Fantastic service, small place so might be a short wait on Friday and weekends but food is great…read more Would definitely come again!

Rin-Tei is a delicious Japanese-Thai fusion restaurant that I'd highly recommend! I came here a few…read moreweeks ago with some friends on a Sunday whim, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience here. When we arrived, we were easily able to get seated without a reservation (perhaps because it was a Sunday). The service was wonderful from the get-go - they were extremely friendly and attentive the entire time, and made us feel very welcomed. And though we arrived on the slightly later side, they never made us feel rushed. The interior of Rin-Tei is minimalist and cozy, and had a very familial feel, as virtually all the tables are connected by a long bench along the wall. It contributes to the inviting, inclusive atmosphere of the restaurant, making it a great spot to meet up with friends. We ordered a variety of dishes which we all split, including: the garlic shrimp, the Vietnamese papaya salad, cold sesame TanTan pho, keema curry, calamari, sizzling wagyu loin, and a couple drinks. And everything we had was excellent! My personal favorites were the sizzling wagyu loin, which was perfectly cooked and abundantly juicy and flavorful, and the warm, tasty keema curry. I'd also never had cold pho before, but I ended up being very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I don't think you can go wrong with anything here. I loved my experience at Rin-Tei, and will no doubt be back soon!

the food and service was great..... we went for breakfast…read moreback to back because it was that good if you're in the area, go. it's worth the wait!

First off, this is probably one of the cuter breakfast spots! I love their decor and how cozy it…read morefeels. Second, the food selection is great! We ended ordering the chicken and waffles, a specialty pancake, and sweet potato tots, which were my favorite! I highly recommend ordering a side of the tots. Third, service was on par. The servers were attentive, friendly, and made sure we were taken care of. We've been here 3 times now, and all 3 times we've had a great experience! Will definitely be coming back when we're in the area.

I haven't had good food in a while. Sometimes when I eat at Asian restaurants, it's just not as…read moreauthentic. Having said that, Mingalaba is probably the most authentic Asian restaurant I've eaten at so far. You can there that there's no shortcuts with the dishes, nothing is watered down, everything is just real. The coconut chicken soup is something out of this world. It's not spicy at all. I can't describe it but it was really delicious, as with all the other dishes. The service was amazing and they even amended some of our dishes so that we could feed it to our kid (non-spicy). I really like this restaurant. Only such a shame we live so far now and only just discovered it. I'd visit again if I'm around.

We visit this restaurant occasionally due to its proximity to home, but the experience tends to be…read moreinconsistent. While there are a few highlights, several dishes don't quite justify the premium pricing. The Burmese beef and lamb curries are really good--the meat is consistently tender and the flavors are deep and well-developed. We also really enjoyed the rainbow salad and the paratha with curry sauce, though both felt overpriced for what they are. Other menu items have been disappointing: * Catfish Chowder: This was fairly average and bore a strange resemblance to pea soup. * Walnut Broccoli Chicken: Another mediocre dish that failed to leave an impression.

Cute but pricey izakaya (it is owned by non-Japanese Asians!) They have a parking lot so don't park…read moreon the street like I did (alternatively, you could take Caltrain as they are right across the street from Broadway station!) The private booths are intimate, the lighting is dimmed, music is bopping (not to age myself, but it was bops from my high school years) Fitting, as I was getting dinner with my best HS friend! I love how you take off your shoes to get in the booths! So cute and fun. There were some families there and the kids were given coloring pages. Coming from SF, this is how you know you're in the suburbs. The skewers were delicious. A group of 4, we ordered 4 of each. We tried steak, chicken, takoyaki, fries (which were pretty much takoyaki fries), bacon-wrapped mochi, bacon enoki mushroom, unagi, fried chicken skin, Uzura Tamago (Quail Eggs), and more! Everything was good and flavorful. However, it ended up being over ~$70/person, so not cheap. I will say service was lacking. They didn't bring us the bill for over 20 minutes. Relatedly (in that it's negative), whoo boy was my stomach upset after! It was delicious, but at the cost of being greasy.

