Rate-A-Restaurant #359: Pine & Crane (Silver Lake)

Restaurant: Pine & Crane

Location: 1521 Griffith Park Blvd (Silver Lake)



Type of restaurant: Taiwanese/Chinese

We stipulated: Simply looking to try something new, and Pine and Crane has been earning raves.





They stipulated: No reservations. See the rules above. "Pine & Crane is a fast-casual Taiwanese-Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Silver Lake. Our goal is to bring you authentic, delicious Taiwanese-Chinese fare in a comfortable, modern setting. We are passionate about what we do, and take pride in preparing our food using simple, fresh ingredients. Whenever possible, we source seasonal produce from our family's local Asian vegetable farm: as a result, our vegetable dishes change frequently in order to showcase rare and freshly harvested items.

"In addition to Taiwanese staples like Three Cup Chicken and Beef Noodle Soup, we offer a variety of small plates, traditional cold appetizers, and vegetarian/vegan options, together with a curated selection of fine teas sourced from Taiwan and a rotating craft beer and wine list."



What we ordered:

PANFRIED PORK BUNS (Kurobuta Pork, Cabbage, Black Sesame, Scallions, $8);

LAYERED PORK PANCAKE (Kurobuta Pork, Scallions, $6.50);

POTSTICKERS (Kurobuta Pork, Taiwanese Cabbage, $6);

DAN DAN NOODLES (Sesame-Peanut Sauce, Chili Oil, Cucumbers, Peanuts, $7.50)

High point:  Those pork buns were pretty great, and a great value as well.



Low point:  The line and the wait. Pine & Crane is a popular place.



Overall impression: If you're lucky enough to score a table, it's a great experience and the economical prices will blow you away. Just make sure you order everything you want to -- you don't want to go back in that line again!



Will we return: Yes, especially if the line isn't line the one above!

Rate-A-Restaurant #335: Yank Sing (San Francisco)

Restaurant: Yank Sing

Location: 49 Stevenson St. (San Francisco)

Type of restaurant: Dim Sum



We stipulated: In San Francisco, we wanted to find a nearby dim sum spot. Yank Sing was just around the corner.
They stipulated: "Yank Sing has seduced the palate of all ages and has provided an accommodating atmosphere for all types of functions ... business and pleasure alike. On weekdays, there is an air of energy and purpose in the dining room as customers from San Francisco’s surrounding financial district hold business lunches, and Yank Sing’s deem sum carts laden with freshly made offerings weave their way around the tables. "




What we ordered: A variety of items, including Shanghai Dumpling - A Yank Sing signature dish of minced Kurobuta Pork, scallion and ginger wrapped and steamed in its own aromatic broth; Steamed Pork Buns - Warm fluffy bread buns stuffed with nuggets of honey-glazed BBQ pork; Potsticker (Wor Tee) - Northern style dumplings filled with a succulent finely minced pork, cabbage, scallions, ginger, and toasted sesame oil stuffing, steamed in a wok, then shallow- pan-fried, and served with vinegar, soy sauce and Yank Sing Chili Pepper Sauce; Pork Siu Mye - Hand-chopped shrimp with pork, shiitake mushrooms filling hand-wrapped in fresh pasta skin and hand-formed into a fluted 'basket.'





High point:  The sticky rice and pork was probably our favorite item, along with the mushroom steamed dumpling. Good variety of items.

Low point:  The best part of Dim Sum is how economical it is. You can eat a lot for a little. Not at Yank Sing. Perhaps because they're located in the business district, the prices are ridiculously high. If they're gonna be that high, the food has to be better than this.



Overall impression: A bit disappointing. Not authentic enough -- it caters to a more mainstream palate. But it's just too pricy. Also, it's kinda weird that they call it "Deem Sum." (See their website.)



Will we return: Nah; we'll hit another dim sum next time we're in SF.

Rate-A-Restaurant #294: Dynasty Big Bear

Restaurant: Dynasty

Location: 40989 Big Bear Boulevard (Big Bear City)

Type of restaurant: Chinese



We stipulated: Spending a few days up at Big Bear, where the restaurant pickings are slim, we were looking for a good Thai restaurant. They don't seem to exist there. So we went the Chinese route.



They stipulated: "Authentic Chinese Szechuan Cuisine." Accepts reservations, walk-ins or carry out.



What we ordered: Dumplings ($7.95); Eggplant Szechuan style ($8.95); Spicy Chili Pepper Chicken ($11.95); Steamed Fish Fillet in Thai-Style Lemon Sauce ($13.95)



High point: The spicy pepper chicken was quite tasty.

Low point: The lack of service and the wait. We ordered for pickup. Arrived 20 minutes after ordering. Proceeded to wait ANOTHER HOUR for our food.



Overall impression: The wait was absolutely ridiculous, and came with no apology or attempt to make it up to us. Ruined what might have otherwise been a good experience.

Chance we'll go back: Thankfully we don't like in Big Bear, as we'd probably have to return, just because there are few food options up there. But we don't, so we won't.