Lumi Empanada & Dumpling Kitchen

This ultimate fusion cuisine at Lumi Empanada & Dumpling Kitchen is fabulous.  Tucked inside what was once a Victorian house on McKinney, the restaurant décor is uber modern – wooden floors, steel and wooden chairs – exposed blonde wood beams – no curtains or window coverings.  Walk inside and you’re greeted by friendly staff.  We didn’t make a reservation – they take them btw – so our party of five had a very short 10-minute wait.  That time gave us a chance to peruse the eclectic menu – both food and libation.

The drinks here are great – very tasty – very tempting.  Try the lychee mojito for a latin/asian flair.  They also serve the Brazilian national drink – caipirinha – don’t ask me how to pronounce it, though.  Two of my friends had the caipirinha – a lime and rum-like drink – sweet and satisfying.  I tried the aloe martini – smooth and soothing.

The best of the soup and salads I think is Feijoada, black beans simmered in pork with collard greens and jasmine rice.  It’s more of a Brazilian dish than Asian – but it takes your typical rice and bean dish up several notches.  And, it’s not too spicy.

The dumplings and empanadas are front and center – with Chinese 5 spice duck dumplings and Thai Panang curry chicken dumplings leading the pack – subtle yet explosive flavor – divine.  And, the shrimp and crab empanadas are juicy – with paper thin fried dough – just the right amount to still keep my girlish figure.

The tapas style munchies include Ahi Tuna Nachos – still lighter crispy wonton skin with green onion and tuna – perfect on a hot day.  And, the egg rolls are great – a grandma’s recipe.

And, there are several entrees on the menu including Thai Blue Crab Fried Rice.  Having lived in the Chesapeake Bay area for 25 years, I’m a sucker for soft shell crab and this dish did not disappoint – very light for yet another fried dish.

Don’t skip dessert – even though you’ll be pretty full.  You’ll just have to have the Chocolate Empanadas with Vanilla Ice Cream – a perfect end to a great meal.  You can always share – but these are so good you’ll want to keep them for yourself.

HelloDallas tip: Lumi Empanada & Dumpling Kitchen serves up a great Happy Hour from 4 - 6:30pm & 9-11pm Monday - Thursday featuring $5 specialty drinks, $4 wellls and domestic beer for $2.50.  Some of the appetizers on the menu are only $5 during Lumi's happy hours.

- by Constance Hannon, Dallas Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Constance Hannon

Connie Hannon is a freelance writer living in Dallas, Texas. She is a native Texan and has lived in Dallas and Washington, D.C. for the majority of her life. Connie graduated from Pitzer College in Claremont, California, and received her masters in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University. She was a staffer on Capitol Hill and worked in CNN’s Washington Bureau, and with most of the television stations in the Dallas market.