Austin has another dim sum place! I'm just happy about the dumpling explosion we're going through here in town.
Fortune Chinese Seafood had a bunch of Austin bloggers and assorted VIP's out a few weeks ago for complimentary eats to introduce their restaurant. I'd been to the location when it was Kim Son, and didn't see a huge difference - it's still a giant ballroom of a Chinese restaurant, awfully like a few of the places we went in Hong Kong (here, for instance, though Fortune isn't as blindingly bright.)
We were offered a selection of their more common dumplings in steam carts. Though the restaurant does a dim sum menu during the week, the weekends are reserved for multiple carts making their rounds.
Their dumplings were all good enough that I'll definitely go back - which is to be expected, given that their chef competed on the original iron chef!
But most excitingly, we got a plate of jellyfish ordered by a woman over at the next table. I was so excited to try this! I haven't seen it on menus around town.
This tasted strongly of sesame oil and was a bit spicy. It seems to me that jellyfish is all about texture, and the texture is a bit hard to describe... it's cartilaginous, like tendon, if you've had that. There was a bit of crunch, and a bit of slipperiness. I would like it to be a bit spicier, but this was definitely fun to eat!
We also tried a lot of their fried offerings, like walnut shrimp, honey chicken, and spicy salt and pepper calamari. Everything was fried really well, but these were all kind of Americanized (too sweet, for one thing) and weren't my favorite. Not like the dumplings.
I did like the crab rangoon, though, and what's more American than that? Besides chop suey, I suppose.
Fried, filled with a super creamy cheese, but not particularly crabby. I knew it was terrible for me, but that didn't stop me from enjoying two of them!
As far as first impressions go, Fortune Chinese Seafood's was favorable. I wasn't blown right out of the water, but they look to be a good addition to Austin's growing dim sum and Chinese scene. When Logan gets back into town, I'm so dragging him there for jellyfish and to check out the rest of the menu!
If you're on Twitter, it's worth following these guys for information on their happy hour and other specials @fortuneATX.
Fortune Chinese Seafood is in the Chinatown Center at 10901 N. Lamar. 512.490.1426.
Crab rangoon is my favorite chinese food in the world! I go to Suzi's specifically for it. Now I must try Fortunes!
Posted by: maggie | Monday, 26 October 2009 at 10:42
I have to try the jellyfish salad!
Posted by: Cat | Monday, 26 October 2009 at 13:31
Jellyfish salad is de riguer on most mixed "cold dish" starters for multiple-course Chinese banquets... and it tastes exactly as how you've described it!
Posted by: Ling | Tuesday, 27 October 2009 at 07:36
That's too cool, Ling! I wasn't sure if it was flavored traditionally or not. I think I'd like it a bit spicier, and maybe with some lemon, but that might just be my Western palate talking. Sesame oil is yummy, too. :-)
Rachel
Posted by: Boots in the Oven | Wednesday, 28 October 2009 at 00:50
Spicier is always good ;) anyway, jellyfish is basically a vehicle for a whole bunch of great flavours!
Posted by: Ling | Wednesday, 28 October 2009 at 09:52
jelly fish is something i can go both ways on. I don't think I'd ever really order it myself, but my family loves it, and I always find myself reaching for more when they do. you're spot on with it being a textural thing. it's so bland, but with some sesame seeds, oil, and carrots, it can be pretty interesting.
Posted by: Albany Jane | Thursday, 29 October 2009 at 19:14
AJ, that makes sense - a little can go a long way. I don't know that I'd rush to order a giant dish if just Logan and I were eating, but for a large table it could be fun. And the carrots were a nice counterpoint!
Posted by: Boots in the Oven | Thursday, 29 October 2009 at 21:28