The name of this restaurant doesn't really scream Chinese food but the neighborhood does. It is located in Chinatown, San Francisco, on the classic Kearny Street nestled amongst many other Chinese restaurants, everything from high-end to low-end take out joints. Sure I walked by some lost souls such as Burger, Mediterranean and Sandwich places but I guess that comes with any local neighborhood and it makes it that more entertaining when walking around.
The restaurant has a nice look to it with a modern bar on the main floor and the seating area downstairs. I was directed downstairs and seated immediately. The place was packed which is always a good sign and I got the table next to the water tank with their live crabs which weren’t bad as I at least got some company at my one-top table.
They serve you complimentary tea and which was a nice touch especially since the tea was good and even though I had no plans on ordering tea it hit the spot. I ordered the egg rolls and the R & G Special Beef (Secret Sauce), Stir-fried top choice sliced beef marinated with chef's special sauce. The egg rolls were good and the “special beef” even better. It had a nice sweetness to it as it still kept its savory and salty integrity that you look for in beef. The beef was very tender and sort of melted in your mouth. The beef accompanied by some Sambal Olek and steamed white rice balanced out the dish and it became a complete meal. It was a really good meal and one of many other dishes I would have liked to try from the expansive menu of what we would consider non-traditional Chinese restaurant menu items. Looking around at other tables and the inviting dishes really had me contemplating ordering something else but that will have to wait until the next visit.
Come here if you want a more authentic choice of Chinese dishes and do not come here if you want Sweet & Sour Chicken, Sesame Chicken, General Tso's Chicken or Chop Suey. This restaurant is a true recommendation for a great place to eat Chinese food. Only negative with R & G Lounge are the prices as they are at the higher end of what you expect to spend at a Chinese restaurant.
I will leave you with my final epiphany regarding Chinese food. Chinese food is not to be eaten alone, you need to make it a family affair. I say this for two reasons:
1. Chinese food by itself is quite savory and heavy on flavor, i.e. ordering only one dish can make it seem quite dull towards the end of your dish as it sort of takes over your palette and belly.
2. If eaten with a family or a larger group you can enjoy the possibility of ordering from all over the menu mixing and matching flavors, scents, types of meat and texture and SHARE. Now you can switch from one flavor element to another and one texture to another when you want to. It will also be easier on your wallet when putting your total dining experience into perspective, i.e. I am not talking about it being easier on your wallet in absolute terms.
Overall Rating: 4
Food Rating: 5
Cost: $$
631 Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
http://www.rnglounge.com/menu.pdf
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