The good news:
Hollywood East Cafe, now in Wheaton, MD, a few blocks away from their former location on University Blvd., has doubled their dim sum offerings from when they first opened their new restaurant, and the quality of what they offer seems better too. They now have some dumplings that I haven’t seen nor tasted anywhere else in the entire DC/Md/VA area. They’re simply terrific.
If you live in DC/MD area and have stood in line for Oriental East because you think they have the best dim sum this side of Virginia, check out Hollywood East. I suspect you will be pleased.
The bad news:
Ping Pong Dim Sum has opened their second restaurant, this one in Dupont Circle. It is as bad, perhaps even worse, if possible, than the one in Chinatown.
These two ‘faux’ dim sum factories largely serve dumplings made elsewhere, and when they are steamed, these frozen whatever they are, are not even bad versions of true dim sum.
Save your appetite and money for the real things.
Scott Wells said:
Thanks for the warning about Ping Pong; have been tempted and hoped the crowds were a good sign rather than evidence of human folly.
EllnMllr said:
And when did you get lured into trying Ping Pong? Never heard about that exploit. (And Psssst. Food-related postings shouldn’t happen in the morning!)
timball said:
i ate the full menu at ping-pong when it opened the first location near the convention center . the dim sum was good and didn’t think everything was frozen or brought in (just most of it). nancy and i went to the dupont location a couple of weeks ago and everything tasted of freezer . that coupled w/ the fact that instead of 4 dumplings per order they only give you 3 makes me loathe to go , but they’re so conveniently close by … i’ll just stick w/ the steamed pork buns .
–timball
Chen Wang said:
In Chinese culture 4 is bad luck… Please keep 3 for me :-)