百樂門海鮮酒家~溫哥華 Paramount Chinese Seafood Restaurant ~Vancouver BC — Restaurant in Vancouver

Paramount is the new Chinese restaurant that's taken over the former Lucky's. We dropped by recently and it was fairly busy (and very loud).

The siu mai was dense and had lots of pork and some shrimp and shiitake mushrooms (topped with fish roe). The Chinese donut rice roll tasted a bit plain. They did give us hoisin sauce (missed the peanut sauce).

The beef balls with bean curd sheets were nice and soft and bouncy to the bite with little bits of water chestnuts. But the bean curd sheets were non existent (perhaps disintegrated in the cooking process). Speaking of which, we also ordered the bean curd wrappers with meat and oyster sauce. The sauce lacked flavour and was too runny.

We were pleasantly surprised by the Shanghai style juicy pork dumplings as they did have adequate soup in them. However, half of the dumpling wrappers did break. I think part of the problem is that they tried to cram them into a steamer pot that was too small. Also, the pink vinegar they gave us for dipping wasn't as good as the vinegar that we get at other places.

The fried vermicelli with pork and shrimp had huge jumbo shrimp in the dish. They were plump and snappy to the bite. The noodles seemed to lack some flavour and texture (like not enough wok hei to get that nice caramelization). Not bad, but could have been better.

Overall, very loud in here. Dishes were ok, not the best. But most prices are reasonable - most of our dim sum dishes were about $8 (which I guess in today's environment is reasonable).

Update: December 2024 - It's been a year since our last visit but things at Paramount remain relatively the same... it's always quite loud here and a bit cramped (like pre-pandemic crowded). It gets busy early on as most dim sum dishes are reasonable at under $10. That's what probably draws all the old Chinese diners here. Just wish they wouldn't be so obnoxiously loud.

We ordered the beef balls ($9.75) which came perched atop bean curd sheets this time (on a previous occasion, they didn't have the bean curd sheets). Also had the pan fried radish cake ($9.75). These were really thick pieces but you could really taste the Chinese sausage in it. Also had the rice roll wraps with crispy bean curd sheets and fish paste ($10.95), and the big pieces of siu mai ($9.75). Completed our meal with crispy shredded chicken chow mein with bean sprouts ($23.95).

Everyone seemed to be ordering the special crab or lobster on noodle for under $40 so we came back on another day to order that. The lobster with egg noodle ($38.8) was smallish but meaty. Really wish it was a bit saucier but otherwise not bad. The Taiwanese cauliflower with Chinese sausage ($15.95) had the missing flavour we were looking for and had crunchy cauliflower pieces. The surprise winner was the pork chop with salted plum ($16.95). The sauce was similar to sweet and sour but not as sweet and with a savory plum essence.

UPDATE - April 2025: Revisited in Apr 2025 for king crab season. The 10lb crab was $708 (+$15 for the lo mein noodles). They did a pretty good job on the crab. Also had the silky smooth egg tofu...

An Exquisite Culinary Journey at Paramount Chinese Seafood Restaurant

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Paramount Chinese Seafood Restaurant, and I must say, it was an extraordinary experience from start to finish. This gem of a restaurant left me astounded by its exceptional service, delightful ambiance, and, of course, the outstanding culinary creations it served.

From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was greeted warmly by the friendly staff who exuded professionalism and attentiveness throughout my entire visit. The attention to detail and genuine care they demonstrated truly elevated the dining experience, making me feel valued as a guest.

The ambiance of Paramount Chinese Seafood Restaurant is nothing short of captivating. The elegant décor, tasteful lighting, and soothing background music create a serene atmosphere that is perfect for intimate dinners, family gatherings, or even business meetings. The restaurant effortlessly combines modern elements with traditional Chinese accents, resulting in a visually stunning and comfortable space.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the food. Paramount Chinese Seafood Restaurant exceeds expectations with its extensive menu of delectable dishes. Every plate that arrived at my table was a work of art, meticulously crafted and bursting with authentic flavors. The seafood offerings were particularly exceptional, showcasing the freshest ingredients expertly prepared and presented.

One dish that stood out was the Szechuan-style lobster, cooked to perfection with just the right amount of spice to tantalize the taste buds. The tender meat, combined with the rich and flavorful sauce, created a harmony of flavors that left me craving for more. The crispy Peking duck was another highlight, with its beautifully crispy skin and succulent meat that melted in my mouth.

The variety and quality of vegetarian options also impressed me. The stir-fried seasonal vegetables were cooked to perfection, retaining their natural textures and flavors. The harmony of colors and tastes on the plate was truly a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

The dessert selection was equally impressive, with delightful options such as the mango sago pomelo and the classic almond jelly. Each sweet treat provided a refreshing and satisfying conclusion to the meal, leaving me with a sense of culinary bliss.

Paramount Chinese Seafood Restaurant also boasts an extensive beverage menu, featuring an impressive array of Chinese teas and carefully curated wine selections. The knowledgeable staff are more than happy to provide recommendations that complement your chosen dishes, further enhancing the overall dining experience.

Overall, Paramount Chinese Seafood Restaurant has truly won my heart with its impeccable service, enchanting ambiance, and exceptional culinary delights. This hidden gem is undoubtedly a must-visit for anyone who appreciates authentic Chinese cuisine served with finesse. I cannot recommend it highly enough, and I am already looking forward to my next visit to savor the culinary...

First off, this review will come off as harsh but I have never experienced this poor service at a local dim sum restaurant before. I don't often write reviews either, but today's lack of service was truly horrendous and I really hope they will improve as I expect better.

I'm not sure what establishment would make two people wait over 30 mins for a table. In all of my dim sum experiences, high end or mid range, I've never had to wait that long. Usually you come in, and it's first come, first serve and it doesn't matter if you're a small party. This was not the case here. We saw slightly larger groups (3-4 people) come in and get a table before us, when we've been waiting for over 30 minutes. For those who are familiar with the dim sum set up of the tables, most tables are sized to fit groups but that doesn't mean groups can only sit here, otherwise the wait would be endless for singles and couples. Not to mention, singles and couples eat faster and we would've been done by the time all these larger groups came in. Clearly groups of smaller than 4 are dismissed here.

The front cashier staff were also completely disorganized. Instead of delegating and putting names down, then asking whose next, they just stood there and ignored all incoming customers forcing you to literally go up to them and put your name down. The entrance is insanely narrow, I'm not sure how I can fight my way to the front when a bunch of elderly people are standing around waiting for their tables? This resulted in multiple groups being put down before us when the staff clearly saw we were there earlier. I've never experienced this lack of organization at other dim sum places. They usually have a system and someone manages the list by telling people to move down/wait outside so they can serve the next people in line. It was chaos in here.

We ended up leaving when we saw multiple parties being seated ahead of us, including parties where their families were not even yet present at the restaurant, leaving one person at a large table sitting there alone for 20 minutes. What a waste.

If this place wants to compete with other dim sum restaurants in the area, they need to step up because it was honestly embarrassing to witness. It was such a poor experience and it really ruined my morning. I can't say I'd return...