Enlighten Bistro 168

Newly opened dim sum restaurant adds expanding dim sum culinary options in Arcadia. Occupying the former Marie Calendar's restaurant space, Enlighten Bistro 168 is not a typical dim sum restaurant, it tries to differentiate itself with good foods with contemporary vibes.

Once you walk into the restaurant, you're greeted with a fresh and bright dining area with tables spaced out to create a well balanced feel.

With the modern decor comes with the refreshing friendly service. Unlike other typical dim sum restaurants, the waiters here are dressed in the uniform that's typical for high end restaurants for steaks. The services rendered by the waiters match their uniform. When we dined here, we got excellent service.

The foods are hit and missed. Some are very good but others are just ok. I liked their sticky rice in lotus leaf which had good rice and flavorful fillings. So was the fried noodle with soy sauce, crispy and full of wok Hei.

On the other hand, the Shao Mai was just ordinary. The meat was stale and the flavor was bland.

The prices are on the high side but not out of the extraordinary as compared to Chef Tony next door. Will come back again to try their BBQ stuff and fried rice, I saw a lot people order them.

Published 4 years ago

Drove past this location couple weeks ago and saw long lines out the door so I was intrigued. Decided to visit this past weekend and I was let down by the positive reviews on Yelp. Out of the all the dim sum places in the 626 area, I personally do not believe this restaurant elevated the dishes to what seems like a "high class" dim sum restaurant based on their prices. Most dim sum dishes here at $6.88 each, while there are a few cheaper than that and plenty that are more expensive than that.

The prices obviously don't reflect the size of the dishes. The dumplings I ordered were way smaller than other restaurants. While they tasted okay, I felt the dumpling skin was too thick and made more of a chewy texture to it. The three dumplings we ordered was the Scallop Seafood Dumpling, Leek Dumpling, and Shrimp Dumpling. I do not recommend getting the Baked Radish Puff because it came out cold. It was probably made a day ago and they popped it in the oven or microwave. The Egg Yolk Bao was great; the inside was nice and hot and literally creamy. It's smaller than I imagined but still great to order. I also ordered the Curry Eel Fried Rice but after 35 minutes of order, it did not come out yet. I asked one server where it was and she told me the kitchen was working on it. 10 minutes passed and I asked a different server and she told me they haven't even prepared it. That honestly tells me that there's no communication or they just want you to wait so they don't lost money on dishes.

FYI, the dining area is EXTREMELY SMALL so it's packed. If you're not comfortable with such a tight spot, order to-go. Overall, I don't think I would return for $7 dumplings plus $2 tea per person. I'd rather order a meal from another restaurant that will satisfy my cravings than 3 dumplings.

Published 4 years ago

By far one of the better dim sum places in the greater LA area. Can get busy so arrive promptly.

Published 2 years ago

Tried their Creamy Egg Yolk Bun, Siew Mai, Har Gow, and Crispy German Pork Knuckle. The Buns and Har Gow were pretty good, nothing unique, but the Siew Mais were probably the JUICIEST ones i've had in a while. Other places offer larger ones in size, but this place definitely has the taste, texture, and quality knocked out of the park only tiny complaint would be that the prices are about a dollar higher than other places.

The Pork Knuckles took a while to come out, but the taste was BOMB. Crispy & Juicy :)

9/10

Published 4 years ago

Ordered to go last weekend, very good package! The food was AMAZING. Do not forget to try Creamy egg yolk bao(That black-gold bun)!

Published 4 years ago

The food is amazing and the staff is so friendly. High quality food with exquisite cooking, come to try their seafood soup. For take out it was really good as well! Super delicious! Will definitely be returning here to eat soon!

Published 4 years ago

This is the best Dim sum I ever had in LA! All the dishes are so fresh and delicious,highly recommended.

Published 4 years ago

Food is good , Price is decent not too pricy

Published 4 years ago

It was great when it was open, it’s closed and has been empty for a minute

Published 2 years ago

By far one of the better dim sum places in the greater LA area. Can get busy so arrive promptly.

Published 2 years ago

Please change ur open hours :( came all the way here with family and it’s closed

Published 4 years ago

Newly opened restaurant. Very tasty dishes n good for all occasions.

Published 4 years ago

Great food

Published 4 years ago

I love their food. Seating is crowded.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

We dropped by for some Dim Sum and the food was great. They do get a bit busy on the weekend so expect a potential wait. The service was great and our food came out quickly.

Published 4 years ago

Friendly and good services. Their price are reasonable.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Drove past this location couple weeks ago and saw long lines out the door so I was intrigued. Decided to visit this past weekend and I was let down by the positive reviews on Yelp. Out of the all the dim sum places in the 626 area, I personally do not believe this restaurant elevated the dishes to what seems like a "high class" dim sum restaurant based on their prices. Most dim sum dishes here at $6.88 each, while there are a few cheaper than that and plenty that are more expensive than that.

The prices obviously don't reflect the size of the dishes. The dumplings I ordered were way smaller than other restaurants. While they tasted okay, I felt the dumpling skin was too thick and made more of a chewy texture to it. The three dumplings we ordered was the Scallop Seafood Dumpling, Leek Dumpling, and Shrimp Dumpling. I do not recommend getting the Baked Radish Puff because it came out cold. It was probably made a day ago and they popped it in the oven or microwave. The Egg Yolk Bao was great; the inside was nice and hot and literally creamy. It's smaller than I imagined but still great to order. I also ordered the Curry Eel Fried Rice but after 35 minutes of order, it did not come out yet. I asked one server where it was and she told me the kitchen was working on it. 10 minutes passed and I asked a different server and she told me they haven't even prepared it. That honestly tells me that there's no communication or they just want you to wait so they don't lost money on dishes.

