Friday, January 16, 2009
Upscale Mexican at Maya, San Francisco, CA
I'd been to Maya once before and hadn't been tempted to go back. But it's close to my work and I went with a coworker. It was a bit better than I remembered, but still quite expensive for Mexican food.
Guacamole $9
The guacamole was tasty, if a bit salty. It didn't stop us from eating it all, though.
Skirt Steak Torta $13
Once I took 1/2 the bread off, this was a tasty sandwich, although, it necessitated being eaten with a knife and fork. The fried potatoes were surprisingly tasty.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 1
Maya
303 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Guacamole $9
The guacamole was tasty, if a bit salty. It didn't stop us from eating it all, though.
Skirt Steak Torta $13
Once I took 1/2 the bread off, this was a tasty sandwich, although, it necessitated being eaten with a knife and fork. The fried potatoes were surprisingly tasty.
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 1
Maya
303 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 1, Mexican, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Friday, November 28, 2008
Lunch at The Butler and Chef, San Francisco, CA
Although I work very close to South Park, I had never been to the Butler and Chef, a French cafe on the park. There were not that many things on the menu that both sounded good to me, and that I could eat, given the restrictions of pregnancy. The service was fast and pleasant and the food was decent.
Croque Monsieur $10
I decided on a classic, the croque monsieur, a hot ham sandwich. It was pretty good, but a bit soggy.
Croque Monsieur $10
I decided on a classic, the croque monsieur, a hot ham sandwich. It was pretty good, but a bit soggy.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 1
The Butler and Chef
155A South Park St
San Francisco, CA 94107
Health Code Violations
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 1
The Butler and Chef
155A South Park St
San Francisco, CA 94107
Health Code Violations
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 1, French, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Dinner at Tofu Village, San Francisco, CA
The batteries in our camera died before we got most of our food, so you only get a couple pictures. Tofu Village is a Korean place in our neighborhood that we've been meaning to try. It was tasty, but a bit expensive for what it was.
Assorted Small Dishes
These dishes are served free with the meal. There was kim chee, noodles, seaweed, potatoes, tofu and bean sprouts.
Salad
Also served free with the meal. Simple and the dressing was a bit too sweet for my liking.
Pork Bulgogi $15
The pork was tasty and juicy, but rather expensive, for pork.
Soft Tofu and Noodle Soup $10
The soup was served with sticky rice and was spicy and satisfying.
1920 Irving St
San Francisco, CA 94122
No Website
Health Code Violations
Assorted Small Dishes
These dishes are served free with the meal. There was kim chee, noodles, seaweed, potatoes, tofu and bean sprouts.
Salad
Also served free with the meal. Simple and the dressing was a bit too sweet for my liking.
Pork Bulgogi $15
The pork was tasty and juicy, but rather expensive, for pork.
Soft Tofu and Noodle Soup $10
The soup was served with sticky rice and was spicy and satisfying.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 1
Tofu Village
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 1
Tofu Village
San Francisco, CA 94122
No Website
Health Code Violations
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 1, Korean, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Artichoke Pizza at Arizmendi Bakery, San Francisco, CA
1/2 Bake, 1/2 Pizza $9
This artichoke pizza, with no red sauce, was very tasty. The sourdough crust was nice and crispy as well.
Food: 2
Decor: 1
Service: 1
Arizmendi Bakery
1331 9th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94122
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 2, homemade, pizza, Service: 1
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Lunch Special at Mehfil Indian, San Francisco, CA
This is pretty much the best deal around for lunch: tasty and cheap.
Meatballs and Chana Masala $5
Lots of food and you can mix and match the specials to get a variety.
Meatballs and Chana Masala $5
Lots of food and you can mix and match the specials to get a variety.
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 1, Indian, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Mediocre Lunch at Paragon, San Francisco, CA
I'd never been to Paragon, and I doubt I'd go again. They seemed ill-prepared to handle a large (14 person) group. The food arrived slowly, and cold. The servers didn't seem to know where the plates were headed. Perhaps the food would have been better if it were served hot, but it was not.
