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After visiting the Bronx Zoo we hit Roberto's @ 632 E. 186th Street (on Belmont). Altogether a different vibe than Dominick's. Dominick's is more a casual, local cafe/hangout while Roberto's is fancier and somewhat more expensive restaurant. We arrived at the restaurant at 5:30 PM and had to wait thirty minutes to be seated. After we ordered it took about thirty minutes for the main course to reach the table. In the meantime we ate fantastic bread (like Dominick's from the Madonia bakery) and olive oil (alla Roberto's) that were on the table. Even on Sunday evening Roberto's was extremely busy. Despite the wait, service was very professional. She ordered the Fusilli Terracotta. This was a great pasta dish that had grilled eggplant among other ingredients. I had the Veal alla Chef--a thin slice of veal served with prosciutto, provolone, fresh spinach, and a sauce of garlic, butter and finely grated romano cheese. Both dishes were winners and we did not leave feeling as heavy as we had from Dominick's. These two main courses along with a glass of house red and a soda came to about forty bucks before tip. Roberto's will be moving at the end of August to 603 Crescent Avenue.

Madonia Bakery @ 2348 Arthur Avenue (Bronx) for bread. Several excellent restaurants in the area Dominick's and Roberto's get there bread from this place. It is open even on Sundays. Great variety!

Just to bash you again there is no region called Haka, though a lot of Hakka people have settled up-coast from Guangdong. The reason I mention this, is that the very name "Hakka" means something like "guest people". They have always been know for being itinerant. Ahhhsoooo Thanks for setting me straight.

The cuisine at China House is from a region near Canton called Haka. China House is therefore a Hakanese restaurant.

I went with my gitrlfriend to Dominick's @ 2335 Arthur Avenue, Bronx on Sunday. It was open at 1PM and, although it was busy, we immediately got a seat at a long communal table. We both skipped breakfast so we were hungry when we walked in. They brought bread that was fantastic--a meal in itself. When they came back for the first course order, I remarked to the waiter on how pleased I was with the bread. His reply was they got it fresh daily across the street at Madonia Bakery. He also commented that there was no seafood because the fish place next door was closed that day. What a food community! We started with a huge Stuffed Artichoke. It came steaming hot and was stuffed with an herb/breadcrumb mixture that was amazing. I was even happier at this point than when eating the bread. Then we split the Pork Chops and a bowl of Penne in marinara sauce. The sauce was very good--very fresh tomatos with just the right balance of oil, and seasoning. The penne was done perfectly al dente. The Pork Chops were also served in Marinara or some other type of red sauce with fresh tomatoes. They really resembled miniature Pork Roasts as most pork chops I eat are rarely ever four inches thick. The pork meat was so tender that using the knife was less efficient than using a spoon. Phenomenal!! It was a very good meal, yet it was so heavy that I almost feel asleep as I made a beeline for the nearest pastry shop, De Lillo @606 East 187th, Bronx where I sipped a doppio machiato and my girlfriend had an espresso. The pastries looked good but after Dominick's all we could manage was the coffee. As a matter of fact, I even skipped dinner that evening. The waiter was nice enough and the place was really an experience as there were many large men dining in groups of three or four and speaking Italian. I have to admit that I felt a bit uncomfortable without menues and a check. When I asked,"ll conto, per favore" the waiter announced that the whole bill came to $40 (including a large bottle of Pellegrino). I guess that is just the way it happens there. There were jars of the sauce on sale at the door for $6.99, although I didn't buy any. I live in Washington Heights, and it took me 60 Minutes door to door via the M100 bus to 207 and the Bx12 to Dominick's. As there are other restaurants and specialty shops that look interesting, I plan to go back soon. After all, it is closer to me than Little Italy, Chinatown, or the Lower Eastside.

