Dim sum at Capital Seafood in Arcadia

[raytamsgv]

I finally got around to getting some dim sum at Capital Seafood in Arcadia. I believe it opened a few months ago. Here are my impressions:

1. The host spoke perfect English, and some of the servers spoke decent English. I usually speak to them Chinese, but I went with a non-Asian friend, so they spoke to us in English.

2. The service was very good. They asked us about the meal and even cleared away our plates. I'm hoping that's not just because I was with a non-Asian friend.

3. Decor is nice. It's not cramped at all (unlike Full House in Arcadia). There is just one big room.

4. The dim sum must be ordered from a rather limited menu: 40 items in total. They're pretty much the standard dishes you will find in most dim sum places.

5. The menu has decent English translations. It even lists the teas available.

6. I didn't like the silly ad for Lee Kum Kee products in the menu. If I wanted to see ads in my menu, I'd go to a Hong Kong restaurant and read the place mat.

7. The dim sum is decent. It's probably at least as good as Full House. I can't really put my finger on it, but their dim sum just doesn't have as much zip as someplace like Elite or even its sister restaurant in Monterey Park.

8. Prices are $1.98, $2.98, and $3.98 per plate. Most plates are $1.98 and $2.98.

9. They also have a lunch special menu for $6.95 per plate. I didn't try any of these. They're pretty much standard dishes that you find at most lunch special places.

10. Soda costs $2, but I think they have refills, which is a first in my experience with Chinese restaurants.

11. The parking is decent--it's located on the old Tony Roma site on Restaurant Row.

Overall, it was a good lunch. You're not going to find cutting edge dishes here--just the usual suspects.

It seems that they are trying to get non-Chinese patrons to feel comfortable there. Even the cover of the takeout menu is almost completely in English (with the exception of the Chinese name of the restaurant).

For people living close to the 210, its a reasonable alternative to driving to San Gabriel/Alhambra/Monterey Park. It is also good for people who may be overwhelmed by the ethnic experience at other places in the SGV.

[Johnny L]

thanks for the headsup!

I live in Arcadia and I usually go elsewhere for dim sum, preferably Elite but its close and I'm hoping the crowds won't be too bad (or at least the crowds will spread out between this place and Full House).

I'll try to check it out sometime with my family.