Alana's Cafe - Breakfast/Brunch, Burlingame

1408 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame CA 94010
(650) 348-0417
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am - 3pm, Sat 8am-3pm, Sun 8am-2pm; Dinner Tues-Fri 5pm start
http://www.alanascafe.com/

Last Visited: July 28, 2013

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

During a walk through downtown Burlingame just after a Sunday lunch, I noticed a long line spilling out of a place with lots of energy - that was the first time I came across Alana's Cafe.  So when a buddy said she wanted brunch, this seemed like a great spot to check out.

Alana's serves breakfast and lunch all day.  Choices include Swedish pancakes, french toast, scrambles, quiche, and more.  You'll also see a lingonberries on the menu (I thought that was only available at Ikea...). Enter the place and you'll see counter seating and tables with lots of hustle and bustle by the folks working in the open kitchen area behind the counter.

- Company's Coming - Sauteed homefries, tomatoes, scallions, mushroom, Italian sausage, cheddar, provolone cheese, and two poached eggs served with fruit and choice of scone, coffee cake, or toast.  Today's scone choice was kiwi or hibiscus and the fruit was a slice of watermelon and slice of pineapple.  The mix of flavors from the sweetness of the tomatoes and the spiciness of the sausage really add to the crisp homefries.  I loved how the poached eggs were placed on top of the potatoes so that you could break them and let the yolks ooze over the mix of veggies and sausage.  The fruit was fresh and while the hibiscus scone was hard, it had good flavor.  I took most of the scone home since I was pretty stuffed and toasting it made the texture so much softer - I preferred it more when warmed.  Portions in general are hearty.  $11.75

The service was friendly.  Note that you won't be able to be seated until your entire party is present, and if you're looking for a bargain, you can check in on yelp for 10% off .  I did notice that the folks at the counter next to us put in their order at the same time, but didn't get food until much later - when it arrived, it didn't look like anything that wasn't already being made, so it seems that the kitchen's timing with orders could be improved slightly.  Overall, it's a solid brunch place with a lot of charm. 

JoAnn's Cafe - Diner, American, Breakfast, South San Francisco

1131 El Camino Real, South San Francisco 94080
(650) 872-2810
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30am-2:30pm, Wed-Sat 5pm-9pm, Sun 8am-2:30pm

Last Visited: September 1, 2012

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

I was looking for a place to meet a friend for brunch and stumbled upon JoAnn's Cafe.  Located near my local KFC, this place can be easily missed if you are driving by with so many restaurant signs that stand out more next to it.

I arrived mid-morning and the place was packed.  I waited about ten minutes to sit at a table.  Counter seating is also available.  I was promptly greeted when I walked in and had a seat on the bench outside until my name was called.  Once in the diner, the open kitchen is busy and you can hear the food on the grill.  The waitress that came by was somewhat friendly, but there is opportunity for improvement here.

The glass case just inside the door showed all of the muffins available, but none had labels, so you play a bit of a guessing game.

- Apple Walnut Muffin - A lot of folks seemed to like the muffins so I tried one and I would agree - the muffin top is like eating a cookie.  A little crisp on the edges, it's like eating dessert for breakfast.  $2

- Spinach and mushroom side - They don't give you that much spinach, and they make it seem like more by not cooking it down all the way.  I guess I would prefer to get the same amount cooked just right rather than this half uncooked/half cooked way. The mushrooms could be a lot more caramelized - instead, they're pretty soft.  $3.95

- Home fries potatoes side - The quantity of potatoes is good, but lacks both browning on the potatoes and salt.  A touch more salt makes them a lot more flavorful.  I cooked my leftovers at home for another meal and got them brown and crispy, so it could be improved. $2.95

The food is okay, but lacks flavor - my items could use more salt and more browning.  The portions for regular combinations seem to be a bit small for the price that you pay - most breakfast combos are around $10 to $12.  I actually thought that my sides were better portioned. 