Thanks, Merle. I will try it on weekends. Cactus, huh...interesting. I look forward to going back. In terms of safety, I felt very comfortable there. There was a sense of community (El Barrio)in Fruitvale that I did not catch in other parts of the Bay Area. I wasn't nervous at all. If my girlfriend could have sayed in town a bit longer, I am sure she would have liked it also. Then again, I was only there during the daytime. It is an ethnic neighborhood, yet it does not seem run down or ghetto-like at all to me. In fact, there seems to be some development in terms of office buildings. I think Fruitvale is perfect just the way it is and any furthur development might not be a good thing as far as the neighborhood charm is concerned. I was very happy to be the only gringo at Sinaloa and Hurache Azteca. This is a sign that I am eating some really good, authentic (sorry for the "a" word) cuisine.

I just took the Bx 12 Bus from 207 to Arthur Avenue today and I saw several huge places today that fit your description. There was a huge wharehouse of Beers and Sodas. I wonder if that was it. I live up in wash. heights and I will try to make a trip soon as well.

I would second the recommendation for Martini House in Santa Helena. I was there over Memorial Day Weekend with my girlfriend. The Rainbow Trout was very well prepared and my girlfriend's Duck Confit was equally spendid. The Lemon Custard/Tart that I had for dessert was worth breaking the diet for. Great dessert chef. This place was in order--food, service, a great outdoor space...wonderful. I was less impressed with Don Giovanni in Yountville, where we headed for dinner ( I know, I know ...this was the place to go for lunch, not dinner...but it was a friends idea and we went along with it). The Porchetta was solid, the Liguini with Clam Sauce was a bit to oily for my girlfriend. The special dessert Fruit Trifle was pleasant. The service was sincere and prompt. The waiter was excellent, yet I had the same feeling, regarding atmosphere at Don Giovanni as I do when I am at some Italian restuarants on the Upper West Side, namely "cattle call". It was so busy that the waiter should have gotten a purple heart for his struggle to get the food to our table.

I had excellent Tandoori Lamb Chops at Pakwan 3180-82 16th Street in San Francisco--eally memorable...spicy and large and a real bargain at $7.99! My girlfriend had a decent Chicken Korma that was $5.99. The somewhat gruff service and the decor (flies) added a interesting demension to the meal. As this was an inexpensive place and the food was good I will go back if I am in that part of town again. Somewhat off the subject of this thread (Cheap Eats) was our juant up to Napa Valley where we had a stellar meal at Martini House in St Helena. The Rainbow Trout was very well prepared and my girlfriend's Duck Confit was equally spendid. The Lemon Custard/Tart that I had for dessert was worth breaking the diet for. Great dessert chef. This place was in order--food, service, a great outdoor space...wonderful. I was less impressed with Don Giovanni in Yountville, where we headed for dinner ( I know, I know ...this was the place to go for lunch, not dinner...but it was a friends idea and we went along with it). The Porchetta was solid, the Liguini with Clam Sauce was a bit to oily for my girlfriend. The special dessert Fruit Trifle was pleasant. The service was sincere and prompt. The waiter was excellent, yet I had the same feeling, regarding atmosphere at Don Giovanni as I do when I am at some Italian restuarants on the Upper West Side, namely "cattle call". It was so busy that the waiter should have gotten a purple heart for his struggle to get the food to our table. We also went tasting at a small winery St. Clement. The tasting was free as my girlfriend had spotted a free tasting coupon in the Wine Country brouchers that I picked up at the information stall at San Francisco International Airport. Of the five or so wines that were offered (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Bordeaux-like wine that I can't recall) my favorite was the Chardonnay and the Merlot. I must have enjoyed them a bit to much as I my recollection of the tasting is hazy at best. We also visited the Mondavi Winery. As it was Memorial Day weekend, there were throngs of people there. I liked the mom and pop feel of St. Clemente better. All the wines were pleasant. It seemed to me that bottles were very expensive so I abstained as I can get cheaper and equally good wine at stores in Manhattan. Nonetheless, the wineries were great to visit. La Taqueria on 25th and Mission is a very interesting place. What was particualrly facinating was the incredible speed in which the tacos are prepared. There is a guy at the stove heating tortillas with cheese and a woman at the cash register who also does the soda fountain. And there is the burrito, etc. guy. But there is one young guy who assembles all the tacos and, Jesus, can he move. The volume that this guy handles equals that of four station cooks (thanks to him the long line was moving steadily) yet he wasn't sloppy in the least. During the whole show there was this great Mexican music blaring and the "Speedy Gonzalez" Taco guy was singing along at the top of his lungs. I had four Beef Tacos and my girlfriend had a Chorizo Burrito. Both were delicious and quite hot when we ate them do to the speedy assembly. The clientele was evenly mixed (Gringos/Mexicanos). The show made the trip to La Taqueria in itself. Even better was a taco truck named Tacos Sinaloa on International Aveue in the Fruitvale district of Oakland. On recommendation I had three Carnitas Tacos with Pickeled Jalepeno Juice. Then I had three more. Then.... To make a long story shorter everything about this taco was sublime...I particualry like the tortillas. This taco was more authenitc than those served at La Taqueria. And even on Memorial Day, when all the other retaurants and trucks were closed; this stand was buzzing. I mean this was El Cento del Barrio!!! Every muchacho and his novia was there which made parking somewhat problematic. Hay Caramba!!! I returned to Fruitvale the next day and had lunch at La Huache Azteca. I had their signature dish Hurache Azteca, a paper thin slice of beef atop green lettuce, thinly sliced spicey green pepper, in a spicy green sauce on top of a freshly baked hurache (slightly more thin than a pita but wider than an tortilla)--very nice. I was the only gringo in the place. I will be back. Also of particular interest were the numerous Panderias that I visited. The pandolce made me feel like I was in Cozumel or El Centro de la Ciudad de Mexico at the Hotel Presidente. Great place, Fruitvale. Very pleasant Oysters at Hog Island Oysters located in the Ferry Building near Pier 1. And a sinfully decadent Hot Fudge Sudae at Ghiradelli Cafe. Lovely. I was taken to a chinese restaurant called China House on 2507 South El Camino in San Mateo. Very nice Scallops with Bean Curd and Black Bean Sauce. The House Salted Chicken, like drunken chicken without the wine, was pleasant, and particularly good were the Salted Cabbage with Stewed Pork and the Pepper w/Salt Spare Ribs. This cuisine was from a specific region of China that I was not familiar with and can't remember at the moment. Very interesting dishes. Everyone there was Chinese. On my way to the airport I picked up a Super Burrito at El Farolito on 24th and Mission. The place is really run down and dirty (they should be concerned about inspectors). The Burrito tasted good and looked great however I would recommend take out only. One regret was I did not get to go to Suriya on 24th and Valencia. There is always next time...

