While this is being widely reported in other sources, I’m hearing from excited readers that Santa Monica’s hotly anticipated branch of dumpling experts Din Tai Fung is about to throw open their doors on the third floor of Santa Monica Place in Downtown Santa Monica, across from always-busy The Cheesecake Factory.  According to the website, they are soft opening with a limited preview menu on February 20th, with a grand opening scheduled for February 28th.  Hours are 11am to 9pm, and you can reserve a spot here.  With its sleek, stylish design and loads of space, could it bring a revival to the sputtering mall?