A great, reliable spot if you're looking for a fun yakitori and Japanese tapas-style dinner…read moreexperience, especially one that closes decently late no matter the day. We came to Mokutanya for a casual night out. It was pretty late for a sushi spot to be open on a Sunday night (around 8:30 pm), and overall, it hit the spot. The menu has a lot of variety, and it's definitely a good place to share dishes with friends or a group. FOOD: 8/10 The skewers were the highlight for me and, I believe, one of their specialties. They were well-seasoned, nicely grilled, and served hot off the grill. I also enjoyed trying a variety of small plates, which made the meal feel fun and interactive. Some dishes were better than others, but overall it was a solid experience with good flavor and variety. We ordered their Raw Oysters, and it was decent. It definitely was not the freshest we've ever tried, but it was still good, thankfully. SERVICE: 8/10 Service was standard, but the staff was chill and easygoing. AMBIANCE: 8/10 The restaurant has a warm, lively, and slightly upscale-casual feel, great for groups or a casual night out. You can experience zashiki seating, where you take off your shoes before entering the dining area and sit down at low tables. The lighting was pretty dark, lol. Overall, it's a solid late-night option if you're in the mood for skewers, small plates, and a relaxed group dining experience.

Today was our second time coming here. Arrived around 12:30pm on a weekend and there was a slight…read morewait, but luckily it wasn't too long. The service today was outstanding! They were super attentive, and asked if the modifications for different orders were the same. And when they made a small mistake, they quickly noticed without me even pointing it out, and resolved it. I was very impressed. Skewers are tasty. Note for self: between the beef and the lamb skewers, we actually preferred the beef. Maybe because it's a bit more fatty. Garlic sauce on the eggplant and vermicelli scallop is slightly spicy, but not too bad, probably from the garlic kick. Would come back again! Also it's super kid friendly surprisingly. Lots of high chairs and lots of kids eating there.

First time trying this place for my sister's birthday. I made reservations for a party of 6 about…read moretwo weeks in advance, and I'm glad I did because when we arrived around 7 PM, the restaurant was packed and busy. Just a heads up, they only accept phone reservations for groups of 6 or more. If you have fewer than 6 people, it's walk-in only. Ordering is done through a QR code where you can add items to your cart. I actually liked that multiple people in the party can scan the QR code and add items themselves instead of having one designated person order everything or having separate carts that no one else can see. The only downside is that it can be easy to accidentally over-order if someone adds something you were already planning to get, so I recommend reviewing your cart carefully before submitting. Since this is a skewer restaurant, you probably won't get super full from just ordering skewers, so I recommend getting some main dishes as well if you want to feel satisfied without spending too much on just meat. Service was pretty quick and the skewers came out in a reasonable amount of time. Unfortunately, they were sold out of a few items we wanted to try, which was a little disappointing, but maybe that's a sign I'll have to come back again. Everything we did try was delicious. The skewers were well-seasoned, and they also have extra seasoning available at the table. They allowed us to bring a birthday cake, stored it in their freezer for us, and provided plastic forks and paper plates, which was a nice touch. Our waitress was also very friendly and attentive throughout the meal. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and would consider coming back when I'm in the mood for skewers. I don't think it's somewhere I'd crave all the time, but I have no major complaints. Parking can be a little difficult, but luckily we were able to find public parking at the garage on Flores Street.

Located in Downtown San Mateo, parking is plentiful but availability is difficult to find. The…read moreinterior is quiet and spacious making it good for groups of all sizes. Food is delicious. I loved the lumpia and pancit. Lumpia was very crispy and the pancit was light whilst having flavor. Tap to pay is accepted. Overall, Avenida Restaurant is a delicious place for Filipino food.

