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At last, we wer in Yank Sing to see d fuss. Atrium & inside wer quite full, but no waiting. Tables r tight, w/ many partitions in btwen. Decor & ambience r casual, noisy like others. Some items wer a notch above 'em all, A-. Beef rice crepes wer thin & translucent. Finely minced beef was mixed w/ chopped water chestnuts. Gr8 texture & flavor. Chicken buns wer medium thick, w/ minced meat & fillings blended to silky texture. 1dRfL taste. Shanghai dumplings wer as g%d as it gets, w/ thin skin & juicy meat. Other items wer so-so, B+. Pork siu-mai had tiny roe on top. Spinach dumpling had green skin. D meat inside both wer coarse & not refined like above (as if from another kitchen). Worst taste was in getting d bill, each item ranged $5-10, cf $3-6 in top places in mid-Peninsula (Joy Luck or Zen Peninsula). Service is tops w/ many staff waiting for yor glance. They don't come cheap! Where's d price list? If u ask for price b4 picking food, u don't belong here! I'll be back in 2020.
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Yank Sing
Cuisine: Chinese Dim Sum
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Embarcadero |
2/25/2009
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1/09 Sun. Roy's f%d roars. Dine About Town $35 deal started w/ sampler trio of deep-fried lobster potsticker (chewy, not crunchy, tiny fillings), seared shrimp (gr8 teppanyaki taste) & sushi (yummy sauteed salmon + avocado). My Szechwan spiced pork back ribs (not too baby, 7 half-pieces) were flamed grilled to black. Some pieces wer less tender than others. Intricate flavors, B. Her beef short ribs wer braised in honey mustard & garlic. All tender & delicious, B+. I hated when both entrees had d same mashed potatoes, asparagus & carrot on d side. Desserts wer 1dRfL. Melting hot chocolate souffle was truly signature. Crispy outside, warm fuzzy inside. Macademia nut tart was all nuts on top, sumptuous & satisfying. I was impressed w/ d full serving size on each course. Need to try fish next time. Dis place is spacious, dimly lit & casually elegant. Hawaiian martini ($11) had subtle pineapple & coconut flavors. Luv so much, got d recipe from our server. All pro & frndly service. 3.5*
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Roy's
Cuisine: Hawaiian Seafood
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SoMa |
2/10/2009
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All those yrs we thought we knew evry store along Burlingame Ave. Mingalaba was certainly hidden from us b4. Inside has cultural l%k, table cloth & neat setting. Of their Burmese & Mandarin Chinese f%d, we asked for suggestion of d former. Green papaya salad ($9) w/ onion, garlic chips, peanut, dried shrimp & tangy dressing was unusual. D julienned papaya tasted bland & firm, more like a root veggie than a fruit. Not my fav. Burmese egg n%dle soup ($9) was made w/ coconut chicken soup, onion, cilantro & lemon. Nice rich flavor, xlnt. Also tried lunch specials ($10) incl their version of sweet n sour soup. Rangoon beef was sauteed in a thick sauce of spices, tomato, onions & green chili. Intense taste like Kung Pao beef, but less tender, dfrnt spices. Curry lamb was mildly hot, lean meat & somewhat tender (not enough sauce). Sensible food portions. Xlnt service even amid large lunch crowd - poured tea, served n%dles for 3, & frndly chats. Worth a curiosity visit.
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Mingalaba Restaurant
Cuisine: Burmese
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Burlingame |
1/27/2009
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Make no bones about it, Greens is so (Zen) special. Hi ceiling w/ chalet feel, intimacy like Napa cellar, & serene marina view. F%d is super delicious. Masa Harina crepe ($25) was stuffed w/ grilled onions, roasted tomatoes, poblano chilies, cheddar, smoked cheese, marjoram & sage. V. complex flavors, A-. On d side, sauteed collard greens & grilled garnet yams wer all tender w/o fibers. I can see fresh organic produce from designated farm & talented c%king can make veggies taste better than meat. Our guests had yellow curry rice ($22) w/ 6 veggies c%ked in coconut milk & 4 herbs ("t% sweet"), & stuffed portobello mushr%ms ($25). Desserts wer great t%. Persimmon tart ($8.50) l%ked like pumpkin pie but tasted fruity & less sweet. Hazelnut caramel ($8) was medium dense w/ dried fruits on side, quite tasty. Cappuccino was strong w/ extra thick froth. Our server was patient w/ our slo ordering, returned many times & explained details. Hot H2O in teapot was refilled. Zensational place! 3.5*
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Greens
Cuisine: Vegetarian
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Marina |
1/13/2009
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Even after we finished lunch there, I just can't believe Rotunda on top of Neiman Marcus can serve really fine f%d over & beyond most other shopper cafes. D free hot chicken consomme, popovers & strawberry butter were a warm hello from d kitchen. A great way to rev up appetite. My sage polenta cake ($22) l%ked like a delicacy, with chanterelles sauteed in a divine sauce on top of browned polenta cake. D polenta had an intricate silky texture, & when eaten w/ d mushr%ms, delighted all my tastebuds. Mama mia! Her lobster spring rolls ($18) came in 4 half-pieces w/ ponzu dip & petite salad. D fillings tasted succulent, despite a thick wrap. Personally I would prefer d thinner Philippine lumpia wrap. Cappuccino was strong & served hot. 1st class service thru'out. Dis place has semi-palatial ambience, w/ lots of curves & some view of Union Sq on 1 side. What a special place! If they turn it into a stand alone restaurant & keep open after 5 for dinner, I'll be 1st to sign up. :-) 2009!
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Rotunda
Cuisine: American (New)
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Downtown |
12/30/2008
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'Twas 7 nites b4 xmas, all's calm & wet in Palo Alto. We found peace, joy, casual elegance & value meal in Vero. Inside was smart modern, B&W Italian scenery pix on d walls, white paper on top of yellow table cloths. U can drip sauce or spill wine at ease. D warm Italian bread had extra crunchy crust, A-. My roasted quails sat on top of frisee, w/ roasted shallots & pancetta ($21). D skin was limp, but d meat was tender & tasty, B+. Her pan roasted mahimahi rested on sauteed spinach, gamboni mushr%m & red onion ($22). Fresh, flavorful, spiked w/ garlic & rosemary, B+. No starch w/ secondi. D apple tart was homemade w/ a knitted crust, served w/ gelato ($7.50). Charming tastes, A-. From 7-9, young couples trickled in & filled up d place. Dis local joint is fit even for 3 wise men - humble, homey & hopeful in both f%d & ambience. Servers were friendly & helpful. :-) Xmas to y'all!
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Vero
Cuisine: Italian
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Palo Alto |
12/23/2008
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11/08 Sun. Boulevard is totally adorable. Inside has Anglo-American home charm. Lady chefs deliver exquisite cuisine. Mushr%m bisque ($15.50) was well balanced in chanterelle/herb & cream base, superbly sm%th & tasty. Pan-seared gnocchi w/ ricotta filling was simply magical in d mouth. "Pekin" duck ($34) was D best I've ever tasted, period. Sonoma duck breast was pan-roasted w/ crispy skin, the leg was slow roasted & served in thick slices. Both meats were moist, tender & tasted mRvLS w/ sauteed brussels sprout, huckleberry relish, pecans, thyme & garlic. Another xlnt dish was Dixon lamb ($36). T-bone was stuffed w/ mint, parsley, parmesan & roasted in w%d oven. 1dRfL flavor like no others. I also loved D mini lamb sausage & green mashed potatoes/parsley/garlic. Desserts were meticulous t% ($10.75). Coconut cream pie was served w/ frozen pineapple meringue on top. V. tropical flavor, could be a meal by itself. Creeme brulee was served on top of a spiced pumpkin pie. Pro service. 4.5*
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BOULEVARD
Cuisine: American (New)
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Embarcadero |
12/9/2008
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D nu Cal Academy Sci has many breakthru's to brag about, but d cafe is none of 'em. To me it's an expensive f%d court. Separate stations feature ethnic f%d made to order, very user frndly. Despite d publicized chefs, each dish is "c%ked" & assembled by helpers behind d counter. My Vietnamese halibut ($11.50) was pan-c%ked & added to a bowl already filled with vermicelles, bean sprouts, lettuce & cucumber. I could do that if I was allowed to be on d other side. Taste was ok, just like in a Viet place that costs $6. Her pork taco ($8.50) had 2 corn tortilla filled w/ braised pork etc & choice of salsa. D meat was more tender/tastyr than Taco Bell. Cappuccino ($3) was weak. D dining area is nondescript. A nearby patio adjoins a backyard, which would be great for doing self-packed picnic lunch (our option next time). By comparison, d so-so de Young Cafe across d square could be a god-send afterall. Besides d cafe, there R f%d stand and Moss Room (reservation only). Anyone tried it yet?
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Academy Cafe
Cuisine: Eclectic
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Inner Richmond |
11/28/2008
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10/08 Sat. Pro Bono is a hidden gem like Piacere. Inside is Tuscany decor, medium size, comfy & homey. Menu choices R balanced. Apps: Carpaccio di Veneccia ($10) had v. tasty, razor-thin beef, w/ tossed spinach, Parmesan & capers, B+. Artichoke stuffed w/ spinach ($8) was so-so, w/ some parts overbaked. Entrees: Smoked Sonoma duck breast ($24) was moist, juicy w/ strong smoky aroma, A-. D polenta was sm%th, mixed w/ sauteed mushr%ms. Veal scallopine ($19) was sauteed in Marsala, v. tender & flavorful, served w/ mushr%m meshed potato, A-. Grilled Cornish hen breast ($15 bargain) was mildly tender/tasty (overdone?), but the couscous w/ pancetta was lite & delicious, B+. Side veggies wer different 4 each dish. Dolce B+: Tiramisu ($6) was classic made, not in a cup, tasted 1dRfL! Chocl@ decadence ($8) was not t% dense not t% mousse, 2 my liking. Service was superb, even @ full house. We got a round of free port 4 finale, due to 30 min waiting beyond reservation time?
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Cafe Pro Bono
Cuisine: Italian
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Palo Alto |
11/13/2008
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10/08 Sun. I was clueless about Luisa until afterwards. We lucked out in dis controversial place & had a g%d dinner. Inside is Euro-like, charming, folksy, w/ used Chianti bottles hanging from d ceiling. We saw d lush green alley bar from our seats by d window. Ambience/comfort is B+. F%d is better than home c%king, B+. Linguine di mare ($22) was served piping hot, w/ squid ink linguine (al soffice) & plenty of jumbo prawn, sea scallop, fish, squid (all 80% done, perfetto). Chilean sea bass (alas! endangered fish) was medium c%ked, w/ artichoke & tomato/citrus sauce ($24). Amazingly d tomato sauces in both dishes tasted different. A glass of 05 Chianti ($8) was sm%th & totally enjoyable. Bread was soft, olive oil & balsamic wer grade A. Just luv 'em! Frndly polite staff, except 4 bad math. Hand written bill had $10 error - duely corrected w/ apology. Many locals came in after 7/8 pm. Nonfancy, unpretentious, honest c%king & dilicious. If u go B4 6 pm Sun-Thu, get 20% off!
