65395 Wed Dec 29 18:13:49 -0800 2004 2 2 Los Angeles Area 0 352337 Serious gourmets may be horrified, but it is my duty to announce the merger of steam trays and white tablecloths at Lu's Garden at 17829 Colima Road. This seems to be a branch of the Lu's Garden in San Gabriel and the food appears to be Taiwanese (tofu, vegetable, organ dishes etc). You walk into the restaurant and they give you this heavy plate where you go through the steam tray line and choose three items for $4.95. When I arrived, all the tables (with genuine white tablecloths) were occupied. Since this was 1:30 PM, either the food is extremely good, or the place was full of new restaurant looky loos. With all tables taken, people were given numbers, so when they called your number you could get in line to make your steam tray choices. Quality of the food seems to be quite good. Wed Dec 29 18:13:49 -0800 2004 0 Chandavkl 1 352368 Is the food noticably different from the food at the Alhambra Lu's Garden, or is it just more elegantly presented? I've always thought of Lu's as the epitome of funky, elbows-in-the-porridge, intestine-intensive Taiwanese eats. Wed Dec 29 20:39:12 -0800 2004 352337 0 condiment 2 352416 Haven't been to the San Gabriel location in probably 10 years as I'm not particularly fond of intestines, pigs blood etc. I was attracted more by the "Grand Opening" sign than focusing on the type of cuisine as I'll try any new Chinese restaurant at least once. I'd have to say that for steam tray food it holds up pretty well, quite possibly because the food turns over quickly. Thu Dec 30 02:27:32 -0800 2004 352368 0 Chandavkl