la.foodblogging

There is just something about having dim sum on Sundays that I love… especially at Mission 261. Rated as one of the top restaurants in LA by Los Angeles Magazine, Mission 261’s specialty is in its fine dining dishes and banquet menu. I prefer dim sum though because I can order a couple of specialty dishes while enjoying other smaller favorites.

Before I get too wrapped up in the food descriptions, let me first explain why I like dim sum here at this restaurant. First of all, unlike most dim sum restaurants, Mission 261 is always full but does not feel overcrowded. There are plenty of rooms at the restaurant, and each time I go, I think I see a new area that’s now available for seating. I’ve never had anyone bump into me here or knock my purse off my chair, and the overall feel is very spacious. I think this has a great deal to do with the absence of those food-filled carts getting pushed around. While most people find the carts to be charming, I’m much happier with the way Mission 261 gives a menu of all the food available to choose from and then brings your orders to your table. (I warn you that almost everything is in Chinese only, but the dim sum menu comes with pictures and English translations so you know for sure what you’re ordering). This is a growing trend at fancy dim sum restaurants. I also want to note that in one particular dining room, there is a performer who plays a traditional Chinese instrument (called yang ching). She alternates between Chinese songs and familiar western tunes. Though most people are too busy eating or chatting away, she continues to play for the few who are listening.

The best part about eating at Mission 261 is, of course, the food. Dim sum here is a little more expensive than at other places, but the quality of the food is clearly superior to the food at cheap dim sum restaurants. Mission 261 offers standard dim sum items as well as luxurious dishes. As I am not a millionaire yet, I usually order a majority of the standard stuff and maybe try one pricey entrée. I am a creature of habit when it comes to dim sum, and there are some staples that I always get.

My favorites include: fried turnip cakes (#3 at Mission 261), sesame balls stuffed with red bean paste (#4), custard tarts (#12), shrimp dumplings (#20), and shrimp in rice noodles (#51). Then there are some specialty dishes: poached veggies (one with garlic #42, one without #43 both good), a variety of congee/porridges (#56-61, #56 is congee with lobster), and a variety of noodles dishes (#62-80) including Singapore vermicelli, Cantonese style pan fried noodles, and stir-fried flat rice noodles. Today, we were given a new menu – Mission 261’s Two-Year Anniversary Specials. We ordered the Boston Lobster (steamed with garlic) for $6.95 per half pound.

The lobster was perfect and extremely flavorful. Basically you can’t go wrong with ordering anything seafood at Mission 261. Dim sum charges by the type of dish you order. Mission 261’s prices range from $1.98 to $6.98. The noodle plates range in price from $8.85 to $15.85. The more expensive ones usually have seafood.

I’m sure Los Angeles Magazine loved Mission 261 not for the dim sum but for the banquet dishes. Mission 261 offers an extensive menu of extravagant specialties. Though I choose not to eat shark’s fin, Mission 261 offers 9 different types of dishes that incorporate its use. Another famous and rare Chinese delicacy is Bird’s Nest, which isn’t really a bird’s nest but a type of herb. When in doubt about what to order for your first time, you can always put your trust in the restaurant and go with the prix fixe menu. The menu offers a few options depending on how many are in your party (2, 4, or 6). The lowest average price comes out to $50 per person, but I’m pretty sure it’s worth it. I only glanced at that menu, but it seems like each prix fixe set includes at least one signature dish that Mission 261 is known for.

Mission 261
261 S. Mission Drive
San Gabriel, CA 91776
Tel: (626) 588-1666
Fax: (626) 588-2526
M-Th Lunch: 10:30-3:00, Dinner: 3:00-10:00
F Lunch: 10:30-3:00, Dinner: 3:00-10:30
Sat & Sun Lunch: 9:00-3:00, Dinner: 3:00-10:30

By Pauline (see more of her posts).