Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INEXPENSIVE
Hunan Home's Restaurant
CHINESE I was str uck by a r ecent newspaper article
stating that 39% of U.S. kids aged 10 to 13 surveyed said Chinese was their favorite type
of food. M y guess is these kids w ere thinking about w ell-known American-Chinese
favorites like cashew chicken and sw eet and sour por k when they answ ered the pollster.
Well, Hunan Home's is made for them. I'm sure your kids will enjoy their meal as much
as mine did at this place, which offers all the old fav orites in abundance. Tired of Kung
Pao chicken? Try Kung Pao squid. Even if you've seen it all befor e, rest assured that the
quality will be high and the por tions generous. The family dinner option includes egg
rolls and wonton soup for $15 per person. There's also a fish tank the kids will enjo y—
just don't tell them it's dinner.
622 Jackson St. (at Kearny St.).
&
415/982-2844.
http://hunanhome.citysearch.com. Highchairs, boost-
ers. Reservations recommended. Main courses $9-$30. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Sun-Thurs 11:30am-9:30pm;
Fri-Sat 11:30am-10pm. Muni: No. 15-3rd St. bus to Jackson St.
121
Lichee Garden
CHINESE This longtime, consistently good Cantonese restaurant is
even a favorite among Chinatown residents. Lichee Garden's lengthy menu is filled with
familiar items like egg foo young, sweet-and-sour pork, delicious wonton soup, and every
other dish y ou remember from your childhood, assuming y ou weren't raised in China.
The kitchen caters to those who can't make the leap from American broccoli to Chinese
broccoli by offering both, but the menu includes more adventurous fare as well. The list
of seafood showcases many scallop inventions, and live lobster and crab in season—both
highly r ecommended. The ex cellent dim sum makes a gr eat lunch option. Large and
bright, the dining r oom has seen many families for the nearly thr ee decades it 's been
open. Service is businesslike and y ou won't have to wait long for y our meal. It's techni-
cally located one block north of Chinatown proper, but nowadays this area is essentially
an extension of Chinatown.
1416 Powell St. (btw. Broadway and Vallejo sts.).
&
415/397-2290.
http://licheegarden.citysearch.com.
Highchairs. Reservations recommended. Main courses $5.50-$20. MC, V. Daily 11am-9:15pm. Muni: No.
30-Stockton or no. 45-Union-Stockton bus to Broadway.
5
6
THE EMBARCADERO/SOUTH BEACH
EXPENSIVE
Kokkari Estia torio
GREEK This modern G reek r estaurant pr ovides a
memorable and upscale dining experience that y ou can comfor tably enjo y with kids.
Although the subtle lighting, cr owded bar, and r oaring fire in the first r oom suggest a
more adult establishment, don 't be concerned. The expansive back r oom, made to feel
warmer with the inclusion of heavy wood furniture and richly hued tapestries, is an ideal
place for families and large par ties. The cozy booths along the hall connecting the two
rooms are also very suitable for diners with kids. The delectable menu is based on tradi-
tional Greek cuisine, but is inspir ed by the Bay Area's bounty of fr esh, local ingredients
and, as such, changes seasonally . At any time of the y ear, however, look for such house
specialties as
moussaka
(eggplant and lamb casser ole) and delectable lamb chops made
with naturally raised Niman Ranch meat. The plate of traditional Greek spreads and pita
bread is gr eat for sharing, but is less inspir ed than some of the mor e exotic appetizers,
such as fried zucchini cakes with y ogurt-mint dressing, or crispy smelts with lemon and
