Dim Sum Garden's new spot; faves in Wayne

Here is an excerpt from Craig LaBan's online chat:

Reader: I can't say the food at Dim Sum Garden at the new location holds up, at least from my first visit. Chewy beef brisket, wonton soup overwhelmed by MSG taste. Their soup dumplings are still great though.

Craig LaBan: I disagree, sort of. The things that made DSG so great to begin with - the dumplings, many of them - are really as good as ever in the new location [1120 Race St.]. They have lots of other things on the menu, but that's just not why you should go there. Chinatown is full of restaurants with overlapping menus, and you need to discover which restaurant makes which part of that "all knowing menu" the best. I tried to help out a bit with my comprehensive C-town guide, published earlier this year.

Reader: A rumor was floating around that Starbucks was going to take over L2's location at 22d/South. What do you think that location needs?

C.L.: Starbucks would work pretty much at any busy crossroads like that - but it's the last thing we need. A great neighborhood-level restaurant is really in demand in that spot, something good, casual, and high-quality. Honey's needs some competition, in my opinion. I'll be curious to see what Tria brings to the old Dmitri's space - and with talented new chef Karen Nicolas on board (ex-Citron + Rose), I think it has real possibilities. Good wine, beer, and cheese and small plates, with the option to upsize to a more substantial, but relatively affordable meal.

Reader: My wife and I tried Audabon for the first time and we REALLY LOVE the macarons and pudding. I personally love the black sesame panna cotta more than their macarons. But, the ambience and tableware seem to be a work-in-progress, which is a stark contrast with Laduree's overly pompous decor. Seriously, those desserts at Audabon deserve a real plate.

C.L.: You're right, those are great macarons. But the space is, indeed, somewhat challenged. Not sure if they really want to be a macaron boutique and a hang-out cafe, or just take-out. But a nicer design for the space could only help.

Reader: I know there have been a lot of new openings lately in Wayne. Between the old and new (White Dog, Arde, Vecchia, Xilantro, Matador), are there any restaurants there you recommend?

C.L: It's too soon for comment from me on the new spots (just haven't been yet.) I've had pretty mixed feelings about Xilantro and Matador. The White Dog has improved a bit from its initial 1-bell, but my current Wayne faves remain Teresa's Next Door (what a beer selection!) and Margaret Kuo's, for serious Chinese (and not bad Japanese) in an elegant setting. Susanna Foo isn't that far away. Also, often overlooked, is the Gryphon Coffee cafe, roasted right there in Wayne. I'm impressed with their beans, and it's a place I'd like to hang.

Reader: Have you been to Miles Table? Under-the-radar place with solid sandwiches. Had the falafel burger last week. The creative daily specials are worth checking out.

C.L.: I think of it as that really good neighborhood-style cooking I was talking about - the kind I'd look forward to on a busy weeknight. Love the avocado club. An easy menu of wide-ranging flavors (love the fish tacos), I'd recommend it for neighborhood people. Not a fan of what the same crew does at the Lombard Swim Club, but they hit it right here.