| When it first opened, people waited three hours for a table at this Bellevue branch of Din Tai Fung. Part of a globally famous Taiwanese-based dumpling chain, it's only the second U.S. restaurant (the first is near Los Angeles). Although it doesn't quite live up to the hype, it's definitely worth a visit. The wait is now reasonable---about 30 minutes max---especially during off hours. To avoid a wait, sit at the bar, which is more interesting than the 200-seat, upscale cafeteria-style restaurant. At the bar, you can observe a dozen or more staff in white jackets feverishly making tiny dumplings behind a glass window. Efficient servers offer a laminated menu with pictures of steamed dumpling delights (ten per order), which arrive fast, hot and fresh in bamboo baskets. Din Tai Fung is basically dim sum minus the carts and variety of small plates, although soups and noodle dishes are also available. Order the signature xiao long bao, which are soup dumplings filled with hot broth; plus Shanghai rice cakes with chicken, shrimp and pork shu mai; wok-fried noodles; and sautéed seasonal vegetables. Skip the disappointing plain, doughy bao. Desserts are limited to soft-steamed buns filled with sweet filling such as taro, red bean or, our favorite, sesame paste. Enjoy dumplings with a bottle of Chinese beer or a creative customized cocktail. There’s also a sizable selection of sakés. |
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