> JCDill says... > >Wants to take FIL out somewhere to try to introduce him to American > >food (when you visit a foreign country aren't you supposed to try some > >of the local dishes?). Can anyone here recommend restaurants in the > >south bay likely to appeal to someone from China? > I have no idea what the FIL might like, but here are some places I would take out of town guests for food in America, rather than American food. MacArthur Park, Palo Alto I seem to remember the guys from Fuji Xerox getting really excited about so much beef. Cafe Brioche California Ave, Palo Alto Slightly pricey but excellent; I'll take my parents next time they're in town. Chantilly II Palo Alto Best of breed "continental" (IMO, of course). Pricey but consistently excellent. The Helmand Broadway near Montgomery St., SF Supposed to be the best Afghani restaurant "inside or outside the country". One of my favorites. Palermo Palo Alto One of the best lunch buffets in the area. Higashi West Best sushi in Palo Alto (again, IMO), plus "Pacific Rim Cuisine" executed better than at other places I've tried. Good atmosphere (waterfall, old Miles tapes at a volume you can easily talk over). Slightly pricey.
San Francisco, CA
Where to take visiting Chinese
>the focus of my query was to get >suggestions for specific non-Chinese restaurants that would appeal to >a visitor from China, not to find more places to take him where he >will just order Chinese again. The idea is to expand both his >horizons and the menu options available to all in the dinner party. >So I seek more input specifically from those who understand the palate >issue, those who are Chinese, have lived in China, or have entertained Chinese guests with this reluctance to try something new. Have friends with similar problem: wife is caucasian; husband Chinese. His parents live in Hong Kong and are staunchly traditional. My friend has taken them to all the "name" Chinese from SF to San Jose (they will not eat Korean or Japanese), and don't like holes in the wall. Nothing was a hit. A few weeks ago they were here; she threw up her hands and decided to go somewhere she and her husband liked. Their current favorite is Oritalia on Fillmore in San Francisco. Husband's parents loved it. Added dishes and even ate chocolate desserts. Friend learned that father-in-law took business associates there later in the week. Only other place these people like is my favorite dim sum place on Geary in SF.--will not mention name because it's already too crowded.