664669 Wed Nov 04 09:36:05 -0800 2009 19 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 5155190 We have friends visiting from out of town and we want to do dim sum with them this Sunday. We are looking for a place we can walk to from Union Square, or easily accessible by Muni, reasonably clean. No, we don't want to pay for Yank Sing. We will be 4 adults and 4 children. Our favorite place in the East Bay (close to where we live) is Hong Kong East Ocean in Emeryville. About ten years ago we were regulars at Gold Mountain in Chinatown. We usually travel to the Peninsula for the good stuff, but that's not an option this time. What is good these days *in* San Francisco? Thanks in advance for your help! Wed Nov 04 09:36:05 -0800 2009 294304 bemused42 1 5155261 You can walk to Chinatown from Union Square -- just a couple of blocks to Grant and then up Grant. For what you're looking for, I suggest Great Eastern. Wed Nov 04 09:55:46 -0800 2009 5155190 10159 Ruth Lafler 1 5155350 My favorite place in the city now is Hong Kong Lounge. Also acceptable is South Sea which is just an N ride away from downtown, relatively quiet with short waits. Wed Nov 04 10:14:04 -0800 2009 5155190 237172 sfbing 2 5156760 Hong Kong Lounge is also my new favorite in the city, and I've been at least six times this year. Sometimes it's phenomenal, but it's always at least very good. I think whether or not a particular trip is bumped into the "wow" range depends more on my luck in ordering new dishes that appeal to me, not the staff's consistency. When I go with unadventurous eaters and just get the most standard dim sum dishes, it's always very good and right around $10.-15 People are amazed they can pay Chinatown prices for far, far better food. Wed Nov 04 17:47:09 -0800 2009 5155350 11577 Pei 3 5156825 Beware the wait at HKLounge. We were there Monday 11:30 and had to wait 30 mins for a table for 4. Sundays may be worse. Waiting area is Geary Street. Wed Nov 04 18:18:31 -0800 2009 5156760 10877 Sarah 2 5157026 Except that bemused doesn't want to travel. South Sea and Hong Kong Lounge are both half an hour on MUNI or 20+ minutes for a couple of taxis. In that much time, you could be in Millbrae on BART. I'll give a nod to City View on Commercial near Montgomery. I thought it was very good when I was there on a Friday earlier this year. For comparison, Susancinsf and I went to Yank Sing with her husband. The food was occasionally okay but largely disappointing, especially the dumplings and overpriced Peking duck ($5.10 per slice). Servers were pushy with plates we hadn't asked for. And the bill came to $120 for 3 including $2.40 each for 6 oz glasses of soda. They do validate parking though. I've had better experiences here during the week and at Stevenson. This didn't make me want to return though. Wed Nov 04 19:39:17 -0800 2009 5155350 10966 Windy 3 5157120 yes, I do understand the urge not to want to travel; we chose it in part because it is across the street from the hotel where hubby and I were staying and I was feeling lazy but wanting a dim sum fix. and they do take reservations, though as it turned out, with the bridge closed many places we went, particularly in the Embarcardero area but also elsewhere, had lighter than normal crowds last weekend. The $120 included tax and tip IIRC but still too high. I did really like the rice noodle rolls filled with pork but I agree that many of the offerings were disappointing. I'd have been happier about the quality if we'd spent $20 p/p instead of $40. Wed Nov 04 20:32:21 -0800 2009 5157026 10158 susancinsf 4 5157174 The rice noodle rolls with pork were good, and the tofu wrapped in seaweed. Wed Nov 04 21:08:25 -0800 2009 5157120 10966 Windy 5 5157194 This thread is making me hungry for dim sum for lunch tomorrow...except my office is closest to Yank Sing. Wed Nov 04 21:21:43 -0800 2009 5157174 13525 JasmineG 6 5157274 Yank Sing 2 Go is not bad, and it's cheap (under $10 for a combo). As Susan pointed