The oil and vinegar for the bread was very pretty--almost like a mosaic.
Paragon Burger $12
The fries and the burger were cold. The bun tasted a bit stale and was not toasted. Not good.
Mushroom Cigars $8.50
These pastry sticks filled with duxelles were ok, but were I didn't want more than one.
Ratings:
Food: 0
Decor: 1
Service: 1
Paragon Restaurant and Bar
701 2nd St
San Francisco, CA 94107
Health Code Violations
The oil and vinegar for the bread was very pretty--almost like a mosaic.
Paragon Burger $12
The fries and the burger were cold. The bun tasted a bit stale and was not toasted. Not good.
Mushroom Cigars $8.50
These pastry sticks filled with duxelles were ok, but were I didn't want more than one.
Food: 0
Decor: 1
Service: 1
Paragon Restaurant and Bar
701 2nd St
San Francisco, CA 94107
Health Code Violations
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 0, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Friday, October 03, 2008
Chinese Wedding Banquet at Yank Sing, San Francisco, CA
We went to a friend's wedding at Yank Sing. We'd only ever been here for dim sum, and the dim sum is quite good, so we expected that the banquet would be good as well. It was.
Peking Duck
Succulent duck (above) tucked into pillowy rolls (below) slathered with hoisin and topped with scallions.
Lobster
Sweet and tender.
Beef with Snap Peas
The snap peas were crunchy and tasty, but the beef had a strange texture that didn't make us want to eat more.
Cold Platter of BBQ Pork, Cured Duck, Jelly Fish and Roast Pork
The BBQ pork was excellent, as was the roast pork (although it would have been better hot). Everything else was fine, but not amazing.
Shanghai Soup Dumplings
These are the house special at Yank Sing. They are filled with a hot soup that bursts in your mouth when you bite it. They get the soup in the dumpling by mixing it with gelatin, then cooling it until it is a solid. They then place cubes of the gelatin-soup into the dumpling wrapper, seal and steam.
Shark Fin Soup
Giao says this was really good, but I don't like the gelatinous texture.
Shrimp with Walnuts
The candied walnuts were really good, but we aren't really fans of the sweet Chinese mayo these shrimp are coated in.
Chicken with Shrimp Chips
Giao LOVED this chicken. It was apparently juicy and the skin was very crispy. Unfortunately, chicken is one of my pregnancy aversions.
Cupcakes
These cupcakes were surprisingly moist and the buttercream frosting was very tasty, but ratio of frosting to cake was way off--too much frosting.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 0
Peking Duck
Succulent duck (above) tucked into pillowy rolls (below) slathered with hoisin and topped with scallions.
Lobster
Sweet and tender.
Beef with Snap Peas
The snap peas were crunchy and tasty, but the beef had a strange texture that didn't make us want to eat more.
Cold Platter of BBQ Pork, Cured Duck, Jelly Fish and Roast Pork
The BBQ pork was excellent, as was the roast pork (although it would have been better hot). Everything else was fine, but not amazing.
Shanghai Soup Dumplings
These are the house special at Yank Sing. They are filled with a hot soup that bursts in your mouth when you bite it. They get the soup in the dumpling by mixing it with gelatin, then cooling it until it is a solid. They then place cubes of the gelatin-soup into the dumpling wrapper, seal and steam.
Shark Fin Soup
Giao says this was really good, but I don't like the gelatinous texture.
Shrimp with Walnuts
The candied walnuts were really good, but we aren't really fans of the sweet Chinese mayo these shrimp are coated in.
Chicken with Shrimp Chips
Giao LOVED this chicken. It was apparently juicy and the skin was very crispy. Unfortunately, chicken is one of my pregnancy aversions.
CupcakesThese cupcakes were surprisingly moist and the buttercream frosting was very tasty, but ratio of frosting to cake was way off--too much frosting.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 0
Labels: Chinese, Decor: 1, Food: 1, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Dinner at Osha Thai, San Francisco, CA
We went to Osha with some friends and ordered quite a smorgasboard. I think in the end it was approx. $30 per person.
