 5104617 10131 Chandavkl 3 5164307 Just stopped there, asked for "the most authentic" dish on the menu, the guy said knowledgeably "lamb curry" and then proceeded to give me a gloopy, brown-curry with green peppers in the worst tradition of americanized "chinese" garbage. not recommended. Sat Nov 07 19:39:42 -0800 2009 5105512 17898 echoparkdirt 4 5205944 Finally made it for an in person visit. Beijing Islamic has gone the way that Tung Lai Shun went when they moved to Anaheim, and indeed has gone way past that point in dumbing down the menu for the local audience. Indeed I had trouble spotting items on the menu that weren't Halal versions of tourist food. That having been said, their sesame bread is the best I've eaten, both with a crispy crust and bread that has some flavor to it. The dough sliced noodles were nice and chewy, and the dumplings, made of chicken, were also quite good. However, unless I felt in the mood for the sesame bread I don't think I'd go back. Tue Nov 24 14:42:53 -0800 2009 5164307 10131 Chandavkl