Lunasia Dim Sum House Torrance
Some of the most acclaimed dim sum in Los Angeles is now available in the South Bay. Lunasia Dim Sum House — which appeared in The Times’ 101 Best Restaurants list in 2021 — opened a new outpost in Torrance this month for handmade dumplings, Cantonese entrées and specialties such as truffle-topped shiumai within Rolling Hills Plaza. It marks the fourth L.A.-area location for the all-day-dim-sum chain and, unlike the outposts in Alhambra, Pasadena and Cerritos, features both indoor dining and a large patio for alfresco service. Currently the menu is more pared-down than at its Alhambra originator but still offers barbecued meats; congees; steamed, baked and fried dim sum; noodles; soups; desserts and more. Lunasia Torrance is now open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A grand-opening ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 22.
2575 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Torrance, (323) 372-0828, lunasiadimsum.com
Junkyard Dog
A new vegan restaurant and sports bar from the owner behind Real Food Daily is now open in Silver Lake. Junkyard Dog, housed in the space formerly home to Sunset Sushi and Ma’am Sir, offers plant-based breakfasts, bar bites, entrées and a late-night menu, all served daily. Options include an Impossible burger topped with truffled mushrooms; omelets and scrambles in either tofu- or egg-substitute varieties; biscuits and meatless-sausage gravy with greens; pizza bagels; pizzas; pastas; boozy milkshakes and a full bar. Multiple TVs hanging above both the bar and a wall of booth seating display football, baseball and other sports. Throughout the week. Junkyard Dog is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and again from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
4330 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 522-3784, junkyarddogla.com
Shaq’s Big Chicken Valencia
Shaquille O’Neal launched his fried chicken chain in California with a Glendale outpost in early 2020, and this week, the NBA all-star and Olympic medalist expanded the national chain with a Valencia location. Big Chicken is now open within the River Oaks Shopping Center, serving O’Neal-approved fried chicken sandwiches, popcorn chicken, tenders, sliders and chicken-topped salads, plus loaded fries, mac ‘n’ cheese, shakes, cookies and ice cream sandwiches inspired by some of the NBA Hall of Famer’s favorite childhood dishes. Big Chicken Valencia is open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
24341 Magic Mountain Parkway, Unit #5, Valencia, (661) 481-0003, bigchicken.com
Steep After Dark
To foster community during the pandemic, modern Chinatown teahouse Steep LA hosted a limited-run evening-only, outdoor-only pop-up in 2020 called Steep After Dark, using their tea blends to infuse spirits and offering a more upscale selection of bites than the café sells during the day. Owners Samuel Wang and Lydia Lin recently reprised Steep After Dark, now running as a permanent program Thursday to Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. with tea-based customizable cocktails in “build-a-classic” format, or house concoctions that utilize ingredients such as oolong-tinged rum, sesame oil, Sichuan peppercorn syrup and pu-erh-infused tequila. Dishes include truffle-braised pork rice, ikura-topped tofu in an oolong dashi, edamame marinated in Chinese yellow wine and more.
970 N. Broadway, Ste. 112, Los Angeles, (213) 394-5045, steepla.com
For all the latest Life Style News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.