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Luisa's
Cuisine: Italian
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Cow Hollow |
10/14/2008
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9/08 Sat. Dis samurai helmet/Kabuto is not 4 every1. Top 5 reasons NOT to go: 5. U faint when claustrophobic. 4. Still hungry after emptying d wallet. 3. Can't eat w/o wasabi/soy sauce. 2. There ain't any entree? 1. Hate 2B a sucker! Top 10 reasons to GO: 10. U luv nu wave sushi. 9. Zagat rated 4 hole n wall. 8. U think $3/sushi is cheap. 7. Menu w/ 15 ice sakes @ $6-22/glass. 6. Been bored w/ traditional sushi. 5. U dig exotic stuff in sushi, e.g. baby lobster, foie gras, lamb, Tasmania salmon! 4. Do yor share to pump up local economy. 3. Don't mind to ditch wasabi & use d tiny sauce paste on top of sushi. 2. U eat w/ yor eyes 1st. 1. They call u by yor nickname once u spent $100/person! Now picture dis: Hamachi sushi - rice ball, hamachi slice, pear slice, sauce paste (fruity mustard). Ceviche - rice ball, fried seaweed, halibut slice, salsa paste (lime). They're unusual, innovative, just different. How about taste? It's raw fish, stupid! Service was congenial.
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Kabuto Sushi
Cuisine: Sushi Japanese
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Outer Richmond |
10/2/2008
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Going to Macaroni chain is like homecoming. Same setting/decor, white gladiolus, drawing paper on table, loud kitchen noise. Familiar sights can be relaxing! It is also kid frndly. F%d, drink, ice cream all $5. Kids wer busy w/ coloring b%k when adults can have a decent meal. Authentic Italian or not, c%king here can pls d avg tongue & tummy. Hits: Calamari ($8) - sml squids, lite batter, v. tender, A-. Crab-stuffed mushr%m ($9) - moist, v. tasty, B+. Seaf%d linguine ($15) - fresh shrimp, scallop, clam, 80% :) done, rich flavors, A. OMG! Signature rosemary bread was oven fresh, so delizioso. Miss: Veal parmesan ($15) - 2 much cheese, 2 thick cut, 2 bland, saved by d simple angel hair. Amazing cappuccino - hot cup & saucer, thick froth, medium strong espresso, just like in Italy! Service was a toss-up. 1 kid's spilled ice H2O was cleaned up pronto. Getting xtra plates was slo. W/ 18% party tips, waiter was nice to box a new loaf instead of leftover bread. Eat here w/o attitude & enjoy!
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Romano's Macaroni Grill
Cuisine: Italian
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San Mateo |
9/12/2008
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8/08 Sun. Chaya rocks! F%d is gr8, meticulous, delicate. Rainbow sashimi ($18 app) was nicely presented, w/ salmon, tuna, hamachi on top a nest of seaweed & julienned cucumber, daikon, beet (no rice!). Sauce was outta wrld w/ olive oil, somtin sweet, few wasabi. It tasted sm%th, crunchy, multiflavored. OMG! Chayapolitan ($10) was mango sm%th, citrus punchy & butiful. AK wild halibut ($31) was 80% :) done, juicy, flaky, tasty, w/ wild mushr%m, white corn, barley, string beans in wine sauce. A+! Waiter suggested to pair with 5 yrs Buelwitz Riesling ($9/glass) - full body, mild sweet, fragrant, fantastic. Wild King salmon ($32) was 100% :( done, crispy skin, still moist & delicious. Sides had fried cheese, chanterelle, shemiji in reduced balsamic. A-! Chocolate croissant bread pudding ($9) was superb w/ xtra crispy croissant sticking outta pudding. Evry bite was heavenly. Dis place is hip, not too loud (except d jazz band), w/ view of Bay Bridge 2 die 4. Service was xlnt. Best fusion! 4*
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Chaya Brasserie
Cuisine: French Asian
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Embarcadero |
8/22/2008
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25th Ave in San Mateo is a local restaurant row w/ many budget & casual eateries. Little Shanghai has been our top fav. Its inside is not big, but seating is comfy. D xtensive menu has many items that we have not heard of be4, all r Shanghai regional f%d. Dim sum: steamed pork dumplings (8 for $6) & seared pork buns (6 for $5) r consistently gr8. Apps ($5 each): smoked fish, jellyfish, mung bean pasta r delicious. Hot & sour soup tasted better than most places ($6 enough for 6 servings). Exotic: stewed sea cucumber ($16), fish fillet in wine sauce ($10), stir-fried rice cake ($6), sesame dumpling in rice wine/petal sauce ($5 dessert, fragrant, naturally sweet & soothing). Shanghai n%dle ($6) was avg. F%d here is home c%king at its best. Ingredients r properly balanced in portions. Sauce & flavors 4 each dish r distinct on their own. Staff is polite & efficient. When bringing out each dish, they would say “Enjoy it!” as if ur best frnd. At peak hrs, expect 2 w8 15 min or more. 4*
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Little Shanghai Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
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San Mateo |
8/19/2008
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6/08 Sat. It is not easy to find a benchmark for reviewing de Young Cafe. Compare to generic cafeteria or a hypothetical fine cafe that resonates with fine arts? The food tasted average to us. The cheeseburger had a big thick patty and fresh lettuce, tomato & onion ($9.50). The meat was not tender nor marinated. But the fries were crispy & warm. The papardelle pasta was al dente with a basil/tomato sauce & mozzarella ($13). Personally I would like to have a moister sauce than a sticky coating on the pasta. Last time we had the chicken salad with big pieces of meat (firm & dry) and very fresh Romaine ($12). So the meats here are below par. Could it be worse for captive museum patrons if not for Bon Appetit catering? We had better tasting burger or pasta elsewhere. But think about the convenience (don't have to drive/walk to off-site) and the sculpture garden ambience. We also like the dishware, ceiling lamps & courteous service. BTW the Getty Museum at Malibu has the best cafe.
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de Young Cafe
Cuisine: American Bistro
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Inner Richmond |
8/7/2008
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6/08 Tue. Where can you find great food, serene gardens & local arts all in 1 place? Red Currant at the Allied Arts Guild is such a hidden treasure. The bistro is a makeover from a previous cafe. The food is superbly med, using fresh produce and fancy olive oil. The med salad ($13.75) was outstanding, with very tasty roasted peppers & mint-basil yogurt dressing. The roasted beet salad ($13.50) had both red & orange beets, served with horseradish cream & champagne vinaigrette. The tuna nicoise sandwich ($11.75) was uniquely Italian with sliced hard boiled egg & Persian cucumber on focaccia. The side green salad was well seasoned with balsamic & oil. Sitting in a fountain courtyard and surrounded by blooming flowers, can this be Tuscany, Catalan, or sunny Menlo Park? After lunch we strolled hand in hand in the maze of separate gardens -- roses, perennials, citrus trees & hanging baskets. These and the Spanish archway, stone/brick path & artisan stores are as charming as the food. Wow!
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Red Currant Cafe
Cuisine: Mediterranean Bistro
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Menlo Park |
7/30/2008
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7/08 Sat. I was debating whether I should write about Cook's. We only ordered fish n chips ($10) for each of us, and shared a white clam chowder ($3 for 8 oz). The place is small, but tidy & neat. There was not really a lot of stuff to review about. How about the different choices of fish you can pick? We had the halibut, which turned out to be a 1.5” thick, credit card size chunk of meat. I didn't like the artificial shape of the fish, nor the well done meat, albeit fresh and tasty. I could have ordered the Pacific cod, salmon, or sanddab (a few $ less), since later I saw that they were fillet shape & thinner (classical!). But the giant country fries were perfectly done. The chowder was ok, but I liked it more if it was thicker (eat with a fork!). At least I did not chew on any shell particles like in other places. Well, next time when I urge for F-n-C and feel lazy to go to HMB, I will return here and order cod, along with oysters too.
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Cook's Seafood Restaurant
Cuisine: Seafood
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Menlo Park |
7/22/2008
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7/08 Sun. We found Fresca during the Fillmore Jazz Fest. Nouveau Peruvian cuisine? Curiosity turned into a taste expedition. The small interior is decorated with Peruvian arts and blasted with hip music. For the ceviche trio ($15), we picked hamachi sashimi, lobster & crab, and mix of halibut, squid, clam & shrimp. Amazingly the sauce was different for each group, from pleasing soy/wasabi to sharp lime juice. Very titillating! The conchitas ($12) was very refined - pesto & quinoa crusted giant scallops, on a bed of mashed white bean & truffle lobster sauce. Nouveau indeed! The paella ($23) was outstanding - moist & full of spices with sausage, chicken, squid, scallop, mussel & clam. Half pitcher of sangria ($15) was enough for 4 - refreshing and well balanced in wine, juice & soda. For finale ($8 each), the tres leches chocolate cake was tender & subtly sweet, and the purple corn creme brulee was uniquely smooth & flavorful. The busy staff kept their sanity and efficiency. Bravo! 4*
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Fresca
Cuisine: Peruvian
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Upper Fillmore |
7/10/2008
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6/08 Sat. B44 is not the same rank as B52, and it could be a dud. We went for the $32 Dine About Town 3-course dinner. The goods: 1. Cured anchovies served with shaved cheese on top and pear slices on the bottom. The fish was cured perfectly without over salting and tasted great. 2. Tiger prawns grilled on an iron pan with garlic and spices. When first served, the prawn was cooked just right. But on standing in the hot pan, they seemed to be overcooked soon. But the strong spices made them ever delicious. 3. Dark chocolate mousse cake was intensely satisfying. The bads: 1. Paella Dine About Town was dehydrated and thus chewy with the cutup pieces of squid, shrimp and whatnots. May be it should be served in a regular dish instead of iron plate. The 4 mussels with shells were teasers. 2. Pork prime rib was dry, overdone and lack seasoning. The not so goods: sporadic service during the night, tight seating & small tables inside or out in the alley. Feel like real Spain?
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B44 Catalan Bistro
Cuisine: Spanish
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Downtown |
6/19/2008
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6/08 Sat. Masu is on the same block as Hotaru. It is more mod, spacious & comfy. The food is just as good or better. It has a big TV, nice seating and the feel of a bistro. The 49er rolls had alternate pieces of raw tuna and salmon on rice roll filled with crab meat. The cowboy rolls had raw tuna with the rice stuffed with cooked prawns. Both were nicely prepared. The fresh fish meat was cut thick and long, wrapped around the roll except the bottom. The roll itself was larger than at Hotaru. There were about 10 pieces per roll ($13). For the bento box ($13) we chose chicken (fried, a bit dry), eel sushi (delicious) & fried dumplings (v. good). The seafood rice noodle soup was excellent ($14), with abundant fresh fish, octopus, prawn, tofu & mushroom in a clear, tasty veggie soup. A small house sake was quite drinkable ($3). Overall, eating at Masu was both enjoyable and relaxing. The servers were prompt and eager. Have not tried the all-u-can-eat lunch yet.
