Lao Sze Chuan vs. Ton Kiang vs. Sun Sui Wah vs. Lai Wah Heen

I don't know if the first serves dim sum, but how does it compare to the aforementioned restaurants in San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto, respectively?

Horace_Lanando wrote:I don't know if the first serves dim sum, but how does it compare to the aforementioned restaurants in San Francisco, Vancouver, and Toronto, respectively?

Horace,

Having been to all four I can say Lao Sze Chuan is most certainly in the same league as the others, but a direct comparison is impossible as the four are quite different, both food and ambiance wise. Also, the other three are known for dim sum, which Lao Sze Chuan does not serve.

In addition to dim sum Sun Sui Wah specializes in seafood and does a very cool live, as in show you your dinner before it's cooked, presentation. The king crab was phenomenal, Sun Sui Wah is one of the more memorable restaurants I've had the pleasure of dining. I have not been for Sun Sui Wah's dim sum, which I understand is quite good.

Ton Kiang has terrific dim sum and is, along with Swan Oyster Depot, one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. Ton Kiang also serves Hakka style Chinese, I particularly love the steamed salt baked chicken with ginger scallion dipping sauce. My brother lives in the Bay area and feels the same way about Ton Kiang as I do about 'Little' Three Happiness, in other words, he loves the place.

Lai Wah Heen in the Metropolitan hotel is known far and wide for dim sum. I've only been once for the fabled dim sum and was, though I am somewhat alone in my opinion, not all that impressed. Yes Lai Wah Heen serves very good dim sum, but expectations are high, especially as when you walk into the restaurant the host (actually) says "welcome to the best dim sum in North America." The room is quite lovely, service impeccable, but I did not find it up to advance billing or, for that matter, the bill.

If you are looking for great dim sum in San Francisco, Ton Kiang is for you, seafood in Vancouver, Sun Sui Wah, a terrific Sze Chuan meal in Chicago, Lao Sze Chuan is the perfect spot. There are many LTHForum threads/posts on Lao Sze Chuan Sazerac's Great Neighborhood Restaurant nomination, and subsequent award, a good place to start.

Enjoy,
Gary

Lao Sze Chuan
Ton Kiang
Sun Sui Wah
Lee Wah Heen

Lai Wah Heen in the Metropolitan hotel is known far and wide for dim sum. . . .The room is quite lovely, service impeccable, but I did not find it up to advance billing or, for that matter, the bill.

I wasn't blown away either, but I'm glad I tried it, simply because it's the kind of upscale Chinese dining that's not available in Chicago. You're right, there's really no comparison with LSC, or rather LSC is to Lai Wah Heen in decor, presentation, and price as La Sardine is to Les Nomades.

I'll add to the lukewarm feeling about LWH in Toronto. Good, at times very good, not great. I did not explore Chinese much in Toronto, focussing on Portuguese and Italian, but I'd bet anything that better, more interesting places exist at a much lower price point. I wasn't particulalry fond of the somewhat faded deco decor, either. Chinese version of Bice.

But comparing LSC to a Hong Kong style place like LWH is apples and oranges.

By the way, anyone else try China Kitchen in Westmont besides me and the recently arrived regulars? The crab in egg whites on pea shoots were as good as those I had at LWH (very good).