Pan-Chinese Moonlight Bar Replaces Beloved Bahooka in Rosemead

Welcome to Meanwhile In SGV a regular feature in which Tony Chen, our fearless leader in all things San Gabriel Valley, brings word of restaurant openings, closings, and other unsung, curious neighborhood goings on.

1) Rosemead: the much beloved Bahooka is being replaced by Moonlight Bar & Restaurant. While the ABC application has been on the window since January, the sign just went up recently. In its beer and wine license hearing with the city of Rosemead, Moonlight revealed its menu as a pan-Chinese smorgasbord: there is Peking duck, but also Shanghainese chicken. There's Cantonese borscht, but also Taiwanese three-cup chicken. The city has approved its conditional beer and wine license, but state approval is still pending. 4501 Rosemead Blvd

2) Monterey Park: ELP Wok has opened on the second floor of the Hong Kong Market super market. It replaces another hot potting restaurant. Spicy Sichuan style dry pot seems to be the dish of focus here. 127 N Garfield Ave

3) El Monte: an off-the-wall and apparently truly authentic Malaysian restaurant has opened in a random non-commercial stretch of El Monte. Indeed The Bull Restaurant has a large bull statue by the door, and yes, there are bull balls to go with that ba ku teh. Currently the "Asian fusion" restaurant is offering a small appetizer of roti canai during grand opening. 4022 Tyler Ave Ste B

4) Monterey Park: Pie 12 will be the city's first BYO (build-your-own) pizza. And staying true to the city council's goal of bringing in more national brands, Pie 12 has two other locations (Fontana HQ, Costa Mesa). 2201 S Atlantic #B

5) San Gabriel: Hunan Style Restaurant (related to Hunan Mao) was sold earlier in the year. The replacement restaurant is called 2188 Spicy Shrimp. 2188 Spicy Shrimp is the trademark of a Wuhan-style spicy dry pot restaurant chain in China. However, it does not seem the USA outfit is related to the Chinese operations. 529 E Valley Blvd Ste 108A