Loads of authentic food stuffed into me whilst my trip at LA. However, I haven't got a chance to actually get into some fresh seafood dishes and that agony has led me to this picturesque restaurant in San Gabriel, CA.
The Newport Seafood Restaurant. It takes a worthy 30 minute drive from LA Downtown to get to this busy restaurant which provides valet parking for its patrons. I happened to visit this restaurant on a Sunday afternoon right before I had to catch my flight back to Houston. Wow, it sure was busy that I had to wait for 20 minutes before we got a table.
The servers take good care of you even with a busy clientele during the weekend by serving bowls of Hot & Sour Soup as a complimentary starter. Also, you get pickled cucumbers if you want to.
Slurp..Meh!! Not that great nor hot enough for a soup. I would have definitely skipped hadn't it been complimentary. Excuse my chintzy attitude.
I went with the best sellers recommended by a local and told the server to get the ball rolling for an exciting lunch.
**Fingers Crossed**
The first dish which made its way was,
The Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce. Steamed to perfection with the garlicky scent emanating is quite appetizing. It was drenched in the oyster sauce which provides the saltiness to the broccoli. Also, a pinch of sugar is added to complement the oyster sauce. Completed it within a jiffy. Quite delectable and a must try at this restaurant recommended by a local friend whom I am thankful to.
Taste: 8.5/10
Moving on,
We got the Clams with Black Bean Sauce. Wow, I could just keep staring at it all day! However, my friends wont let me to and so let's dig into this beautiful spread of clams.
This dish had all of the best ingredients for which I go bonkers. It has black bean sauce for starters which when infused with garlic, ginger, green and red chilies gives out a taste close to being heavenly. And, it has the usual suspects such as onions, red and green bell peppers for that added crunch and sweetness. The protagonist however is the freshly cooked clams which pop open during the cooking and give this subtle flavor of the ocean and a tad bit sweetness to it. Got another dish I could vouch for!
Taste: 8/10
My appetite is building up and so are the dishes. With that being said,
The very reason I am here at this place today. The Newport Special Lobster. A beautiful spread of the freshest lobsters you can get, stir fried and put in front of you. The aroma of this dish is an experience I cannot describe. Juicy pieces of lobster meat all over the plate along with green onions, oyster sauce, garlic and lots of pepper sprinkled I tell you. I was ready to get my hands dirty albeit the lobster was protruding hot fumes!! (Of flavors, though!)
This dish is bound to get you messy but rest assured, the flavor is top notch! The peppery blend of sauce smeared over the stir fried lobster with mounds of green onion all over will surely spice up your palate and your appetite as well. Try it, you won't be disappointed!
Taste: 9.5/10
With that being said, our next dish is
The House Special Frog. A buttery and spicy blend of sauces with lots of black and red peppers is all this simple yet flavorful dish has. Took a spoonful right away.
I am horrified. Nothing is better than a well cooked frog and being the protagonist of this dish, I assumed they should get this thing right!
The flavors were perfect with the sauce and the onions and peppers rightly cooked. However, the frog is alarmingly dry and the texture was reminiscent to my shoe sole. I was not able to chew. I spat it out. Maybe, I was at the wrong time (Or, the right!) where I got to experience this dish.
Taste: 4.5/10 (Just for the flavors!)
Had to wash that down experience with another dish and so here we get,
The Seafood On Rice. Need to load up on some carbs after the spread above and what better way than ordering their seafood speciality in that as well. This dish comes with loads of shrimp, crab and lobster meat tossed in a wok with chillies, egg & green onions. Was perfectly seasoned and loved to pair it along with the lobster dish. Order these and you will be content, Period!
Taste: 8.5/10
Happened to visit LA but confused on choosing a seafood place outside the hustle & bustle of downtown?
Head straight to San Gabriel where Newport Seafood Restaurant awaits you with some lip smacking delicacies perfecting their art in Lobster and Crab dishes.
Details
518 W Las Tunas Dr San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 289-5998
Overall
Taste: 8/10
Ambience: 7.5/10
Service: 8/10
Value For Money: 7/10
