Tang Gong Seafood Restaurant 唐宫海鲜酒楼 — Restaurant in Arcadia

Terrible Service – Extremely Disappointed

We had a very disappointing experience at this restaurant, especially considering it was during a busy holiday weekend. While the waitlist for a table was surprisingly short (less than 20 minutes), the service after being seated was absolutely unacceptable. After we were seated, we waited over 20 minutes without being acknowledged or offered even a glass of water. We tried to flag down servers multiple times by raising our hands, but we were completely ignored. Eventually, one server did come by and took our handwritten order, but even then, it took forever for the order to be placed into the system — or at least we assumed it wasn’t placed, because we never received any drinks or confirmation. The order sheet wasn’t even returned to us to confirm anything. To make matters worse, a table that was seated after us received both their drinks and food shortly after sitting down. Meanwhile, we were still waiting with no communication from the staff. The breaking point came when we tried to ask for help again. A server who was cleaning the table next to us responded rudely in Cantonese with a sharp and unpleasant "What?" — his tone was dismissive and made it clear he had no intention of helping us. That moment completely ruined our lunch experience. What’s most frustrating is that we were very patient and tried to give the benefit of the doubt. But after being ignored, disrespected, and still not receiving any food or drink, we decided to leave. We won’t be coming back and definitely won't recommend this place to our friends or family. It’s unfortunate because we saw some servers working very hard and clearly overwhelmed, but the one with the bad attitude stood out — not just for being rude, but also for not helping or contributing much at all. We hope the owner seriously evaluates the staff and improves the overall management, especially during peak hours. Without better customer service and team accountability, it’s hard to see how this place will...

Dou Lao Fang Restaurant - Update Review (October 2, 2024)

This is my third update on Dou Lao Fang, and I visited today for their recently reintroduced dim sum. I have to say, the dim sum is back and better than ever! We tried the shrimp egg roll and BBQ pork puff pastry, and both were simply amazing. You can tell these dishes are the work of a master dim sum chef.

During our visit, we bumped into the new owners, Jason and Ellen, who were incredibly friendly. They informed us that the restaurant will soon be changing its name to Tang Gong Seafood, a famous Cantonese seafood restaurant from China. They’re relocating their Monterey Park Tang Gong Seafood location to this spot in Arcadia, replacing the current hot pot theme.

I’m eagerly looking forward to the new menu. Based on their Monterey Park location and the reputation of their Chinese restaurants, I know we’re in for some delicious food!

( one month ago) Here's an updated review for Dou Lao Fang in Arcadia:

I feel compelled to write this updated review because my previous one is now outdated. Since my last visit, Dou Lao Fang has undergone a significant change—they no longer offer dim sum. If you're planning to visit for dim sum, you'll be disappointed.

The owner has transformed the restaurant into a self-service hot pot place. While the concept might appeal to some, I found the prices to be quite high for what’s offered. Although they have a menu with items under $20, the selection is limited and not particularly enticing.

If you're looking for traditional Chinese cuisine, especially dim sum, this is no longer the place to go. Unfortunately, Dou Lao Fang has moved in a different direction, and it may not meet the expectations of those seeking the familiar flavors of...

I stumbled upon a newly opened hot pot restaurant. Previously, I had enjoyed dim sum at this location, but as I passed by, I was surprised to see it had transformed into an all-you-can-eat hot pot place. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. Being a weekday, I figured I wouldn't overindulge with the all-you-can-eat option. While other set menus were pricier, they offered more variety. As a hot pot enthusiast who prefers lamb slices, I opted for the most affordable set menu at $29 per person.

The menu boasted six soup bases, including a delicious fish maw chicken option. Unlimited drinks complemented the freely available beef and lamb slices, along with an assortment of vegetables for the hot pot. Their seafood impressed me—fresh large shrimp, fish slices, and shrimp paste offered excellent value. The spacious restaurant, though potentially empty-feeling during slow hours, featured comfortable seating and pristine tablecloths.

A dizzying array of condiments awaited at the sauce station. Snacks, desserts, and sago pudding were also on offer, with desserts substantial enough to serve as main courses. The waiter's enthusiasm and friendliness contributed to an overall pleasant...