Newport Seafood - San Gabriel

For those who want to recreate our meal, I’ll outline what we had—at least, what I can remember. I chose the dishes with the help of Phillip, the manager, who speaks excellent English. We began with braided crab and fish maw soup, which was thick and delicately flavored. Personally, I would have preferred something spicier, making it the only item I wouldn’t order again. The house lobster, priced at $15.99 per pound, came in a delightful spicy sauce. We had requested a larger lobster but ended up with a 5½-pounder, and we could have eaten more had we not ordered nine dishes in total. We used our hands, savoring the delicious shell after devouring the meat—it was a fun experience. I’d recommend trying this dish with crab instead, as it's easier to crack the shell. The French-style beef cubes provided a nice contrast to our fish-heavy menu. The filet was tender, served in a dark savory sauce on a bed of sliced onions, creating a well-balanced dish. The large fried black trout was impressive in its presentation and became a favorite; everyone kept returning for more, combing through every nook and cranny for extra meat paired with the luscious scallion sauce. The clams in basil sauce were excellent. They were quite large, and the basil was added at the last minute, giving the dish a fragrant and fresh taste. We decided to include a chicken dish, and based on a recommendation, we ordered Kung Pao. It was decent but next time I might opt for something more adventurous. The house vegetable dish consisted of a very mild, Cantonese-style mixed vegetables, which I found too bland for my taste. It could have used a little more flavor. Meanwhile, the pork chop featured crispy fried strips that appeared tough but were surprisingly tender and served without sauce—this is a dish kids would really enjoy. Overall, this was a finger-food kind of meal; I found myself unintentionally lingering with my fingers on my lips for an extra taste of the delicious sauces. The total bill came to $260, which included tax, tip, and two beers, with a corkage fee for our party of ten. On my foodie-driving scale of 0 to 10 miles, I give this a 20, because it's 20 miles from my house, and I would gladly return if invited again.