So I’m a bit torn. I think the atmosphere and the value are 4-star….the food is hit and miss which brings it down a notch…. So first the good stuff: They have an upstairs patio seating with heaters so even on a clear and brisk winter morning, it’s a great seat. It’s also a decent priced meal for food that is just a little fancier than other casual places. I also liked that they offer most dishes in sizes depending on your appetite. Then there is the food. Some dishes are PHENOMENAL. Some are just ok…. Read the food reviews below for some examples!

Love this little spot with it’s comfy atmosphere and truly tasty food, especially for the price. It’s the best sit down value in SF. The long wait times during peak hours and bad street parking are its biggest downfall.

The food? Warm, homey, comforting, relatively affordable, eclectic (not often you find Thai, Italian and French food on the same menu!).

The ambiance? Inviting, cheerful, friendly, casual. I especially love dining upstairs, which amazingly enough, some people don’t even know exists. It feels like a combination living room/greenhouse with its wood paneling, fireplace, and metal-veined glass windows.

The service? Just fine. I mean, this isn’t French Laundry – what do you expect?

My faves:
- The (Thai) smiling noodles, which hits just the right pleasure center in my brain. Strewn with shrimp nuggets and cilantro, the noodles are tangy, savory and still somehow refreshing.
- I’ve had a couple of seasonal drinks, usually involving a combination of sparkling water and wine, juice or tea. They’ve all been refreshing and are cool because they’re quirky.
- I last had some sort of plate of braised beef and mashed potatoes. It was fatty and so rich that it bordered on overbearing, but it certainly fulfilled my need for comfort food!
- The ginger cake, which is everybody’s favorite. You can usually expect to see 50% of the diners eating it on any given night.

The cons: Long lines, crowded (particularly downstairs), and a recent price hike. The entrees used to be one very reasonable price. Now you can choose either the small or large entree (the large is the old “one-size-fits-all” size, but now they charge more for it. Sneaky bastards.)

Bottom line: A neighborhood favorite. For a low-key, inexpensive eatery with a broad menu sure to please everyone, you can’t beat it.