The waitress seemed to be rushing us out despite the fact that there wasn't a line and that there were other tables available.  She also missed our request for two leftover boxes and brought us only one. We were unable to flag her down, so we had to go to the counter for asssistance - this isn't a big deal, but it wasn't particularly busy.  Service could be improved in general.  JoAnn's has the standards and would be a good option if you didn't want to cook, but it doesn't have the wow factor.

Fifth Avenue Corner Cafe - American, Seattle

1900 5th Ave, Seattle WA 98101
(206) 728-1000
Parking: street and hotel parking
Hours: Daily 6am - 2pm

Last Visited: March 31, 2011

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere:3 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Located at the Westin Hotel, the Fifth Avenue Corner Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch.  The staff is cheery and friendly even during early morning hours.  I was looking for something fairly substantial and settled on a waffle.  They have oatmeal, cereal, omelettes, fresh fruit, bagels, and other choices available too.

- Belgian Waffle - While the menu above the counter never mentioned it, the waffle came with fresh berries - blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries.  They also served it with warm maple syrup.  Yum!  The texture of the waffle was good - slightly crisp on the outside and cooked through, but soft on the inside.  Great.  $8.50

- Odwalla $4.50

If you're staying at the Westin, this is a convenient stop for breakfast.  Much of the food is made to order and done well.  Prices are a little higher than other cafes, otherwise, fresh and good.

Redwood Cafe - Breakfast, Cambria

2094 Main St,Cambria, CA 93428
(805) 927-4830
Parking: in parking lot

Last Visited: December 2008

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$

I was staying at the Bluebird Inn in Cambria and since their breakfast was comprised of a plate of some cold store-bought bread, I asked them for a recommendation for breakfast. The person at the front desk suggested we go to Redwood Cafe.

Walking into Redwood Cafe, you feel like you're walking into a very traditional cafe. The decor is a bit older, but comfortable.

- French Toast with Butter and Syrup $7.50

- Two eggs any style with choice of toast $7.25

The food was okay. My experience was fairly standard in every way. Although it was about 8am, the place was packed and there wasn't a table for four, so we separated into two tables for two. I appreciate their being accommodating in this manner, but in general, I would say Redwood Cafe is an okay place to go for breakfast. Service can be a bit slow since it's so busy, but if you have time for a sit-down breakfast, you probably won't mind that.

The Tuck Box - Breakfast/Tea, Carmel

Dolores St. between Ocean & 7th Ave.
Carmel, CA 93921
(831) 624-6365
Parking: street parking
Hours: Open Daily 7:30am - 2:30pm, No reservations
http://www.tuckbox.com/

Last Visited: December 2008

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Service: 3 to 4 stars
Price: $$

I first heard of the Tuck Box through Rachael Ray's $40 a Day television show. Constructed in the late 1920s, and used as a restaurant as early as the 1930s, the building is just so cute that it's hard to resist wanting to check it out. If you know a little kid whom loves fairy tales, this is the perfect place to show him or her.

I have now had the pleasure of visiting The Tuck Box twice, both times for breakfast. During both visits, it's been fairly packed, but the wait has been reasonable (less than twenty minutes) in my opinion.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Each table has fresh preserves available, and you can also purchase these in addition to the scone mix that they make through the restaurant and website.

Enter the restaurant and note the high ceilings. One of the best places to sit is in the breakfast nook adjacent to the window if you want to watch all that takes place. I enjoyed sitting there during my second visit.

- Smoked Salmon Benedict - Two poached eggs top smoked salmon on the two toasted English muffin halves and all are covered in a beautiful Hollandaise Sauce. A tomato slice garnishes the plate. The smoked salmon is delicious and I was happy with the dish. $12.75

- Waffle - Home made from their scratch recipe with fresh eggs and buttermilk. Served w/whipped butter & syrup, this waffle is a little flatter than some, but tastes great and is a reasonable price. $6.50

- Scones - You must get these scones. Unlike the type you might find in some bakeries, this is served like a pie with individual slices. The top is slightly crisp and buttered - it's wonderful with fresh preserves (orange marmalade today) and whipped cream. Must try these! $4.50

- Tea - I appreciate that they gave us a large pot of tea to enjoy. $2

The atmosphere is quaint, the food is good, and prices are okay. The servers are accomodating, though there is room for improvement. The Tuck Box will likely continue to be a stop on my Carmel visits.

