China Pavilion

Peter Chen’s spreading dynasty has taken the city by storm these last few years, and S.B. has a number of good Chinese restaurants, finally. China Pavilion’s chefs’ off-menu cuisine is stunningly delicious, especially with genius interpretations of seafood like lobster and scallops. But the beef stew is a revelation as well, particularly when combined with Shanghai dishes like mashed fava beans. The regular menu continues to please lunch and dinner crowds downtown and in Montecito; and there’s the brand new buffet on Milpas Street (same owner, slightly different menu), with sharply flavored versions of old favorites from kung pao chicken to spicy basil beef. So, gourmet or chowhound, in the restaurant or home in front of the big screen, China Pavilion is the auspicious choice.