(1) 888 Seafood Restaurant 海珍大酒樓
8450 E Valley Blvd #121
Rosemead, CA 91770
(626) 573-1888
This restaurant is pretty big. I love the crystal chandeliers. They make this place looks more "grand". They have 2 sides for wedding banquet. In this picture, this side is for bigger wedding party.
This side is for smaller party. Full partition wall will separate the wedding banquet area from the regular restaurant business side. Bathroom was dirty.... no good. Menu prices are $398, $448, $488, $538, $598, and $698. Corkage fee is $10/table for wine, but if we bring congac, then no corkage. haha.... That's kinda funny. Nothing is included, but they can refer us some vendors for centerpiece and sea covers for discounted price. Parking might be hard.
(2) New Capital Seafood 半島海鮮酒家
140 W. Valley Blvd., D-4th Fl.
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 288-1899
Came here for a wedding before. Loved the food and decoration. That wedding was in one of the private room. The manager said the biggest room can only fit 15 tables. So if it's more than 15 tables, it has to be outside (the picture area). Menu prices are $198, $298, $398, $498, $698, $1098, and $2088. Nope, we are NOT having the $2088 one. Corkage is $10/table. They will provide free soft drinks. Dance floor, seat cover, centerpieces are not included. But if we pay cash and order the more expensive menu, then they will throw in all that stuffs for free. I like this place, but the ceiling is a bit low, so the entire room seems crowded. Parking is always horrible at this plaza.
(3) Lunasia Chinese Cuisine 凱旋宮
500 W Main St
Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 308-3222
Very nice and elegant looking venue. It's a small place. The good thing is they said we can have the entire restaurant for the wedding banquet. Menu prices are $398, $498, $588, $688, $1288, and $1988. I did liked the restaurant when I walked in, unfortunately I immediately took it off the list when I walked out. When we went in, the staff was having lunch. A waiter approached us, and we told him we are looking for the manager to acquire about wedding banquet. He went to that table and told the manager about it. He said (in a yelling tone of voice), "Go get xxx to deal with them. Can't you see I'm eating?" So the waiter went to the back to get another manager to come out. The entire time he didn't smile, he didn't invite us to sit down, he didn't tell us anything unless we asked him. It just seemed like they weren't interested in our business at all. So we left. Too bad.
(4) Mission 261 Restaurant 御珍樓
261 S Mission Dr
San Gabriel, CA 91776
(626) 588-1666
Beautiful restaurant, both outside and inside. This place just had its grand re-opening. Their own spacious parking lot. Nice cute little patio outside for smoker guests. Love their high ceiling banquet room with a stage. Their price is higher comparing to other restaurants. Menu prices are $498, $598, $698, and $888. Corkage is $15/bottle. They also charge cake cutting fee. Nothing is included. This banquet room has a minimum 20 tables requirement.
For smaller party, they have another room available. But the banquet room seems much nicer. If money wasn't a issue, this would be my #1 choice. But with the higher menu price (their $698 is my favorite, but other places offer similar menu for about $200 cheaper) and the extra added fee, we simply cannot afford it. I don't know. Maybe we can try to negotiate with them to see if we can get a better deal.
(5) Ocean Star Restaurant 美麗華大酒樓
145 N Atlantic Blvd #201-203
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(626) 308-2128
They had the place set up for a party yesterday so we kind of got the feel of how it would look like. The manager also showed us some pictures for wedding parties at their restaurant. With seat covers, this place looked 10 times better! Menu prices are $348, $388, $448, $488, and $538. The manager told us the price will go up in June, so it's better to reserve before June. Corkage is $10/table. Dance floor is another $400. This side has a stage.
Another area for smaller wedding party without a stage. This place is currently our 1st choice. Their menu looked really good, price is reasonable, the after decoration pictures looked really nice, and the manager was super nice. Maybe we can bargain with him more later. We are going back there for dinner to try their food next week. The only problem is parking is kind of a hassle in this plaza.
(6) Empress Harbor Seafood Restaurant 翠亨村大酒樓
111 North Atlantic Boulevard
Monterey Park, CA 91754-1579
(626) 300-8833
This place doesn't look too bad, but somehow we didn't like the vibe here. This whole restaurant just didn't "feel right" for us. We asked a waiter for the manager. So a guy in a suit that appeared to be the manager came out to greet us. He didn't even know where their banquet menu is. We started asking him questions, and he didn't know anything. He said he will go get his boss to come talk to us, but he didn't invite us to sit down. So we stood at the door for a good 5 minutes. Then we just sat down ourselves. We waited for maybe another 5 or 10 minutes, but nobody came. We had to go find that guy, and just told him we'll be back later, then left. Another restaurant off the list.
(7) NBC Seafood Restaurant 海寶潮粵酒家
404-A Atlantic Blvd
Monterey Park, CA 91754
(626) 282-2323
The restaurant was set up for a wedding banquet that night so we got to see how it would look like. It looked ok, but not as nice as I would like my wedding to be. Their menu prices are $355, $395, $455, $495, and $565. Seat cover is included. Corkage could be free if we order more expensive menu, otherwise it's $5/bottle.