Another item to note - The Tuck Box doesn't take credit cards, so have your cash ready.

Katy's Place - Breakfast, Carmel

Mission St, between 5th and 6th, Carmel-by-the-Sea
(831) 624-0199
Parking: street parking
Hours: 7am - 2pm
http://www.katysplacecarmel.com/

Last Visited: 2009

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$

Katy's was already getting packed and it was only about 8am when we arrived. There are a lot of locals amongst the tourists present at the restaurant. The board above the kitchen listed their daily specials. Regular menu items include omelettes, pancakes french toast, oatmeal, and of course, eggs benedict. Katy's features 16 versions of eggs benedict for your enjoyment.

I had looked up Katy's prior to the trip to Carmel and was looking forward to a great breakfast based on all of the positive feedback I saw on the web. While Katy's serves both lunch and breakfast, most people were praising their breakfast items. In terms of the atmosphere, the tables and chairs are typical of what you might find at any other restaurant. The ceiling and chandeliers along with the wall with all of the windows make nice natural lighting.

While we were promptly seated, it took some time before someone came to take our order. The wait time for food was also longer than anticipated.

- Crab Cakes Benedict - The crab cakes benedict was okay. The photo shows that we split the dish (one each), and if you aren't feeling super hungry, this is a good way to enjoy some other items. They are happy to split it for you so you don't have to worry about the hollandaise sauce getting all over the place. The potatoes that accompanied the eggs benedict were also okay - browned and seasoned, but not wow. $16.95

If you prefer one egg benedict - subtract a dollar; for split orders, add $2.50.

- Bacon - The bacon is hickory smoked and sliced extra thick. Four slices to a side order. While the bacon was also good, although I don't remember the price I paid, I do remember thinking it was high.

With tax and tip and no drinks, breakfast was about $30. My overall food experience was just okay. I still enjoyed my visit despite the lack of service. The reason - we sat next to some cool elderly gentleman whom were locals. One formerly worked for the school district and talked about how he used to golf at Pebble Beach for a super low price before it became such a popular destination. When the price got higher, he had a chance to golf there with Clint Eastwood, former mayor of Carmel. Personalities and stories like that made Katy's a worthwhile stop. Hopefully, you'll be as lucky as we were and bump into some fun people to chat with if you decide to check out Katy's.

Another important item to note - this place is cash only, so be prepared.

Top Pot Doughnuts - Seattle, Washington

124 5th Ave, Seattle WA 98121
(206) 728-1966
Parking: street parking
Hours: Mon-Fri 6am - 7 pm, Weekends, 7am - 7pm
http://www.toppotdoughnuts.com/

Last Visited: April 1, 2011

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 4 to 5 stars
Service: 4 stars
Price: $

We had just taken the Ride the Ducks Seattle Tour and as we were driving along 5th Avenue, our tour guide, Flip, mentioned how Top Pot Doughnuts had just been named #1 on evening magazine’s best of western Washington. Of course, since we were walking back to our car from the starting point of the tour, Top Pot would have to become one of our stops along the way.

Like so many other well-known businesses, Top Pot has a great story. They started off with a concept that a doughnut shop doesn’t need to be a fluorescent-lit fast food place. It could be something cool, and indeed, when we walked in to this Top Pot café (there are currently seven locations in the Puget Sound area), we were impressed of how it reminded us more of a bookstore than a doughnut shop. It was super quiet (of course, it was later in the afternoon), and the display case showed a lovely assortment of donuts.

