Never Too Latte

Like the cafe's name, this place is full of cute charms. First of all, the atmosphere is very relaxing and quaint. It's not ideal for noisy and rambunctious groups as many people come here to study with their laptops and books. However, it is quite welcoming for small groups having softer conversations. I can imagine laughing quite loudly and catching other customers' attention. This place is ideal even for families whose children can be entertained with a few board games and toys. The quality of the food is fair and simple, nothing too extravagant. I am a huge fan of their sippy lids that slide for closure, making it convenient for someone like me who tends to spill a portion of my drink by walking around. Although, nowadays, you can find these lids in a few other cafes, I still appreciate the convenience. Some comments on the food, if you like warm milk tea with cinnamon spices, then the NTL pulled milk tea can easily satisfy such cravings. The green tea latte is fairly light, which I wish was a bit more richer. Overall, their coffee beverages are great. I've tried a few of the dessert items including their crepe which was enjoyable. I can't speak much of the rest of the menu, but this place is definitely above average. Prices for the food items are standard, with drinks ranging from $2-$4 and food items $2-$8. I do like the intimate and friendy interaction between the workers and customers, mirroring a home-like feel.

Yelp Review
486 San Mateo Ave
San Bruno, CA 94066

Joanie's Cafe

I have an unconditional love towards brunch, so I have a tendency to praise places that serve good quality breakfast and brunch meals. Joanie's Cafe definitely makes the top list for my affair with brunch places. Like Sunny Side Cafe, La Note, Fat Apples, and Venus in Berkeley/Solano Avenue, Joanie's is a quiant little shop in Palo Alto (near Stanford University) with lots of charm. I love the vintage-style art hung on the walls and small novelty items displayed on the counter. Breakfast and lunch items are served till 2 pm and the restaurant re-opens for dinner at 5 pm. I unfortunately have not tried the dinner, but I heard the food is as amazing as breakfast. The store is small and cozy, utilizing all amounts of space for a well-packed venue. Luckily when I came, there wasn't a long wait, but I can imagine on the weekends during the busiest hours people waiting for seats. The prices are moderate, around $1o an entree.


Dishes are filling; I especially enjoyed my omelet of feta, spinach, tomatoes and bacon. Another dish I tried was the home fries favorite mixed with bell peppers, onions, eggs, ham, and cheese which was delicious. I must say my favorite side, if given the choice to order, is their hash browns. Perfectly crisped with a softness that mirrors mash potatoes, I can can easily state that Joanie's serves the best hash browns I've ever had. If I come back again, I'll definitely try the hash browns and perhaps get the salmon crepe, which I am hoping is thin and crisp as well. A friend who went with me to brunch ordered the hot chocolate and said the one at La Note in Berkeley is richer. I've had the mocha in La Note and loved the taste as well as the big soup cup that contained the beverage. Overall, from what I can tell from looking at people's tables was that the food at Joanie's is solid and satisfying.

447 S California Ave
Palo Alto, CA 94306
Yelp Review

Tai Wu (Mr. Fong's)

Tai Wu, located in the foggy hills of Callan Blvd in Daly City, is among a string of Asian shops. I remember coming here at a very young age during the restaurant's grand opening. As a child, I received a complimentary paper dragon to play with, but more importantly, I enjoyed fresh quality seafood. As one of the few Chinese restaurants in Daly City, Tai Wu is the best second choice for good quality dim sum after Koi Palace. Prices for the dishes are more affordable and the quanity of food is reasonable. For a small, you can get 4 pieces of shrimp dumpling (har gau) and 4 pieces of shu mai. Some places I believe would only give three pieces, causing my family of four to fight over who gets a piece. The wait is much more tolerable. The dining area is well-kept and clean, and the service is decent with attentive waiters and waitresses. The selection of dishes are typical for dim sum and seafood-oriented entrees. For the quality of seafood, I have to give Tai Wu a high rating because I find it particularly hard to appreciate good seafood.

950 King Dr
Daly City, CA 94015
Yelp Review

Chick O'Peas

Chick O' Peas is a cute little shop close to downtown Berkeley/Gourmet Ghetto. Tucked away in a little alley, this place can be easily overlooked. Venturing unexplored territory in Berkeley can bring many pleasant surprises. I unfortunately have not tried their falafels, which is their main dish. I did, however, tried their fries and I was blown away. Their fries are thin, shoestrings and made perfectly right. They also feature several flavors topped and mixed with their fries. I tried both the pesto and wasabi fries, and were both delectable. I was especially pleased with the wasabi fries, which were moderate and not too spicy. If I'm ever around Berkeley, I would go back and try their falafels. The place isn't too crowded, and able to accomodate 4-5 groups of people and prices were fair.

