海洋城 Seaport City Restaurant — Restaurant in Vancouver

I had an awful experience at the restaurant today. We had a reservation, arrived earlier and we were okay waiting at the door. We got a table in one of the inside rooms. There were plenty of space in the lobby, but we figured it doesn’t really matter so we went in. There were 2 big tables both with several kids in this dining room. One of the table, the kids were well educated. They were like normal kids, they played, they were cute, they had some noise but they were not disturbing at all. But the other table, the kids were screaming, Screaming and screaming. Their parents didn’t look like they were bothered at all. The restaurant staff didn’t warn them at all as well. The dining room wasn’t that big, so by the time my food arrived, I started having have a headache ( I’m currently taking medication) So I went out of the room and approached a manager. (By walking out the room, my head felt instantly relieved) I apologized and told her my concern, asked politely if they can warn the table to be a bit considerate of other people. She said she can arrange for another table.She told me there’s a specific manager for that room. I went back and told the room manager abt my concern. The manager emphasized and said that table are really noisy and annoying. Right after I seated, one of the manager came in and went to told that table. It was very obvious that the table was told that I specifically complained, because they turned around and looked at me. I instantly felt regret. Because I thought I would either move out, or they will just politely ask the table to lower their voice a bit instead of pointing fingers. However, the restaurant staff went to the table and told them abt me :) Fortunately they already finished their food and started paying to leave. The room manager came whispered to me be like they are finally leaving, they are finally paying, eww and etc. I appreciated him for emphasizing and nodded. However, when the ppl were leaving my table, their kids were side eyeing and one of the mom started yelling. I am okay with kids being noisy. I sometimes babysit family members or my coworkers kids. But it doesn’t mean a Michelin awarded restaurant can have repeated screaming kids on a weekend in a small dining room where other customers deserve to have peace and an acceptable eating environment. I won’t judge any of the guest behaviours because it is very simple comparisons between the 2 tables with kids. One table, kids were well behaved and have manners, have noise but totally acceptable But the other table was like a chainsaw factory without hearing protection. The staff working here should have started a proactive approach when they saw kids kept screaming in a small dining room instead of doing nothing. I am sure if similar situation happens in another fine-dining restaurant, the customers will be warned or even asked to leave. Why would your staff point out one specific customer that complained? Your staff agreed the kids behaviours were overwhelming EVERYONE. It is obviously the people on that table were very offended with whatever the manager told them. They turned around and looked at me. I would like to ask the restaurant to investigate HOW and WHAT exactly your staff told that table. Your staff were supposed to accommodate BOTH tables, RESOLVE the issue instead of creating a big drama and war between tables. Fortunately no one got into a fight. But how poorly and unprofessional the whole situation was handled really disappointed me. If such 人情世故cannot be handled well, how can your guests be happy and keep coming back? If we got into a fight and terrible things happen, kids will be traumatized, and the restaurant will definitely be shut down for investigation! The table with noisy kids, they are not supposed to feel unwelcomed and offended. I shouldn’t got yelled nor pointed out by the staff. The other table with well-behaved kids, shouldn’t felt weird and had to help control the situation and asked the yelling...

This restaurant is quite new to the neighbourhood and just got one star from Michelin.

Five of us order ten items. We ordered too much!

1. Steamed Shrimp Dumplings. I am not a fan of dumplings but you know it is one of the everyone’s favourite. It came with five and they were bigger than average. A standard dim sum.

2. BBQ Pork Buns with Crispy Laye. This is lost in translation. If you are very familiar with Hong Kong style bakery, there is a bun called “Mexican Bun” which is kind of like “Pineapple Bun” but the crispy on top tastes like condense milk. My favourite bun growing up. So this is like that with BBQ pork inside. I love this!

3. Steamed Beef Tendon with Tripe. Normally this is another standard dim sum but this one ☝🏽 was surprisingly good and gave you a hint of the fresh chili.

