News Summary
88 Club, a new upscale Chinese restaurant in Beverly Hills, has opened its doors, led by acclaimed chef Mei Lin. The restaurant focuses on regional Chinese dishes in an intimate setting, featuring a menu with signature items such as sesame prawn toast and Wagyu pepper steak. With its ambiance enhanced by R&B music, 88 Club aims to attract a diverse clientele seeking a refined yet comforting dining experience. The establishment also includes a private mezzanine for intimate gatherings, showcasing innovative cocktails and a curated wine selection.
Beverly Hills has become home to a new high-end Chinese restaurant, 88 Club, which marks the second full-service venture by acclaimed chef Mei Lin, a winner of Top Chef. Opened recently, the restaurant offers an array of regional Chinese dishes presented in an understated, no-frills manner, a departure from the more dynamic fare previously served at her first restaurant, Nightshade.
Lin’s launch of 88 Club aims to provide diners with a comforting experience that prioritizes deeply layered flavors and classic preparations. The restaurant’s design features high cathedral-like ceilings paired with an intimate atmosphere, enhanced by thick curtains that shield against daylight. The interior showcases serene green hues, checkered flooring, and rounded leather club chairs adorned with gold-rimmed plateware and marble lazy susans.
In creating a lively ambiance, 88 Club plays a blend of R&B music, attracting a diverse clientele that includes fashion-savvy diners and corporate professionals. These patrons are drawn to the restaurant for its appealing quality dining options, positioning 88 Club as a competitive alternative to more expensive establishments like Mr. Chow.
The restaurant’s menu features signature dishes such as sesame prawn toast, designed with crustless bread that creates a crispy outer shell surrounding a rich prawn filling. This dish is complemented by a hot mustard aioli and a jam-like sweet-and-sour sauce, priced at $38 for three pieces. Other highlighted menu items consist of kung pao scallops, Wagyu pepper steak, mushroom mapo tofu, char siu pork, and roasted chicken marinated in nam yu (fermented bean curd).
While the menu offers a variety of selections, some dishes have garnered mixed reviews regarding their creativity compared to Lin’s previous work. Nonetheless, the establishment aims to merge traditional culinary heritage with modern culinary influences, ensuring the nostalgic meals maintain a fine-dining quality.
Reflecting on her culinary background, Lin’s journey began in her family’s Chinese restaurant in Dearborn, Michigan. She has since honed her skills at renowned establishments, including Wolfgang Puck’s Spago and Michael Voltaggio’s ink. Her experience has contributed to her unique approach at 88 Club, which prioritizes both comfort food elements and modern dining expectations.
The restaurant also features a private mezzanine for intimate dining experiences. Within, two distinct rooms—Jade Room and Rose Room—are designed to enhance the dining experience, along with a chic bar area utilizing Rosso marble. A noteworthy aspect of the drink menu is the cocktail selection, crafted by bartender Kevin Nguyen, presenting innovative blends such as a lychee-forward spritz and a contemporary interpretation of the Long Island Iced Tea. Wine offerings emphasize small, sustainable producers, with the Riesling being a recommended pairing for Asian cuisine.
Since its opening, 88 Club has received attention for its inviting atmosphere and high-quality reinterpretations of Chinese dining. This positioning seeks to offer an alternative for those desiring a flavorful yet refined culinary experience in Beverly Hills.
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Additional Resources
- Eater: 88 Club Review
- Los Angeles Times: 88 Club Review
- Modern Luxury: 88 Club Dining Review
- Wallpaper: 88 Club Los Angeles Review
- Fine Dining Lovers: 88 Club
- Wikipedia: Cuisine of China
- Google Search: 88 Club Beverly Hills
- Google Scholar: Mei Lin chef
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Chinese Cuisine
- Google News: 88 Club
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