Growing up in a Filipino family, there was one unmistakable sign that a celebration was about to…read morehappen. Someone would yell from the kitchen... "The rice is done!" Suddenly, cousins appeared out of nowhere. Uncles magically volunteered to "help." Aunties started uncovering steaming trays of food like they were unveiling national treasures. And somehow, there was always enough food to feed a small village...plus the neighbors. Walking into Avenida in San Mateo felt exactly like stepping back into one of those family gatherings. Only this time, someone gave Grandma's recipes a modern wardrobe without changing her soul. Let's begin with the Extra Crispy Lechon Kawali. If crispy pork belly had its own Olympic event...this would win gold. The skin shattered with every bite like delicious edible glass before giving way to unbelievably succulent, juicy pork underneath. Every glorious crackle echoed through the dining room like applause from my ancestors. I may or may not have looked around to make sure nobody planned on stealing the last piece. Then arrived the Kare Kare. Now, Kare Kare isn't just another stew. It's one of those Filipino dishes that quietly whispers, "Sit down...you're staying awhile." The rich peanut sauce was silky, deeply savory, and wrapped every piece of tender oxtail like a warm culinary hug. Poured generously over a mountain of steaming rice, it instantly reminded me why carbohydrates are one of humanity's greatest inventions. Then came the Chicken Adobo, arguably the unofficial ambassador of Filipino cuisine. Tangy Savory Perfectly salty Fragrant with garlic Whole peppercorns making surprise appearances just when you thought each bite couldn't get any better. Every forkful tasted like it had been simmering all afternoon in someone's family kitchen while stories, laughter, and a little friendly gossip floated through the house. And then... The dish that quietly stole my heart. Palabok Those delicate rice noodles blanketed with rich orange shrimp and pork sauce, topped with shrimp, hard-boiled egg, crispy pork bits, and all the little finishing touches that somehow transform simple ingredients into pure nostalgia. One bite... And suddenly I wasn't sitting in a beautiful restaurant anymore. I was back at birthday parties Christmas celebrations Baptisms Family reunions Plastic folding chairs Kids running around the backyard Someone asking for seconds before everyone else had finished their first plate. It's amazing how food can unlock memories you didn't even realize were waiting. That's Avenida's greatest accomplishment. They don't simply recreate Filipino classics. They honor them. Every dish carries the comfort of homemade cooking while adding just enough modern refinement to make it feel fresh without ever forgetting where it came from. It's memory lane...with better lighting. Overall: 5 stars. Outstanding Filipino cuisine that beautifully balances tradition with contemporary presentation. From the perfectly crackling Lechon Kawali and heavenly Kare Kare to the unforgettable Chicken Adobo and deeply nostalgic Palabok, every dish felt like a heartfelt tribute to Filipino family cooking. Avenida isn't just serving dinner...it's serving home, one delicious plate at a time. Come hungry and Go Big!!!

I have visited this restaurant for three times. It is always good!!! We ordered the house specialty…read moreset, it is pretty much for two

The fish is really good. MUST TRY! And the service is great. Recommend!!!! The environment is…read morecomfortable for small group gathering.

Our go-to ramen spot in Burlingame. I've been here multiple times and I love their Tan Tan Ramen…read moreand Short Rib Ramen. They have multiple appetizers to choose from - one of our personal favorites is their vegetarian gyoza. I've dined in a few times, and the servers are quick and on top of it all. Considering it's a small location with fewer seats, it gets pretty busy in there. So lately I've done take-out. Even then, food is consistent and always hits the spot!

We've been to Hanabi many times, when they were a fledging ramen place we'd go there because…read moregrowing son (now in mid 20s) just loved the slurp and after baseball was the perfect meal. Fast forward, it's Mom's Day, kids having meals on their own as parents, our celebration is to go somewhere good to have a meal, no lines (didn't make a res), kinda spontaneous. Hanabi fits the bill. Ordered the pork belly ramen ( looked really good at a neighboring table) and the Mayu-ramen, spicy, with kfc chicken (not what you think, means something else), both with a miso base. Wait was reasonable, time to get a table was 30 seconds tops. Other nights it's been jammed but not Mom's Day, just quiet, enjoyable. Both meals were spectacularly reasonable, serving what you'd want, with enough of everything to want to dive in because you were pretty assured you were going to be satisfied. Not fru-fru or bougie, ingredients that make the dish memorable yet feel you are knowledgeable and appreciated. Pork belly was soft, fatty yet lean, cooked well enough to be tender, yet with a little chew (not disintegrating like some bellies), lots of noodles al dente so you appreciate the noodle was not a mushy mass in the bowl like some places. The Mayu came with 3 drumsticks burning hot from the fryer but oh so good because it's served in a separate dish so it doesn't get soggy. The spicy is good enough to keep things interesting with losing its identity (unlike a lot of places). And they give plenty of ramen because it's that good. We keep coming back because they serve no-frills, you-can-bank-on-it ramen that is satisfying, consistent; staff is friendly without being overbearing. It's not a big place, tables and a counter, but they know how to keep diners happy and coming back for more. What more can you ask for? Thanks, Hanabi, will definitely be back!