Although many travelers associate Hong Kong with shopping adventures and international business, it is also the birth place of Hong Kong cuisine. Hong Kong’s past as a British colony and long history of being an international city of commerce has resulted in the creation of a fusion cuisine influenced by many different cultures. It is the place where fusion cuisine started even before the term “fusion cuisine” was coined. No other Asian cuisine tastes quite like it. Located in the foggy Sunset district, Café Bakery and restaurant serves a great rendition of Hong Kong style cafe food at neighborhood prices.

Hong Kong cuisine is the only regional Chinese cuisine that uses fork and knife as utensils. Similar to French cooking, sauces play a major role in most dishes. Notables such as Portuguese chicken originated from neighbor Macau, once ruled by the Portuguese. A signature classic is OX sauce, spicy seafood sauce made from chopped dried seafood such as dried shrimp and infused oil and aromatic flavors from chili, onion, and garlic stimulate the appetite.

Ambiance: The décor has been carefully crafted with miniature spotlights seen at interior showrooms and romantic portraits surround the restaurant. Wearing black vests, servers, often with faceless expression, can also be spotted patrolling tables and refilling drinks. The restaurant is noticeably clean and well kept.

Drinks: The measure of a great Hong Kong diner is often by the taste of Hong Kong Style Tea (brewed black tea mixed with sweet condensed milk-$1.90). The diner does it well with a full bodied taste and velvety smoothness. For a citrus refresher, the lemon tea ($1.85) is a perennial favorite. Served in a milkshake glass, the red bean ice drink ($2.85) combines chunks of red beans and sweet condensed milk layered with cubes of ice. It could also be a dessert in its own right.

Sides: For a twist of a French classic, the escargots ($5.95) are served in a French pastry puff. Served over a mound of French fries, the fried chicken wings ($5.15) are crispy and seasoned just right. The fried calamari displays great crispy texture but the thick batter masked the sea-sweet taste from the ring ($5.15). Sweetened from broiled tomatoes and cabbage, the Russian borsch ($3.45) is a great soup choice. With out any culinary touch, the green salad ($3.95) is merely a few pieces of lettuce and slices of tomatoes tossed in Thousand Island dressing.

Main courses: Mostly every night, the restaurant is packed.with diners who order the daily specials ($8.75) The special includes entrée, soup of the day, bread, hot coffee or milk tea, and Jell-O as dessert. Diners are greeted with a basket of buns freshly made from their counterpart bakery next door. With a caramelized crust, the buns start off a great meal. The signature diner dish is the baked pork chop ($8.75) arrives piping hot. Tender meat served over a mound of egg fried rice and the tangy tomato sauce rounds out the dish. A great choice for diners who relish in spicy flavors is the seafood spaghetti in XO sauce ($13.35). In the cutlet pork chop ($9.05), a thin patty is battered in Japanese bread crumb and fried. The crust is not greasy and shattered with one bite. Skip the curry brisket (served as the Wednesday special), it is comprised of tough meat pieces bathing in a curry sauce that lacks any aromatic spices. With a slight jab from the fork, the tender meat fall off the bone in the ox-tail stewed ($8.95). For those who enjoy a white cream sauce, the baked spaghetti with ham and cheese displays the marriage with savory and nutty notes. With a ladle of dark creamy gravy, the onion chicken steak ($9.05) is further amplified with crunchy caramelized onions. Stealing the show is the house special prime rib ($15.95). The medium rare features blushing beef in a savory au jus sauce.

For three people, the total was $30 with plenty of food left over. We ordered three daily specials and fried chicken wings on that visit.

Consultant hat. Very few restaurants have survived beyond the three year period. Cafe Bakery & Restaurant has done very well for a few main reasons. It is rumored that the owners of the cafe also own the land. This means that they do not have to worry about the landlord raising rent and other issues. It is obvious that they serve good food and provide ample portions but the key of their success is to put together a great daily special menu.

3 Reasons to Create Daily Specials
1) Patrons like value. Daily specials provide an entire package so the customer don’t have to think about choices.
2) Better for bottom line. Daily specials will increase the closing cost (total amount of bill). Instead of just ordering an entrée, patrons will add beverage and sides.
3) Lower food cost. Lets say that the Sunday special is pork cutlet. The purchaser is able to buy in bulk the chicken and other ingredients.

Cafe Bakery & Restaurant
1365 Noriega Street
(between 20th Ave & 21st Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
Open 7 days a week
Cash Only
(415) 661- 661-6136
Open Daily
11am-10pm
(Prices: $10 and up)

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1365 Noriega Street
(between 20th Ave & 21st Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94122
Open 7 days a week
Cash Only
(415) 661- 661-6136
Open Daily
11am-10pm
(Prices: $10 and up)