With a limited stomach, we opted to select four doughnuts. My favorite is an old-fashioned so that was definitely one of them. We also got a cake doughnut, glazed old-fashioned, and chocolate cake doughnut. To get something a little unique, we tried their seasonal cherry blossom cake doughnut. I forgot to take the photo before enjoying a bite, so the photo is one in the process of being eaten.

Standard doughnuts sell for 99 cents. A premium doughnut (like the cherry blossom) sells for $1.49.

Apple Fritters are huge and taste absolutely delicious.  Just look at this gigantic thing - it's crispy on the outside and glazed and the pieces of apple are prominent. 

The doughnuts were all very good and the cherry blossom was so fragrant and you could taste hints of cherry throughout each bite.

A fun experience for any Seattle visitor, these hand-forged doughnuts will be a treat. However, what stood out for me most was how they had set up their unique cafés.

The Original Pancake House - Breakfast, Fremont

39222 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont CA 94538
(510) 744-1957
Parking: in parking lot
http://www.originalpancakehouse.com/

Last Visited: January 1, 2010

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

After being out somewhat late the night before, my buddy Chi brought me to The Original Pancake House to get some breakfast. She suggested that I try the Swedish Pancakes or the Apple Pancake. After reading the sugary description that went with the Apple Pancake, I opted to try the Swedish Pancakes instead.

Founded in Oregon, the Original Pancake House is a family business that has since been franchised. Enter this funny shaped building (look for the triangle shape out front) and you'll feel a lot like you're steppi ng into a Carrows - very traditional decor. We entered and were promptly seated. The chairs don't seem to be the type you would normally find at a restaurant, but they're cushioned and comfortable. My silverware had something on it so that dropped atmosphere to a two to three star range.

The menu features waffles, crepes, omelettes, and of course, pancakes.

- Swedish pancake - These are thin lacey pancakes - much like a crepe, but with even browning. Served with lingonberries and whipped butter, it was a lighter way to enjoy pancakes.

If I had the chance to go back, I would probably try the dutch baby - an oven baked massive thing that looks like something that would be good and meet my daily carbohydrate intake.

In any case, while it doesn't stand out as an exceptional place to go, the Original Pancake House is a nice place for a traditional breakfast and some other treats. Since the restaurant is larger than most cafes, it looks like it would accommodate a good-sized group too.

Hung Lee - Chinese, Congee, Hong Kong

2A Hau Fook Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui - Cameron Road Exit
Tel: 852 2721 6606
Hours: Open 7am until late

Last Visited: November 2010

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $

Hau Fook Street is so close to Nathan Road that it has started to show up in Lonely Planet and other tourist resources as a place to try dai pai dong (street food) places. A lot of people (me included) are turning to the web, in addition to tour books, for local accounts of what is good and where to go get that good food.

Most of my breakfasts in Hong Kong are spent on Hau Fook Street where I alternate between Hung Lee and S&P Kiosk. Hung Lee was recently remodeled about a year ago. While the style of food is the same, you can see that the cover that shield the florescent lights are nothing like those found in the United States - these are light blue and look like a fish tank. The open kitchen streams steam so you know they're constantly cooking some fresh stuff back there.

At Hung Lee, the specialty is congee. Often called rice gruel or rice porridge in English, it's rice that has been cooked in hot water until reaching an almost creamy consistency. Once this plain base has been made, meat is added to customize the dish. While it's healthy, it's also considered Chinese comfort food - when Chinese people get sick or have a stomach ache, a lot of them turn to rice porridge. The long porridge cooking time over a flame is said to replenish the body of its nutrients. While mostly popular for breakfast and lunch, you still find people eating it for dinner too.

Hung Lee has a wide variety of congee or porridge - Sampan Congee, Pork with Preserved Egg Congee, and much more.

