Tables covered with small, hot plates of savory and sweet bites. A cacophony of English, Mandarin and Cantonese from families, couples and friends. Ladies in red and black uniforms push silver carts between crowded tables.
My reward for waiting patiently at my table with Lorraine, a Sacramento TV alum: Sticky rice wrapped up in a lotus leaf. This dim sum dish hits all the right comfort notes for my belly: hot white rice mixed with bits of succulent pork, mushrooms and eggs.
Restaurant Peony is one of my favorite spots for dim sum in Oakland’s Chinatown.
I nibbled siu mai and other dumplings with dorm buddies during my Cal days. I made it a must-visit brunch spot during a Bay Area vacation in 2007.
My hubby enjoyed these crystal prawn dumplings during that trip. Lorraine and her sister also loved these dumplings last week.
I keep coming back to Restaurant Peony for the yummy dim sum and warm memories. The service is off and on, but the ladies with the carts do their best to find what we’re craving. I’m looking forward to my next dim sum adventure in Oakland’s Chinatown.