Named after the natural stimulant that is quite popular in Southeast Asia, Betelnut’s menu of contemporary Asian dishes and selection of crafted cocktails may evoke a similar reaction of mild hot sensations in the body and slightly heightened alertness to one’s surroundings. Located right along Union Street, the street facing windows are often opened up on warm days to encourage people watching while dining and drinking. The interior of this restaurant has one of the cooler Asian-inspired designs, similar in theme to a beer house found in places like Singapore. Design touches from the wooden Chinese paddles nailed to the wall, the sprinkler pipes painted to look like bamboo and the wall art posters all help transport diners far from its Cow Hollow locale.

Betelnut takes a contemporary approach to more traditional dishes from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and China. Their selection of appetizers go great with beer or their list of specialty cocktails. Personal favorites include the dishes pictured below along with the glazed pork short ribs, their noodle dishes, and the fried Red Snapper that is served whole.|Betelnut|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Thurs: 11:30am-11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-12am
Sun: 11:30am-11pm

A fairly consistent barometer for delicious and authentic Dim Sum can often be surmised on the quality of the siumai. This Outer Sunset destination does not disappoint with their large-sized pork, shrimp, and shiitake mushroom dumplings, which are freshly prepared in-house and served piping hot. Unlike other establishments that have their menu items wheeled around the dining room on carts, the Dim Sum here arrives to the table directly from the kitchen, often needing a few moments to cool down.

Favorites here include the shrimp dumplings, stuffed rice noodles, minced pork dumplings stuffed in deep-fried glutinous rice, pork spare ribs, mixed sticky rice steamed in a lotus leaf, and the bell peppers stuffed with crab.

Hours of Operation:
Dim Sum: Mon-Fri: 10am – 2:30pm
Sat-Sun: 9am – 3pm
Dinner: Mon-Fri: 5pm – 9:30pm
Sat-Sun: 5pm – 10pm

Freshly prepared dim sum can be hard to find in many districts outside of Chinatown, but when the plan calls for venturing out, it’s always worthwhile to stop in at Ton Kiang for some authentic Chinese cuisine. Located on busy Geary Street, this local favorite in the Richmond District is always popular, especially on the weekends when both levels of the dining room are packed with diners. Though at times dining here can require waiting in a line, dim sum is ideal for daytime meals because of its speed and efficiency, making a quick power lunch before heading back to the office possible.

It seems unnecessary to gaze at the menu upon sitting down, because servers immediately come by the table, carrying trays of steaming baskets filled with a variety of dim sum fresh from the kitchen. Being able to sample a variety of dishes is another advantage of dim sum, and while I do enjoy my staples like siu mai, stuffed dumplings, and steamed pork buns, it’s often worth while to add a few new dishes to the repertoire. |Ton Kiang|

Open 7 days a week:
Sun: 9am-9pm
Mon-Thurs: 10am-9pm
Fri: 10am-9:30pm
Sat: 9:30am-9:30pm

While the choices can be somewhat limited in the city for dine-in Chinese fare on the fancier side, look no further than R&G Lounge for deliciously authentic Cantonese cuisine. Located across the street from Portsmouth Square, the restaurant is only a few short blocks from the Financial District and North Beach, making it a convenient locale for a reasonably priced work lunch during the week.The restaurant features an extensive menu, though they are best known for their seafood dishes. Specialties would include their various preparations of Dungeness crab, my favorite being their Salt & Pepper style. Salt & Pepper Calamari is one of my favorite appetizers served here, as well as the honey-glazed spare ribs. |R&G Lounge|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 11:30am-9:30pm

For delicious Chinese food on the healthier side, Dragon Well is an excellent choice. A fixture in the Marina district since 1998; the service is consistently friendly and attentive, and the food is always fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. Dragon Well is a great place for a casual date; the high ceilings give a loft-like feel to the space, while the subtle lighting makes dining here feel more intimate. I really like this restaurant for its clean and contemporary decor; the dark wood furniture contrasts nicely with the cream paint, creating an interior that feels welcoming and warm.

My favorite dishes include the minced chicken lettuce cups, salt and chili pepper calamari, Mongolian beef, lemon chicken, and the walnut prawns with candied walnuts. The noodle dishes are also worth trying. Menu items are served family style, meant for sharing. The large bowl of chocolate and vanilla fortune cookies brought with the bill are a nice touch. On warm evenings try for the table near the front window, which is usually opened up to bring in the cool evening breeze. Dine in and take-out only. |Dragonwell|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 11:30am-10pm