4. Kale and Mushrooms Dumplings. This was not a traditional dim sum but was a good surprise.

5. Rice Rolls with Egg and Beef. This is a modified version of a traditional dim sum, Rice Rolls with Beef. As strange as it might sound and look to you, the extra egg added to the flavour in a subtle way.

6. Taro Cake. They cut them into tube shape and I think they might have slightly deep fried it to give it a more firm and crispy texture. It tasted good and was also nicely presented.

7. Pan Fried Squash Cake with Red Bean Filling. The name was lost in translation as the Chinese name said Pumpkin instead of Squash. It was quite crispy and not too sweet. A good dessert.

8. Radish Cake with Chinese Sausage. This is my favourite food in the world. They cut the radish quite thick and you could see a crunch of radish inside. I liked that you could taste the radish.

9. Stir-fried Kailan with Ginger. I was not the one to order the food and I was here to pay. While the vegetables was good, it costed $26 which was shocking to me when I paid. I would not pay a lot more than anyone of the dim sum for this.

10. Black Truffle Fried Rice with Wild Rice. This was probably one of the best fried rice I have ever had. The egg white was scrambled nicely and the rice grains were separated from each other and not oily. You could also taste a kick of black truffle. One thing I would like to highlight is it costed $36, even though it was a big portion. Perhaps not everyone wants to give it a try (or retry), especially if you don’t have enough people to share the food with.

Forgot to bring my own food containers to pack all the food that we couldn’t finish!

Servers were friendly. However, one of them forgot to give me the chili oil that I asked for. It never came. Also, it took way too long to get our bill. In the end, we had to go to the front desk to ask again.

The bill was $182.13 in total, which was more than average. I would come back again if like today we had a special guest in town for a treat. And I would definitely not want to order...

So far we have come here twice in the span of a month, because of their food and service. In summary, they are a new Chinese restaurant in town with traditional Cantonese and Szechuan options, owned by the same proprietors as Delux Restaurant in Richmond. There are similarities between the menus and also the decor and style of management.

More details:

(1) Food - quality is consistently excellent. Solid fresh ingredients, lovely presentation, doesn't skimp on portion size although admittedly, as others have pointed out, prices are on the higher end. For instance, a hot and sour northern Chinese thick cold noodle dish runs you back $18, even if the bowl serving is good for 2-3 people. Their shrimp dumplings has large morsels of shrimp, with the black gut lining completely pulled out - indication of attention to detail to the final cooked product - that many dim sum restaurant neglect. Their large soup dumpling with fish maw is also full of solid good ingredients, with a soup base made flavourful without or with not much MSG. Speaking of MSG, I've eaten here twice and have not felt thirsty afterwards the way I would at other dim sum places.

(2) Prices - definitely on the higher end. Similar tier as Dynasty down West Broadway and slightly more than Kirin. If you're looking for a cheap meal, this is not the place.

(3) Service - EXCELLENT. Solid, consistent and attentive. By far the best service in town compared to similar level and similar style restaurants. Servers treat you like regulars, even when it is your first time. We were offered takeout containers without asking, soy sauce, to go with the doggy bagged rice rolls that weren't finished. There is NO Chinese restaurant that have ever offered that unless you are a frequent visitor and have tipped the servers additionally well in the past. Servers pour tea each time they walk by and see your cup half empty, and just simply ask if the meal is going ok, a rarity in Chinese restaurants.

(4) Location - EXCELLENT as well. Free 2 hour parking underground on second level. Can't beat the fact you can also access Seaport easily by public transit. Great view as well, if you happen to sit by the window, or on their patio, of the Cambie bridge and condos lining the Burrard inlet.

(5) Decor - maybe not fair to comment since they are relatively new, so everything inside is clean and modern. Comfortable seating, great lighting, spacious.

We are definitely interested in returning for more meals, to see if their service keeps up as they continue operating. Solid delivery of a variety of classic and fusion Cantonese and Szechuan...