China Live (San Francisco, CA)
China Live
644 Broadway
San Francisco, CA 94133
Dining date: 2/1/22
For a last-minute Chinese New Year dinner, I met up with my parents here at China Live. When it opened in 2017, this place was compared to Eataly in its concept. China Live occupies multiple floors in this building featuring a retail shop, restaurant, separate bar, and fine dining concept (called Eight Tables). This was the first time for my parents and I at the ground floor restaurant which was bustling on this holiday.
Sheng Jian Bao Daily Made Pan-Fried Pork Dumplings
Sichuan “Working Hands” Pork Dumplings Sesame Butter, Peppercorn-Chili Broth
Char Siu BBQ Pork “Dutch Crunch” Baked Buns
“Peking Duck” with Kumquat Glaze, Traditional Condiments in Sesame Pockets
Kurobuta Pork Char Siu Hot Mustard
Wok Seared Filet Mignon ‘Steak Kow” Seasonal Vegetables
Sea Scallops, Lily Bulbs, Chinese Black Bean, Rice Wine Sauce
Niangao New Years Cake, Lap Cheong, Chives
Lu Rou Fan Braised Minced Pork Rice Bowl, Bok Choy
Sichuan Blistered Green Beans Yunnan Olive, Pickled Radish, Salted Plum, Mushroom & Toon Paste
The food at China Live was good, albeit nothing particularly special. The kurobuta char siu, Sichuan dumplings, and bbq pork buns were the highlights. One of the things oft-mentioned about China Live is that it doesn’t justify its high price point; I’d tend to agree especially on some of the more pedestrian items (green beans @ $20, rice cakes @ $20) although it did fit the bill for a special occasion.