Pineapple Fried Rice
This was a bit sweet for us and the raisins seemed really out of place.
Whole Fried Fish
We were expecting something a bit more savory and the sauce served with this fish was just too sweet.
Beef Wasabi Rolls
There was nothing particularly wrong with this dish, but it was nothing special. Basically, beef was wrapped around veggies.
Green Curry with Beef
A tasty version, if a bit mild.
Pad See Ew
The wide egg noodles make this savory dish feel a bit more homey.
Red Curry
This was tasty, although I always wish that dark meat were used instead of white, which tends to dry out.
Pineapple Fried Rice
This was a bit sweet for us and the raisins seemed really out of place.
Whole Fried Fish
We were expecting something a bit more savory and the sauce served with this fish was just too sweet.
Beef Wasabi Rolls
There was nothing particularly wrong with this dish, but it was nothing special. Basically, beef was wrapped around veggies.
Green Curry with Beef
A tasty version, if a bit mild.
Pad See Ew
The wide egg noodles make this savory dish feel a bit more homey.
Red Curry
This was tasty, although I always wish that dark meat were used instead of white, which tends to dry out.
Labels: chain restaurant, Decor: 1, Food: 1, review, Service: 1, thai
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Dim Sum at Yank Sing, San Francisco, CA
We went to meet an old friend of Giao's at Yank Sing for lunch. We're not totally sure how much it came to, because our friend graciously paid for lunch.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Tasty and light.
Shrimp Dumplings
A bit more refined than har gow.
Sticky Rice with Chicken
This savory sticky rice was satisfying in a comfort food kind of way.
Pork Potstickers
These were a tad undercooked, unfortunately.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
How can you go wrong?
Siu Mai
Good siu mai, crappy photo.
Har Gow
Fresh tasting with lots of big shrimp chunks.
Peking Duck
Always good.
Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Tasty and light.
Shrimp Dumplings
A bit more refined than har gow.
Sticky Rice with Chicken
This savory sticky rice was satisfying in a comfort food kind of way.
Pork Potstickers
These were a tad undercooked, unfortunately.
Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
How can you go wrong?
Siu Mai
Good siu mai, crappy photo.
Har Gow
Fresh tasting with lots of big shrimp chunks.
Peking Duck
Always good.
Labels: Chinese, Decor: 1, Dim Sum, Food: 1, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Friday, August 29, 2008
Ariake: Our Favorite Sushi Place in SF
Giao's family was in town and we went to lunch at our favorite sushi place in the city, Ariake. As always, it did not disappoint. I'm not sure how much everything was, because we didn't pay, but whatever it was, it was worth it.
Dragon Roll
Due to my current, pregnant state, I can't eat sushi. However, this dragon roll with shrimp tempura and cooked eel was very tasty.
Hamachi Kama
This tuna collar was tender and delicious, even though I could only eat a little bit due to the mercury in tuna.
Softshell Crab Roll and Mango Tuna Roll
I only had the softshell crab roll, as it was cooked and it was quite good.
Uni and Salmon
Fresh and tasty, according to Giao.
Seafood Salad
Again, I couldn't eat about it, and I was sad about that, as Ariake's makes the best seafood salad we've ever had.
Seaweed Salad
Yum. What more can I say.
Tuna Tataki
The lunch chef makes the cuts of tuna a bit thicker than we like, so I wasn't that sad that I couldn't eat it.
Oysters
Giao said they were fresh and good.
Live Scallop
Giao also approved.
Ariake
5041 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94118
Dragon Roll
Due to my current, pregnant state, I can't eat sushi. However, this dragon roll with shrimp tempura and cooked eel was very tasty.
Hamachi Kama
This tuna collar was tender and delicious, even though I could only eat a little bit due to the mercury in tuna.
Softshell Crab Roll and Mango Tuna Roll
I only had the softshell crab roll, as it was cooked and it was quite good.