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Masu Japanese Bistro
Cuisine: Japanese
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San Mateo |
6/12/2008
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5/08 Sat. Part of the fun in dining on Santana Row is strolling on SR itself. This is one unique place to shop, eat, drink, see & be seen. The wide sidewalk is adorned with gorgeous flowers. The plush shops and nice curbside bars offer the indulging good life. The expanded median is so European, with fountains, green and more bar seating. Among its peers, Tanglewood is quieter but the food is just as good. Unlike others, the sidewalk seating is sheltered by glass panels. The inside seating is spacious with warm & elegant decor. My half rack of Berkshire baby back ribs ($22.50) was smoked & grilled just right, coated with tasty glazed sauce. Tender & yummy. A delicious cornbread and handful of oiled baby greens added to my full meal deal. Her Niman 1/2 lb burger ($13.25) was marinated well. The string fries were freshly done & extra crispy. Service was tops, especially when our waitress kept smiling around every corner. “Dine in the season, live in the moment” How true!
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Tanglewood Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
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San Jose |
5/29/2008
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3/08 Tue. Bouchon could be the poor man's French Laundry? To me it's a nightmare. Failing to heed repeated warning of tight seating, we suffered by dining in the most cramped eatery in all Napa. The place was fully packed. Tables were a few inches to the left & right of ours. We could not talk above the loud surround sound of other people's shouting. That really hurt my appetite. My roasted leg of lamb ($29) was deboned and cut into a neat row of pink slices. There was a pool of consomme & some white beans. That's all? The meat was tender & tasted OK, but the cooking lacked depth & appeal even by bistro standard. Her cassoulet ($15 starter) came out lightly colored (sanitized?), packed with beans and duck confit, but not much flavor. Was the cook overwhelmed and chose the easy way out? He should go to the nearby Jeanty and taste their cassoulet! The waiter tried hard not to ignore us, but poor guy can only afford a few seconds each time. Wake up Thomas, you got a serious problem.
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Bouchon
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Napa |
4/3/2008
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3/08 Sat. We ate at Grand Taipei a few times and found the food consistently great. Its interior is comfy and bright. Servers are helpful and friendly. It's popular but never crowded beyond control. For starters, the pot stickers were more meatier than usual, with balanced tastes. The fried spring rolls were crispy but under seasoned (got to use dipping sauce). For entrees, the smoke tea duck was delicious, with tender meat & crispy skin (also fatty). The pan fried Chilean sea bass with roasted garlic was strikingly fresh and tasty. The kung pao prawns & scallops had a mild chili sauce and intricate flavor. The mu shu pork came with pancakes that were uniquely different - thin and pliable (no more broken wrapping). The combination fried rice was ok. The deep fried bread was fantastic, sort of like sugarless beignet. I had not tasted any MSG or suffered after effects from the delicious food. The place is off the beaten path, but worth the effort.
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Grand Taipei Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
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Hayward |
3/26/2008
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3/08 Sun. Move over Barbara's Fishtrap, Cliff House or Beach Chalet! Sam's Chowder House is my best fish & chips place. Beach front “resort” style with gorgeous view of surf & ocean. We sat outside on the top balcony level under the HMB sun. We saw blooming rockery flowers on a slope below, one row of Adirondack chairs for bar customers, and further down a crescent beach with calm water inside a marina barrier. A midlevel outdoor dining area is sheltered by wind panels and warmed by heaters & pit fire. In this romantic & intimate setting, we sipped Belgium beer on tap ($4.50) and savored the Manhattan clam chowder (with a hint of Cajun spices, $5.95). What a tasty invention! The fish n chips ($15.95) came with 3 large crispy pieces of Pacific cod, thin fries & coleslaw. The fish was moist & flaky, but excess dripping oil could have been drained off in the kitchen first. The server was extra helpful and bubbly to talk to. I got a free suntan on the spot too! Next time sunset dinner.
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Sam's Chowder House
Cuisine: Seafood
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Half Moon Bay |
3/15/2008
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3/08 Sun. Stella Alpina has cozy quiet ambience, small interior with outside views and sophisticated customers. Open only for dinner, their catering biz must be more profitable than doing lunch also. My Colorado rack of lamb ($28) had 4 large pieces garnished with caramelized onions. They were perfectly medium cooked and tasted great, just like those I had in Denver in the past. If you like lamb, forget New Zealand, Australia or Sonoma. Colorado is it! The 2 ladies ordered veal scaloppini: Milanese (breaded & pan-fried, $22) and Piccata (with lemon butter & caper sauce, $23). I was told they were delicious and tender. Surprisingly, our side veggies were all the same - potatoes, carrots & broccoli. Not sauteed, no sauce, just steamed. Cafeteria style cooking? In general, their food presentation is below par. The tiramisu in a glass tasted ok ($7). I missed the traditional cake style. Service was cordial. Overall, Alpina is no match for Piacere.
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Stella Alpina Osteria
Cuisine: Northern Italian
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Burlingame |
3/7/2008
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2/08 Mon. Crepevine in downtown Burlingame is a popular local hang out. It serves budget value meals of crepes, pancakes, sandwiches, pasta & salads. The curbside and porch seating have heat lamps, and the interior feels like a bistro. The crepes are made thin & crispy, packed with fillings and folded quarterly in a big pile. The other half of the plate is loaded with grilled potatoes and mixed green salad. My Santa Fe crepe had chicken apple sausages, scrambled eggs, melted provolone & fresca salsa. Very hefty for lunch. Her Kyoto had grilled tofu, sauteed spinach, bell peppers & shiitake in peanut sauce. Moist, delicious, unique. I was surprised at the 12 choices of crepes with various int'l themes. The holiday crowd at noon was overwhelming. But the manager passed menu to the line, and people can order as they moved up to the cashier, pay and be seated immediately. Our waiting was only 10 min. Great service, great home cooking!
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Crepevine Restaurant
Cuisine: American Bistro Crepes
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Burlingame |
2/22/2008
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2/08 Tue lunch. Neat interior, white tablecloth, packed with well-dressed & soft-speaking westerners. Is Ton Kiang a colonial Dim Sum country club? All Chinese staff with well spoken English and polished service. I can see the place can appeal to some clientele, when elsewhere can be noisy & cramped, not to mention rude servers. The Dim Sum menu seems to be sanitized for non-Asians (not a complaint). No chicken feet nor tripe, many deep-fried items, and even soft-shell crab! We tried 3 dishes (total $12): spinach-shrimp dumplings, baked curry beef tarts, seared mochi with custard filling. All were delicious, meticulously made and more refined than typical Dim Sum place. The Singapore curry rice noodles ($11) were packed with large prawns and thick slices of BBQ pork. The flavor was intense and rich. If you avoid the crowds and not to order Dim Sum after mid-day (made fresh in mornings), here is a decent sanctuary from madhouse like Mayflower!
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Ton Kiang
Cuisine: Dim Sum Chinese
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Outer Richmond |
2/16/2008
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2/08 Tue. Absinthe is a likable place to me mainly for the food/drink. It would be more so if I am a show patron or loud mouth in the bar. The server suggested 21 Hayes ($10), a cucumber-gin “premium c***tail”. It was refreshing with interesting taste. My braised beef cheeks ($26) were huge meat on a small plate (to match the small table?) It was unbelievably tender & juicy with rich beef taste. I would have preferred this to Ruth Chris' filet mignon! The bed of “smashed” potatoes, baby carrots and beets were enjoyable too. Her grilled pink trout ($25) tasted excellent in a blend of artichokes, olives & mustard greens on top, and creamy fennel confit & mustard oil all around. I can see the cooking here is 1 notch above and more refined than most bistros. The menu is changed monthly, which should be appealing to regulars or drop-in alike. Service was friendly and sufficient, considering the place was at 80% capacity up to 8 pm. We will return only if we can avoid the show dates. 3.5*
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Absinthe
Cuisine: French Brasseries
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Hayes Valley |
2/8/2008
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12/07 nye. Les Amis' 4-course tasting menu ($85) reminds me of how contemp French cuisine can be pleasantly different from traditional, yet short on creativity. 1a. Trio of caviar tasted normal, with silky potato blinis. 1b. The foie gras ravioli was too subtle, with tasty mushroom consomme & duck confit. 2a. The poached lobster tail was tastyr with vanilla sauce & chestnuts (winner). 2b. The Vermont quail was tender, accented with chanterelles. 3a. The Chilean turbot tasted fresh, but felt firm and cool as if mass produced and sat on a warmer. 3b. The duet of braised and broiled veal tenderloin had great flavors, except that the jus was subdued. 4a. The sponge cake was delicious, but the embedded strawberries were tart. 4b. The chocolate mousse was melty inside & soft outside, but the poached pears were hard. Service was superb, especially the sommelier who decanted and served our 2 red Bordeaux. Why were some ingredients & sauce so miniscule & scarce as to defy savoring? :) 2008!
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Les Amis
Cuisine: French
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Embarcadero |
1/9/2008
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12/07 Sat. Were we hit by twilight zone or holiday blues that night at Triptych? We stepped into a tin shed as cold as the winter night outside. The place felt desolate even with customers at a party table and 2 other couples. The waiter led us to the bench seats with baseboard heating. The marble top table added to the chilling ambience. The surrounding huge paintings were attractive in their own rights, except for being hung on unappealing tin walls. The long wait for our food was excruciating. But hail to the chef! My petrole sole was seared to crispy, served on a warm bed of mashed potatoes ($19). Very fresh & tasty meat. Her baked walu was served with coconut couscous & citrus sauce ($19), albeit cooled down in the kitchen. Firm meat with good flavor. The cappuccino cake was quite pleasing too. The food was enjoyable (positive), the dining room was unpleasant (negative). Any good interior designer to make over the place, please? May be the one who decorated the 70'ish restroom?
