Dim Sum Brunch at The Source

Duck Bao Bun at The Source

I love a traditional brunch any day. If you're a member of the frequent bruncher crowd, I bet you've trained yourself to skim over a menu, zero in on keywords (hollandaise, poached, bacon) and have your order done and ready to rattle off to a waiter in less than five minutes in an attempt to make sure you and your friends aren't there for another three hour mimosa-induced boozefest like you did last weekend. One can only do so many of those. So in the effort to make brunch a little different and more interesting, I'm telling you right now to head over to The Source by Wolfgang Puck to try their dim sum brunch.

Rabbit Sausage Bao Bun with Mustard Sauce
at The Source

For starters, the dim sum brunch at The Source is a great way to try one of the best (and frankly more expensive) restaurants in the city without burning a substantial hole in your wallet. Five plates are $30 or upgrade to eight plates for $40. For two people, eight plates will leave you very full. Also, remember that The Source only serves its dim sum brunch on Saturdays (wouldn't want you to roll up there on a Sunday only to be disappointed and hungry). Being a huge bloody mary fan, I recommend the District Mary, which ups the ante on the classic one with a spicy, house made half-smoke. So let's break down the dishes, shall we?


If there's one thing you will get your fill of and cannot pass up at The Source, it's the dumplings. You can try to make executive chef Scott Drewno's chicken dumplings or pork potstickers at home, but the real deal at dim sum brunch is going to be better than whatever you whip up in your own kitchen. The crystal chive dumpling and wok fired shrimp dumplings are not to be missed.

For a variation on the Chinese dumpling, try the Indian lamb samosas at brunch. The crispy fried wrapping contrasts with the soft filling of lamb and potatoes and a nice hint of cumin. The classic green chutney paired with the lamb samosas is probably one of the best I've tasted. If you're still in the mood for something a little fried and crispy, go for the lobster and shrimp spring roll. They're packed with chunks of shrimp and lobster meat that soak up the sweet honey-based dipping sauce.

Lobster and Shrimp Spring Roll at The Source

The other dim sum item that I would not pass up are the bao buns. While the menu varies from time to time, if you do see them, try the beef brisket bao buns, duck bao buns or the rabbit sausage with spicy mustard bao bun. While I initially thought the beef brisket bao bun would be my favorite, I have to say the rabbit sausage really stole the show and I never would have guessed it was rabbit until Drewno told us. The spicy mustard sauce with the cool slice of cucumber paired well. On the duck bao buns, that perfectly crispy duck skin was the highlight. And the pillowy buns themselves strike the right balance between soft and chewy.

Beef Brisket Bao Bun at The Source

Should you have room for dessert, the tangerine gelato is thick and creamy, but refreshing. After all the dumplings and bao buns and noodles, the brightly flavored tangerine gelato is a nice way to round out the meal while getting a little sweet fix.

If you're looking for an alternative to the tried and true eggs-meat-and-cheese brunch combination, head over to the dim sum brunch at The Source.

Tangerine Gelato with Candied Orange Zest at The Source

Disclosure: A few of the dishes I sampled at the dim sum brunch were sent out compliments of the chef.

Take a bite: www.bonappetitfoodie.com.