CHINATOWN
A must lunch stop for Chinese food lovers is Empress Pavilion. Located in the heart of Chinatown (near downtown L.A.), it features Cantonese cuisine and dim sum. The restaurant is on the second floor of Bamboo Plaza, where there are many Chinese shops. On weekdays Empress Pavilion is packed with corporate America. On weekends the place is filled with area residents celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and weddings. To beat the mad rush, get there a little early -- around 11:30 a.m. -- like Tim Winship (editor of FrequentFlier.com) and I did. But even if you don't it's okay. The place is huge � it seats around 400 diners -- and the tables turn over quickly. That's because you don't have to wait long to order or get your food. Chinese women constantly cruise up and down the large, ordinary-looking banquet hall-like room with metal food carts, carrying an assortment of hot and cold delicacies. My favorite was the BBQ pork dumplings (one of several dishes we shared). The bill came to only $20. Is that awesome or what? Empress Pavilion, 988 N. Hill St. (located in Bamboo plaza); tel.: 213-617-9898. For more click HERE.