“The shared meal elevates eating from a mechanical process of fueling the body to a ritual of family and community, from the mere animal biology to an act of culture.” ― Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto (2008)

Please join us as we continue our Irvine Food Tour with Commissioner Melissa Fox and UCI Professor Catherine Liu, showcasing and sharing our wonderful cultural diversity in Irvine as expressed in scores of amazing local restaurants and markets featuring cuisines as diverse as Irvine’s population!

Our next food tour stop is on Thursday, May 8, 2014, at 1:30 pm for a spectacular Hong Kong style Dim Sum lunch at Capital Seafood at 2700 Alton Pkwy #127, Irvine, CA 92606, in the Diamond Jamboree Center.

Our expert hosts will be Professor Catherine Liu and Capital Seafood General Manager James Tea, who will curate a diverse, vegetarian friendly, selection of dim sum.

Dim Sum is a style of Cantonese food prepared as bite-sized or individual portions, traditionally served in small steamer baskets or on small plates. In restaurants, dim sum dishes are carted around for customers to choose their orders while seated at their tables. You are offered an assortment of dishes and pick what you like.

Scholars believe that dim sum is linked to the Chinese teahouses that sprung up to accommodate weary travelers journeying along the famous Silk Road, providing them with tea and conversation while eating an assortment of bite size dishes.

In the west, dim sum came about as a natural result of 19th century Chinese immigrants – many of whom were from the Canton region – settling on the East and West coasts.  Some experts believe that the dim sum eaten by Chinese-American immigrants inspired the idea of “brunch” – combining breakfast and lunch into one relaxing midmorning meal.

Dim Sum is the perfect way to try new and varied food.

Capital Seafood offers over 100 types of dim sum, including classics shiu mai (pork dumplings), har gow (shrimp dumplings) and steamed bbq pork buns, as well as dishes such as dried scallop in sticky rice, cheong fun (rice noodle rolls), and crispy fried squid.

For vegetarians (like me), there are a host of deliciously prepared Chinese vegetables (such as Chinese broccoli, pea sprouts, bok choy) and vegetable dumplings.

Oh – and leave room for delicious deserts like egg pudding, egg tarts, and crispy bread with almond cream filling!

As always, there’s going to be great food and great conversation!

What: Dim Sum Lunch on the Irvine Food Tour with Commissioner Melissa Fox and Professor Catherine Liu. Hosted by Capital Seafood General Manager James Tea.
When: Thursday, May 8, 2014, at 1:30 PM
Where: Capital Seafood at 2700 Alton Pkwy #127, Irvine, CA 92606, in the Diamond Jamboree Center.
Price: Prix Fixe $25.00 (before tip).

If you have any questions, please contact me at 949-683-8855 or melissa@melissafoxlaw.com.

See you there!

Upcoming Food Tour Destinations:

Diamond Jamboree Tour – TBA

Previous Irvine Food Tour Destinations:

Da Lu’au Hawaiian Grill, 14151 Jeffrey Rd, Irvine, CA 92620.

99 Ranch Market, 15333 Culver Dr., Irvine, CA 92604

Gourmet Grill Masters Restaurant, 14141 Jeffrey Road, Irvine, CA 92620

Mokkoki Shabu Restaurant, 14041 Jeffrey Rd., Irvine, CA 92620

Four Sea Restaurant, 15435 Jeffrey Rd., Irvine 92618 (Jeffrey and Irvine Center Drive)

Please note: The Irvine Food Tour is the creation of Melissa Fox and Dr. Catherine Liu, based on their love of Irvine’s many cultures and cuisines and their desire to share Irvine’s many wonderful cultures and cuisines with you, and is not an official activity or event of the City of Irvine.