Ocean Star Restaurant Inc   

LA's premier Chinese restaurant is a tribute to the great dining palaces of Hong Kong. Step into the 800-seat dining room -- one of the city's largest -- and take pleasure in the most authentic Chinese dining experience this side of the People's Republic. The "Seafood" in the name doesn't even come close to telling the whole story. Dim sum (which translates to "touch your heart") is the most popular meal of the day, and is served for breakfast and lunch hours only. During the dim sum rush, a bustling troupe of waiters pushes large steaming carts around tables, crowded together banquet-style. When something tempting comes wheeling by, the diner simply points to the item he desires. The dim sum specialties are appetizer-sized portions of dumplings, soups, cakes and a few daring Chinese delicacies like chicken feet and curry squid. At night, the restaurant shifts to a traditional Chinese seafood menu with conventional table service, but the show is no less entertaining. Live fish and lobsters are plucked from the massive aquariums that line the walls, and brought to your table for inspection. It doesn't get any fresher than this. -- Mikael Romano