out, if Yank Sing weren't so expensive, the lapses would be no big deal. Wed Nov 04 23:15:00 -0800 2009 5157194 10966 Windy 7 5158178 I just wish Yank Sing to Go offered more dumplings, and at least one dumpling only combo. Thu Nov 05 09:36:45 -0800 2009 5157274 13525 JasmineG 3 5157611 I think City View is underrated on this board. Hugh Lipton is the only big fan I think. It's not Koi Palace, but in the Chinatown area, it's probably my favorite. Thu Nov 05 06:22:58 -0800 2009 5157026 10246 choctastic 4 5157799 City View is decent and if you take the setting and price of the dim sum into the formula than maybe better than Yank Sing. The dim sum of course is not the best but it is a good for the area. Thu Nov 05 07:25:37 -0800 2009 5157611 10686 yimster 1 5158124 We always hit City View just remember that it's closed on weekends. Thu Nov 05 09:19:34 -0800 2009 5155190 183966 trvlcrzy 1 5158382 I haven't been to City View, but I second Ruth's suggestion of Great Eastern. Don't know how the crowds are on Sundays so If one is crowded, perhaps you can try the other. City View - 415 398-2838 in order to check weekend hrs. Yelp says they are open. Thu Nov 05 10:33:44 -0800 2009 5155190 108661 ceekskat 1 5164989 Thank you for all of the responses! Yes, we want to walk so we are going to go to Great Eastern. I'll report back on how everyone likes it (especially compared to our other dim sum favorites). Sun Nov 08 09:13:11 -0800 2009 5155190 294304 bemused42 2 5165130 New Asia is deserving of renewed chowhound attention - both for taste and for value - the wrap on the siu mai is delicately thin and the pork filling is well seasoned; the jook is so tasty we asked for a second serving when the cart returned; we enjoyed the standards and new unfamiliar dishes, too. I cannot recall when I have been this satisfied with dim sum deliciousness. We enjoyed an amazing array of dishes... overshadowed only by the good company and conversation. Sun Nov 08 10:32:40 -0800 2009 5164989 13519 Cynsa 1 5165914 Our report from Great Eastern: It was a beautiful day in San Francisco and we enjoyed our walk across Chinatown. We arrived at Great Eastern around 10:35 and only had to wait for a few minutes. They presented us with a laminated sheet with color photos and english translations of the dim sum items -- perfect for our out-of-town guests. We ordered way too much -- enough food for 12 or 14 so we had lots of leftovers. The bill was $135 including tip. I had low expectations, but was happily surprised. Overall, the food was excellent. The shrimp in the har gow was fresh and sweet. My sixth grader liked the char siu bao (baked bbq pork buns). The nai wong bao (egg custard buns) were excellent. On the negative side, my sixth grader says the siu lum bao (steamed Shanghai dumplings) lacked juice -- the skins broke as they were served -- a sign of overcooking. They served these with the red vinegar but no ginger threads. The jing dui (sesame balls) were "mushy" -- I thought there was too much dough. We also ordered our usual favorites plus some more for our friends: beef cheong fun, turnip cakes, bbq pork pastry turnovers, siu mai, potstickers. Everybody also liked the sticky rice wraps and the stuffed eggplant. You might not find the quality of the dim sum spots in Millbrae or Daly City, but overall I can definitely recommend Great Eastern if you are in SF Chinatown. Our group of eight -- including four adults, one teenager, two sixth graders, and a three-year old -- left full and satisfied. Thank you again for the suggestion! Next time we might try City View or even New Asia -- I remember both from long long ago when we lived in SF. Sun Nov 08 17:57:02 -0800 2009 5155190 294304 bemused42 2 5166865 Thanks for the review of your visit! I have guests coming this week and "dim sum in Chinatown" is on the list.... Mon Nov 09 08:02:32 -0800 2009 5165914 41224 meels 2 5167189 Thanks for reporting back! Mon Nov 09 09:45:36 -0800 2009 5165914 10159 Ruth Lafler