This week with Lunar New Year celebrations in full swing, Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer for the LA Times Jonathan Gold recommends Grand Harbor in Temple City.
Grand Harbor is one of the latest additions to the San Gabriel Valley dim sum and seafood restaurant scene. It’s the brainchild of Jackie Zhou, who trained in Hong Kong with the Abalone King, Yeung Koon-yat. Gold says that training may explain why Grand Harbor has a “phenomenally opulent” $9,388 banquet menu that includes abalone for $600. Thankfully, diners can also opt to order from the $8.99 family menu or the seasonal menu where dishes cost between $12 and $25.
Recommendations: Gold likes the signature roast pork entree and the stir-fried squash with celery and cashews, lobster and crab. If you go for dim sum, the steamed baby abalone dumplings are delicious and don’t break the bank. Fans of cartilage meat — like Good Food’s own Evan Kleiman — must try the deep-fried chicken knees with spicy salt.
Location: 5733 Rosemead Boulevard, Temple City, CA 91780 | (626) 280-2998
Tip: If you want to do as President Obama does, eat at Jackie Zhou’s other restaurant Happy Harbor in Rowland Heights. Happy Harbor and Grand Harbor have the same menus.