With it’s angular and modern-chic appearance, Steam offers a different approach to the usual coziness and somewhat shabbiness of Chinese cooking.
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This newly opened restaurant is the epitome of an “Asian” restaurant that is actually catered to American taste buds. For those who aren’t too keen on the authentic oriental cuisine but are interested in this genre, this restaurant is totally for you.
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Although Steam is mainly comprised of Chinese recipes, they still offer some Western dishes and peculiar hybrids, like Cream Cheese Wontons ($4).
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The menu is split into nine sections: Starters, Dim Sum, Noodles & Rice, Chef’s Special, Tea & Coffee, Wine by the Glass, Main [course], Drinks and Steamed Sweets. Steam’s selection of steamed sweets is what separates it from the norm; not many Asian-American restaurants offer the latter.​

The Golden Lemon Garlic Ribs ($6) is a hybrid dish where the East meets the West; it is sweet and tangy with a taste similar to that of Thai food. The lemon artfully placed atop the ribs also serves a refreshing purpose by delivering the zesty citrus flavor in contrast with the savory garlic ribs. The garlic and the lemon prove a dynamic duo in this particular dish.​
 

Next up is the Szechuan Spicy Chicken with Garlic ($10). Ironically, this is one of the least memorable dishes and also happens to be one of the most expensive on the menu. I found it to be overly salty with too much soy sauce, and flat in flavor. It fails to deliver both the savory garlic taste and the pick-me-up spiciness that I was anticipating.
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Another dish that does not prove to be particularly delightful is the Braised Beef Noodle Soup ($8). Although the beef cubes are tender and flavorful, the noodles are very bland on their own. A few bites could finish all the beef, leaving you to deal with the insipid strands of noodles. That said, it wasn’ t the best.
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The Beef  Chow Fun ($8) proves to be ambrosia for the taste buds. The green bean sprouts added freshness to the flavor and crispiness to the texture. All the while the onions made the most impact, bringing in a subdued flavor to the overall sautéed bliss. You will also notice a few pieces of rice noodles dispersed throughout—those are not to be missed!
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Dim sum is what Americans usually perceive as Chinese cooking. In reality, dim sum is only a small contributor to the world of Oriental cuisine. At Steam, dim sum is a house specialty, hence it’s name. In a cornucopia of steamed dim sum, the famous barbeque pork bun is something almost everybody knows about. The Steamed BBQ Pork Bun ($3) is comprised of delectable barbeque pork pieces housed in fluffy white buns, served on traditional bamboo steamers. One hot steamy bite makes the bun melt on one’s tongue. What can I say? It was love at first taste.
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Of course, dessert is crucial to conclude any great meal and Steam does not disappoint. The Chinese sponge cake ($4) is an uncommon dessert for Chinese restaurants in America, however Steam offers this rare sweet. Upon ordering it and the waiter placing it on the table I noticed that the rather large cube of cake in front of me wiggled. Never have I expected to eat cake as flexible and fluffy as this.
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Four words: you won’t regret it.​