Howard Wong's Profile
Italian Restaurant Suggestions (SF/North Beach)
As a long-time resident of North Beach, I've become a regular patron of Original U.S. Restaurant on Columbus Ave. (between Green/ Union Sts.). Consistently tasty Sicilian Italian food, homey but substantial---with quality pasta grains, sauces and very reliable Specials of the Day. Atmosphere is quaint and authentic---with a painted mural showing the ladies who originated U.S. Restaurant way back when. Service is friendly and welcoming. There are new owners, but the tradition has continued. And for good measure, wine is fair in price and quantity.
SF- Does the Emperor have no Chowhound clothes?
After sufficient travel and food research, wherever I go, I've come to a conclusion: San Francisco is the culinary capital of the US. There is actually empirical evidence to support this conclusion. For a whopping 16 consecutive years, Conde Nast Travel Magazine's reader poll places SF as the #1 travel destination in the US (2nd only to Sydney globally)---unprecedented by any destination. A major criteria for this accomplishment is SF's worldwide Restaurant Score of 93.1. Frequently when travelling, San Franciscans are perplexed by undrinkable red wine, dumplings without fillings, tasteless pasta, oil-dripped meats, mundane dishes priced as royalty..... We take for granted the pioneering history of San Francisco's culinary scene, which has rippled throughout the Bay Area, California and the US. Fueled by nearby fresh bountiful agriculture, ranches, ocean seafood, vinyards, orchards and imported foreign food products, even average chefs have a higher probability for quality cuisine. But add the spark of culinary creativity and cultural variety---and San Francisco's food scene IS remarkable. SO,, for visitors to San Francisco, stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, buy a whole roast duck in Chinatown, dungeness crabs at Fisherman's Wharf, sourdough french bread and a bottle or two of California Pinot Noir---AND ENJOY!
Bund Shanghai restaurant
A nice addition to variety in Chinatown---of fairly good overall quality. I tried the classic Drunken Chicken, with the bone, traditional taste and texture. The more unfamiliar Beef Dumplings were exceptional. Without having to go westward, "Bund Shanghai" can become a regular place to go. Westward, "Five Happiness" on Geary has better Drunken Chicken (boneless). And "Shanghai House" on Balboa has a Drunken Half-Chicken of high stnadards.
