Skyline Cafe - Chinese, Daly City

87 Skyline Plaza, Daly City CA 94015
(650) 991-1117
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
Hours: 10am-1am Daily

Last Visited: May 11, 2012

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 stars
Service: 1 to 2 stars
Price: $ to $$

Located in the same shopping center as Ranch 99, Skyline Cafe is conveniently located and offers a lot of typical Chinese dishes at a very reasonable price.  However, note that it's cash only. 
Two units provide a lot of booth and table seating, and as dinner approaches, there are often lines out the door.  However, service here is extremely casual and sometimes nonexistent.

- Dry Fried Beef Chow Fun - The usual ingredients - chow fun, beef, green onions, onions, and bean sprouts. The flavor is good and you get a decent quantity of meat.  Pretty traditional.  While it's not the best I have tried, this is a good dish and great value.  I would have no qualms getting this again. Solid three stars.  $5.95

- Cod Fillet with Bitter Melon and Rice - Great wok air on this dish - it stays hot for a while.  The cod is tender and fresh and the bitter melon is sliced fairly thin and has absorbed the flavors of the black bean sauce. Two scoops of rice makes this a very filling dish.  Another solid three stars.  $5.50

Three dishes for $19.99.  A full page of choices is available for you to select three dishes from.  Some of the items require additional charges as noted on the menu.  The strange thing is that rice is included, but soup is an additional charge - since they didn't actually ask us if we wanted soup, it seems very strange to see it as an additional charge on the bill.

- Hainan Chicken - This was disastrous compared to the rest of the dishes.  The meat was dry and fairly flavorless.  It was hard to eat fresh, let alone as a leftover.  The pickled vegetables that came with the dish were also bad.  The daikon radish was bitter and only the carrots were good.  The cucumber was also lackluster.  I would avoid this dish like the plague.

- Braised Tofu with Vegetables - This dish was not that great either, but better than the chicken.  While the dish came out hot, the braised tofu was dense when it should be soft inside.  The vegetables, bok choy and dried mushrooms, were also just okay.  I was pretty disappointed with this dish and wouldn't get it again.

- Deep Fried Flounder (add $1.50) - Of the three dishes this evening, this was the best one.  The fish was fresh and the batter was light and crispy.  It came as expected with a slightly sweetened soy sauce underneath the fish.  A few green onions on top would make the presentation better.  Good.

Service here is minimal.  Staff is efficient in terms of taking your order and bringing the food quickly when the kitchen is ready, but they don't come back to check on you and getting a tea refill requires asking.  I was ready to give service two stars, but when the check came, one of the waitresses practically gave away my table while I was still sitting there and let the new customers hover over my table even before I had finished my tea, so I dropped their service rating.

While the first visit was really positive, my second visit left me desiring much more and leaning toward take out rather than dining in the restaurant to avoid the service issues.

Pho Ngoc Tranh - Vietnamese, Petaluma

1390 N. McDowell Blvd, B1, Petaluma CA 94954
(707) 665-9888
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Daily 10:30am - 9pm
http://www.phongocthan.com

Last Visited: May 12, 2012

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

I saw a friend check in to Ngoc Tranh and was excited to find that another Vietnamese restaurant has opened up in Petaluma to give Thang Long some competition.  Thang Long has been able to monopolize the Petaluma Vietnamese food marketplace for a long time.

Located in the OSH shopping center in the former location of Jerome's BBQ, Pho Ngoc Tranh has remodeled the interior so that the bright colors on the walls and dividers, semi-open kitchen, and new furniture give the restaurant a very fresh, clean feel.  Open for about two months now, Ngoc Tranh is a family-owned restaurant.  Their menu features a lot of very appetizing photos to help you decide what to order and to educate customers about what to expect from their dishes.  Ngoc Tranh also seems very tech savvy in that their take out menu even contains a QR code (those funny squares with blotches in between that you scan to your phone).

It feels like they are still working through some of the kinks of a opening a new restaurant.  Service is warm and friendly, but not particularly fast - it seems a little amateur in nature in how they serve bowls of noodles and other plates.  The check also takes a while to come. 

- Special Combo Beef Noodle Soup - Rare steak, well-done brisket, flank steak, tendon, tripe, and beef balls are served in hot beef broth with vermicelli noodles.  These noodles were a bit wider than what you typically find at most Vietnamese restaurants.  A plate of lemon wedges, jalapenos, bean sprouts, and thai basil were also served with the soup. While the flavor was good and the broth was fairly light, I found the quantity to be smaller than what I expected.  The price point is about a dollar too high, especially after considering the quantity.  Presentation is clean and simple. $7.95

Ngoc Tranh offers a lot of the typical items found at Vietnamese restaurants including spring rolls, Vietnamese sandwiches, vermicelli, and BBQ meats.  In the display refrigerator out front, desserts like 3 color pandan jelly entice patrons.  One of the more unusual items that they service is imitation chicken over noodles listed in the vegetarian section of the menu. 

