Array 36 In San Gabriel; Will Michelin Stars Return to the San Gabriel Valley?

The only Chinese restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley to garner a Michelin star was Bistro Na's in Temple City, which had one star starting in 2019 but lost it in 2022.  Not that Bistro Na's food went downhill, but rather purists had questioned whether their star was really warranted, and perhaps may been a stretch for sake of diversity.  However, just a couple blocks away on the San Gabriel/Temple City border, a new Michelin star contender has emerged with the opening last year of Array 36.  Clearly Array 36 is the only San Gabriel Valley restaurant in the same league as Bistro Na's, in terms of price and quality, so the question is whether Array 36 surpasses Bistro Na's.  

Interestingly, the signature dish at Bistro Na's is their slightly sweet crispy shrimp dish, which is probably ordered at every meal ever served over there, is also on the menu at Array 36.  On that count, the version at Bistro Na's is clearly better.

 

However, there are a lot of great dishes at Array 36.  Their own signature dish is the roast duck.  Regular price is $108, but occasionally involved in some kind of special.  Certainly no better version of this anywhere in the San Gabriel Valley.

 

The beef ribs were a favorite of all of us.

 

As was the porky belly with quail eggs.

 

 

My personal favorite was the crab meat, crab roe tofu dish, one of many inventive dishes on the menu.

 

Truffle fried rice was so flavorful.

 

Live seafood, like this steamed fish, is one way to run up a large bill.

 

Jellyfish head with yuzu was a surprising treat.

 

Not your ordinary vegetable dish of mountain yams, pumpkin, wood ear and snow peas.

 

And how about blueberries infused with yam paste?

 

I don't know particularly what qualifies a restaurant for a Michelin star, but I do think that the inventiveness of the menu is something that might give Array 36 a leg up.