Business seemed kind of slow and I was told that Saturdays are usually quiet and that it is Sundays that are more crowded. Most of the clients seemed to be Vietnamese Chinese, but there were a few white Americans. For us it was nice because it was slow paced and a lot of the dishes that you usually have to order (like the steamed vegetables) come right to you. Dim Sum goes from 9am-3pm everyday 365 days (according to one of the waiters.) But if you come at 2 then there isn't as much stuff and you will have to order it and they'll make it for you. There were side dishes which we didn't check out and a ton of Vietnamese dishes, which we also did not check out this time around.
So is this a sign that Chinatown is moving? is this an expansion? or what is this?
That's right. That IS the Rainbow Swash gas tank you see in the back ground. The blue swash being called a portrait of Ho Chi Minh by some politicians. That's what politicians yelled about back in the 70's and 80's. Now they scream about immigration and Islam. We have cheap direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City for tourists and this controversial Rainbow swash is across the street (highway but still a street) from one of the most kick ass Vietnamese Chinese restaurants in Boston. Kinda makes you wonder- Who will we shout about in the Future? How will we perceive the cultures we get red in the face at now 20 years from down the line?
(The picture does not do justice. This is some serious Ha Cherng right here. Having lived in Chinatown, I'm a bit of a dim sum snob. I can take it or leave it. But today I stuffed myself and still felt fairly healthy afterward.)
For sure this is change. The location is only a couple miles away from Chinatown, and it is closer to Fields Corner (which is like a Vietnamese town.) It's also a lot closer to our house. And frankly, though I like Quincy, I was more impressed by this dim sum. It's like that formula I seem to have realized eating in Philadelphia. Low rent equals better ingredients and therefore better food. Perhaps the Chefs are paid more as well.
But the business was slow for the amount of wait staff around. The way the food tasted this place should be hopping and the waiters should be running.
A lot of people may say that such a place is cannot replace Chinatown. This is true. One restaurant does not equal a community. Actually it's probably that there is a community, and that's why the restaurant could
open. But if I compare this to what I saw in Philly near the house my Grandfather bought, what's needed is some sort of social club, like a family association or a church, a grocery store and bakery, and bam that is a small Chinatown like center right there.
But how the hell would a tourist or even someone like us know about a place like this? The first place you would go would be the stop on the T that says Chinatown. Which in Boston's case will take you near Boston Common, and the Theater district.
But as Chinatown is shrinking, you could view these little offshoots as expansions. And it would be great if we can hold on to whatever we can in Chinatown (the nonprofits, the family associations etc.) and work with these new businesses and communities popping up that are within 5 miles.
Anyway. Go support Chinatown businesses with your pocketbook, but go to Chau Chau City in Dorchester too. I'm telling you, it's kind of mind blowing.
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