Luis C.'s Profile

After +1K reviews it really doesn't matter what I say, so I'll be brief. Yes, it's not cheap, and you won't find many options for people on a diet.

My favorite is the Egg and Bacon Tartine dish, love the tomato-bacon relish.

In my opinion, this gumbo (chicken, sausage and okra) is much better than Cajun Pacific's version in the Sunset, or Angeline's in Berkeley.

But the beef cutlets in the Grillades and Grits dish are slightly tough.

Remember to check out the daily specials hand written on a corner of the mirror wall.

Something seldom mentioned by other reviews are the table condiments. The brown jar contains homemade mustard. Don't miss the delicious fruit preserves in the white jar (changes weekly) - really good flavor and not too sweet, goes wonderful with the biscuits.

I usually choose to come on Sundays for brunch, before 10am, because street parking is free and plentiful. Never had to wait long.

I often use Google, Google Maps, and watch YouTube videos, but this review was prompted by a new holiday season offer. Starting this week (until 1/15/10) Google is providing free WiFi at many airports nationwide and aboard Virgin America flights. Yay!

More details and list of airports included are posted here: http://www.freeholiday.../ They also have a photo contest that starts tomorrow (11/16).

BUT one star deducted because SFO and Oakland (only San Jose is listed) airports are not included. Boo!

In comparison, Yahoo is offering free WiFi for a year at Times Square, NYC. Say what!? why pamper those New Yorkers? sheez! no west coast loyalty.

Like many others I'm also a fan of this noodle shop.

It has good food at reasonable prices, although I'll admit that this place is not as clean as the places next door. But while many other restaurants in the area offer dinner, they close at 7:30pm.

The taste of their chicken broth has made them famous, so the Pho Ga (#9) is often touted as a must try (you also get a cup of the chicken broth with any of their rice plates). I think that you'd be missing out by not trying other items also. Note that the soups have some MSG, no different from many other Vietnamese places, just in case you're sensitive to that stuff. http://static.px.yelp....

Some people might complain because they charge $2.15 for EACH imperial roll, and that they are smaller than what you can get elsewhere (other places give 4 rolls for $4 or $5). True, but I should mention that the rolls have visible crab meat inside, in addition to pork, and they seem to be made (assembled/filled/rolled) to order. http://static.px.yelp....

Another important detail is that they charge 25 cents per container for to go orders. A funny thing I noticed in the fine print, was the following warning: "If you break - you pay." http://static.px.yelp....  LOL! charming old-fashioned ways.

Cash only.

I came here tonight for a special event of my software user group. Our usual venue had a schedule conflict so our group rented space here. Parking is very difficult in this area. You'd need to come early to find a space, public transportation is a better choice.

The building is located across the street from popular restaurant Farina. You cannot miss it, just look for the colorful painted mural walls.

We had fun at this year's anniversary celebration, it's a good event space.

I really like to shop at this supermarket. Great place to find asian snacks/ candies/ noodles/ sauces/ spices/ kitchen tools/ and more, fresh produce, fresh fruits (including seasonal asian fruits), meats and seafood, etc. - almost anything you'd need in the kitchen, and many things you don't need.

The butchers in the meat department are a little "less social" than at American markets, and their English is not that good, but I've never had any problems getting what I want. I've noticed that some personal chefs buy their meat here.

Sometimes I also buy some of the frozen dim sum items (ie. steamed buns, pot stickers, dumplings, XLBs) or asian frozen foods: rice bowls/ noodle bowls (yes, frozen food bowls have MSG) - I like to have those available in the freezer when I'm too lazy to cook. BUT I would never buy ANY of the frozen wontons - poor quality ingredients, or expired. Another tip: I often find that Pacific Supermarket has better prices on many of the packaged asian drinks.

Be picky, check carefully to get the best item, also check expiration dates. Service is usually good, the modern cash registers are a huge improvement over the old registers they had a long time ago.

You'll find this artisan pasta vendor at the Ferry building's Saturday farmers market. http://static.px.yelp.... It's the BEST fresh pasta I've tried so far.

The first time I encountered this vendor long ago, the man was a little grouchy (busy doing something, I don't know) and it was difficult to get his attention to make a purchase. He didn't even give me a bag for my stack of pastas, luckily the people at Delica-rf1 gave me a tote bag for free. Subsequent visits have been better, the woman at the stand is much more friendlier and they now have paper bags available to carry your purchases.

Prices are $5 for most pastas, and $10 for the raviolis. All packaged in clear plastic containers, one pound each. Expensive, but not too bad since each is enough for 3 or 4 people (okay, maybe 2 people if you're really hungry).
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Also one day, I was surprised to find some pre-packaged food - a delicious tofu, really good. http://static.px.yelp....

Prices are similar to other artisan pasta vendors - $4.50-4.75 for the pastas, and $6.75-8.75 for the raviolis - packaged in one pound clear plastic containers and neatly stored in freezers. Sauces are under $6, but I didn't buy any this time. The store carries everything you'll need to assemble an Italian meal: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, bottles of wine, snacks, etc. Gelato is also available. Service was pleasant.

No frozen pasta is going to be as good as freshly made restaurant pasta. After cooking the end product I found it to be very similar to what u can get in supermarkets (ie. Buitoni, etc.). A little disappointed, considering all the rave reviews. Not the best, just A-okay.