Thanks again for all the great reccs. A friend suggested taking a ferry from SF to Sausalito for lunch or dinner. What is the scoop on Sausalito retaurants? Pricey ?

The first time I had Peking Duck was in the Spring of 1988 at Peking Duck on Amsterdam and 69th Street. I can't remember when it closed down but now there is a Blockbuster Video in its place. Perhaps I have had much better Peking Duck when I was in Beijing four years ago. However, at the time I was blown away by this place.

sounds yummy....i don't know but when you order schwarma in the big pita in israel its a "lafa" i don't know if that's how you spell it, but i dream about those stands...in the big cities they would have up to 20 bowls of condiments for you to add stuff to yourself... so good. I want it now. its 4am...breakfast? As a matter of fact, the condiments at Famous Pita are self-serve in a large buffet line that leads from the counter where they give you the pita/lafa and the schwarma to the cash register. There they sell you an empty cup and you can refill on soda ad libitum...

I wouldn't go so far as to say that the food at Gargiulo's was bad. It was good, but not great. What I meant by the menu being tired was it was very standard and the presentation, appearance, and flavors did not sweep anyone away.

The place, like Lundy's in Sheepshead bay, oozes nostalgia. Yet I get the impression that the menu is a bit tired.

For those interested in Shwarma, I recommend Famous Pita on Coney Island Avenue between Ditmars and Newkirk. I haven't been in over a year, but I recall that FP is a kosher joint run by Yemeni Jews. Excellent accompaniments to the shwarma (fresh peppers, pickels, pickled cabbage, tahini, tablouli, babba ganoush..the whole nine yards and then some) or falafel. The Pita is large, fresh and won't break apart even if you jam the thing full. Or for larger appetites, a large piece of flat bread is the option(I don't know the name for this type of bread but it looks like Afgan bread) into which you can load twice the extras as you do with the large pita (Burp! ). I went to a Kosher Satmar restaurant three years ago in Williamsburg called Gottlieb's and have been dreamng about the goulash ever since. As I went with a Williamsburg native, I can't remember the location of the place. Has anyone been?