They have a tiny stage. The manager said they always set two tables on the stage for bride, groom, and their family. The two tables seemed a little crowded on the stage though. Dance floor will be $300 extra, and they can refer us to a DJ.
So our top 3 choices for now are (1) Ocean Star, (2) Mission 261, and (3) New Capital. Next step, food tasting.
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I think I would pick Mission 261 if I was able to pay for it. I think Ocean Star changed its name recently (chinese name) so hopefully it is better than what it was before (C rated and so so food). Empress Harbor is getting worse these days :(. Used to be pretty good but just went there last night and had a bad dinner!
ReplyDeleteI wish we could afford Mission 261.
We'll go try dinner at Ocean Star this weekend.
Maybe we'll go try the food at Mission 261 the following week.
Hopefully we can negotiate with them more.
Out of your top 3 choices, I think I would pick Mission if your budget allows. It was one our top picks, too. It does cost a bit more, but I think you sort of get what you pay for.
ReplyDeleteBut if you were going with one of the other choices, like Ocean Star or New Capital, you can do stuff (like seat covers and nice centerpieces) to make it look more elegant. You'd be surprised what a little decorating can do.
The manager at Ocean Star showed us some of their wedding banquet pictures.
Just with flower, centerpiece and seat covers, the place looked so much nicer.
That was the reason we like Ocean Star. I wish I have enough money to afford Mission 261 though.
我去过 2，3，4，7。
ReplyDelete环境最好的，我觉得是3，4。
4最近重新开张，而且他们的单厅比较好，比较独立，不会有别人干扰你们。
3，不太大，你们可以考虑包全场。
2吗，太大，乱。
7，我去的那一次，两个婚礼同时，中间还夹着哦我们这些散客，我不喜欢。
饭吗，7和4应该算稍好一些？呵呵~
我們就是會擔心旁邊有散客
這樣有點怪怪的
Mission 261 真的是環境最優秀的
Eileen:
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea to post all the possibilities for people to see and give you advice.
Ya, It seems Chinese resturants do not care about parking at all. Beside the food, price, decor.. parking is another major issue to consider.
Good luck
Yup, I would hate that my guests have trouble finding a parking spot for my wedding.
Hi Eileen,
ReplyDeleteI read your blog regularly. I am happy to hear you and Mr. Park are getting married. Congrats! I just wanted to tell you that, you may want to try to negotiate Corkage fee with Mission261. I had my wedding there few years ago and they waived the corkage fee for me. The food was great. I heard only good review from my guests about the food. Anyway, I hope you will find a great resturant for your wedding smoothly.
Dr. P will call Mission 261 soon to negotiate.
He really likes that venue. Hopefully we can get a better deal.
六個月很快就會過囉
ReplyDelete看妳一步步準備, 我們也好為妳們開心喔
我愛888的食物, 有朋友在那請客, 菜很好吃說 ^_^
K.J
我只吃過他們的飲茶點心
真的蠻好吃的
希望有機會能試試他們的海鮮晚餐
i like Lunasia~~it's a nice looking restaurant~~with good dim sum~~dinner should be yummy too~~
ReplyDeleteI've never eaten there.
The restaurant looks nice.
But we didn't like the staff's attitude at all.
Like most have said already...Mission 261. The price isn't an issue is it? Since, well...I thought guests pay for the dinner themselves through (red envelopes) anyways.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing about Lunasia is that one time we decided to visit, the restaurant was empty (we were the only ones there) and the kitchen had no food whatsoever. Beef? Chicken? Crab? Nope...uhhh what do you have have...
We ended up leaving which was pretty disappointing.
The price is a big issue for us since we are paying for the wedding ourselves.
I supposed we will get some red envelops, but I don't expect to make money from it.
Also we still need to pay for everything up front, you know....
If each table is $200 more, for 20 table that's $4,000 plus extra tax and extra 18% service charge.
On top of that, all those extra fees Mission 261 has, I think we'll be paying at least $6000 more.
I mean.... we can use that money toward our honeymoon, or save it for a house.
But I have to say, Mission 261 is such a nice place.
If budget isn't a problem, yes, I will definitely choose that restaurant.
From most of your choices above, I think I have been to almost all of them for wedding banquet in the past year. Misson261 is the best one in terms of venue, but the price range is indeed on the high side, not sure about the food now as they just re-opened recently. OceanStar used to be decent, but the food quality has went downhill after they changed ownership. You can also check out King Hua Restaurant on Main Street in Alhambra, I went to a wedding banquet there a few months ago, food-wise, it is among one of the best. Venue is good too, but depending on how many tables that you plan to have, space can become tight. Another suggestion is the restaurant inside Lincoln Hotel, the venue there can decorate to look nicely, food and price are good too.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of King Hua, but I'll definitely look it up and pay them a visit.
I'm not sure about the hotel though. I thought hotel wedding usually cost more because they charge you to rent the ballroom.
But thank you so much for the suggestion. ^^
恭喜你要結婚囉~~~!!!
