Tropical Chinese

I am as surprised as you are, invisible audience, that I'm writing a restaurant review during the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020.  But despite alarming Covid statistics, people, at least in South Florida, are eating out.  Allowances are still at 100% capacity at the time of this writing.  My wife and I have only been in a dining room half a dozen times since March.  We were down visiting my father-in-law and family last weekend and they took us to what is apparently a Coral Gables institution: Tropical Chinese, which has been open since 1984.

The cooking follows the Cantonese style, "with a few Northern and Southern inspirations."  Tropical Chinese, across from Tropical Park on Bird Road, is known for their extensive hand crafted dim sum offerings, which are showcased in push carts driven by rather annoyed waitresses.  We tried stuffed mushroom, steam shrimp ball, veggie roll, and spinach dumpling.  Wonderful.  Could've sampled most of that menu alone.  We also shared spare ribs, Szechwan peppercorn fish (served in a wok), eggplant, triple salut chicken, and ginger and onion lo-mein noodles.  I was told that the peking duck is considered one of the best in the United States. We brought our own white and red wines.

What a treat.  It is very hard to find good Chinese anymore.  Is it worth the half and a half drive to Miami from West Palm Beach? I would say so, even if we didn't have other business.  Hopefully 2021 will allow more such outings.  How tough it is to raise and lower that mask in between courses.

Tropical Chinese

7991 SW 40th Street (Bird Rd.)

Miami, FL  33155

(305) 262-7576

tropicalchinesemiami.com