The flavors are good and the service is friendly, although there is room for improvement.   These prices will hopefully be sustainable in this area, but are notably about 10% higher than what you would find in places with greater competition.  It will be interesting to see how locals respond to some of these new offerings.

Sunny Shanghai - Chinese, San Bruno

189 El Camino Real, San Bruno CA 94066
(650) 615-9879
Parking: street parking

Last Visited: May 23, 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 1 to 2 stars
Price: $ to $$

Aunt Stella recommended we try Sunny Shanghai for some authentic Shanghainese cuisine.

When we arrived, the bell on the door made a noise, but there was only one table of patrons.  Since a friend had recommended the place, we didn't let this deter us, but we were surprised that nobody came out to seat us.  We picked our own table and grabbed a couple of menus that were sitting on the table closest to the door.  After two minutes, a lady peeked her head out from the back hallway and then proceeded to go right back into the hall.  Another minute later, she brought out a pot of tea and came to our table with it.  There wasn't much of a greeting even at that point, and unfortunately, the tea had no flavor. 

The waitress came back to take our order and then she disappeared again.  Since it appears to be her and the chef only, when she is not in the room, it's a pretty seemingly empty place.  As other patrons came in, they received a similar reception - nobody came out for a few minutes and everyone comes in looking a little lost wondering if they should sit or just wait.

Food came out about ten minutes after ordering, but the strange feeling continued as each dish came out on average at ten minute intervals.  Only two of the plates came even close to arriving within five minutes of each other.

- Salted Vegetable and Pork with Rice Cake - The quantity on the plate seemed small, but the flavor was good.  The salted vegetables are fresh in the sense that they are preserved, but don't come from a can.  The rice cake is just the right texture, and the flavor is present.  Since the serving plates are so large, it makes the amount served seems even smaller.  If it were presented on a different sized plate, it would seem like a better value.  Still good and worth ordering.  $6.95

- Green Onion Pancake - This is a great bargain - eight pieces at a very reasonable price.  The outside of this savory pancake is crispy and the inside is tender with a nice green onion flavor that isn't overwhelming.  $2.95

- Pork Steamed Dumplings (xiao long bao) - Eight pieces are served in a steamer along with vinegar.  The texture of the dumpling wrapper is tender, although the top where the dough is twisted together is a little thick.  The pork inside is flavorful, but could have a little more soup.  Good. $4.95

- Pork Potstickers - Six potstickers are lightly browned on the outside.  The filling is the same as that of the pork steamed dumplings.  The potsticker dough was a little too thick which makes it harder for the dough to crisp properly. While the flavors are okay, I probably would get something else next time. $4.95

- Hot and Sour Soup - There is plenty of soup to serve four and even perhaps six people.  More sour than hot, I found it hard to drink more than one serving of soup.  The usual ingredients, egg, carrots, onions, mushrooms, and black fungus were present, but I've had soup with a better balance of flavor.  The soup has the right consistency though - just lightly coating the back of my spoon.  $5.95

The first three dishes above are definitely worth getting.  While the xiao long bao are no match for famous Ding Tai Fung XLB, it's pretty good compared to local places. 

It's pretty clear - some food is okay and some is better than okay.  Service is mediocre, but you'll see her smile on occasion. There is a lot of opportunity to improve both the service and the atmosphere. Lastly, don't be in a hurry - the average time for food to come out is about ten minutes per dish - with this estimate you'll be close to accurate for the amount of time needed to eat.

Little Lucca - Sandwiches, South San Francisco

724 El Camino Real, South San Francisco CA 94080
(650) 589-8916
Parking: in parking lot, street parking
1809 El Camino Real, Burlingame CA 94010
(650) 697-8389
http://www.littlelucca.com/

Last Visited: May 13, 2012

Food: 3 stars
Atmosphere: N/A
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $ to $$

Little Lucca's has been around since 1980.  The original location is housed in a historic building in South San Francisco.  While it's a super small shack, the place is always packed with a line out the door. 

Little Lucca's is known for their famous original garlic sauce and their hot pepper sauce.  These two sauces really add that something special, an extra bite, to each bite of your sandwich.  Inside the shack, there is a counter running the length of the building.  As you enter, you'll see the extensive menu behind the counter along with lots of special sandwiches too. Piles of fresh rolls are stacked up along the wall too.

