Client lunch - East Bay Chinese

[Kayde]

I would appreciate help from this board for a special request:
Recommendations for an East Bay lunch to impress a Chinese client. I have been told that he eats only Chinese, so even perfect California fusion won't do. My instructions further stipulate that seafood is in and spicy is out - so the direction may be toward Hong Kong or Cantonese. Combing the threads always provides great suggestions for me, but in this case restaurant decor, service and presentation really matter, as well as the food.

[Kayde]

I appreciate the thought everyone put into this question.
This query was actually for another person, and he changed his mind about the East Bay part of the plan. He will now be taking the client to lunch at Zen Peninsula in Millbrae.
I see that in 2008 Melanie opened some discussion here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/568400

and some more recent comments: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/719767

So I'll find out how it went over the weekend. Thanks to all for the East Bay suggestions, and I will certainly put them to good use. Next trip to St. George's, Alameda Point market, etc. will include dim sum at East Ocean Seafood.

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Zen Peninsula
1180 El Camino Real, Millbrae, CA 94030

East Ocean Seafood
1713 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501

[Kayde]

Thank you so much for all of these, which would fit very well with an East Bay tour. Lots of great views and places to walk/visit along the way.
I had been considering HK East Ocean as well, for the view, and have only been to Peony at its most crowded, Sunday dim sum, and not in the past year, so all these chowhound experiences are helpful.
Thanks again.

[ML8000]

You're right about the view at HK East Ocean, easy parking as well. The food...I've had good and okay there but never exceptional. The interior use to be quite nice...and clean. I'm guessing it still is.

[myst]

HK East Ocean definitely has the best view. East Ocean in Alameda does have good seafood options, clean, quiet and good service, but no view.

Alameda however has very nice views of the Bay and the SF skyline if you drive around the perimeter of the Island (Southshore, Crab Cove, Crown Beach, or Harbor Bay).

[foodeye]

The most unique place to see a nice view over the bay to SF, very close to Alameda East Ocean Seafood, would be Hangar One/St. Geeorge Spirits and Rockwall Winery, if that sort of thing would interest your client.

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East Ocean Seafood
1713 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501

[ML8000]

Is the client Cantonese, Shanghai-ese or from Beijing? That might matter...or not.

For lunch, I'd go to Legendary Palace. It's quiet and the afternoon sun makes it pleasant.

Peony is nice as well, more formal but better at night. If you call them, ask if they're still renovating the place. I stopped by in the summer and it looked like they were remodelling.

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Legendary Palace
708 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94607

[kc72]

What section did it look like they were working on? I've been a number of times in the past 6mos and haven;t noticed any change.

[ML8000]

It could have been a partition for wedding...but it looked like dry wall. The thing is...wastn' there for long...walked in and was seated but the wedding party was so loud (amped sound) we left.

[bbulkow]

I can't really imagine legendary palace for quality.

[sydthekyd]

Daimo?

[myst]

Zero ambiance at Daimo....

[Robert Lauriston]

Saigon Seafood Harbor might be another possibility. (The Saigon in the name is a place in Hong Kong.)

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Saigon Seafood Harbor Restaurant
3150 Pierce St, Richmond, CA 94804

[myst]

I agree with Hong Kong East Ocean or in Alameda, East Ocean Seafood. They have great smoked black cod and all of the decor was recently refreshed so it is clean and bright.

For dim sum you might try Asian Pearl in El Cerrito.

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East Ocean Seafood
1713 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501

Asian Pearl
3288 Pierce St, Richmond, CA 94804

[Robert Lauriston]

East Ocean Seafood serves the best dim sum I've found in the East Bay.

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East Ocean Seafood
1713 Webster St, Alameda, CA 94501

[myst]

I agree, but not sure if they do it on weekdays? Its my weekend go to...

[foodeye]

Yes, they do dim sum for lunch everyday.

[Ruth Lafler]

Yes, they've even started doing some cart service (used to be check menu only) on weekdays. Or you can order off the regular menu.

If service counts, then you really can't do better than East Ocean -- the service there is very good, it's family owned and operated and a lot of staff has been there for many years, plus it's relatively quiet for a busy Chinese restaurant.

[Robert Lauriston]

I'm not sure there is anyplace in the East Bay comparable to Koi Palace or Hong Kong Flower Lounge. The view at HK East Ocean might help make up for the relatively casual service.

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Legendary Palace
708 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94607

Hong Kong East Ocean Seafood
3199 Powell St, Emeryville, CA 94608

Restaurant Peony
388 9th St Ste 288, Oakland, CA 94607

Great China Restaurant
2115 Kittredge St, Berkeley, CA 94704

[JonDough]

There is a Koi Palace in Dublin.

[kc72]

For how many people? What part of the East Bay? And what's the budget?

[Kayde]

Very small group - no more than 3. So, in this case, budget is not really the issue.
This lunch will be combined with a scenic drive. I was thinking Oakland-Berkeley-Alameda, but Emeryville- Albany-Richmond would fit.

[kc72]

I only asked about the budget b/c if you had a slightly larger group both Peony and HK East Ocean have rooms w/ a table for 10 (I think).

You'll be lunching during the dim sum rush, so be prepared to wait a bit and for some noise. Also, IMO HK East Ocean, Saigon Seafood Harbor and Asian Pearl would probably have the best seafood options for lunch in addition to dim sum

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Saigon Seafood Harbor Restaurant
3150 Pierce St, Richmond, CA 94804

Asian Pearl
3288 Pierce St, Richmond, CA 94804