Equator’s Got Dim Sum and Then Some

Got a hankering for Dim Sum but don’t want to drive to Montebello, Alhambra or China Town? Now Dim Sum is as close as your backyard. The Equator Restaurant is serving a Dim Sum brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Most of the offerings are $3.00 each for a substantial serving.

You might recognize Equator as that great coffee place in Mills Alley with the huge Buddhas, but they are now offering lunch, dinner and DIM SUM! They still serve those caffeine-laden yummy coffee drinks, but with the addition of a new liquor license and fantastic chef they have expanded their offerings with food and a full bar.

Chef Zhang offers all the traditional favorites like Har Gow, Siu Mai and Chao Shao Bao, but he also throws in a few egg dishes for those who just can’t abide tender dumplings for brunch.

During my visit I was plied with Har Gow, translucent dumplings filled with shrimp and seasonings. Delicate and savory, they melted in my mouth.

Both pork and shrimp Siu Mai, glistened in their steam baskets. Savory, these rivaled any that I’ve had in China Town (both here and in San Francisco).

Steamed dumplings filled with barbecued pork and “Chao Zhou” style, pale and decoratively pleated caught my attention. The traditional barbecued pork were tender and sweet, but it was the “Chao Zhou” style that brought a smile to my lips. Filled with minced pork, peanuts and cilantro, they were piquant and thoroughly enjoyable. The peanuts and cilantro added an extra dimension to the traditional steamed dumpling.

Don’t forget Chao Shao Bao (baked barbecued pork buns). Golden brown, tender and sweet, they did not disappoint.

In addition to all of the wonderful Dim Sum Chef Zhang treated me to one of his specialties offered on the appetizer menu, Spicy Seared Albacore. Tender slices of albacore were lightly seared on the outside and served cold in a sweet, soy based sauce. This was all topped with a mound of crispy onions. The onions were sweet and crunchy and played off the richness of the albacore. Add to this the sauce and it’s a home run!

I finished with the Baked Egg Custard Tarts, traditionally served as part of the dim sum service, these tarts have a slightly sweet filling in an incredibly tender and flaky crust and are perfect for a light-sweet ending to a delicious meal.

The Equator Restaurant is located in Mills Alley (off Colorado Boulevard between Delacey and Fair Oaks) at 22 Mills Place in Old Pasadena. Their hours are Sunday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m. and Friday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. In addition to Dim Sum they serve lunch and dinner, have an extensive coffee and tea menu and also a full bar. Happy hour specials are offered Monday – Wednesdays 4 p.m. to closing. For reservations and more information call (626) 564-8656 or log onto www.equatorcafe.com.