Want Some Dim Sum?
There are countless perks to being a publicist; being among the first to know about the next big opening, meeting truly inspiring entrepreneurs and my personal favorite, enjoying delicious meals with great company. A few weeks ago, the Zapwater team mixed business with pleasure in the form of a strategy meeting complete with traditional dim sum.
If you’ve missed the early buzz, allow me to share the details about the next big Chicago restaurant opening (see? Job perk!). The beloved Food Buddha, Chef Rodelio Aglibot and his Intrestco business partners, Aeron Lancero and Paul Lee are here to make our food dreams come true with the opening of Yum Cha, a Dim Sum Parlor.
But before the early-April opening, plenty of work from media outreach to menu tastings (another perk!) to opening party planning, must take place. The Zapwater team prefers to start with absorbing as much information as we possibly can about the concept. For Yum Cha, this meant experiencing a traditional dim sum meal with culinary experts at Phoenix, one of the most respected restaurants in Chinatown.
Chef Rodelio did the honor of ordering for us since we were just learning the ropes of dim sum etiquette. He told us that dim sum dinning is truly an art form, from selecting your table or seat at a table to table etiquette. Combine this knowledge with Paul Lee and the Phoenix teams countless years of experience with running Chinese restaurants, and Yum Cha is sure to be a success.
After sampling a variety of dishes, including dumplings and steamed buns, it was time for dessert. I am embarrassed to say that dessert for me has always been a fortune cookie. How did I not know I was missing out on an entire world of Chinese pastries? One bite of an egg tart later and I was hooked. It’s an egg, so that means it’s appropriate for breakfast, right?
While I can’t share all of the exciting details about Yum Cha just yet, here are some tidbits to whet your appetite:
- - Opening early April 2014
- - 333 E. Randolph St.
- - Lunch, dinner, carry out and delivery (happy Sunday!)
- - Menu will highlight traditional Chinese dishes, such as Peking Duck, Chop Suey and Egg Foo Young, alongside modern dishes that showcase a playful take on the cuisine.
- - Yum Cha is Cantonese slang for “let’s go eat dim sum”
Mary Doyle, Account Supervisor