ReplyDelete看你最後選出來的場地~~
以後我結婚說不定也可以來參考一下呢!!
感謝你每次都用心的寫這些心得跟拍這些照片!^^
真的讓人感覺很受用~~!!
謝謝nini
我自己有上網找資料，都不太齊全
所以不如自己來寫一篇做紀錄
希望以後也可以幫到別人，兩全其美捏
希望你可以快快讓這篇文派上用場喔 呵呵
Yep, #3 was what I suggested for dim sum. For some reason, some Hong Kong restaurants like to rush the process and the way they talk is not really polite. I always get scared away or I ask my husband to deal with them. I have been to #2 and #3. I like #3 better even though their service is not the best.
ReplyDeleteI know... I totally feel rushed when I eat at dim sum restaurant, especially when they are busy.
Love to try Lunasia's dim sum sometimes. But their dim sum is ordering off the menu kind.
I still kinda like the old style with those dim sum ladies pushing the carts around.
The main room with the stage at Mission 261 is the most beautiful of them all. New Capital's decor reminds me of my own wedding reception, which was the 2nd reception we held (at Hotel Nikko Hong Kong), and the atmosphere from your picture looks good as well. 888 in the photo looks good too.
ReplyDeleteNot sure about Ocean Star... had dinner there many times while they had weddings going on in the main room. They must have shown you really good photos of the parties held. I had my engagement dinner in a private room at Harbor Empress and their banquet menu food was REALLY good. Too bad it didn't go well with your visit.
My suggestion would be for you to pick high ceiling, easy parking, and avoid thick columns/pillars in the middle of the room which blocks the view from your guests. Good luck.
My brother told me when he went to Harbor Empress to scout his wedding location, it went really well.
He liked the place a lot actually, but his finacee likes Mission 261 better.
Too bad our experience wasn't as well as his and yours. Maybe we just went at a bad time when the real manager wasn't around?
We think we'll give them another chance and try to go again when we go back to the area.
We probably will go look at couple more other places soon.
One more new location for you to choose! "Capital Seafood" in Arcadia. Yes, the new one. In the old "Tony Roma's" location. Between Souplantation & Tokyo Wako. 333 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, CA 91006 Tel#626-574-8889 You can call Ms. Michelle Chou, the assistant manager. I mentioned your name to her. She may be off on Mondays. And, call her after 1;30pm or 2pm. I had dim sum with my hubby at 11am yesterday. They open at 10:30am. People started to come in after 11:30am. Very nice place. This may be the smallest one among your choices but I love the interior. Since it's new, they may give you a good deal. Close to freeway 210, good for the guests from other cities. I think William is the manager but I didn't talk to him. www.capital-seafood.com Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sharina.
I will check out this restaurant very soon. ^^
Definitely not Ocean Star! Even though parking should not be an issue there at night, but their food is just terrible since they changed management.
ReplyDeleteI agree Mission 261 would be the ideal place if you can afford it, the problem is they're charging hotel price for the banquet.
If I were you, I'd really give King Hua some thought:
2000 West Main Street
Alhambra, CA 91801
King Hua should be able to hold 15-20 tables, parking lot is huge, restaurant is by itself, food is decent, and price should be affordable. The only problem is that the restaurant is not that close to the 10 freeway, and it can be hard to find for those not familiar with that area.
Another restaurant to consider is Elite in Monterey Park:
http://www.elitechineserestaurant.com/
The place is like Lunasia and it can only hold 10-12 tables. I attended a wedding banquet once there, food is great, parking is not a hassle, audio/video is excellent.
Also there are some nice Chinese restaurants in Rowland Heights unless you must hold the banquet in SGV.
Thanks for all the great info.
I will check out those restaurants. ^^
Today was my first time to have dim sum at King Hua restaurant in Alhambra. First, I was excited to tell you about this new place (for me) because of their cook from Sea habour. However, I did some researches before I wrote this. I found out you already wrote some comments at Exile Kiss's blog in 2008. Wow, maybe my standard is not high. I thought it was not that bad. For sure, I will take my husband's family there because of no long waiting lines. For you, their wedding package starts from $468 to $698 (10 people) but they do offer $398 for birthday party (10 people). I read the review at yelp.com and most of them are fine. At least, my cousins who brought me there like the place. The ceiling is not high but the place looks big and clean. FYI!
ReplyDeleteI'll go visit this restaurant soon. Thanks Sharina.
Surprisingly, with my first online search I found Houston Wedding venues. I reserved the same and it was amazing. The decoration was faultless and I loved it thoroughly.
ReplyDeleteI had my wedding at 888. The service is awesome. They let us play until 11:30 pm. We brought wine and hired a band ourself, and have a lot of fun. After meals, they set up dancing floor for us. In last minutes, there are more guests coming and we need 3 more tables but they are still setting up right away for me and prepared enough food for that extra table at wedding day. Food are generous and delicious. All of my guests are happy and enjoyable. They also helped my guests to pack leftover. With affordable price, nice and friendly services, beautiful setting up, I think 888 makes my wedding day is a memorable moment. Since my guests are still talking in weeks about my wedding.
ReplyDelete