Stu, or other Pennisula residents, I am meeting a family friend who has a long layover at SFO for dinner. Can you recommend a good Burlingame Ave restaurant that I can take her too? I was thinking Limon but am open to suggestions. Thank you.

I have never dined at Limon, but friends who have stated that it is so loud than you can't carry on a conversation. Farm & Vine might be your best bet. https://farmandvinebistro.com/ We usually dine in the City. About the only place we like around us is in the San Mateo downtown area. It is across the street from Draegers Supermarket (pop in for a visit - far better than Whole Foods, IMO). The restaurant is called Central Park Bistro Central Park Bistro

Stu Dudley

We've mostly done carry-out at Mingalaba, and it is quite good. Usually a line to get in. I don't recall if they take reservations or not. The two I mentioned do.

Stu Dudley

I third Mingalaba. Tea Leaf Salad.

I was going to suggest Hong Kong Flower Lounge In Millbrae as well. It gets kind of mixed reviews these days though-but the restaurant is large and usually easy to get into.

Stella Alpina Osteria is also nice.

Thanks for additional suggestions.

We've done carry-out from the Hong Kong Flower Lounge perhaps 50-75 times in the past 25-30 years. Food is OK - nothing special. It seemed better 20 years ago (or "newer" to us then). In-laws like it because they like lemon chicken & other "basics". To pick up the carry-out, it is necessary to pass through the dining room. I would not want to dine there (we did once - about 25 years ago).

We've dined at Stella Alpina Osteria twice. I'm not a huge Italian/pasta restaurant fan - but Stella Alpina is better than nearby Il Fornaio. My only caution is that it is below street level & in a small "complex" that includes my barber, a tanning salon, and my wife's hairdresser.

Stu Dudley

Thanks Stu. I might just go with Limon or Farm and Vine. Friend is Italian American from NJ--taking her to an Italian restaurant feels like coals to Newcastle. In addition, like you, I am not a huge Italian/pasta restaurant fan. I can and do make my own pasta, gnocchi, ravioli, pizza, etc. So I don't go out for Italian cuisine unless I am out voted by a group! If I didn't have to wait in line, Mingalaba, would be my choice (cuisine that I don't typically make).

If you go to Limon, let me know what you experienced regarding the noise level. We like Peruvian food & go to Piqueos in Bernal Heights quite often. Limon was one of our favorites in The City 25-30 years ago when we tolerated noise. Friends I went to collage with 50+years ago & live in Hillsborough, warned us about the noise level at Limon. And they like noise!!

We go to Padrecito frequently - it has become one of our "go to" restaurants.

I think you have my e-mail address.

Stu Dudley

There is another Burmese restaurant a few doors down from Mingalaba, but reports from my sister in law were that it was not as good. Rangoon Ruby is on Open Table. In fact after going to RR they never bothered to try Mingalaba, whIch I discovered while house-sitting.

We do carry-out at Rangoon Ruby at least 3 times a month. Did that this past Monday. Walnut shrimp is fantastic, so is fiery pork tofu - mild. I would never dine inside the restaurant, however.

Stu Dudley

Stu, Limon's noise level, just walking in the door, was extreme even with windows open on a lovely night. No outside tables available. So we went to Farm and Vine. Much better. Lovely food and we were able to talk and hear each other. I go out to eat to enjoy someone's company and conversation. I don't need a restaurant to feel like a church, but really despise restaurants that promote a noisy bar feel. Thanks for recommendation.

Thanks for reporting back.

Stu Dudley