Wasn't going to go out of my way to get this, but being a Novatoan means I can't pass this up! Was this located along the back wall with the beers and such?

Okay, not sure if I spelt it correctly, but it's the savory tamale in a pyramid like shape, wrapped in leaves?

Got one at Gum Wah for $2. The lady asked me if I wanted peanuts, I said yes, so there may be non-peanut options?

Didn't get a chance to eat it till the next day, but steamed in the microwave for a few minutes and to me, it's pretty good. Not enough duck egg to pass my dad's scrutiny (about 1/4) but the pork is moist and there are a few pieces of pork fat scattered throughout to keep it flavorful.

Gum Wah Restaurant
345 8th St, Oakland, CA 94607
Phone:(510) 834-3103

Glad you liked Chung King. We always go here for our CNY dinner. Tina, the owner, is very flexible and accomodating. (For example, we order the stuffed rice chicken WITHOUT shrimp, for my non-seafood eating DH and MIL.)

Chung King Restaurant
606 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone:(415) 986-3899

Looks like Breakfast Sandwich didn't get the top number of votes, but coincidentally, here's a post in SF weekly on top 5 sandwiches:

http://www.sfweekly.com/2013-05-01/re...

My Pau Pau's first name was Pearl, although I don't know her Chinese name. She had a dog named Lucky that got all the roast beef leftovers. :)

And my grandmother (Pau Pau) used to be the cashier at Sun Wah Que!

Just out of curiousity, why would the soup spoon be at the bottom of the bowl? Isn't it kinda messy to get to spoon to eat?

Thanks. I prefer steamed, kids like baked (and as noted previously, baked buns freeze well and defrost nicely in school lunches by noon.)

Baked or steamed?

Wanted to give another "shout out" for the service at Saigon Seafood. Have always had great service there; once when the rice rolls came around and I asked what kind they had (shrimp, char siu, etc.) but they didn't have beef. Said it would come around eventually, so we went back to eating what was on our table. A few minutes later, a server brought over a plate of rice rolls filled with beef - that was great!

One other story that isn't quite so much about the service but the quickness. Younger son is quite impatient (not sure who he gets that from, ahem...) and when the four of us walked into the restaurant when it opened on a Sat morning, he grumbled that it would take awhile to get food.

As we walked up to our table, there were two carts nearby. I asked and received about 4-5 plates/baskets of food, so the boys were able to eat as soon as they sat down! Younger son was quite happy about this.

Thanks, all - I go to Ruby King for their don tots and totally didn't clue in that they have baked buns as well.

Word to parents - these usually freeze well and if you put them in your kids' lunch bags, will defrost by lunchtime. :)

Am looking for recs for baked char siu bows in Oakland's Chinatown. TIA!

Looks like they have a website as well:

http://www.sweetbarbakery.com/

Yum, bacon gorgonzola scone! But what are "fauxnuts"?

Since you said Wood Tavern, then I'm assuming noise isn't an issue? How about Luka's? Definitely not stuffy!

http://www.lukasoakland.com/

I like that Plum Bar, if not Plum itself, will be open for lunch in December.

Haven't been to this, but Deer Park Villa in Fairfax has a Thanksgiving buffet that starts at 1pm. I called, and she said that you can make reservations to be seated as late as 6:30 or 7pm.

http://www.deerparkvilla.com/PDFs/Tha...

Have seen it in the Novato Costco.

Same here, just remembered I forgot to bring mine out the last time we had dinner at an OT restaurant - gonna check it now!

I would suggest Bistro Jeanty, and ask for the table in front of the fireplace. Would be very cozy in November!

I would also suggest a visit to the Ferry Building and farmers' market. Just walking around and trying samples should convince him (and be easy on the wallet).

Uptown location is closed.

http://www.bakesalebetty.com/locations.php

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/blog/...

I'm a little late to your post, but I did want to mention that don't use the trout at the farm near Bodega Bay (Hagemann's, right?) as a barometer for how fish should taste. We went there with the kids a few years ago - as an operation, it's a great set up for kids or people who don't know how to fish. However, the fish is definitely not as "sweet" as trout caught in a lake, and the meat is mushier as well.

Keep trying to fish! Perch is another fish that is easy to catch (stick a fish egg or marshmallow on a hook then put a bobber in the water) and is quite tasty pan fried (need to watch for bones). Good luck!

I usually go there for takeout, but when I've waited in the lobby, I see countless people just walk in and go straight upstairs; no one tells them where to go. (This is during the week, perhaps it's different on weekends?)

There's also Ozumo, next to Pican. They have a few private rooms, I think the biggest holds 50.

http://www.ozumooakland.com/private-a...

If the weather is rainy (I know we're in spring mode right now but who knows in a few weeks) you might want to consider the Zeum Museum. It's an indoor museum, although it is next to a really nice and big playground outside.

http://creativity.org/

There are several places to eat in the area, including Buca di Beppo.

http://www.bucadibeppo.com/locations/...

Had lunch at Mua's last week. Ordered the burger and asked for the fries to be crispy. They came out wonderfully; my only complaint was that they were on the small side (like 1/2 inch); I prefer slightly longer fries.

You can sit at the bar at Ad Hoc without reservations.

http://www.adhocrestaurant.com/

Confirming that they're celebrating on December 4th:

http://events.pressdemocrat.com/petal...

I know it's the day after, but Le Bedaine has great food for takeout!

Reporting back - Went to Cafe Mason after volunteering; they were doing brisk business for Thanksgiving morning. Place was about 2/3 full by the time we left at 10am - pretty much all tourists and business travellers.

I had the Irish Benedict (2 eggs over corned beef hash) with fresh fruit; son had the Swedish Pancakes. I would say the breakfast was decent to good - not chow or destination-worthy, but fine for stopping by if you're in the neighborhood.

Service was good once I asked for a server. Bathrooms are single (one for men, one for women) but clean.

Thanks for the rec, it worked for us!

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Cafe Mason
320 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94102