FYI, the dining area is EXTREMELY SMALL so it's packed. If you're not comfortable with such a tight spot, order to-go. Overall, I don't think I would return for $7 dumplings plus $2 tea per person. I'd rather order a meal from another restaurant that will satisfy my cravings than 3 dumplings.

Published 4 years ago

更像是新派早茶 环境还不错 菜品的话中规中矩吧 服务很好 铜盘烧鸭还可以皮薄且脆 肉很嫩 海鲜焗饭是白酱 几乎没什么味道 很一般 黑金流沙包感觉跟我在超市买的口感差不多 山竹牛肉丸好吃 叉烧肠粉里面加了菌菇类

Published 4 years ago

They need a bigger table for all those food. Table was too small

Published 4 years ago

Food is good , Price is decent not too pricy

Published 4 years ago

Egg yolk buns and snow capped bbq pork buns are 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Published 4 years ago

Tried their Creamy Egg Yolk Bun, Siew Mai, Har Gow, and Crispy German Pork Knuckle. The Buns and Har Gow were pretty good, nothing unique, but the Siew Mais were probably the JUICIEST ones i've had in a while. Other places offer larger ones in size, but this place definitely has the taste, texture, and quality knocked out of the park only tiny complaint would be that the prices are about a dollar higher than other places.

The Pork Knuckles took a while to come out, but the taste was BOMB. Crispy & Juicy :)

9/10

Published 4 years ago

Good atmosphere, white linen table. Good service.

Published 4 years ago

绝对算的上是LA最美味的中餐厅天花板了!装潢贵气，出品ㄧ流，价格中规中距。希望保持下去别辜负了我们一众食客便是艳阳天了。

Published 4 years ago

Ordered to go last weekend, very good package! The food was AMAZING. Do not forget to try Creamy egg yolk bao(That black-gold bun)!

Published 4 years ago

Food was just okay. You have to get there early if you want to get the more popular items. The service was also just okay. My brother asked for a water refill, but they didn’t do it until ~8 minutes later when he asked again.

Published 4 years ago

really good albeit a bit expensive, the ambiance was super nice though

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

The food was so well prepared. Best dimsum in LA

Published 4 years ago

The food is amazing and the staff is so friendly. High quality food with exquisite cooking, come to try their seafood soup. For take out it was really good as well! Super delicious! Will definitely be returning here to eat soon!

Published 4 years ago

昨天，朋友請我們到一揽天歺廳慶祝即將到來的新年，她說“这是洛杉磯最好吃的一家早茶餐廳”，同桌十個朋友，除我之外，個個都是挑嘴出名的食客，一頓飯下來，從茶到點心，沒有一個不稱贊，飯沒吃完，大家都以將此店確定為自己的定點歺廳，該店的早茶的確在洛杉磯可以稱為第一👍

Published 4 years ago

Based on my experience, I can tell the difference when I dine at Enlighten Bistro 168 in Arcadia compares to other Chinese cuisines that mostly used too much oil. At Enlighten Bistro 168 they use the best quality of unique mixture of just perfect, not too much and not too little of the special ingredients that bring out the best flavors in every meal. You can feel & taste the freshness of all the materials they put in their dishes. The flavors make your taste buds cannot stop asking for more. It’s hard to explain in words without experiencing it in person. People say, “Never try never know”. Highly recommend Enlighten Bistro 168 to everyone.

Published 4 years ago

This is the best Dim sum I ever had in LA! All the dishes are so fresh and delicious,highly recommended.

Published 4 years ago

I highly recommend this reataurant. Their Peking duck is authentic,and turbot fish two ways is very delicious.

Published 4 years ago

Love their food. Dim Sums are very fresh and delicious. My husband likes abalone tart , sticky rice wrap, I love the creamy egg yolk bao,deep fried quail and beef steak.

Published 4 years ago

Published 4 years ago

Newly opened dim sum restaurant adds expanding dim sum culinary options in Arcadia. Occupying the former Marie Calendar's restaurant space, Enlighten Bistro 168 is not a typical dim sum restaurant, it tries to differentiate itself with good foods with contemporary vibes.

Once you walk into the restaurant, you're greeted with a fresh and bright dining area with tables spaced out to create a well balanced feel.

With the modern decor comes with the refreshing friendly service. Unlike other typical dim sum restaurants, the waiters here are dressed in the uniform that's typical for high end restaurants for steaks. The services rendered by the waiters match their uniform. When we dined here, we got excellent service.

The foods are hit and missed. Some are very good but others are just ok. I liked their sticky rice in lotus leaf which had good rice and flavorful fillings. So was the fried noodle with soy sauce, crispy and full of wok Hei.

On the other hand, the Shao Mai was just ordinary. The meat was stale and the flavor was bland.

The prices are on the high side but not out of the extraordinary as compared to Chef Tony next door. Will come back again to try their BBQ stuff and fried rice, I saw a lot people order them.

Published 4 years ago