26285 Mon Oct 27 10:59:39 -0800 2003 10 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 106694 Found myself unexpectedly on the main shopping street in San Mateo yesterday. It was lunchtime. And I didn't know where to eat. Wanted something simple (diner-ish). Found a greasy spoon on California (can't recall the name, alas) that was fine, but hardly memorable. For the next time, would love recommendations. Mon Oct 27 10:59:39 -0800 2003 0 susabelle 1 106704 For Diner food: Jeffrey's Hamburgers on B Street near Second Avenue. Recently expanded, clean, very good quality food. For Mexican: Pancho Villa on B near Fourth Avenue. Routinely wins the blue ribbon for Salsa at the State Fair. Consider the garlic prawn tacos (ask for garlic prawns, or they make it with regular prawns) -- I like them folded and wrapped which they do if you order two, or ask them to. For Chinese (Including Dim Sum): New restaurant called Joy Luck Palace on Fourth Ave between El Camino and B Street. They have another location in Southern California, and I recently went there for a weekday Dim Sum lunch. Standouts were: Barbequed Pork in Pastry (Like a British Pasty, very flaky) and the Mango Pudding we had for dessert. It was all good, and they willingly heated up items that got cold, and cut dumplings in half as we requested. They were busy so we had to flag people down for service. Bill came to $22 for the two of us. Mon Oct 27 12:24:50 -0800 2003 106694 0 Anne Emry 2 106742 Cupertino (the other location for Joy Luck) isn't usually classified as Southern California. :-) Have you tried the other branch to compare the quality? Mon Oct 27 16:59:51 -0800 2003 106704 0 Peter Yee 3 106753 I guess I subconsciously draw the line at Palo Alto. Clearly I haven't been to the other location or I might have had a clue. My friend who has didn't comment one way or the other, so I suppose it was consistent with what she expected. (Good.) Mon Oct 27 18:27:51 -0800 2003 106742 0 Anne Emry 3 106766 It is to me. But then, so is San Mateo. Mon Oct 27 20:46:21 -0800 2003 106742 0 Gary Soup 2 106744 Lovely to see you here again, Cugina Anne. Long ago you had recommended Kosta's - is it still around? Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/16358#44869 Mon Oct 27 17:12:11 -0800 2003 106704 0 Melanie Wong 3 106752 Toast. Now an upscale italian place that I haven't been able to drag Steve to. He's probably right. Mon Oct 27 18:24:36 -0800 2003 106744 0 Anne Emry 1 106713 Macchu Picchu on B Street has pretty good Peruvian food. Having just visited Peru myself, I can say the food was authentic and high quality. I have not had any of their seafood though.... Mon Oct 27 13:04:45 -0800 2003 106694 0 ron c 1 106717 Had a very good brunch yesterday at Viognier (above Draeger's) in San Mateo. It's a three-course brunch including beverages and dessert for $25. Two of my companions had a great pumpkin, pear and chestnut bisque. The balance of flavors was right on. The pizetta, waffles and seafood omelet went over very well. My "American Kobe" tri-tip was overshadowed by the accompanying emmenthaler gratin and braised greens. All in all though, I'd recommend it for a nice brunch. Marcelory Link: http://www.viognierrestaurant.com/html/menu_fall-brunch.html Mon Oct 27 13:52:54 -0800 2003 106694 0 Marcelory 1 106859 I really like Sinbad on Fourth Ave, it's a very good Lebanese grocery store-cum-restaurant. Order an Adana/Shish Kebab combination plate with Hummus and Tabouleh, and then some Baklava and mint tea for dessert. Sinbad is right next to Little Sichuan, which serves pretty good Sichuan food. My favorite dish there is the Taro Duck. For very inexpensive but good Vietnamese food, try Saigon City Restaurant on Third Ave near the railroad track. They have good Pho, Bahn Mi and BBQ lemon grass dishes, and are very inexpensive for both lunch and dinner. Tue Oct 28 20:02:56 -0800 2003 106694 0 Malik 1 106861 We happened onto Hakka restaurant knowing nothing about the area and boy, we were happy we did. Great food, holeinthewall atmosphere, loooow prices. Tue Oct 28 20:40:52 -0800 2003 106694 0 Sarah