This month's edition of San Francisco magazine is focused on the rise of the Chinese-American establishment in EssEff and the rest of the Bay Area. The closing of the grand dame of Chinese restaurants in Chinatown, The Empress of China, generated this sentiment
What's more, the restaurants most favored by Chinese customers aren't located in Chinatown anymore. "You go to Millbrae, and there are, like, 150 restaurants," says realtor Anton Qiu. "And, frankly speaking, the restaurants there are far better." ...According to Betty Louie, a prominent landlord on Grant Avenue "Chinatown is the last place to go for food."
So our neighbor to the north is making great culinary headway. What are the Voice readers' favorite Chinese restaurants in Millbrae? I may want to try something new besides the awesome standby Hot Wok Bistro just over the border into San Mateo.
Hot Wok isn't authentic Chinese, its geared towards westerners. I use to go there a lot and I never once saw a Chinese person in there.
Posted by: lisa t | April 13, 2015 at 06:00 PM
Empress of China was great, until Panda Express, which featured no visible cockroaches in addition to Orange Sweet and Sour Chicken, came into being. I kid, I kid.
The name Bruce Dickinson and haute cuisine are practically synonymous, and I would be remiss if I didn't say that I've eaten at maybe 90% of the Michelin starred restaurants in the Bay Area. That doesn't mean that I don't appreciate the local ethnic flavors. Flower Lounge, ok but a bit pricey. Tai Wu is the hubbub these days, had some food delivered from there one night at the compound and was good, would say similar to Flower Lounge. My favorites in the Bay Area: R&G Lounge in SF, Koi Palace in Daly City for dim-sum, Ming's in Palo Alto (also dim sum), Mingalaba in Burlingame, and of course Chef Chu in Palo Alto, decent restaurant, but lots of famous people dine there and the walls are covered with autographed photos of dignitaries (including one one of yours truly!)
Posted by: Bruce Dickinson | April 13, 2015 at 08:15 PM
I can't pretend to have tried many Millbrae restaurants, but it was great to run into my friend Quinton Jay at the Franklin Dads Party on Saturday night.
Quinton has a long history in the wine industry, does wine private equity investing for Bronfman, and moved to Burlingame a couple years ago. His wife teaches at Franklin, and Quinton owns http://www.bacchusws.com/ by Pape Meats in Millbrae. Check it out!
Thank you Quinton for the generous wine donations on Saturday!
Posted by: what's great food without great wine? | April 13, 2015 at 09:40 PM
Off topic as usual and a little bit stalker-ish too. Very weird.
Posted by: hillsider | April 13, 2015 at 11:51 PM
Hillsider, this is what Quinton donated on Saturday.
http://www.jamiesonranchvineyards.com/Wines/Red-WInes
The Cab was awesome. He sells it for $29.
The topic of this string "What are the Voice readers' favorite Chinese restaurants in Millbrae?"
Hillsider, people like to drink wine with their dinner.
Posted by: Jamieson Ranch Cab | April 14, 2015 at 08:30 AM
Hot Work..OK go there all the time because it's close.
My favorite for Chinese around here is Silver House in San Mateo. Very tasty and always filled with lots of Chinese families.
Posted by: Joanne | April 14, 2015 at 09:26 AM
Sorry meant "Hot Wok"...my fingers slipped!
There are no good Chinese restaurants in Burlingame.
Posted by: Joanne | April 14, 2015 at 10:35 AM
I'm still wondering what people think is the best Chinese restaurant in Millbrae.
No need to provide wine recommendations here for two reasons 1) I can't remember the last Chinese restaurant I went to that had a solid wine list and 2) even at great restaurants like Farallon (last week), All Spice (Michelin star, a month ago), and my local favorite with a great wine list--Ecco--I go with corkage service out of my cellar.
Back to great Chinese food...who likes what in Millbrae?
Posted by: Joe | April 14, 2015 at 09:19 PM
Joe, not to mention, I cannot help but laugh, yes, chuckle when I think of Mr. Jay's newfound "friend". Reminds me of your famous catchphrase "friends with benefits" except, in this case, it's called "acquaintances with downside". Bruce Dickinson cracks himself up sometimes.
Posted by: Bruce Dickinson | April 14, 2015 at 09:34 PM
Fake Bruce, actually I met Quinton several years ago, as we were both on the Kellogg School of Management Alumni Club Board. I was the Events Chair & Treasurer and Quinton was the Wine Chair.
Posted by: The REAL Bruce Dickinson speaks to the FAKE. | April 14, 2015 at 10:05 PM
Ming's in Palo Alto is closed by the way.
We tried a place called "Wonderful" on Broadway in Millbrae. It was quite good and authentic.
Posted by: Been here forever | April 15, 2015 at 11:37 AM
Shanghai Dumpling Shop on Broadway in Millbrae for really good Xiao Long Bao.
Posted by: fred | April 15, 2015 at 01:12 PM
Quinton is wishing he went to a different bar the night Alex Kent made his acquaintance.