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Triptych
Cuisine: Fusion
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SoMa |
1/3/2008
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12/07 Sun lunch. It is heartwarming to know Della Santina came from the walled town of Lucca in N. Tuscany where we visited before. The small trattoria is decorated with family pix and memorabilia. Warm ambience and friendly staff made it feel just like at home. The pappardelle with cinghiales sauce was wonderfully tastyr ($18). The wild boar meat had such a unique flavor. The chicken ravioli was served with a delicious porcini mushroom sauce ($14). The penne pasta with porcini and chanterelle mushrooms was substituted with linguini by request ($17). A thick red wine sauce brought out the mushroom flavors. It was amazing to have the 3 pasta dishes each had its own distinct taste & flavor. The desserts here are as impressive as the pasta, since most of them are impregnated with liqueur ($6.50). The rum-soaked Italian sponge cake tasted silky and moist. The bourbon-instilled bread pudding was tender & light. Wow, how do they do it? This is a top trattoria unparalleled even in SF. 4*
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Della Santina's
Cuisine: Italian Tuscan
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Sonoma |
12/27/2007
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12/07 Sat. Bistro Jeanty is such an overwhelming place. Very French interior, cozy & homey, filled with jolly diners, and amazing food. We all shared the famous tomato soup with puff ($9) and sweetbread with shiitake & garlic ($15). The thick & creamy soup was divine, the sweetbread tasted heavenly like no other body parts! The flat iron steak ($26) was so-so, but the wine sauce with potato bits just saved the night. The pike quenelles with lobster sauce ($13 app) reminded us how simple & elegant a French dish can be. The home-cured pork belly and foie gras slices with lentil ($14 app) were tastyr & exotic all around. The best dish of the night went to the cassoulet ($24). Duck confit, sausage & bacon, all buried in baked white beans, and covered with an herbal bread crumb crust. Overpowering food, insanely delicious. When desserts came, we were relieved that the banana cream pie and chocolate brulee ($9-11) were able to soothe our exhausted senses. Friendly servers. 4*
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Bistro Jeanty
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Napa |
12/21/2007
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12/07 Sat. Thank God for created Atherton, Stanford Mall, and Flea Street Cafe in between. Thank Chef Jesse Cool for focusing on organic, sustainable, and “green”. The multilevel dining area is elegant casual, with white table cloth and mini lamp. My braised grass-fed short ribs ($32) were tender and full of complex flavors, served with fried potatoes, baby turnip & beets. Her grilled dayboat scallops ($15 app) were matched with shaved Sonoma cheese. But the best dish was the Sonoma duck breast ($30), with tenderly meat yet retained a firm/fresh texture. The preserved cranberry chutney sauce just added more dimensions to the taste. The 2-way lamb ($34) had braised riblets and grilled chop with apple/fig chutney. They were mellow and delicious. All portions were not overfilling, with equal balance between meat and vegies. The cooking is least fatty, yet plentiful of genuine tastes. Desserts: ginger creme brulee was ok, but the bread pudding was fantastic. Pro service. Another gem! 4*
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Flea St. Cafe
Cuisine: American (New) Californian
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Menlo Park |
12/12/2007
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10/07 Thu. Le Charm is 110% charming. Ignore the arterial street locale. Get inside the ambient bistro and head to the romantic patio seating. 3 courses for $30? Unbelievably attractive. 1st: my smoked salmon carpaccio was tasty and plentiful, her smoked mackerel (seldom available) on top of frisee was darn delicious. 2nd: the pan roasted pollack with broccoli and mashed potato looked deceivingly ordinary, but the shrimp coulis Newburg sauce boosted up all the tastes. 3rd: my profiteroles were just OK, but her tarte tatin was just heavenly. Wines in our hands (MacRostie Chardonnay and Sancerre, $10/glass) and a trio jazz band playing to our ears, can it be more charming? May be, if the wine by the glass is $2 less, or the bread is oven fresh & warm with crunchy crust. But no place is 100% perfect! Le Charm is 90% there. Service was fantastic. The fixed menu changes monthly, with 3 or more choices per course. 3.5* out of 5, +0.5* for very affordable. My best French bistro so far.
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Le Charm French Bistro
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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SoMa |
11/16/2007
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10/07 Sun. It seems Cafe de la Presse could be old world Starbuck in Paris. There are sidewalk and indoor coffee seating, huge magazine racks, wet bar and snacks. Shiny wood decor and antique-looking fixtures. Good ambience and warm feeling. Expect no wifi but enjoy your espresso the old fashion way. We were led through all these to get to the lower level dining room. I saw carafe wine on the menu and asked for a taste. It was too young, so I asked about other choices. The under-age server said she had not tasted them either, but she can let me try first. That's service! So we picked the Cote de Ventux, a rich red with full body ($7.5/glass). The menu is limited. I ordered the marinated lamb shank ($24), which was quite good. Tender & tasty. She had the braised beef stew bourguignon ($20). The meat was chunky and on the firm side, not as tender as I expected. The cooking is standard, without fanfare. Presentation was boring. Minimal side veggies. How can it survive the new world?
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Cafe De La Presse
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Downtown |
11/13/2007
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Little Saigon is unbelievable place. It is located 2 blocks from the busy Grant Ave, surrounded by non-descript biz'es. The inside is small and cramped with customers, some with families. Is this emulation of an actual Saigon eatery? Don't expect ambience other than the staff's hospitality. But everything else is amazing. First the smell of wok-fried food permeated the whole place. People were happily chowing down the food. The menu is impressively long, listing many popular dishes in Vietnam, Thai, and Chinese food. The waitress told us the chef was established in Saigon before coming here. The Vietnamese deep fried tofu was very tasty, crispy and unoily, served with tangy sauce. The Pad Thai shrimp noodle was the best I ever tasted. There were shrimp, fried bean curd, egg, bean sprout & peanuts. The mildly spicy sauce brought out more flavor. The beef combo noodle soup was so-so, mainly due to some tough chewy beef. Otherwise the soup base was tasty. Closed after 8 pm (5 on Sat).
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Little Saigon
Cuisine: Southeast Asian
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South San Francisco |
11/8/2007
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10/07 Sun. Where do you go for a quick bite when you finish watching a N. Beach parade and head to Pier 39 to catch the Blue Angels? We were lucky to stumble into Francisco while walking on Powell. The place is more like a local deli/coffee hangout than a cafe, across the street from Francisco High. For some reason I am so impressed with this joint. Is it because of the funky, overuse tables and benches? The barely minimal curbside seating? The deli and coffee menu? The street corner charm? Or the local artwork on the wall? I asked the 2 ladies behind the counter to suggest their favorites. They said: "Wild turkey sandwich" or "vegan sandwich". I ordered the former ($6). It was a deep pile of fresh & tastyr turkey slices (more than 1" tall), avocado, tomato & Swiss cheese in between focaccia (best tasting ever). There was more: baby green salad & honey dew. Along with a glass of strong ice cappuccino ($3), I was in frugal heaven! Wow, they can fix my lunch anytime. Service was homey.
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Cafe Francisco
Cuisine: European Deli
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North Beach |
10/26/2007
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10/07 Fri. Only 1 block off Columbus, Ideale is on a “local” street far away from the touristy mobs. On short notice our party of 6 was seated before 7 pm. The inside is cozy, lively and decibels rising. The menu is not extensive, but enough varieties. Most primi under $15, secondi under $20. For starter, the thin crust pizza was ok ($12). A bottle of 05 pinot tasted great at $34. My Aussie rack of lamb was grilled just medium and tasted tender & juicy. The 3 pieces were not big and the meat was fresh enough. The sides of roasted potatoes (=country fries?) and sauteed green veggie were the same for every secondi - nothing fancy. The veal scallopini dish had a huge piece of thick meat at bargain price. I was told it was delicious too. Her pumpkin ravioli were smothered in butter sage sauce and tasted average to me. The others were enjoying their pasta dishes too. Overall the food is very decent. Don't expect any wow factor other than genuine tastes. Service is normal & willing.
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Ristorante Ideale
Cuisine: Italian
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North Beach |
10/21/2007
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Ninna is budget gourmet alternative to Bay Wolf in the Piedmont dining scene. The place is not big, but pleasantly decorated and cozy. It's kind of Mediterranean-Thai fusion, but not on the cutting edge yet. On Sat 6 pm, we were the second party. I ordered Chef Ponnarong's daily creation: pork scallopini in wine sauce with mushrooms and mashed potato ($18). The pork and mushrooms were tender, well-marinated and tasty. Seasoning was balanced. I can't find any Thai here. Her sea scallop with eggplant in minced chicken basil sauce was fantastic ($18). The subtle taste of anise seed and other spices was unmistakably Thai. All serving portions were a bit smaller than usual. Food presentation was average. I did not like the pork & mushroom or scallop being drenched in the sauce. Most other places would have these key items placed on top of the sauce, thus preserving their look and identity. Dessert menu is weak. Efficient service. Nice pick if you're in the 'hood. 3*
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Ninna Restaurant
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Oakland |
10/16/2007
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After 2 visits to Pasta Moon, I can award it the Best Value Local Italian. It is roomy, cozy & shows the charm of HMB. Nilda's Lasagna is a must ($18). There are about 8 layers of thin, smooth & tender pasta, with the right amount of tasty fillings (even for cheese). It is sumptuous, but gives no heartburn. The linguine with Manila clams ($21) is another example that fresh house-made pasta is the king here. It was cooked al dente yet tender, bringing out the genuine taste of flour. Oil was used sensibly without giving up great taste. The grilled swordfish was tender and marinated well, served with saffron couscous ($24). We also enjoyed the seared diver scallop salad $20 (+ mango). The fried Monterey Bay calamari ($10) had a thin, ungreasy crust and very tender meat, albeit mild seasoning. Desserts ($8): Meyer lemon parfait has perfect balance of citrus and sweet tastes. The unique cassata cake has pistachio and almond gelati sandwiched between Genovese cake layers. Pro service. 4.5*
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Pasta Moon
Cuisine: Italian
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Half Moon Bay |
10/12/2007
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The Noodle Shop is a much welcomed addition to the budget eatery scene on a nostalgic street. It is small, neat and busy. In several visits, we tasted more great foods than not. I like especially the pan seared pork buns (juicy inside), the smoked fish (big serving, meaty) and the crispy turnip rolls. The steamed Shanghai pork dumplings are classic. There are about a dozen noodle choices, mostly with soup. The bowl is 10” across, filled with fresh home-made noodle and plenty of meat/veggies. The soup stock is delicious - tasty and not overpowering. I like the pork stew noodle soup with well seasoned meat. The chili noodle soup is great too, if you can withstand the fire! The baby bok choi steamed rice is mixed with small pieces of the veggie (fantastic taste) and served with fried pork chops (a bit dry). The cold noodle with ground meat and cucumber would be great too if the bean sauce was more flavorful. We got smiley service and a full stomach each time.
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The Noodle Shop
Cuisine: Northern Chinese
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San Mateo |
10/8/2007
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9/07 Sun 2 pm. Taylor's crowd had thinned out. The line was short. Weren't we lucky? My visitor ordered the hamburger, me and my lady opted for the fish taco. Big mistake! For $10, I got 2 tacos filled with heaps of “Mexican” coleslaw. I bit and bit deeper, no fish yet. Then I pulled out the slaw. Found 2 thumb-sized pieces of Halibut on the bottom. They were sauteed and tasted well. I forced myself to finish the first taco. But then I thought and thought. Was I being cheated of a proper portion of fish? I had fish tacos before, of different styles and making. This one had the least fish for the price. I complained to the manager. He looked inside the second taco and agreed. He said: “Sometimes the cook might put in a wrong portion”. He offered a replacement. I gave him a second chance. For sure, the new taco came out with equal portions of fish and coleslaw. Now that should be the new QC for Taylor. My lady did not want to repeat a scene. She finished hers already. She's on a diet!
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Taylor's Automatic Refresher
Cuisine: American (Traditional) Hamburgers
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Embarcadero |
10/5/2007
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7/07 Butterfly pairs uniquely with Slanted Door in cooking the best fusion food in SF. Chef Rob's modest use of Asian ingredients is more for accenting than domination. $9-10: The Sonoma duck confit spring rolls were full of tastyr duck meat, with a fantastic mustard honey sauce. The pan fried Shanghai garlic noodles were flavored with hidden oyster sauce. The chunky tomato confit added a Sicilian taste to it. $26: The Niman Ranch grilled pork chop was a winner. The huge chop sat on Riesling braised cabbage and covered with pineapple & ham cubes -- hence “sweet & sour”. The noodle pudding on the side was filled with Spam (!) strips and covered with melted cheddar. Its amazing taste reminded me of lasagna. The Maine dayboat scallops (cut like butter) were seared with lobster demi glace and sat on a patch of pea/lemon/leek risotto (outdid Italian). Mild orange and curry were used to “spice” up the food subtly. Great desserts, especially the bread pudding. Big portions & good service. 4*
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Butterfly
Cuisine: Californian Asian
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Embarcadero |
7/7/2007
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6/07 Mon lunch. You can find unique menu, authentic cooking, and antique posters in Old Shanghai. With help from a Shanghai-native friend and the waiter, we sampled several dishes. Must order: pan fried river shrimps #63, drunken chicken in clay pot #53. The plump baby shrimps were fried to crispy with ginger & scallion. The head, shell & all can be eaten in one crunchy bite, like pop corns. Fantastic! The young chicken was cut into pieces and soaked with rice wine and seasoning. Wow! Tastyr choice: pan seared pork buns #5 (crispy bottom, soft bun, tender meat), pan seared bean paste bun #25 (sesame coating was great), steamed dumplings #2 (skin thicker than I like, pork filling was semi-firm, second to Happy Cafe's), bean curd sheet filled with mushroom #61 (I like the layered sheets, not the bland taste). Alas, the stir fried rice cake #50 was too average in taste. Our orders cost $6-7 each. The food here is good for people with a native or acquired taste for Chinese region food.