- Ground Beef Congee - While I don't know for sure that this is the name on the English menu, know that if you ask for beef congee here, they offer two kinds. One kind has slices of beef -this is not the one I order. The one I like has ground beef that has been mixed with fried rice noodles. Pieces of this mixture are then put into a bowl of hot rice congee and topped with a sprinkle of cilantro and green onions. Once it arrives at the table, you stir it all together and break up the pieces of meat to finish the cooking process. Don't be scared if some of the meat is red when it arrives at the table - it will cook through after stirring it in the hot porridge. $16HKD (about $2.50 USD - quite the bargain)

- Fried Sweet Doughnut - The picture ot the right shows what a Chinese fried sweet doughnut looks like. It's covered with sesame for that extra flavor. The literal translation is cow tongue pastry. It sounds odd, but it makes sense - it does look a bit like a cow tongue. Sweet, but not as sweet as American donuts, it's a nice item to enjoy with your congee. $10HKD (about $1.50 USD)

Other items that we frequently order while at Hung Lee are soy sauce noodles (a small plate of stir-fried noodles with vegetables), rice noodle rolls (you add sauces to them to customize them to your favorite flavor - peanut sauce, plum sauce, soy sauce, and top them with sesame seeds), fried savory doughnut (more crispy in texture than the fried sweet doughnut), and more.

They also offer a variety of western breakfast combinations. While we wouldn't call them American, they are more western in style. An example would be buttered toast with a bowl of macaroni and ham in broth. This is very typical of western breakfasts in Hong Kong.

Try Hung Lee for some delicious congee for breakfast some time! It's one of my go-to places in Hong Kong.

Australian Dairy Company - Breakfast & Dessert, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Best: Steamed Milk

47-49 Parkes Street, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Hours: 7:30am-11pm

Last Visited: December 2009

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

No matter what, when I'm in Hong Kong, I have to stop at the Australian Dairy Company. So that may sound bizarre, but Australian Dairy is popular in Hong Kong and this place is known for its steamed milk and eggs. One year, we went back to Hong Kong, and because it was Chinese New Year, I nearly missed out on my steamed milk! It was rough waiting out an entire week for the place to reopen (in Hong Kong, Chinese New Year is a bigger holiday than Christmas and it's typically the only time that you'll find restaurants and stores closed).

- Breakfast Set - While you can get scrambled eggs, eggs over easy, or made almost any way you want (I'm not sure I've seen an omelet in this place though), one of the most popular menu items is the breakfast set. You receive scrambled eggs, toast as thick as Texas toast slathered with butter, a bowl of macaroni with ham in broth (this is a popular Chinese style of making macaroni), and a cup of tea (lemon tea or milk tea). I usually select the milk tea served hot - it's rich and creamy with a great tea flavor. The drink is served hot, but if you prefer a cold version, you can enjoy it for a few HK dollars more. It's great stuff. An incredible bargain at $24 HKD (which translates to between $3 and $4 USD).

While you can get hot steamed egg, cold steamed egg, hot steamed milk, cold steamed milk, and other items, including a bottle of milk, my all time favorite must get item to get here is a Hot Steamed Milk.

- Hot Steamed Milk - Creamy and custard-like, this sweet

concoction is so smooth and delicious. The milk is so good - it's the ultimate in simple desserts and yet complex in that getting this perfect texture that just jiggles when you tap the bowl can be a challenge. It's also pretty healthy - egg whites, milk, sugar, and just a drop of vinegar - that's it. Yummy! I could eat this every day! $24 HKD (~$3 to 4 USD).

It's extremely fast turnaround though - you're immediately seated, given a cup of hot tea, and asked what you want to order. Minutes (sometimes seconds) later, the food arrives, and as soon as you're done, you're on the move. It's not a place to leisurely enjoy food (most HK places of this style aren't), but you can take it home if you prefer. Enjoy!

Bette's Oceanview Diner - American, Berkeley

1807 4th St, Berkeley CA 94710
(510) 644-3230
Parking: street parking, paid parking lots nearby
Hours: Mon - Thu: 6:30am - 2:30pm, Fri - Sun: 6:30am - 4:00pm
http://www.worldpantry.com/bettes/home.html

Last Visited: July 24, 2004

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 4 stars
Price: $ to $$$

Bette’s Diner is located in Berkeley amongst the trendy shops of 4th Street. The restaurant is decorated like a 40s or 50s diner down to the checkerboard patterns around the restaurant, the counter and swivel stools on the right side of the restaurant, and the mini-jukeboxes sitting on top of the counter. There is chrome galore, but it fits the atmosphere just perfectly. Above your head when you enter the restaurant is a huge slice of pie hanging from the ceiling.