Posted by: hillsider | April 15, 2015 at 08:58 PM
Hillsider, do you want me to subpoena your email address from Joe?
Liable is liable.
Posted by: Hillsider, take an antidepressant, please! | April 16, 2015 at 07:29 PM
Alex, it is actually spelled "libel" and the bar for said offense is quite a bit higher than Mr. Hillsider has risen.
Posted by: Joe | April 16, 2015 at 08:36 PM
Duly noted via iPhone, Joe.
A statement made about another person based on fact especially when observed in person, especially regarding a public official is probably quite water tight. (What I've done on this website aver real times.)
A statement made about another person based on no direct observation, no fact, and in a damaging manner like Hillsider's technique = not very water tight.
Hillsider, try me.
Posted by: Try me | April 16, 2015 at 09:01 PM
Actually, you are in an area that I have some familiarity with although I am not even close to being a lawyer, but I have hired a few.
The burden of proof for public figures is actually higher--quite a bit higher. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan
I'm not sure what was meant by some of what you wrote (I hate the iPhone spell check) but the essence would appear to be wrong.
Posted by: Joe | April 16, 2015 at 09:30 PM
And now, let's get back to the topic of great Chinese restaurants in the Millbrae market. "Wonderful" is the current front runner. Any other nominees for where I should eat this weekend?
Posted by: Joe | April 16, 2015 at 09:31 PM
No actually you are wrong Joe.
You might want to re-read what I wrote.
The point is that random factless quips which are the signature of Hillsider could result in me suing that person.
Posted by: Try me | April 16, 2015 at 09:39 PM
Apparently Fook Yuen has closed which is too bad since I had a good meal there but what about Hong Kong Flower Lounge?
Posted by: Joe | April 16, 2015 at 09:54 PM
Before brandishing the threat of lawsuits, be aware that California goes beyond protecting Fed Constitutional rights of the 1st Amendment (free speech) in some of the most aggressive anti-SLAPP statutes that prohibit frivolous lawsuits and subpoenas.
Reference California Code of Civil Procedure section 425.16, 425.17, 425.18 and 1987.1 and 1987.2
Judges do not take kindly to SLAPPs as they tie up extremely constrained Court resources for far more important matters.
Posted by: locavore | April 16, 2015 at 11:26 PM
Great, Hillsider quit trying to make false statements about me on this website or I will make it a priority to discover your true identity and sue you.
Thanks,
Ak
Posted by: Try me | April 17, 2015 at 07:50 AM
Now back to Chinese food? I was looking at Yelp reviews and an old standby popped out with 4 stars and almost 200 reviews: Lai Lai on Broadway. I think that will be my next stop.
Posted by: Joe | April 17, 2015 at 11:51 AM
Hillsider, guy, rest assured, do not be bullied online by whomever is is exactly that bullying you (I lost track at this point). In addition to what locavore adeptly said, Bruce Dickinson would be happy to sick some of the most aggressive lawyers known to man, namely those in the intellectual property, music, and recorded industry law practices. When it comes to civil and property rights, these guys can do cartwheels in the courtroom, and I mean courts like the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Delaware Chancery Court, and of course, the Supreme Court. You just give me a call if you're hassled, and rest assured, empty threats will be dispensed of swiftly and decisively. A few of these guys owe Dr. Dickinson a favor or two.
Now that I've hopefully put this to bed, Bruce Dickinson has had several neighbors that went to Lai Lai and they claim is decent and inexpensive. Try Tai Wu, I only had stuff delivered from there but their Dim Sum is pretty good from what I hear. Just watch out for pedestrians around there as the place is packed (get there early) and it was almost a case of pedestrian meets Porsche 911 Turbo once when I took El Camino to get to Green Hills Country Club.
Posted by: Bruce Dickinson | April 17, 2015 at 07:36 PM
I love it, False Bruce and False Statement Maker Hillsider Bully ME, I stand up for myself, and then Demwit False Bruce and False Statement Maker Hillsider think that I'm bullying Hillsider.
Classic Demwit logic!
Only you guys could turn a positive fun thread into negativity.
Whenever I drive north of Burlingame, I automatically drive to San Francisco. Wrapped up a tour of office space with another Tech client, then cocktails with a buddy at St. Francis Yacht Club, then a great lamb chop and Pliny at Balboa Café, walked around for a couple hours and back to The Peninsula.
Working on a few restaurant leases with clients, trying to buy out a restaurant for another. One has 2 x 5 star hotels and a Michelin starred restaurant already, so good track record.
Working to reopen a closed music venue as a principal, and indeed we'll serve excellent food there. Most of my family has owned restaurants for decades, or run the largest commercial kitchen appliance manufacturers in the world.
Up to Napa with the Northwestern alumni club tomorrow. Looking forward to the warm weather and good, kind, smart people. Cheers!
Posted by: good, kind, smart people | April 17, 2015 at 10:35 PM