Filet Mignon with Hong Kong–Style Black Pepper Sauce

My mom used to work at Pacific Café in Chinatown, which served Western food with a Cantonese twist. Every meal started with a choice of creamed corn or borscht, garlic bread, and a salad with Thousand Island dressing. In my mind, Pacific Café was incredibly fancy. The red booth seating reminded me of a Johnny Rockets diner, which to me was the epitome of chic.

Every so often, Restaurant Grandma would take me to dinner at Pacific Café after she’d closed her own place. My favorite ent