Panda Country Kitchen - CLOSED

Xmas Eve at Panda Country Kitchen. At 5:30 we were one of only two tables occupied, but by 6:30 the joint was jumping. PCK is excellent compared to most local Sichuan restaurants, but not as good as China Village for me. The two dishes we had that I've also had at CV -- West Village spicy fish fillet and charred cabbage. The fish was one-note hot, not complex like CV. The cabbage was fine but not...+READ Xmas Eve at Panda Country Kitchen. At 5:30 we were one of only two tables occupied, but by 6:30 the joint was jumping. PCK is excellent compared to most local Sichuan restaurants, but not as good as China Village for me. The two dishes we had that I've also had at CV -- West Village spicy fish fillet and charred cabbage. The fish was one-note hot, not complex like CV. The cabbage was fine but not fabulous as it usually has been at CV. I liked the PCK version of cold bacon-cut pork in garlic sauce, and another fish dish, the dry braised dish on the house special menu, was tasty and had the authentic numbing effect. The best dish was the house special Sichuan twice-cooked pork. $70 for four people with a round of drinks and plenty of leftovers. Friendly staff, pleasant room.

Xmas Day at R & G Lounge. My friend and I were feeling nonconformist so we didn't have the crab and the giant mound of pea shoots that were on virtually every other table. We made up for it with salt and pepper scallops and soy sauce duck -- both very good -- and some rather forgettable vegetable combo. I kind of regret the crab now, but I'll go back another day. R & G is a good place to lose the holiday blues, loud and cheerful but elegant. Portsmouth Square garage was almost completely full at 2 PM, though it had thinned out a bit when we left.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (13 Replies) (by Nina, created December 29, 2009)

Alright, allow me to settle the question of DDM in the Bay once and for all! I am an SF native and have tried a lot of DDM at Chinese restaurants all over SF and the Bay Area. I have found a very wide range of styles and quality. The best of all of them in my opinion is Panda Country Kitchen on Geary between 11th and 12th. That place is very good in general if you are looking for authentic...+READ Alright, allow me to settle the question of DDM in the Bay once and for all! I am an SF native and have tried a lot of DDM at Chinese restaurants all over SF and the Bay Area. I have found a very wide range of styles and quality. The best of all of them in my opinion is Panda Country Kitchen on Geary between 11th and 12th. That place is very good in general if you are looking for authentic Szechuan food.-COLLAPSE / REPLY (3 Replies) (by dex1lsp, created November 9, 2009)