Dinner Suggestion: Pacific East Mall?

[ola]

We live in Lafayette and are meeting our San Rafael friends for dinner in the Pacific East Mall. What are your suggestions for a restaurant where we can get a drink, talk and eat. They prefer less spicy, we prefer seafood. We are fairly adventurous, they are less so.

[Robert Lauriston]

You might consider a slight detour to Vanessa's, which is sort of Vietnamese fusion. They have a full bar and it's probably more conducive to hanging out and talking than anyplace mentioned so far.

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Vanessa's Bistro
1715 Solano Ave, Berkeley, CA 94707

[shanghaikid]

Asian Pearl certainly is a pricey option. less pricey would be East Bay Saigon Harbor Restaurant but the acoustics there aren't so good. Daimo lacks in the seafood department.

for the adventurous: Vh Noodle House (3288 Pierce st.), a chiu chow place maybe related to vien huong in oaktown. some seafood here but mostly noodles, soup, apps, and rice plates...

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Asian Pearl
3288 Pierce St, Richmond, CA 94804

[Civil Bear]

I love Vh Noodle House, but I don't think it fits the OP's criteria very well, as it is kind of cramped, crowded and noisy. Do they serve alcohol?

[Sharuf]

I hope you're not going to the mall on a weekend. The place is mobbed, and noonish parking is almost impossible.

[wolfe]

Ola said dinner when I'll bet the the mob is gone.

[Civil Bear]

Asian Pearl if you want to go with a little more relaxed atmosphere. Don't miss the wantons if you go to Daimo though.

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Asian Pearl
3288 Pierce St, Richmond, CA 94804

[wolfe]

Have you been recently? I loved their wontons but haven't been to check since a Melanie Wong downhill alert.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/753939

[Chandavkl]

Yeah, last visit to Daimo was a little disappointing, particularly given the price. East Bay Saigon Harbor Seafood, a couple of doors north of the Pacific East Mall is also a very good alternative.

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Pacific East
3288 Pierce St # M126, Richmond, CA

[Sharuf]

I recently met a friend for lunch at Saigon. The accoustics are so dreadful that it was a strain to try to carry on a conversation.

The food, however was great. We ate off the dim sum carts.

[Robert Lauriston]

I haven't noticed any change in quality at Daimo at dinner.

I only went for lunch once and wasn't particularly impressed by the dim sum. Never had their wontons.

[Sharuf]

I think of Daimo as roast duck central. I always order enuf for take-home. Gotta get out of this rut and venture forth into other parts of their menu.

[Civil Bear]

I don't think I have been to Daimo since Melanie's report, but hopefully that was just an off day.

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Daimo Chinese Restaurant
3288 Pierce St, Richmond, CA 94804

[Robert Lauriston]

Daimo.