The restaurant is extremely busy. A typical wait on a Saturday mid morning is anywhere from half an hour to an hour. It’s first come first serve. You may want to bring a good book or just hang around talking to friends while you wait.

Norman recommended Bette’s with great reviews about their strawberry soufflé pancake.

- Blueberry Pancakes – Available in a stack of two or three, pancakes filled with large blueberries are served with maple syrup on the side. In a bite, you may find hot blueberry bursting its juices in your mouth. These pancakes were fluffy and light. Nice.

- Waffle – A waffle is cooked until golden brown and topped with fresh seasonal fruit. Maple syrup is served on the side. Today’s waffle was topped with sliced bananas, sliced strawberries, and blueberries. The fruit is indeed fresh, and the waffle is nicely done. I prefer slightly thicker waffles, but there was a bit of crunch on the outside of these, but not overly crunchy. The inside was soft, but not soggy. Very good. There are also other waffle specials available. This was the perfect portion for me. Not too much, not too little.

- French Toast – Four pieces of French toast are served with maple syrup on the side. This hearty portion is quite filling. The French toast is softer than I prefer, but not undercooked or soggy. It was still nicely soaked with egg and cooked through, but not quite to my preference developed at home. Good.

- Home Fries – We ordered a side of home fries and received a heaping dish of potatoes and onions topped with a dollop of sour cream. Fresh parsley is sprinkled on top. The potatoes and onions weren’t oily, but just right in terms of not being too dry or too oily. Some of the potatoes had been cooked until the sides were golden and crusted for those who like home fries a little crispy. Some of the potatoes were soft and just the right mushy. Texture was very good. The only thing missing was additional salt. A slight addition of salt would have made them just right. Good.

There are so many tables, and so much going on, that you’re sure to be entertained. However, you may also feel neglected by the staff. They are very kind and apologetic about the wait, but it often seemed that it was very difficult to get the staff’s attention.

As for the food, you can’t go wrong at Bette’s. The food quality is good. You may need to season your dish a little, and it may not be exactly to how expect (in my mind, this happens because sometimes you have a preference for how your mom used to make it), but overall, it’s still quite good. Fruit is extremely fresh. There are so many patrons, that the turnover for the food is excellent. It’s bound to be fresh. The portions are very good. Try out Bette’s.

Gilwood's Cafe - American, St. Helena/Napa

1313 Main Street, St. Helena CA 94574
(707) 963-1788
Hours: Daily 7am-3pm

Parking: street parking

1320 Napa Town Center, Napa CA 94559
(707) 253-0409
Hours: Daily 7am-2:30pm

http://www.gillwoodscafe.com/

Last Visited: August 9, 2009

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$$

Gilwood's, open since 1991 in St. Helena, was recommended to me by the former City Manager of Napa for its good food and quaint atmosphere.

When I arrived at Gilwoods, it was about 11:30am and the waitlist had already begun to grow. I was probably the fourth or fifth on the list and there isn't much of a waiting area within the restaurant. Fortunately, it was a beautiful day outside and their colorful menu was posted in the window, so I had plenty of time to figure out what I wanted to order.

Enter the restaurant and see the specials and pie listed on the white board behind the counter. It's brightly lit and the wood tables and chairs give the restaurant a traditional cafe feeling. Service was friendly throughout our visit.