Aside from the sauces, the large portions (about 8 to 10 inches of bread) plus the fresh ingredients (they're well known for their dutch crunch) really make the sandwich stand out. 

- Fire Roasted Steak Sandwich - Tender steak is sliced thin and heated in a microwave, then placed on a giant roll (I chose dutch crunch) along with the works.  Delicious flavor, however, because of the wait to pay (see below), the bread really turned soggy.  $8.25

While there is no seating inside the shack, there are a few picnic tables outside for you to enjoy your sandwich.  The cashier services pre-orders before walk-ins, so I had to wait a minute for one pre-order and another five minutes for the second pre-order to be paid.  The minutes were ticking away and my sandwich bread was turning soggy.  After a four minute walk nearby to a place that I could sit, the bread just didn't hold up to the fabulous sauces and moisture.  While the top was fine, the bottom was just starting to fall apart. 

If you can eat it nearly instantly, it is probably a four star sandwich, but I give it a solid three stars.  The green garlic sauce is really delicious and the portions make this a great value, but I would really like to get out the door faster. 

There is plenty of variety when it comes to available sandwiches, and they'll make it to your liking.
You can also pre-order via fax for pickup.  I would strongly recommend this for larger orders.  Also, cash is required for all orders under $10.

Tani's Kitchen - Japanese, Daly City

32 Park Plaza Drive, Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 992-1701
Parking: shopping center parking, street parking
Hours: Mon-Tues, Thurs-Sat 12pm-9:30pm, Sun 2pm-9pm, Closed Wednesdays
Last Visited: March 22, 2012

Food: 2 to 3 stars
Atmosphere: 2 stars
Service: 2 to 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
Josh told me about Tani's and how his favorite dish their is the tonkatsu.  With that in mind, a friend and I decided to check it out together.

Located on on the outerside of Westlake Shopping Center, you might pass by it without a second look.  The restaurant is pretty tiny and would be described as a hole in the wall.  The small L-shaped counter seats about six people when packed and the way the small amount of tables are filled (sometimes three to a table typically meant for two at most restaurants) gives you a sense of being packed like a sardine.  Yet, Tani's has a line waiting out the door.  We waited about twenty minutes to get a table. 

Once inside, we saw a lot of people ordering the curry.  My friend ordered it and said it was a little sweet.
- California Rolls with real crab - The California rolls tasted fresh, but the roll itself was just ok when it comes to presentation.  First, I noticed that they weren't cut evenly, so you saw variation in the height of the pieces.  The other problem with them was that they weren't rolled tightly enough, so they fell apart when I picked them up with chopsticks.  While the flavor was fine, the seaweed wasn't as crisp as it could be.  Considering how closely I was sitting next to the kitchen, it should have come out sooner and the texture seems to indicate that it sat for a few minutes waiting to be served.  These rolls also come with a small serving of pickled ginger. $3.95

- Tonkatsu - The tonkatsu pork chop comes with green salad, macaroni salad, and rice.  The dressing on the green salad is thick and wasn't particularly pleasant to my tastes.  The macaroni salad lacked flavor and just seemed to be dressed in too much mayonnaise.  The tonkatsu was nicely breaded, but fried too dark.  The pork chop cut was a bit too fatty for me, so a portion was inedible.  $8.25

Service is efficient, mainly so you can get out the door faster and they can take new customers.  It's not particularly warm, but not too bad either.  My tea was refilled without my asking for it. 

The prices are reasonable and the food is decent - I would say it's an ideal place for college students whom might have a less discerning palate and are on a budget.  To go orders take quite a long time - some people waited for as long as 45 minutes, so call ahead.  Also, it's cash only, so come prepared.

Lee's Cafe - Chinese Cafe, South San Francisco

398 Grand Ave, South San Francisco CA 94080
(650) 873-8880
Parking: street parking

Last Visited: April 27, 2012

Food: 2 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 1 to 2 stars
Price: $ to $$

Cherrie told me about this new restaurant that had opened up on Grand Avenue and how it was serving Hong Kong style American food.  What that means is that you get a mix of Chinese dishes with things like baked spaghetti, chicken cooked in a cream sauce and served over rice, or the ever popular diced ham with macaroni in soup.  These are all classic HK style American dishes.

When I saw Lee's Cafe's menu, it was pretty standard in terms of what I was expecting, so I made an effort to go check it out.

On one side of the restaurant is the buffet offerings which includes standards like hot and sour soup, egg flower soup, noodles, fried rice, and typical entrees like beef with broccoli and sweet and sour pork.  You can purchase a single item in a standard sized box or order two entrees with rice, among other choices. 

