SF Peninsula: Champagne Seafood Restaurant

During the pandemic, one of the things I missed the most was...dim sum.  Ordering it to go just wasn't the same.  I missed the chaos of the carts, the anticipation of waiting for your favorite dish to appear, and even the yelling of the cart ladies.

My first post-pandemic dim sum experience finally came at the end of May.  After a nice hike at Edgewood Park & Natural Preserve (yet another new local park to me), CL, T, and I met up with DK at Champagne Seafood Restaurant in downtown San Mateo:

Entering Champagne felt like coming home:

Those round tables, that gaudy carpet, the staff in black suits...all of it just screamed dim sum to me.  Unfortunately, there were still no carts due to the pandemic, but we were able to order off of a menu.

We got all the classics, such as the steamed spare ribs ($6.50): 

The baked BBQ pork buns ($5.50):

The fried dumplings ($5.50):

Pan fried daikon cake, of course ($5.50): 

Shrimp dumplings ($6.50): 

Can't miss chicken feet ($6.50): 

Or siu mai ($6.50): 

As if that wasn't enough, we also got pan fried buns ($6.50):

Pan fried chive dumplings ($6.50): 

And we definitely, couldn't leave without shrimp rice noodle rolls ($7.50):

 And then just because, we tossed in some egg yolk lava buns ($5.50):

Maybe it was because I hadn't had good dim sum in a while, but everything at Champagne really hit the spot.  It might not be the fanciest or the best dim sum around, but it is solid.  The dumplings are plump, the fillings generous, and everything tastes fresh.

In terms of prices, Champagne is a bit on the higher end in the Bay Area.  Dim sum prices don't actually range all that much, however, so don't let that deter you.  Definitely check out Champagne Seafood Restaurant if you're craving dim sum.

I actually just returned from a two week vacation to Costa Rica and Yellowstone.  Looking at these pictures is reminding me that I haven't had dim sum in too long.  Gotta fix that soon!

Champagne Seafood Restaurant

88 E 4th Ave

San Mateo, CA 94401

(650) 343-6988

http://champagneseafoodrestaurant.com/