- Club Sandwich - Chicken, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado are sandwiched on toast and served with a choice of soup, salad, french fries or fresh fruit for an extra 75 cents. With this dish, we ordered soup. A typical club sandwich -everything was fresh, toast was . Good. $12.60

- French Dip - Roast beef is sliced and placed on a roll with melted cheese and served with au jus. I can't remember the exact price - somewhere over $10. I ordered a green salad with this. The sandwich was okay. The salad was fresh made of mostly lettuce and some chopped tomatoes. I appreciated that it was served on a separate plate - great especially for people that don't want their food to touch.

Gilwoods offers homemade bread for sale, and for sandwiches, you have a choice of country wheat, sourdough, or rye. Their cheese selection includes cheddar, monterey jack, pepper jack, and swiss.

- French Fries - I've been ordering fries as a side more frequently when I can't decide on whether or not I want to be healthy (i.e. ordering salad) or enjoy crispy fries. I found the color of the fries to be nice and golden, but they weren't as crispy on the outside as I wanted. I would probably skip fries next time. $3.75

Overall, I found the food to be good, but the prices are a bit higher than I would like to see. For example, burgers are $9.40 and the least expensive items seem to be the desserts for around $4 for a slice of pie or cake. Considering the wait on a weekend morning and good, but not exceptionally generous portions, I would say Gilwood's is a good stop if you are already in the area or if you are with guests in the Napa or St. Helena region. For me, having to drive more than half an hour to this destination, I would say there are many other options to consider.

S&P Kiosk - Soymilk, Chinese, Hong Kong

5-6 Hau Fook Street, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Nearest MTR: Tsim Sha Tsui - Cameron Road Exit
Tel: 852 2311 1498
Hours: Open 7am until late

Last Visited: November 2010

Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $

Hau Fook Street isn't a long street. It literally translates into mouth luck street. It's one of my favorite places to eat breakfast.

The location featured in this photo, S&P Kiosk, is a great spot for soy milk, both sweet and savory, and sticky rice. Sweet soy milk comes hot in a bowl or cold in a cup. Savory soy milk only comes hot. It's plain soy milk with pieces of fried Chinese donut, chopped preserved vegetables, dried shredded meat (Asian style jerky), baby shrimp, and chopped scallions. While savory soy milk may be an acquired taste to a foreign palate, one thing unique about it is that the ingredients coagulate the milk which is an indicator that it's good soy milk containing a lot of the soy still in it. Of course if you're less adventurous, you can also get milk tea and the like, but this establishment is especially known for soy milk.

Accompanying your soy milk, I would suggest getting a green onion pancake. This comes both regular or fried in egg. Both are good. Another option is the classic sticky rice snack.

I would suggest getting a green onion pancake. It's a circular piece of dough made with flour and glutinous rice flour. Combined with savory green onion, it's then pan fried (sometimes you'll find it deep fried) and is excellent alone or served with a little soy sauce and vinegar. There are also other options including pot stickers, but I prefer my pot stickers to have a thinner skin than what they provide here.

In the picture to the right, you'll see the woman preparing the snack by holding sticky rice in her hand, then filling it with the preserved vegetable and dried shredded meat mentioned above. It's a very filling dish, and it's so popular that people stand in line just to get it to go. This place opens around 7am - go later and you'll find that it's a madhouse. I typically order a hot sweet soy milk and sticky rice - it's still wrapped in its plastic bag in this photo.

Other breakfast specialties include their savory meat and vegetable stuffed pancake that is pan-fried as well as pan-fried potstickers. Northern dim sum is featured here.

While soymilk is one of their specialties, they offer a lot of options for lunch as well. You can see the photo shows rice noodles with snow vegetables and pork.

They also make soup dumplings - though these are a lot bigger than what I prefer. I find their dumpling wrapper to be thicker than what I like, although the filling is quite abundant. Think potsticker in soup and you'll get a sense for the size of these things. For lunch, I recommend ordering one of the noodle soup bowls.

There is another location in the Jordan district on Parkes Street that tends to be less crowded if you happen to be staying in that area. Ask for a set menu at the Jordan location and you can get a discount when you make this selection. If you don't ask for the set, they'll charge you separately. I don't think the set is available at their Hau Fook Street location.