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Old Shanghai Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese
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Outer Richmond |
7/4/2007
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6/07 Golden Gate has been a China town institution renowned for its egg tarts. I was told by Chinese friends that 3 generations of families keep coming back for the best tart this side of the Pacific. Every morning there is only 1 baking. When it's sold out, you gotta come back next day. Die hard patrons would buy a dozen at a time. The long line can spill out to the curb, which tells you it has gone to a cult status. Much like Beard Papa's cream puffs. The tart is bigger than elsewhere, measuring around 3 inches across. It emits a strong egg aroma. The shell is thinner than elsewhere, firm enough to withstand crumbling, and so crispy that would make a French pastry chef envious. The filling is egg yolk, egg yolk & more egg yolk. If you get your hands on 1, better find a place to eat it right away, or hurry back to your car or walk over to the Chinese Park for ditto. The worst sin is to wait until the tart is cold! Honestly, I have never eaten or set my eyes on their other stuff.
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Golden Gate Bakery
Cuisine: Chinese Bakeries
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Chinatown |
6/29/2007
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6/07 Fri. Bonarda is new and gets popular fast. It is medium size with decent inside and sidewalk seating. Around 7 pm, various couples with small kids were having family meals -- lovely sight! I went for the pan-seared strip bass served on a bed of couscous and yellow zucchini, carrot & grape tomatoes ($21). I loved the crispy, partly charred skin of the fish. The meat was moist and tasted fresher than what I got from the market. The couscous was good, with little oil/butter, yet flavorful. Her seafood linguini was served with clams, mussels & prawns ($16), all cooked just right. The tomato sauce was orange color and slightly glued to the pasta. She loved the mild taste. No excess oil was in sight after the plate was emptied. Must be a rare breed of healthy cooking? I can drink to that! The tiramisu had equal layers of cheese and ladyfingers, all tasted well ($7). But wait, I tasted espresso but no rum? Prohibition style? Very efficient servers. Keep on sparing fat, Bonarda! 3 stars
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Bonarda Restaurant & Bar
Cuisine: Italian California
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Burlingame |
6/27/2007
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6/07 Sun. For loyal patrons of Vida, it's easy to imagine dining in a local bistro on a quaint rue in Paris. The cooking is honest, pleasing, and damn tastyr. Servers are friendly. We started with escargot in herbs/oil. Small size really made them tender and melty. The duck pate came in 2 huge, perfectly seasoned & meaty slabs. The steamed mussels were small and cooked in herbal wine sauce. They tasted soft and fresh. Reminded me of those we ate in Nice. The warm & crispy French bread was ideal to devour the apps with. The mixed grill dish had a lamb rib, duck leg and spicy sausage, with pesto sauce. I just loved this meat combo, especially the duck with extra crispy skin. The rib-eye steak was thin-cut and flavorful. Can you believe that the paella here is fantastic too, with mussels & seafood cooked just right? The profiteroles were superb. It had been a totally enjoyable evening for 5. Not to mention the first uncorking of my 2000 red Bordeaux from Pomerol. Viva la vie! 4 stars
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Bistro Vida
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Menlo Park |
6/26/2007
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6/07 Sat. Uva (=grapes) is a popular local Italian that can serve up surprising tastes. The inside is spacious and the walls packed with pix of stars & singers. We ordered just enough for 4 to share. From the weekly specials, the grilled baby back ribs with pickled endive were delicious antipasto. The chicken saltimbocca with prosciutto and mozzarella was a bit dry in the breast meat, but compensated by high flavors in the sweet pea & sage risotto. The pancetta-wrapped lamb tenderloin was medium cooked, lean but tender & gamy. From the regular menu, the calamari fritti was superb in taste, prepared from small squids with panko dusting. Its pairing with fried fennel was awesome. The Black Angus rib-eye steak was perfectly done with green peppercorns and wine reduction. Dolci: Meyer lemon tart (refreshing & light) vs. chocolate budino (rich & heavy) with pistachio gelato and sweet Bing cherries. Very thoughtful dishes with great results. Friendly service too. Italian heaven in Napa? 4*
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Uva Trattoria & Bar
Cuisine: Italian Southern
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Napa |
6/21/2007
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5/07 Mon night. Zuzu is a Napa local joint that proves one can skip F.L. or Brix to have good food and save $. The interior is rustic Spanish with small but comfy seatings. The tapas cost around $10, with moderate serving sizes. The salt cod is most unusual, with blended fish meat that tasted soft and flavorful. The ceviche was the best I ever have in the Bay area. The chicken soup special was not like any others. It can easily outbeat any grandma's version. The Argentina marinated flat-iron steak was cooked medium rare. I cannot explain it, but the beef tasted better than American. The artichoke & portobello salad was rich in taste and refreshing, due to the lemon truffle vinaigrette. Like the other tapas for the night, the squash gratin with ricotta & basil was cooked skillfully and seasoned just right. We all had Belgium beer instead of wines, which paired nicely with the diverse food we had. The service was warm and friendly, especially for a group of 6. (3.5 stars)
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Zuzu
Cuisine: Spanish Tapas
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Napa |
6/9/2007
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5/07 lunch. To enjoy Cafe Claude, I had to pass up the clau(de)strophobic, shadowy alley seating and ignore the dark, old-style interior. Luckily the lunch crowd had left by 2 pm, and the staff was eating their meals. We picked the assorted charcuterie ($15), with salami (so so), duck sausage (lean and great taste), shredded duck meat pate (almost like meat loaf, super flavors), chicken liver pate (smooth, creamy, and exotic), and prosciutto (top quality). The bread was kept coming to finish the pate. How come we did not order wine? Next I had the pasta du jour ($14), which came in a small bowl. The few pieces of salmon and halibut were cooked just tender and tasted great with the light tomato cream sauce. The penne pasta was semi al dente and tasted less starchy than some Italian eateries. The food was good but not exceptional. To me the price is a bit over, but then it must not be easy to reproduce a French bistro in downtown America. Yet, this won't be my preferred lunch place.
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Cafe Claude
Cuisine: French (Bistro)
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Downtown |
5/23/2007
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5/07 Thu 5 pm. No lines at Beard Papa! Got 2 cream puffs in 5 min: vanilla bean ($1.75) and strawberry flavor ($2.10) of the week. Walked over to the sunny Yerba Buena park and sat down near the waterfall. Quickly took out the puff with the paper pouch from the sack, and held gently. Next gently lifted up half of the puff from the pouch and approached with the mouth. Made a small bite gently each time. The puff was not stone cold yet, but semi-crispy, soft and cushy. The amount of cream was just right, tasted semi-sweet, and not overloaded with sugar or fatty stuff. This is the mama of all puffs! The vanilla was good, but the strawberry was even better. At the end, some cream was left inside the pouch. But discreet licking took care of that. Thanks to the pouch my hand was not messy! Where do they say it is Japanese? On the website, the owner is identified as Muginoho Co of Japan. No wonder, that fits the legacy of Japanese rendition of western pastry. (beware of map error)
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Beard Papa
Cuisine: Japanese Bakeries
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Downtown |
5/17/2007
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5/07 Sat lunch. Pres a Vi is a global fusion/wine bar restaurant, obscurely located in G. Lucas' “campus”. Its huge interior, modern decor and green outdoors are impressive. The specialty c***tails ($10) have depth and dimension, not just juice & alcohol. Zensation is best (pear vodka, green tea liqueur, pineapple, lime), Jasmine Blossom and Tequila Fresas are unique. The bread basket had assorted rolls and fried butter crackers (can I buy a case?) My fish & chips had panko crusted salmon and halibut, served with soy and tartar sauces ($9). The fish was fresh, flaky and tasty. Her fish tacos were the winner ($9). Medium done mahi-mahi placed on 3 small soft tacos with diced tomatoes, onions & lettuce. Seasoning was just right. Niece had Kobe beef & bacon burger with shoe string fries ($10). She was busy chowing down, must be good! Desserts were awesome too ($8). Polenta cake (soft, moist and flavorful), chocolate truffle purse (filled with molten lava). Nice service. What a gem! 4*
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Pres A Vi
Cuisine: Eclectic Small Plates
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Presidio |
5/9/2007
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5/07 Happy news to Burlingame! On the same block there are 3 new restaurants. Nectar is only 4 months new. It is chic and very popular already. There are bar stools, sofas, and small intimate tables. Wine is sold by tasting (2.5 oz), glass, bottle and take-home bottle (retail $). We had the bubbly flight (Italian, Spain & French for $15). Very select and fantastic choices. The French and walnut breads were sprinkled with olive oil, great for the sipping before any food. My hand-formed pork meat balls were the best, surpassing even Swedish ones ($19). The side veggies got the fusion touch: fried onion rings, peas, fava beans, pepper leaves (!) in a thin parmesan prosciutto brown sauce. Super flavors. Her small plate of chicken sausage was huge ($13). The side was unique - onion, spinach & bread pieces in a rich and tasty panade. Dessert: upside down polenta cake with pineapple slice and ice-cream ($8). Marvelous! Recipe please? Party ambiance, cheerful service, can be addictive! 3.5*
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Nectar Wine Lounge Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
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Burlingame |
5/6/2007
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4/07 Il Fornaio was full house on Thu at 7 pm! Luckily we had reservation. It feels like a bistro: big open hall, high ceiling and glass walls facing 2 streets. One has to tolerate the noise level. The food is better than average chain brands and serving size is generous. The bread basket reminded us of its bakery origin. 3 kinds of breadsticks (freshly crunchy), warm olive bread and Italian's. The lightly battered, meaty but tender calamari was one of the best I had. My grilled bluenose sea bass was fresh, tender inside and crispy outside. It was over a mound of baby spinach leaves and mashed potatoes, surrounded by halved grape tomatoes. Great flavors. Her gnocchi Emilia came with butternut squash, Italian ham, bits of porcini mushroom and truffle oil. I liked the soft dumplings, but she preferred al dente. Desserts: Chocolate mousse was the best, limoncello tart was good too (like key lime pie). Service was courteous, efficient and prompt. Great place for regular dine out.
