12/06/06

Urban-cool Cal-Asian eatery fires up Huntington Beach's burger-and-bar scene.

by Contributor

The Scene
A block from bikini shop- and pub-lined Main Street sits this stylish eatery. Elements of classic Chinese decor, like ornate dragon statues, fuse with post-industrial touches such as exposed pipes and modernized red lanterns. A high-definition TV dominates the back wall, flickering with muted Godzilla flicks and kung fu classics. The small space is usually packed with lively parties, so service can be harried and forgetful.

The Food
Executive chef Binh Truong takes inspiration from all over Asia, especially Japan, China, Thailand and Vietnam. Whatever their origin, most dishes pack a fiery punch, like the slow-burning coriander-spiced shrimp satay. Delicate Vietnamese spring rolls with cilantro-infused dipping sauce make a pleasant start. However, smoked albacore tataki is a bland companion to the sweet cucumber-and-radish salad. Best bet for meat eaters is the beef filet with thick rice noodles, blanketed with a hearty black-bean sauce.

11/19/06

Overpriced and uninspired

by aquawarlock

After hearing rave reviews for their Hollywood branch (which often gets booked to the max) I decided to take a chance with the less-crowded Huntington Beach branch. Wow... (and not in a good way) -- the cocktails were weird-tasting, and while the dishes are OK, they're not that remarkable, small on portions, and really stuff I could've gotten for MUCH cheaper in real Asian restaurants. We got a Salmon in Red Curry (Daily Special) and Shaking Kobe beef, neither were really Pan-Asian/Fusion . . . just Asian-styled foods with a heftier price tag.

Would not go again.

• Pros: close to the beach
• Cons: very overpriced, just OK food

10/26/06

Best restaurant in Huntington Beach!

by hbmom

My family and I can't get enough of this incredible food! A previous reviewer discourages bringing children - but all I know is my teenagers love this food and it's very friendly servers. The menu has changed since this original review here. We find the portions are perfect not "small plate". My son loves the calamari appetizer and the shrimp dumplings, I love the cashew chicken, my daughter loves all of the noodle dishes and my husband is in reverie with just about anything they serve. This is definitely a busy happening place, but we usually have no problem being seated - maybe because we eat before things really get hopping in HB. Great place to bring visitors to HB.

10/23/06

Mixed reviews - Not for family fun

by grammiew

I love this place, but I can't get the men in my family to return, because they believe the portions are too small (they don't get "small plates" concept!) for the price. Do NOT bring children. THey are discouraged (that's the polite phrase.)

THis is a trendy place for 30 years olds at the bar. Food is incidental.

• Pros: Food presentation, taste
• Cons: parking is poor, portions are small for the price

09/27/05

Wonderful Experience

by designpair

Ambience...character....food. Ahh! This is a beautiful place to enjoy a meal or hang out.

The bar is the center of the restaurant, serving the most amazing Mandarin Martini. The vibe is hip, night-club-like but with friendly people and an amazingly creative menu. The Chinese decor details add to the Asian feel, like statues of the dragon and Buddha hiding in corners. A sushi bar sits towards the back of the room. They have long bar tables for large parties, four-and six-tops for small groups and cozy booths for couples.

The food is amazing. Try the spicy tuna appetizer, wow. The Halibut is a wonderful dish, it melts in your mouth. Finish it off with the pineapple upside-down cake. Everything is served family-style (typically Asian), so sharing is in order. Dining here encourages conversation. This is a great place to meet friends or bring a date.

• Pros: Imaginitive menu

02/17/05

Hip and trendy w/ a spicy flair

by food4life35

Apparently there is a new chef as of the end of 2004, because the food now tastes wonderful. I had gone before, but the food was generic Chinese fare. Now the menu is a lot more eclectic and has true Asian tastes - no chinese fast food here. The pork dumplings are some of the best and are surprisingly authentic in flavor. No more long flights to Asia to get your fix.

• Pros: food, ambiance
• Cons: parking

06/13/04

Big Disappointment!!!

by x88stk

This place was a big disappointment, the food was bad, the service was bad and the food $$$$$.

The waitress sold us on the lobster special which sounded good but when the dish came out, it was something like 3 to 4 pieces of lobster with the shell still on and in what tasted like a cheap orange chicken sauce from Panda Express, this dish came with a side bowl of 5 day old sticky rice, the meat was nearly impossible to deattach from the lobster as the lobster was in this sticky goo and they gave us no utensils.

This place is loud and the food is cheap and way, way overpriced, we even told the attendant just how unhappy we where but there was no attempt to help out the situation and completely avoided us....

This pearl is not the real thing...

10/23/03

No pearls in this oyster

by luvtodine

I agree with the previous comments...the food is quite average, but the prices are way above average for the quality of the food. The atmosphere and location is good, but the food could be much, much better and the portions are small. I also don't like how they seat you on long bench like tables with high stools...not very romantic if you're sitting inches away from other guests. Overall, its better if you just skip this place and opt for something worth your money.

01/27/03

Salty As a Pretzel!!

by bluetux

Good scene and ambiance, and that is where it ends. I love good Chinese food and this is not even close to the real thing!!! Go to PF Chang's if you want to actually eat something, Lake Spring for the real deal......I ordered a couple of their suggested dishes and each was horribly salty, i have low blood pressure but this almost caused a heart attack!!! The cooks there should taste the food before they put it out.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Salty

10/28/02

Whatajoke

by Lupu

Ok...if you want to be HB cool, hip - then put your pimp duds on and go to Red Pearl for drink or 2. If you want good pan asian food and good service then go somewhere else! Food was kinda tasty but absolutely ridiculous prices for the tiny portions - especially considering they advertise on the menu as "to be shared". A piece of salmon at 2" X 3" was $9.00! Go to Roy's - you'll get better food, appropriate portions, better value and better service! RP sucks.

• Pros: atmosphere
• Cons: value, prices, portion size