On the other side of the restaurant is regular seating where you wait to be seated.  It's a brightly lit cafe that looks pretty standard.  Newly remodeled, it's clean and bright. 
We were promptly seated and given menus.  We received hot tea which was fairly flavorless. While the hostess was efficient, she and the other staff members weren't particularly warm. 

Each plate we ordered came with a bowl of soup.  I have no idea what the soup was though - it contained frozen peas, frozen carrots, and frozen potatoes.  These were in a starchy soup that had a smooth consistency and a flavor like cream of chicken, but I still don't know what it was.   


- Dry Fried Beef Chow Fun - A square plate arrived with chow fun, bean sprouts, beef, and sliced onions. In general, this dish wasn't bad - in fact, it redeemed the entire meal.  I would give it two to three stars because the chow fun was cooked properly and not sticking together.  The bean sprouts could have been cooked just a touch more to be a little less crunchy.  The beef was a little over-marinated so the texture wasn't quite right; it also lacked flavor.  This dish was okay and I would eat it again even though the meat could be better. $6.95

- Korean Style Beef Short Rib - This dish came with garlic bread and offered a choice of rice or spaghetti.  Let's start with the short rib.  The short rib itself was okay, but it was by no means what you would expect when you eat Korean style short ribs.  The sauce was just a basic brown sauce, not at all authentic.  The broccoli, sliced carrots, and frozen corn was okay, but just boiled - nothing special.  The spaghetti was very overcooked (soft) and the sauce was much too sweet for my taste.  It seemed to be ketchup-based instead of homemade.  The garlic bread came more than ten minutes after the main dish was served.  I bit into it only to find it dry and lacking in flavor.  The first word that came to my mind was 'sawdust'.  Just look at it - that photo speaks a lot.   One star. $8.50


Service was fairly lacking, and only when it came time to receive the bill did we actually hear words of thanks and checking in to see whether or not we needed more tea.  One would think that when the garlic bread was brought out so late in the meanl, that that would have been an excellent opportunity to check on us and see how our food was, but it was just plopped down at our table without a word. 

I feel a bit like I was eating mystery food - mystery soup, unknown spaghetti sauce, and something that should never be called garlic bread.  If you go to Lee's Cafe, stick to the Chinese food.

Sinugba - Filipino, Daly City

2055 Gellert  Blvd, Suite 5, Daly City CA 94015
(650) 878-3591
Parking: in shopping center parking lot
http://sinugba.webs.com/

Last Visited: March 24, 2012

Food: 3 to 4 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $$ to $$$
Audrey recommended Sinugba to me and said that I had to try to sisig, so of course, I had to check it out.  Located in the back of a strip mall, it's easy to pass by Sinugba and not know that it's there.  Look for a sign on the main street in the island, then turn into the shopping center and drive around to the rear.

Singuba means grilled.  The small restaurant has dark red walls with brightly colored paintings on one side of the restaurant.  Yellow tablecloths are covered with plexiglass.  The windows bring in a lot of natural light.  From the dining area, you can see into the kitchen where you can see the chefs preparing the delicious homestyle food. 

The menu has a lot of choices, but I always enjoy a good pancit, so it wasn't too hard to decide what to try.  We were promptly seated by the friendly owner.  After ordering, he brought us water and warm plates.  Food came in a reasonable amount of time and super hot in temperature.

- Sizzling Augusto's Sisig - Chopped crunchy pork belly, brunoise onions, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic and spices are served on a sizzling plate.  Two lemon slices were served on top.  I squeezed the lemon over the dish and the smell of the citrus added to the already wonderful scents coming from the plate.  The mixture of textures were delightful and this was great served over the rice that I had ordered.  The onions were not quite cooked through which gave the dish and extra bite to it.  Yummy - this is one of their signature dishes and worth ordering.  $12.95

- Crispy Fried Chicken - Four pieces of chicken, all dark meat, is fried until golden brown.  I really enjoyed the crispy skin and wish I could just eat a plateful of crispy skin.  Unfortunately, I thought the meat was a little on the dry side.  $5.95

- Pancit Bihon - Chicken is cooked with slices of celery, cabbage, carrots, and rice noodles.  A wedge of lemon is also included.  The portion is generous and the noodle dish is flavorful.  I thought it was good, but maybe priced a little higher than it needed to be.  This is good home cooking.   $8.95

- Steam Rice - Pretty standard.  Cup $2, Bowl $5
While the service was friendly, I would have liked to received water earlier.  It was nice to receive warm plates, but by the time the food arrived, the plates were cold - if that were timed better, it would make the gesture of warming plates worthwhile.  The food at Singuba definitely falls in the category of comfort food.  Prices for the sisig and pancit could be reduced slightly for it to be a better value, but I enjoyed the flavors.  Portions are large and taste good the next day too.