Dim Sum @ Royal China, Metairie

The only Dim Sum in town, I am afraid AND its just out of town in the burbs…..(can you believe it?). Well worth the trip though if you need a real Chinese fix – best place in town they say. Dim Sums are served for lunch and dinner and Royal China is open every day except Monday. I went there Tuesday night and ordered quite a few different things – the fried stuffed eggplant shrimp was delectable and the Fun Gow and Fun Gow with peanut was very surprising…lots of textures and fresh herbs. Dim Sums range in price here from $2.95 to $4.25 and are all made from scratch. The seame shrimnp toast was really decadent and my fave is always the white carrot cake (made with rettich, rice powder and pork)

A scruffy little place, but very popular. A dark interior with very retro 60s carpeting and the proverbial fish tank. Tres Chinese but the staff are actually very friendly and the atmosphere local and buzzing.

Take the I10 toward the airport and get off at West End boulevard just a mile or so out of town. Take a left at Veterans Blvd and Royal China is right there on the left next door to the local supermarket Dorignacs.

Royal China, 600, Veterans Memorial Blvd. Metairie, Louisiana 70005 Tel 504-831 9633

Open every day except Monday. Lunch 11.30-2.30 Dinner 5.00-9pm (10pm Fri and Sat)