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Il Fornaio
Cuisine: Bakery Italian
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Burlingame |
4/29/2007
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4/07 Wed. Pho Dong has modern interior and furniture, as much upbeat and neat as any mainstream American restaurants. We sat down around noon, just ahead of some local office lunch crowds. The signature beef noodle soups have several meats to choose ($7 big, $6 medium). My tendon and steak pho had thin meat slices, and half-n-half of egg and rice noodles combined (in a nice looking big bowl). The beef tasted smooth, not grainy like others. The accompanying Viet basil leaves and chubby bean sprouts were as fresh as if coming from a backyard farm. If ramen soup is great for winter (rich and fatty), then the pho here is ideal for spring (light and refreshing). The grilled pork over vermicelli was even tastier, with medium thick pork slices emitting strong BBQ aroma ($8). Friendly and smiley service. The full menu also has appetizers, salads, rice plates, special entrees, and vegetarian dishes (see on its nice website). We have to come back more often to taste some of them.
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Pho Dong Vietnamese Restaurant
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Redwood City |
4/25/2007
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4/07 Sat. Hotaru is hot. At 6 pm, we saw thongs of people waiting inside and on the curb. We wrote down our name on a clip board and waited for more than half-hour. Interior is small with marginal tight-seating, even at a booth table. Noise level was OK. Servers ran about like bees, trying to satisfy every customer (good sign). We ordered several sushi, which tasted average. The soft-shell crab in the spider roll was not as meaty or crispy as I like. The spicy tuna roll surprisingly had hot chili sauce inside, instead of more wasabi like I thought. The dragon roll with shrimp tempura was nice. Most impressive was the sashimi combo. Three big pieces for each of tuna, salmon, and yellow tail ($19). The fish tasted even more fresh and lively than at Fuki Sushi (top favorite in Palo Alto). For the chicken udon and beef saba noodles, a clear soup was used. I like this simple yet tasty version, very much like home cooking. The house sake was super. I'll be back just for that and sashimi!
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Hotaru Japanese Restaurant
Cuisine: Japanese
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San Mateo |
4/15/2007
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We live in an imperfect world. Fleur de Lys cannot disprove that. Amid opulent setting and friendly service, the semi-French cuisine has split personality. In Duo Foie Gras, the foie gras/duck burger is tasty novelty (but brioche bun is hard), yet the baeckeoffe with foie gras, mushroom & potato is bland. In Lobster & Truffle Cappuccino, the corn bread with lobster is uniquely flavored, but the potato/leek soup is watered down. The food is presented in a colorful palette, but the ingredient choice can be less tasty. Halibut dish: WHITE fish (very tasty) is on top of YELLOW corn & ORANGE rhubarb sauce, surrounded by GREEN soy beans (bland) on blotches of BROWN truffle sauce. Colorado lamb dish: PINK loin meat (wow taste!) is in a pool of BROWN sauce. On the side, WHITE mini-sausage of lamb cheek meat (superb), GREEN sugar snap peas, and WHITE beans with RED tomato sauce (bland). Succumb to the chef's culinary expression? The desserts are truly French delicious, especially the souffle.
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Fleur De Lys
Cuisine: French (New)
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Nob Hill |
3/23/2007
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3/07 Sun dinner. Yo dawg, do we need more Chinese food review? Fung Wong was packed with crowds that night. I was invited to a BD party. The decor is Chinese traditional (3 lanterns). Noise level 2.5 gongs. Service was casual attentive, semi-personal (3 bows). Neatness 2 brooms. Dishes I like: Gai-choy veggie (4 slurps), fried whole petrole sole (3 slurps), pan fried egg noodles with assorted seafood/meats (3 slurps). Dishes I deemed below par (all 2 slurps): ginger crab, black bean clams with bell peppers, deep fried quails, steamed chicken (1 slurp only). Dishes I dislike (all 1 yuck): "overdone" beef cubes with scallions (Chinese kitchens seldom cook beef medium or rare), "corn starch" seafood soup. Add all the scores (minus yucks & gongs) and divide by number of score items = total score of 1.6 chopsticks! The place is 2 blocks from Koi Palace. It's your call whether to come here for madhouse relief from there. Please order what the kitchen does best, not what you would like!!
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Fung Wong Chinese Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese Cantonese
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Daly City |
3/19/2007
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3/07 Fri night. One has to go to San Carlos to get a complete value package. The street is lined with trees lit up by tiny white lights. At the door, one can hear the 3-men jazz band playing in the bar. We were seated near a warming fire place. Piacere's menu is updated daily, with 6-8 choices in each course. Nothing costs more than $26. Wow, they serve warm breads here (sliced focaccia & ciabatta)! I started with a bowl of fish chowder. Very refined, cream-based, and blended with shredded fish, potato & carrot pieces. Amazingly tasty. My braised short rib was on top of a mound of pappardelle pasta. The uncommon sauce is made with melted carrot, achote & coco bits, wine and beef stock. The lightly salted seasoning is most welcome. Her wild salmon was surrounded by several clams on a bed of black lentil (spiked with kelp bits). Without using cheese, heavy cream or butter, both dishes bring out the natural wonder of the food. This lovely place is worth a city folk's driving. 4.5 stars
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Piacere Restaurant
Cuisine: California Italian
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San Carlos |
3/10/2007
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3/07 weekday lunch. Timing is everything in pursuit of a happy meal. Shortly after the 2 pm open time, we were the 3rd party and had the whole inside to ourselves. Ottimista specializes in Italian wines. Wanting to try a new wine, I had a red (2000) from Corbieres appellation in S. coastal France. Very silky and full body. Like Chianti, it has weak bouquet but decent taste. She had the Limoncello Drop, made with 3 parts limoncello, 1 part vodka, and lemon juice (I asked and got the recipe). It tasted fantastic, and I never thought that limoncello can be used for cocktail. The menu shows small and big plates, meaning whether they cost less or more than $10. My linguini with pork sausage (chopped) and spinach was delizioso, largely due to the Grana Padano cheese sauce (medium weight). Her grilled panini was stuffed with top quality prosciutto, preserved figs and Asiago cheese. Very nice combination, but too bad fresh fig is not in season. Can't wait to taste other wines & dishes.
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Ottimista Enoteca Cafe
Cuisine: Northern Itial
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Marina |
3/8/2007
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2/07 Wed breakfast. Here's my Convenient Truth. Out of 26 places open for online booking, Capurro shows $$ and located off the busy downtown. I can count the positives. 1 hr meter parking 1 block away for $2 of coins (+). The interior is bright and spacious, not crowded at 8:30 am (+). Seating is wide and comfy (+). Lots of choices on the menu (+). The servers are all smiley, giving reliable suggestion (+). The coffee cup is huge, refilled often enough (+). Being a gourmet coffee addict, I wish the coffee is from Starbuck or Peet's. Food comes in less than 8 minutes, personally by the cook at the grill (+). The egg benedict with crab cakes and hash brown tasted above average (+). The crab cake is especially creamy soft, so is the hash brown. The French toast comes with fresh strawberries and blue berries that are ripen sweet (+). The price is not exactly bargain, but someone has to pay for all these +. We had 10 min left to walk outside and savor the bay views (+). Got Oscar?
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Capurro's
Cuisine: Seafood Italian
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Fishermans Wharf |
2/28/2007
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Iron Gate is a rare gem located in a quiet part of Belmont. The interior reminds me of club dining in a previous era. It has soft lighting, palatial decor, and servers dressed in tux. The continental fare is traditional with touch of class, and no hype nor hip. The food flavors are intense and rich, the ingredients fresh and premium select. I had the escargots bourguignon, before it becomes extinct from the menu. They tasted fantastic, not too chewy nor mushy. Why nobody likes them any more? The onion soup was just classic, even the over seasoning (!) Entree such as rack of lamb (in wine & mushroom sauce) and scallops (sauteed in white wine, cream & mushrooms) tasted outstanding and very nostalgic. For Gen Xers who want to experience “back to the future” and good old continental food, this could be the place (before it disappears like Betamax). Analogous to vertical wine tasting, the cuisine at Iron Gate offers the best of vintage 1960's dining to compare with 2000's. (4 stars)
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Iron Gate Restaurant
Cuisine: Continental
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Belmont |
2/22/2007
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Visited 2/07. Aziza is Ah So Special! The interior is cozy, colorful and sensual, with spacious seating packed with pillows. The Moroccan accents are embracing. Starter: baked giant lima beans in tomato sauce, topped with feta cheese. The combined flavor is unique and seductive, rich with unrecognized, hidden spices. While waiting for our overdue entree, we were served a free bowl of lentil soup. It is damn tasty, enhanced by cumin, and accented with a huge Medjool date on the side. The Moroccan date is soft, aromatic and not sugary. My squab dish has the breast meat cooked medium rare and cut into fillets, served with baby Shimeji & Shiitake mushrooms and bitter green. The Ras el Hanout (secret Moroccan spice mix) reduction sauce makes this dish a gold medalist! Her prawn tangine is medium cooked and boosted by “chutney” sauce of Meyer lemon, tomato, sweet peppers, roasted carrots, and halved Kalamata olives. All so tasty! Aziza qualifies for a World Cuisine Heritage site! (4 stars)
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Aziza
Cuisine: Moroccan
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Outer Richmond |
2/19/2007
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Visited 1/07, lunch. Fat Wong seems to be a popular local joint serving above average Cantonese food with good value. Located in a bungalow with well lit windows on 3 sides, the place is neatly kept and offers comfy seating. But CASH only. We tried 2 of their congee specialties: pork (with pork bone soup base) and beef. The congee base was medium in thickness, smooth and tasty. Both meats were well seasoned and tasted delicious. The Won Ton noodle soup was fabulous. Larger than usual portion of egg noodle, and gigantic Won Tons almost as big as golf balls (stuffed with shrimp and pork). The pork neck meat stirred fried with bitter melon was OK, and not as refined as Zen Peninsula's. The beef with wide rice noodle looked familiar since the beef pieces were the same as those used for the congee. The menu has a huge selection of typical Cantonese dishes. A regular can come in daily for months without exhausting what to eat. Very efficient and friendly service too.
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Fat Wong's Kitchen
Cuisine: Chinese
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San Bruno |
2/17/2007
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Visited 2/07, lunch. Lavanda's interior is color coordinated and cheerful. With lavender-colored tulips on the table and cordial service throughout, it is easy to overlook the cooking that is without wow factor. My grilled fish sandwich was better than a lot of similar places. I liked the baby Romaine lettuce next to the thick slab of Pacific cod. The accompanying orzo salad tasted complex and invigorating, with citrus and basil flavors. She liked the smoke trout sandwich, served in flat bread. Serving size of the food was generous. The lunch menu offers more variety than Bistro Elan, but they are more common types and not as “special” as the latter (which changes every month or so). If I suspect the head chef was not on duty for lunch at Lavanda, I bet you Elan's was (judging from the exquisite lunch we had recently). Sometimes it is a give and take thing. Nice decor may compensate for unimaginative food here, or creative cooking can make up for mundane setting at Elan's.