They have a frequent shopper offer, after u buy 12 pounds u get 1 free. I would need to buy 6 more pounds to redeem that offer. http://static.px.yelp....

The undisputed king of late night Thai food dining, for downtown SF.

It's located in one of the worse areas in SF, but I've never had any problems. Many times I've seen police making arrests at that intersection. Look around u, don't be careless. A lot of people come here, the bus stops right in the corner.

There's a white board of specials posted above the kitchen, but don't stress out trying to read it. All those "specials" are listed on the one page specials menu, provided with the regular menu. The staff are friendly, so feel free to ask any questions about the menu.

Some of the dishes I remember ordering are:

I really like the toong gern yeung (minced chicken and veggie pouches) appetizer, because I seem to order it every chance I get. http://static.px.yelp.... http://static.px.yelp....

The gui chai (vegetarian chives cakes) http://static.px.yelp.... are a little bland, but at least it's a true vegetarian dish. Compared to Chinese chive pancakes at dim sum places which are not vegetarian (it has dried shrimp). Just a tip for any veggie fan readers.

The larb pedd (minced duck salad) is too salty for my taste. http://static.px.yelp....

Kao mun gai (steamed chicken over garlic rice) is a simple good dish. http://static.px.yelp....

Pork leg stew noodle soup is very popular. http://static.px.yelp....

Pork leg over rice, is less fatty than LRT's version. This is the same as "pig knuckle" from the Roli Roti cart, but without the bone and stewed. http://static.px.yelp....

Rad na - choice of meat, Chinese broccoli, and flat noodles with gravy. http://static.px.yelp.... Just FYI, Pad see ew is the non-soupy version of this dish.

On the specials menu - grilled skirt steak with house sauce. http://static.px.yelp....

There are 2 fried banana desserts, one with ice cream and one with honey and peanuts. I like the latter one best. http://static.px.yelp....

I don't think the roti dessert is that great, it's deep fried and oily. http://static.px.yelp.... Not bad, but Roti Kaya from Banana Island restaurant is best (that's the only item I recommend from that place). And Roti from Lime Tree restaurant is also good but that's an appetizer, not a dessert.

The restrooms are located upstairs, but u need to get the key from the register counter first. The men's bathroom key is attached to a metal spoon, http://static.px.yelp.... and the women's bathroom key is attached to a metal measuring cup.

Hear, hear! Long live T.H.E. king of Thai cuisine!!

I really thought that LRT was going to knock out THE (Thai House Express) as king of late night Thai food dining, when they first opened last year. THE was open until 1am, while LRT decided to stay open until 2am. LRT has an extensive menu and many unique items, plus the place is new so decor is nicer & cleaner inside. But in the end THE steady cooking consistency prevailed.

Please note that they both have since revised their hours, to close at midnight.

When I first dined here some time ago I would have given LRT 5 stars, but after months of late night (after 10pm) dining I have to say that the late night kitchen crew just doesn't measure up. THE's late night kitchen cooks are more experienced, so food consistency is way better than LRT. Some of the irregularities I found were that:

1 - the chicken meat on curry dishes was a little dry. Meat cooked in coconut milk should not be dry, unless it was precooked and combined later - I think that the night kitchen crew precooked the meats to save time. Chicken green curry dish http://static.px.yelp....

2 - also, the night cooks just don't know how to do stir-fry noodles right. I ordered a few stir-fried flat noodle dishes during several days, and they always came out clumped, even the soupy Rad Na dish had clumped flat noodles. Worst version of a Pad see ew dish I've ever had - edible, but with mushed and clumped flat noodles. http://static.px.yelp....

But don't get me wrong, I still consider this restaurant a favorite (2nd best Thai place, behind THE). Friendly and pleasant service, in addition to an extensive menu (can be overwhelming) that includes many unique dishes not found elsewhere, plus items like rabbit, frog, venison, alligator, etc. http://static.px.yelp....

My favorite appetizer is the pork shoulder (#9), although the sauce can be a little gritty. And it takes some time to make, so it often arrives after the entrees. I don't mind since it's that good (when done right). http://static.px.yelp.... http://static.px.yelp....

The chicken satay was tender and good, standard stuff, and the Thai curry puff appetizer was okay, similar to a samosa. http://static.px.yelp....

Garlic & pepper rabbit was deep fried too long (dry), and has a lot of small bones. http://static.px.yelp....

Pad ped pla lai (eel with peppercorns and spicy chili) is somewhat difficult to eat because the eel has not been deboned, but sliced cross section. http://static.px.yelp....

One of my favorite entrees is pork belly with crispy rind (#62), delicious!  http://static.px.yelp.... http://static.px.yelp....

Venison pad prik thai had the potential to be a winning dish, but it contained too many whole black peppercorns that had no flavor or spice (maybe too old, or not stored properly). http://static.px.yelp....

Similar to THE, the restrooms are upstairs but u don't need a key.

Perhaps this review will only be of interest to people who like chasing street food carts. If so, follow this person on Twitter for a "secret" location. Then look for the man with a gorilla mask, to get a free vino tasting (guerrilla = gorilla, clever? u decide). But it's not cheap stuff, these are top notch. You MUST bring your own glass. He only brings a few bottles, so when empty he's gone. Really, nobody is going to get drunk on a few ounces of wine. But be aware of drinking in public issues, therefore u do this at your own risk. Cheers!