1926 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
Yelp Review

SO

SO is a Chinese fusion restaurant, serving some interesting selection of modern Chinese style food. I can see why it's a fusion restaurant as it reminds me of Americanized-Chinese food with some retaining Asian influence. What is so special about this place is the types of dishes they serve. I normally prefer steamed dumplings, but the fried dumplings are quite filling and appetizing. If you like spicy chicken wings, then SO is a great place to get sweet, tangy wings for a reasonable price (the wings are quite large as well). One other dish I love is the seafood peanut noodle. For those who enjoy Asian peanut drinks/soups would be satisfied with this entree, rich in peanut flavor and seafood. Other notable and unique dishes include cherry chicken, fried mushrooms, and the sauteed string beans. Prices for the dishes are quite cheap for the amount of food you get ($5-$12). Located among many businesses in downtown San Francisco, this place seems ideal for quick to-go and for delivery orders. I mean, who can bargain with good prices and tasty food at a location in a busy city.


Yelp Review
1010 Bryant St
San Francisco, CA 94103

South Sea Seafood Village

South Sea Seafood Village (I feel the name is a bit redundant, but I guess that's the Chinese way of naming) is a high-class Asian restaurant. By its name, it's no wonder they specialize in seafood, with nice hearty portions. I went with my family recently and for a group of four, we got 3 dishes (the eggplant with garlic sauce and pork, fujian fried rice, and the south sea seafood village special pan fried noodle). The dishes were filling, enough for us to take home leftovers. The quality of the food is pretty good and authentic. I prefer getting their seafood because they prepare them well. Lunch hours feature traditional dim sum, not a great variety but what you would typically find at a dim sum shop. The prices are $2.30 (S), $2.80 (M), $3.80 (L), and $5.00 (CS). I've had their dim sum once before and believe it's pretty decent for the price you pay. I wouldn't compare it to the quality of dim sum at Koi Palace, but it's definitely a good alternative.


Some things to take notice before placing your orders. If you're the stingy type who prefers not to pay extra for tea and/or rice, then make note of the fees. As of now, the fees for tea depends on the type of tea you request, which range from $1-$3 per person. Rice is also charged $0.50 per person, which in essence I find to be necessary to have unless I am eating noodles or fried rice (since there's rice anyways).

The atmosphere of the restaurant is quite roomy and grand, with its rich red decor and lucky Chinese artifacts. It's a nice setting for formal family outtings, dates, and holding big events such as a birthday party, anniversary, or wedding. I haven't tried the Millbrae branch (formerly was Fook Yuen), which opened recently, but I shall in a few weeks for my cousin's wedding reception.

1420 Irving St
San Francisco, CA 94122
Yelp Review

Onyx Milk Tea

I have a personal story with how I came across Onyx. A couple years ago, I met a guy at my friend's birthday party. He was a student, like me, at the University of California, Berkeley in HAAS School of Business. At the time, he wasn't entirely sure what he had planned, but opening up a shop was one of his ideas. A year later, I receive a facebook invitation from him to the grand opening of his own tapioca place. To my surprise, it has been opened for at least a year and the business has been quite successful. I honestly didn't go during the shop's grand opening, for I was still around Berkeley and the tapioca place was in my hometown across the Bay Bridge, but I finally got to try it a few months ago while running errands at oriental market which is located in the same plaza as Onyx. As of now, I've been here a few times, getting standard milk tea and recently trying the lavender milk tea. From my experience, the quality of the drinks are good, filled with flavor. The only complaint I have is the sweetness of the milk tea can be overpowering. I have not tried anything else other than their milk teas, but they have a variety of Asian snacks such as popcorn chicken. Interestngly, they serve an item called fried oreos. The prices are around $2.50-$3.50 for drinks, and snacks can go well up to $5. It is also important to note that this place only accepts cash.

The decor has a nice, lively vibe, with great choice in colors. I adore the beanbag cushions and the soft red couch, which are obviously popular and usually the first taken seats. Independently, this place has charm, but with the market next door along with some other reputable restaurants, I wouldn't be surprised that this place has some good business. So to that guy I met a couple years ago, fantastic job and hope for continual success.

Yelp Review
950 King Dr
Ste 106
Daly City, CA 94015