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Lavanda
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Palo Alto |
2/14/2007
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My dining experience in Campton Place was a strange one. The walled interior is softly lit and opulently appointed, yet I did not feel the ambience. The seemingly private setting (in contrast to Michael Minna's open lobby style) gave me a desolate, old fashion feeling. A French Champaign cart greeted us, so we picked our individual favorites ($24 a glass). After some chitchat we ordered from the 3-course menu. The food was skillfully executed for sure, but the portion was the size of a credit card (like what healthy eating supposed to be?) The pairing of some side ingredient was debatable, hence tasted strange instead of exotic. Crab with eggplant compote, lobster with heart of palm puree? (adding fibers, not taste) We enjoyed the French artisan cheese, not prepared by the new chef, but choice selection and wonderful taste. The chocolate savarin/mousse was good too. Service was average and below expectation. Can I call this place “experimental” cuisine for now? Good grief!
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CAMPTON PLACE
Cuisine: Mediterranean
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Downtown |
2/12/2007
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Here's my sad story of Koi Palace (victim of its own success). I've eaten there on and off since day 1. Early on, the place was a godsend in Daly City. Live seafood, superb Dim Sum, and Americanized service. The fresh abalone was sold per oz, but worth every gm of it. This place was the first few that put fish fillet inside steamed rice crepe - a novelty then. The roasted piglet was the best in town. Now the quality is transformed from sucking piglet to “toddler”, neither as tender nor juicy, but costs the same anyway. After the expansion /renovation, things seem to go downhill faster. May be the crowd is too overwhelming, or the staff at both back and front is burned out, or the manager loses focus? Prince charming has turned into a toad! Recently, most upsetting to me was to hear persistent foul language conversation from nearby tables (“new” immigrants?). The customer demographic has changed for worse too? Food is OK, but bad experience overall. So now I spend my $ in Millbrae.
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Koi Palace
Cuisine: Dim Sum Seafood
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Daly City |
2/9/2007
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Visited 11/06, lunch. Quattro has more to offer than a typical hotel restaurant. It has an upbeat, pleasant and spacious interior. The outdoor seating in the midst of a business center is like in a Hollywood movie set. Buildings with stone & marble walls and streets without pedestrians – quite surreal. I had the calzone with smoked chicken, Harley Farms ricotta & feta, and caramelized onions. The huge serving tasted delicious and satisfying. Her zucchini blossom and English pea risotto with Crescenza cheese was quite fancy in look and rich in flavor. They made the best muffin-like bread we ever tasted, served with house-made sun dried tomato and Kalamata olive spread. The tiramisu came with triple chocolate biscotti and raspberry marsala “emulsion”. A wonderful wrap up with cappuccino. 1st class service. If you want to change the scenery from your old hangouts, Quattro could be your next spot. It is out of the beaten path, so would be ideal for business retreat or lovers' rendezvous!
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Quattro Restaurant
Cuisine: California Italian
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Palo Alto |
2/7/2007
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Visited 2/07. Slanted Door looks like an upscale neomodern dining hall. The glass & wood interior by Olle Lundberg fits perfectly with the simplistic Asian fusion cuisine. The dinner menu is impressive in its wide varieties that can suit any palate. The cellophane noodles are mixed with generous lumps of Dungeness crab meat, with minimal sauce. The flavors are noticeable yet not intruding – basil, fish sauce, oil, and touch of sugar? The spicy squid is super fresh and tender, lightly cooked with pineapple, sweet red peppers, jalapeños and Thai basil. Imagine the blending of natural fruity sweetness against the mildly hot and herbal spicy tastes. I can unravel the cooking secret here: every ingredient has a purpose to attribute to the multidimensional taste, and no ingredient is used without a reason. The sweet mung bean dumplings in warm spicy ginger soup are just amazing. Pardon my graphic writing: feeling the soft dumpling in the mouth is like French kissing! 4 stars out of 5
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Slanted Door, The
Cuisine: Vietnamese
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Embarcadero |
2/5/2007
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Recent visit: 12/06. Café Salina offers nostalgic Hong Kong style Chinese food. Come here to explore regional specialties. Breakfast combo: congee (with seafood or “1000 yr” egg & pork) and steamed rice crepes (fish or BBQ pork). The congee is medium thick, loaded with the meat of choice. The crepe has more stuffing than usual. A signature dish is Hainan (island in S. China) chicken (free ranch), served with exotic sauce and coconut rice. One cannot get any tenderer, tastier chicken than this. The chicken or pork satays are grilled tenderly, served with a spicy (not hot) and fruity peanut sauce. The steamed taro cake is excellent too. She likes the HK style spaghetti with pork chops (so-so to me). Ginger Soy Milk, a rarely found dessert, is a Macau (Portuguese colony returned to China) specialty. It takes 10 min to make and comes out warm and curded. It is infiltrated with ginger juice, aromatic but not spicy hot. The semi-sweet soy milk balances well with the ginger taste.
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Cafe Salina
Cuisine: Asian
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Millbrae |
2/4/2007
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Visited 1/07. Rubicon is located on a neglected side street and the interior is low-key (except Chihuly's gigantic glass art). But everything else is world class. We went for the Dine About Town 3-course dinner costing $32. I am impressed with the chef's creativity in adding ACCENTS to what is already gourmet cooking. Such as roasted NW mushroom salad (+beet puree), steamed Prince Edward Island mussels (+orecchiette pasta), braised Sonoma chicken (+caramelized onions), roasted petrale sole (+ginger, miso vinaigrette). The composition is simple like a piano sonatina, but produces integrated tastes that are as profound and intriguing as a symphony. The tender chicken meat is entrenched with flavoring that I can see why braised food is in vogue now. The roll-up sole fillet is roasted on the outside and has soft mellow feel on the inside. The desserts are accented too: semolina cake (+ Madeira dates), bittersweet chocolate tart (+caramel apple). Top-notch servers. 4 stars out of 5.
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Rubicon
Cuisine: Californian French (New)
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Downtown |
2/2/2007
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Visited 11/06. Capellini is a local restaurant with distinctly strong character. The interior feels romantic with golden amber lights and seclusive partitions. With high ceiling, the place feels spacious and classy to complement the traditional Italian food they serve. The calamari fritti was done with heavy batter, accompanied by creamy dipping - tasted average. The penne pasta with pancetta was richly flavored, just like in Florence. The veal scaloppine with mushrooms was classic, with thin-cut meat and rich buttery taste. However I like Spiedo's veal more than here. We enjoyed the tiramisu (true to traditional taste) and lemon & lime torte (right balance of citrus flavor). The server was friendly and took time to chat with us in between servings. We brought along a Tuscany red ($10 corkage), since their wine list of fine selection is quite “upscale”. In Capellini you relive Italian dining in a 1920's historic building done by an acclaimed designer. 3 stars out of 5.
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Ristorante Capellini
Cuisine: Italian Northern
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San Mateo |
1/31/2007
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Recent visit: 11/06. We discovered Spiedo several years ago. The 1st thing we noticed was the incredible olive oil that we asked for with the bread. It was extra virgin, thick, and tasted freshly pressed! It turned out that they have an olive grove in Central Valley, and bottled enough for in-house use. They still serve it on our recent visits. Both the lunch and dinner menu have well balanced selections. The panine and salads are large portions, yet very delicious with "handpicked" ingredients. The pizza from wood-fired oven smell mesquite, with medium thick crust and toppings treated with minimal tomato sauce. The pasta dishes came out extra warm and richly flavored. The dinner dishes are smaller but just as superb and consistent. The thin-cut veal scaloppine (in light lemon cream sauce) and grilled salmon (with sun dried tomatoes & capers) are total satisfaction. Alas, the side veggies were limply. The place is modern, comfy and ambient. Servers are friendly. 3 stars out of 5.
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spiedo ristorante
Cuisine: Italian
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San Mateo |
1/29/2007
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Visited 12/06. Looking for a quick lunch in Ferry Terminal, we came across Delicarf-1, with the shortest line. We were surprised to find the food is above average among peers. My curry lamb shank with rice exemplified smart preparation in the kitchen. The Japanese style curry sauce was less fatty than usual, with milder spicy flavor different from Indian or Thai. The lamb meat was lamb-lover's delight - good cut, tender and gamy. More crucially, the rice was steamy hot, scooped from a warming rice cooker. Since I drove that day, we went up to Coit Tower parking circle (not crowded on weekday) to eat our lunch with a view to kill for. My meal was still warm after I devoured the last piece of lamb! Her bento box was not unusual, except for the salmon roll. For the 1st time we realized that Vietnamese rice paper can be used to make sushi roll. How creative, this is Jap-Viet fusion food? I wished they put in dried seaweed also. Good going, Japanese entrepreneur from afar!
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DELICA rf-1
Cuisine: Japanese Deli
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Embarcadero |
1/25/2007
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Recent visit: 12/06. It may be easy to find heavy, creamy and sweet desserts in many places, but it takes divine encounter to come across a healthy choice. When I cannot get enough kick from Asian pastry, I go to the Cakery. There seems not excessive fat to clog my arteries, nor too much sugar to induce type 2 diabetes. All the marzipan cakes taste genuinely good. Use of mild sugar allows the almond to come through. The fruit tarts have fresh ripen fruits (yep, the strawberries are not sour) and crispy shell. The dark chocolate cake has rich chocolate taste and medium texture, yet not dense nor intense like the devilish one in Max's. We like to grab a sidewalk table, and cross the street to get cappuccino from Peet's (apology to Cakery's own brew). On a sunny afternoon, this is the place to be, watching the Burlingame Ave shopping crowd go by. May be we are biased already, we still have to explore Copenhagen Bakery next door.
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Cakery
Cuisine: European Bakeries
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Burlingame |
1/24/2007
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Recent visit: 1/07. This is my bakery discovery of 06. Asian pastry is typically less fat, less sugar and finer texture than western. Sogo has mastered the art. My favorite black forest cake has light chocolate cake layers, embedded with liqueur cherries. The balance of liqueur, chocolate and non dense cake makes a crisp and lasting taste. Chestnut cake is a signature Asian specialty not easy to find elsewhere. There are equal layers of chestnut paste and sponge cake, with minimum cream in between. In other places, the cream can take up half the cake. The tiramisu is unusual, using sponge cake layers instead of lady fingers. But I love the generous soaking of rum and under use of cheese. Ain't this light, healthy choice? Use of sugar is well balanced in all the cakes (not for sweet tooth!) Smart buy: $2 for 9 sesame dinner rolls, distinctly super tasty, with fine texture and strong taste of egg and goodness of flour. I usually do take out. Few tables for people who can't wait!
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Sogo Bakery
Cuisine: Asian Bakery
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Burlingame |
1/23/2007
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Visit date: 1/07, Fri lunch. Inside Bistro Elan I could feel the full crowd and a semi-sterile decor. B&W photos on white walls, white paper on top of white table cloth. But the food was rich in taste yet devoid of unneeded fat/cream. She had the last dish of risotto with rock shrimps. For $18, it had only a cereal bowl worth of food. But the delicious risotto was soft, not mushy, with a hint of Meyer lemon. The rock shrimps tasted so fresh that they could jump out at you. The texture was like lobster, with natural sweetness - not fair to be called shrimp! My pan-seared albacore tuna was excellent, in that the cooked surface was 1/8" thick each side (instead of usual 1/16"). So the raw inside was proportionally less on a 1/2" steak, making a good balance of cooked/raw tastes. The sauteed winter vegies on the side were superb: red and golden beets, saffronated red potatoes, red onions, all richly flavored yet unoily. That's meticulous, healthy cooking! Can't wait to taste dinner there.