On Saturday I went with friends to Gargiulo's in Coney Island. The driver of the groups was very pleased that there was valet parking available across the street from the restaurant. Evidently, parking is an issue (particularly in Bay Ridge) on weekends. The restaurant boasts a very large space with a high ceiling so, despite the crowds, the acoustic is bearable. The mixed appetizers of fried eggplant, stuffed roast peppers, spinach souffle (the other items I did not try) were good, but not great. Likewise, the pork chops and veal chop were solid. The calamari was a disappointment--a large plate of deepfried squid with marinara on the side. Also fair were the desserts--miniature cannoli, cream puffs. Nice room and atmosphere, and the elderly Italian-American waiter was charming and attentive. As I live in Manhattan, and can find better Italian there that is not nearly as expenxive as Gargiulo's, I will not be making a special trip to West 15th Street any time soon.

I was recently asked about a Tunisian dish called "Grik." I have never heard about this so, out of curiosity, does anyone know of a Tunisian (North African) restaurant that serves "Grik"?

How is the neighborhood of Fruitvale? Should I be concerned about safety? Is it a place to avoid going to after dark? Has anybody been to Tiburon (Marin County)? mascarpone

Thanks to all -- esvee, Malik, Aliwaks, Sqeat Mungry, jschyun for the great reccs and to mongo_jones for helping me to lose my appetite I know about Antioch, as I have friends there and generally pick them up and go elsewhere for restaurants. We are considering rethinking the the Route 1 and Yosemite visit and making this a food tour mascarpone

Thanks Bombdong, Merle and ExtraMSG for the great reccs I will definitely check as many out as I have time for. mascarpone

My girlfriend and I are planning to visit the San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Antioch area from May 25-May 31. Coming from New York City we are very interested in Authentic Mexican restaurants that are not going to break the bank. Of course if you can suggest any other outstanding and inexpensive-moderate priced ethnic or regional retaurants in the Bay area it would be great. At the moment we are deliberating between driving to Wine Country, Yosemite or up Route 1 so any other recommendations of good and inexpensive restaurants, wine tours, or culinary attractions (e.g. Copia in Napa) would be really appreciated. mascarpone

Arigato gosighmasu Torakris. I would be very interested to know your opinion of the taste of the custard creme of the シュークリーム at Beard Papa. Was it lacking flavor...oishii-kata? What is your opinion of the sweetness and vanilla flavor issue? Would you say, even though you are not a fan of シュークリーム that Papa Beards is similar to other types of Cream Puffs in Japan? (I hope this does not cause you to run out and eat Cream Puffs from all over Tokyo ). mascarpone

I am very interested in going to Tanoreen. I have to persuade two others to go along. Is this a place where a group of three can sit down for several hours and catch up or do they push you out the door after you finish? How is the parking situation around there on Saturday night?

I just had two excellent soft shell crabs at Congee Village, located on the SE corner of Allen and Delancy, for $7.90 !!!! They were slightly smaller than New York Noodle Town and were clearly deep fried where at NY Noodletown they were salt baked. The CV crabs were served with a subtle red vinegar and ginger dipping sauce. I prefer the NY Noodle town crabs but you can't beat the price at Congee Village.

If you like Greek pasteries I recommend Poseidon Bakery (212-757-6173) on 9th Ave between 44th and 45th -- not far from the Port Authority on 42nd Street. They have traditional and rolled baklava, trigoni (almond paste in philo), alfi (Pistachio Paste in philo), folgera (custard in filo), Havli (semolina/almond cake), as well as several other sweets that I have not tried (yet). Their baklava tastes different from any other I ever had because they use rose water instead of regular water. They also have hot items such as Spanikopeta (Sp?) (Spinach Pie) as well as several more. N.B. This is strickly a bakery, there is no palce to sit.