Chinese Food?

Koi Palace
Originally uploaded by thegreatplotnik.

The Great Plotnik and The Great Ducknik got to talking last night about Chinese Food. The query was...a friend who loves Chinese Food comes to town and wants to eat the best you've got. Where do you take him/her/them?

Well, that's not so easy, is it? Everyone has their favorite places. Plot thinks you have to define it by who you're going with.

With your Mom: Dim Sum. (Let her choose what looks good on the trays going 'round, in a high-class atmosphere): Koi Palace (Daly City) or Harbor Village (Downtown).

With your foodie friend traveling on an expense account: Jai Yun (Chinatown, certainly the most unique and probably most expensive in the city).

With your wife (or your date): Shanghai 1930 (Downtown, romantic, delicious food, piano bar)

With your kids: Shanghai Dumpling King (Richmond District, something for everybody, comfort food.)

With your squeamish family who is afraid of Chinese Food: McDonald's on Grant Street in Chinatown. They'll love you for it. The rest of you pile into the New Asia on Pacific.

With your Chinese friends who grew up in San Francisco: Nippon Sushi or Hahn's Korean Hibachi. They're sick of Chinese food.

Most Wonderful Dish (R.I.P. Division): The Mandarin Pressed Duck at the lamented Nam Yuen on Washington Street, closed for years. Crispy, crunchy, tasty squares, never found anywhere since.