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Bistro Elan
Cuisine: Californian French (Bistro)
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Palo Alto |
1/22/2007
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Recent visit: 11/06. Happy Cafe is for the motivated food connoisseur. Its Chinese name is "Little Eat Place", fitting for the small interior and small plates on the menu. It serves authentic Shanghai "tapas" (NOT Dim Sum). The signature item is steamed Shanghai dumplings, the best on West coast. The wrapping is thin yet strong enough for gentle handling without breaking. Upon biting, a small amount of warm, tasty soup juice came out. The meat inside is soft like mash mellow, with balanced seasoning. The pork chop noodle soup is way above any peers. The pan fried meat is tender and crispy. The egg noodles have rich egg and flour tastes. The Shanghai thick noodles with pork were a bit oily, and average in taste. The cold items of tripe and beef slices are simple yet exotic in taste. Weekends only: "sandwich" of spice-seasoned beef in between crispy green onion pancakes - outstanding! The service is generic. Cash only. A small gem for non-Cantonese food. (beware of business hours)
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Happy Cafe Restaurant
Cuisine: Dim Sum
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San Mateo |
1/21/2007
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Recent visit: Dec, 06. The Kitchen is the new kid on the block. We wait to see him grow up. The food is definitely 4 stars (out of 5), but the facility and staff make 1 star for strangers, 2 stars for regulars. Its Chinese name is "Made in Kitchen", reflecting the management's focus (on nothing else)? Dim Sum is limited and so-so (go to Zen Peninsula or Fook Yuen instead). The Cantonese dishes are refreshingly different from the nearby peers. The pig feet slices (unusual item) were tasty and crunchy - authentic, not greasy. The pan seared beef fillets were the best cut meat among most Chinese restaurants, naturally tender and juicy (albeit oily). The seared fish patties were blended just right, not too soft nor flaky. Seafood items were done just right and smelled "wok flash" (=good stir fry skill). Smart buy: $80 seafood special, 6 variety dishes for 6. We realized to adjust our expectation here - eat great food in a hurry, let others have our table, and smile to the staff on exit!
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The Kitchen
Cuisine: Chinese Dim Sum
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Millbrae |
1/18/2007
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Recent visit: Dec, 06. Party of 3. T'was the day before Xmas, we went to LuLu at 11:30 for a Sunday brunch. We had the whole place and staff to us. Ain't that special? The leek, goat cheese and bacon (Italian wild boar) tarts were refreshingly good. The cheese was aged well, not too strong, nor salty. That could certainly convert a non-goat cheese eater. The small cubes of boar bacon were not as salty or dry like typical prosciutto. The Mediterranean pizza lived up to their thin-crust specialty. Generous toppings of prosicutto and sun dried tomato, with modest use of extra virgin olive oil. The aroma of garlic from the open-grill kitchen and wood-fired oven actually titillated our senses and appetite. My omelet with slices of Virginia ham was distinctly tasty. All 3 dishes were nicely presented. We were pleasantly pampered by several servers during our meal. With the previously neutral and negative reviews in mind, were we lucky, or we hit at the right time? (3 stars out of 5)
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Restaurant LuLu
Cuisine: Mediterranean French
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SoMa |
1/15/2007
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Recent visit: Jan, 07. Been a regular with Joy Luck since day 1. It has been progressing yearly. The place has high ceiling (less noisy), functional decor, and partitions (feel less crowded). The quality and variety of Dim Sum are second only to Zen Peninsula. You get the best if you choose the healthy items (see Forum reply). Dinner is as good as Zen and costs a little less. The roast squab is exceptional - juicy, tender, meaty, and not greasy (good for 2 people). Pan-seared jumbo prawns in soy sauce are just right (not as salty as Fook Yuen). Stir-fried seafood dish is another favorite (not starchy). The Peking duck is excellent - most of the sub dermal fat is separated from the crispy skin during carving, and the meat is fresh and tasty. For beginners in Cantonese soup, try the one with pork ankle meat and turnip/carrot. Green vegetables (pea sprouts or Gai Choi) are cooked with soup stock to yield rich taste. Get mango rolls for dessert. Servers are very friendly. 4 stars out of 5
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Joy Luck Place
Cuisine: Dim Sum Seafood
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San Mateo |
1/14/2007
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Visit date: Nov, 06. Party of 2. Santa Ramen is for extreme eating and cult gathering! Not for faint legged (curbside waiting), impatient (30 min) nor claustrophobic (tight seating). But you'll be rewarded with authentic ramen anywhere east of Tokyo (or south of SF J-town). The menu is limited, but we shot for roast pork ramen with regular broth. The gallon size bowl was steamy hot. The broth was light brown color without clarity (supposedly so) - intensely delicious. The ramen noodles tasted freshly made, soft and crunchy at the same time (different from Italian al dente). On top were 3-4 slices of tender, juicy, tasty pork (no roast look, but 20% fat). The rest was filled with seaweed, kelp, and bamboo shoot. Go ahead and slurp the noodles like Japanese. Bring Kleenex to clear your sinus also. On a wintry day/night, the ramen can give you tummy orgasm, enough calories to keep warm, and total satisfaction. Arigato Santa! (4 out of 5 Tokyo ramen stars)
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Santa Ramen
Cuisine: Japanese
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San Mateo |
1/9/2007
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Recent visit: Nov, 06. Bangkok Bay is my best discovery of 2006. It is a well-kept secret until K&L Wines organized a wine pairing dinner in Oct! It is a small family run restaurant with comfy seating and home-like ambiance. The fried calamari with Thai sauce gave a pleasantly unique taste. The grilled beef salad was one of a kind, with specially marinated, tender cuts of beef. Meang Kum (traditional Thai salad/appetizer) was magical and delicious. Rack of lamb (with Penang curry) was cured with secret recipe to remove any game odor (one could ask to keep the latter). The complex meat and spice taste propelled lamb to a new level. Chef creativity was evidenced by Tango with Mango Prawns and Honey Barbecued Pork (not Chinese). It is all about blending spices and herbs to be complementary and not dominating. Triple Delight was perfect finale - fried banana, roti, and sticky rice with mango. This is affordable fine dining with excellent service and genuine hosting. (4 stars out of 5)
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Bangkok Bay Thai Cuisine
Cuisine: Thai
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Redwood City |
1/8/2007
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Recent visit: late Nov, 06. Party of 4. Beach Chalet is a 3-star restaurant where I can get away from inner city insanity and rejuvenate with ocean, big sky, and sunset (bonus 1 star). For 1st timer, the house beer sampler is a must - fresh from on-site brewery. The crab cake was crispy outside, moist and tasty inside with very little fillers. The beer-battered fish and chips were outstanding (much better than Cliff House). Seafood linguini provencal was loaded with large size bivalves and fish, and cooked just right. The fried calamari and hamburger were average, and I had better ones elsewhere. The desserts were excellent: chocolate castle (served warm) and apple brioche bread pudding (not filling as it sounds). I found the servers friendly and hardworking. They could be humorous when busy, and liked to chat when not. The place is also ideal to bring out-of-town visitors, a showcase of what SF can offer. The ground floor exhibit area shows interesting history of Golden Gate Park.
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Beach Chalet Brewery
Cuisine: American (Traditional)
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Outer Richmond |
1/6/2007
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Visit date: Tue night, Dec, 06. Party of 4 (booked a week ahead). I want to do justice to Park Chalet since the last review was 3 months ago. We went for the special night (live band, $2.50 beer or taco, 2 margarita for $8). The small plates menu is great for party time. The truffled chicken with 4 cheese macaroni looked and tasted like French cuisine. The ahi tuna tartare was outstanding, like came out from Michael Mina's kitchen. Small cubes of marinated raw tuna were served on top of warm crispy corn chips. The country ham pizza was gourmetized by having caramelized onions! The beer bread was distinctly good. The apple strudel dessert was 1st class. The on-site micro brewery produces superb ale from light, to pale, to red, and stout also. The band Diego's Umbrella is a talented local group that plays fusion music (Spanish guitar, Mexican, rock). The place was filled to the brim, but without being crowded. The servers were efficient and apologetic for being busy. (4 stars out of 5)
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Park Chalet Garden Restaurant
Cuisine: American (New)
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Outer Sunset |
1/5/2007
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Visit dates: bimonthly. Parties of 3-6. If Millbrae is Peninsula's answer to Chinatown, Zen is the answer in Millbrae. This spacious place has class and serves contemporary Chinese food. The dim sum selection includes traditional and special items (photo menu). Food quality and preparation are superior, with less grease and MSG than others. Our favorites are crab & pork dumplings, turnip cakes, custard buns, and pan-fried pork buns. The fish cake rice noodle soup is one of a kind. Dinner dishes can be frugal or extravagant. For the former, we like the pan-fried chicken cakes, crispy beef stew, and pork neck meat with bitter melon. The lamb chops were overcooked, and I regretted not to ask for medium done when order. For the extravagant, we had the lump shark fin soup pot($48) that serves 4-6 people. All in all, Zen is a top Chinese restaurant. It is consistent since opening. The dinner price is $2-3 per dish less than Fook Yuen, and the place has more ambience. (4 stars out of 5)
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Zen Peninsula
Cuisine: Chinese Dim Sum
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Millbrae |
1/2/2007
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Visit date: Fri. lunch, Dec, 06. Party of 4. Betelnut is a superb alternative to traditional, Chinese-proprietor run Chinese restaurant. The foods are finely prepared with authentic ingredients. The cooking sauce for each dish is distinct from one another, and without greasy or starchy feeling. The stuffing for lettuce wrap was one of the best we have ever tasted anywhere. There was a pleasant complexity to it. The lemongrass beef (with rice noodles) was from a premium cut, and marinated perfectly. The Shanghai chicken dumplings were nicely done, with tender and tasty meat inside. A pork dish with dried tofu skin tasted very salty, and was returned for a redo. I suppose it was inadvertently "overdosed" in a hurry. But the real surprise was they serve premium coffee, which we would not dare to order in a Chinese restaurant! The place is clean, upbeat, and festive. Servers were informative, courteous, and attentive. I hope they would open one in Peninsula! (3.5 stars out of 5)
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Betelnut Pejiu Wu
Cuisine: Pan-Asian
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Cow Hollow |
1/2/2007
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Visit date: weeknight, Dec, 06. Party of 3.
The decor is modern, with soft lighting and seasonal music.
Appetizer: stuffed portobello mushroom. It was filled with various vegetables and herbs. They were moist and yet not soggy. The mozzarella cheese on top was melted just right without being roasted.
All entree included soup or salad. We had the potato and leek soup, which was right in consistency and without heavy creamy/buttery taste. Seasoning was moderate, although without wow factor like the stuffed mushroom. My rack of lamb was excellent (with saffron rice), and fat was all trimmed out in the kitchen. The brown sauce had diced apricots. Her monk fish (with angel hair pasta) was not overcooked, with lemon sauce and cranberries. His lamb shank was huge serving and yet tender (with fettuccine). The side vegetables were all premium quality and tasty.
Lastly the mango pudding was not fatty nor sugary - Bravo!
Service was attentive, friendly, and frequent. (3.5 stars out of 5)
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Ecco Restaurant
Cuisine: Californian Continental
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Burlingame |
1/1/2007
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