In downtown Chicago, there is a little known spot called Lakeshore East. Nestled on the shores of Lake Michigan where the Chicago River meets, this 28 acre community contains everything you need to live a life of luxury including a 6 acre botanical park. Perched on the edge of this urban oasis is Yum Cha Dim Sum Parlor, an elegant yet accessible venue to share food with family and friends.
We started off with cocktails, which are custom crafted and unique in both composition and flavor. The Blossom, which is a floral tea cocktail made with lychee puree, homemade Mandarin rose tea syrup, and vodka, topped with a bubbly float. Since they make all of their syrups from scratch in house, the flavors are incredibly fresh. We also tried the Wei Xian- a fresh take on the Gin Collins made with muddled cucumbers, fresh lemon juice, lemongrass syrup and topped with rose lemonade.
One of my favorite things about dim sum is the concept of sharing- I would rather order a variety of small bites and sample as many new tastes as possible. The first dim sum we sampled was Xiao Long Bao, which are soup dumplings with pork. I adore how these are presented, and the fact that they explode with flavor as you bite in!
We also dined on the crispy cauliflower (word on the culinary street is that cauliflower is the new kale), sprinkled with brown sugar chili and tossed with fried shallots and chili oil. This was surprisingly mild in flavor yet somehow addictive!
Next up, Oxtail Potstickers simmering in braising jus and topped with the most incredible ginger scallion pesto. I had a LOT of favorites a Yum Cha, but the pesto blew me away!
On to the main entrees, which can be a nice change of pace from small plates. The most popular chicken dish is probably Sesame Chicken- although traditional, it has a sumptuous mix of sweet and rich. The fried rice is another traditional dish that is prepared to perfection- we ordered shrimp and pork for a unique combination.
We saved the best for last- this incredible udon noodle dish had a spicy kick that was tame enough to not overpower the tender shrimp and scallops.
Who could resist the offer of dessert, even after consuming this amazing mountain of food? This dessert was decadent without being overly sweet and the coconut added just the right amount of texture.
And now for what I wore!!
This is one of my most versatile purchases of the summer- a Zara Woman dress I scooped up at Crossroads Trading in Lincoln Park. Crossroads is one of my absolute favorite resale shops- they curate some of the best finds and everything is in style. My hair piece is a Kitsch Bun Pin– total mini tiara but I love it! The clutch looks vintage, but is actuall Akira– they have on trend accessories and everything is on sale right now. Enter the code “SPINTHEBOTTLE” for 10, 20 or 30% off. The shoes are BCBG Paris Jaze Suede pump– a few colors are on sale for $39.94 at DSW currently. I was THRILLED to find a shoe that matched the exact shade of this dress- the monochrome is always a good option when you are unsure of what shoes to pair.
And isn’t this the most incredible view from their patio? Overlooking Maggie Daley Park, you can dine with a skyline view.
As for this ring, it is the ideal right hand piece- sparkly, large enough to be noticed but not so blingy that you can only wear it for special occasions. The center crystal clear CZ is surrounded by smaller rose-colored CZs with emerald-cut baguettes flanking each side. Best part? This piece is on sale for $20 and looks like the real deal! At originally $96, it is an absolute steal and has become a part of my regular everyday routine. Make sure to grab it here before they sell out- this is the ideal ring for fall and beyond.
I want to thank Yum Cha for hosting my husband and I- this was an amazing dinner, one that we will never forget. Although it was perfect for a date night, they do accommodate kids as well- they even have these adorable fans that they give out!
This was an incredible dining adventure, one that I can’t wait to repeat in the near future! The ambiance at Yum Cha contributed to the overall experience- Gina our waitress was informative yet unobtrusive, she truly made our dinner one that we will never forget!
Disclosure: I was provided with a complimentary dining experience at Yum Cha for review purposes; as always, all opinions are honest and my own. The ring shown was given to me for review purposes- again, all opinions are honest and my own!
We attended an event here this past Sunday & had an awesome experience from beginning to end. They served great food and the salad I had for dinner was delicious. The service at NYC venues also was impeccable.