Uni and Salmon
Fresh and tasty, according to Giao.
Seafood Salad
Again, I couldn't eat about it, and I was sad about that, as Ariake's makes the best seafood salad we've ever had.
Seaweed Salad
Yum. What more can I say.
Tuna Tataki
The lunch chef makes the cuts of tuna a bit thicker than we like, so I wasn't that sad that I couldn't eat it.
Oysters
Giao said they were fresh and good.
Live Scallop
Giao also approved.
Ratings:
Food: 2
Service: 1
Decor: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Decor: 1
5041 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94118
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 2, Japanese, Service: 1, sushi
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Dinner at San Mateo Prime Rib, San Francisco, CA
After Giao's fantasy football draft, we headed to San Mateo Prime Rib. Unfortunately, our camera crapped out so we only got pictures of 1/2 the meal. Overall San Mateo Prime was OK, but I wouldn't eat there again on purpose. It doesn't even compare to House of Prime Rib. Depending on the size of the cut, the meal ranges from about $27 to $38 per person. This include salad, 2 sides and meat.
House Salad
I'm not sure how prime rib places make the combo of canned beets, iceberg lettuce and chopped hardboiled egg, dressed with thousand island work, but somehow, it does.
Crispy Fries
These were a sad disappointment and were not crispy at all.
House Salad
I'm not sure how prime rib places make the combo of canned beets, iceberg lettuce and chopped hardboiled egg, dressed with thousand island work, but somehow, it does.
Crispy Fries
These were a sad disappointment and were not crispy at all.
174 E 3rd Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401
San Mateo, CA 94401
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 1, restaurant, review, Service: 1
Saturday, August 23, 2008
A Quick Dinner at PPQ in San Francisco, CA
We were so hungry on the way home that we stopped off for a quick bite at PPQ, which is just down the block from us and always packed. Since it is always so busy, we assumed that it would be very good. It was good, however, there are plenty of Vietnamese places within a 5 block radius that are better.
Beef Pho $7
The meat was good, but the broth was not full flavored.
Pho with Everything (beef, meatballs, tripe, tendon) $8
Same as above.
Spring Rolls $5
Their sauce was too sweet with not enough savory depth.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 1
PPQ
1816 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
No Website
Can't Find Health Code Violations
Beef Pho $7
The meat was good, but the broth was not full flavored.
Pho with Everything (beef, meatballs, tripe, tendon) $8
Same as above.
Spring Rolls $5
Their sauce was too sweet with not enough savory depth.
Ratings:
Food: 1
Decor: 1
Service: 1
PPQ
1816 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
No Website
Can't Find Health Code Violations
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 1, restaurant, review, Service: 1, Vietnamese
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Dinner at Straits Cafe, Burlingame, CA
After watching (and betting on) some horse races on the last weekend of Bay Meadows, we headed to Straits for some Indonesian/Singaporean food. Really, it's all about the roti prata, however. The service was off tonight. They were slow to bring us menus, slow to take our order, slow to bring food. Also, in the entire restaurant, which is very large, they did not have enough high chairs to bring for our friend's kids.
Roti Prata $7
In the past we have said that the roti pata at Straits is a bit too thick, but today it was very good. And really, roti prata is never bad.
Mussels with Cracked Pepper and Garlic $15
Good, but nothing special.
Hainan Chicken Rice $12
This is comfort food for Singaporeans, and it was for me to tonight for some reason. This is nowhere near the most exciting dish, but there is something oddly satisfying about boiled chicken, rice, and condiments.
Roti Prata $7
In the past we have said that the roti pata at Straits is a bit too thick, but today it was very good. And really, roti prata is never bad.
Mussels with Cracked Pepper and Garlic $15
Good, but nothing special.
Hainan Chicken Rice $12
This is comfort food for Singaporeans, and it was for me to tonight for some reason. This is nowhere near the most exciting dish, but there is something oddly satisfying about boiled chicken, rice, and condiments.
Labels: Decor: 1, Food: 1, restaurant, review, Service: 0, Singaporean
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