Some days stand out more than others and yesterday was definitely one of them. My friend Natasha asked a while ago about going to Chinatown for dim sum with our kids. So rather than taking my normal route of one of two major Chicago highways, I suggested taking the train and transferring to the water taxi to Chinatown.
Natasha and her husband Rey were game, and since I’d never taken that water taxi, I was extra excited. So we took the train into the city and walked along the river a few blocks to the water taxi depot.
With tickets in hand, we boarded the boat and sailed south on the Chicago River. There are so many great views from the Chicago River that aren’t always visible on land.
As we approached Chinatown, we saw the back of the Ping Tom Fieldhouse.
And here’s the Ping Tom Park water taxi pier.
We walked through a newish residential area to my favorite dim sum stadium, Cai Restaurant.
The adults and my six year-old ordered dim sum and boy did we order a lot!
I first had this faux duck, which is really steamed, dried tofu, with my friend Pamela some months back.
Scallion crisps, beef balls, and papaya cake!
Corn and mushroom congee. We also had a chicken and green vegetable congee. I told you we ordered a ton.
Cha siu bao, or barbecued pork buns.
On the way back to the water taxi pier. (I confess that I also bought a conical hat on my first trip to China back in 1988.)
On the way back to the train station, we saw another view from the Chicago River.
The day couldn’t have been more perfect. The weather was clear, sunny, and not too hot or too cold.
Cai Fine Dining and Banquet is located at 2100 South Archer Avenue, 2/F, Chicago. 312.326.6888
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