Dim Sum Charlie’s in Napa

In the dwindling dusk, behind a scarlet remnant of the day’s sunset, a twinkling strand of lights caught my eye. I looked closer and made out an airstream trailer. Then I saw the sign for Dim Sum Charlie’s, a Napa food cart that’s been up and running since the summer of 2010. I don’t even remember the other plans I had made – I had to venture toward the light.

The scene here, even as the fall months usher in chilly nights, is utterly warming. A series of triangular canvas sails are hung to shade a set of picnic benches, a glowing fire pit, and the highlight, the airstream trailer from which comes handmade dim sum in neatly stacked baskets, encircled by these strands of lights.

There were a few solo eaters, perched by the fire with a book, a table of friendly locals, who, after sharing one of their 21st Amendment Watermelon Wheat beers and lighting our table’s candle, proclaimed to my dining buddy and I that chivalry was indeed not dead. Then our order came – chicken and chive dumplings, shaped like a carp with small bits of carrot for the eyes, and an order of one of the vegetarian versions, this one with fake ham and spinach. The rice flour-based dough was the ideal texture, and steamed just right so as not to toughen the filling inside. Many of the high-quality ingredients are from local, organic sources.

You place your order at the window at the end of the trailer by marking with China markers right on the menu, then you set yourself up with gratis Tillerman’s Tea (brought over from Oxbow Market), various sauces (including Yuzu juice from the Japanese citrus), and cutlery, then your food is brought out after a little wait.

The ambiance was the real clincher. Charlie’s is surely one of the best examples of successful food cart eating – you can order a lot or a little snack, come with kiddlywinks, a date, friends, or solo, and chances are you’ll get mixed up in some conversation, or at least feel like you are part of something good. It is accessible and sustainable, and tasty rain or shine. I came away with not only a full belly (even though we shared), and also a tip for what to do with the big hunk of Himalayan pink salt I have been trying to grate down with my microplane (unsuccessfully). [I was told to carefully chip off a corner of it and place it in a light cotton bag, then hammer it down to smaller, more usable crumbles.]

Until now I had been to a few notable taco trucks in Napa, but I hadn’t seen anything like this in the area. I hear that they’re going to be hosting Yappy Hours (bring your pooch!) come spring 2011! Me and Dutsi will be there. Fo sho.

Good Idea

Good conversations are on the horizon. Some locally-owned businesses go out of their way to inspire them. Dim Sum Charlie’s has created what us utopian gearheads call intentional community, by creating a space that promotes positive interaction. The communal dining tables and welcoming outdoor fireplace practically guarantees you’ll get to talk to strangers. Sweet! It could be a casual comment like my new salt trick, or who knows, maybe it could spark discussions about local politics, or land preservation, or making new friends! Community is the soul of sustaining this planet.

Deets

Dim Sum Charlie’s, started by Chuck and Clayton, 707.815.2355, across the RR tracks from Oxbow Market on 1st, Napa, open Wednesday-Friday 5:30 until “late late” night, Saturday-Sunday lunch – “late late” night, now open some Tuesdays, call ahead.