Max's Opera Cafe

Name: Max's Opera Cafe
[see below for location & Web site]
Date & Time visited: Tuesday, November 15, 2005, 8:40 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Cobb Salad [Jen], Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich [me]

Jen loves Max's Cobb salad and orders it probably one of every three or four visits. She says they've changed from using marinated mushrooms to just lightly seasoned mushrooms. A tip on this dish is to request the avocado be diced, otherwise it will arrive in two or three large slices.

The Chicken cheesesteak is pretty much what it sounds; a cheesesteak sandwich made with chicken instead of beef. It was very good, though the chicken was a touch dry. I made up for that with Beaver creamy horseradish, served along with other Beaver brand condiments with every deli sandwich at Max's. The sandwich was served with tasty seasoned fries and I requested a dill pickle as well.

Service: Very good. We were seated immediately, our orders were taken as soon as we folded the menus on the table, and food arrived within minutes. We both had fresh-brewed iced tea and the glasses were kept full.

Would we go back: Yes, and often.

Al's Fish & Chips

Name: Al's Fish & Chips
Address: 2139 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City, California 94061
Phone: (650) 366-3474
Web site: none; Google Local info page
Date & Time visited: Saturday, November 12, 2005, 3:00 PM
Guests: Jennifer and me
What we had: Two-piece fish & chips (Jen), Fish tacos w/rice & black beans (me).

After reading a glowing review in the Redwood City Daily News (no Web link that I could find) we resolved to try this place when we had a chance. Jen liked her fish & chips very much, and she knows from good fish & chips. My fish tacos were quite good, with just enough batter on the fish and a very tasty sauce. The accompanying black beans were perhaps a little too wet (served in a small bowl so as not to swamp the tacos and rice) but were enjoyable. I was a touch disappointed in the white rice as I'd expected spanish- or mexican-style seasoned rice, but it was okay, especially with some of the black beans mixed in.

Service: Good. Orders are placed at the counter and delivered to the table. We were the only guests in the restaurant through our entire meal, so the noticeable delay in receiving our order may have been attributable to needing to bring the cooking oil back up to temperature; just a guess. It wasn't an excessive delay and the one employee was pleasant.

Would we go back: Unfortunately, Al's is rather out of the way for us, so it's not likely unless we're in the area for something else. We did enjoy our visit, however.

Yen Ching

Name: Yen Ching
Address: 574 S Glassell St, Orange, California 92866
Phone: (714) 997-3300
Web site: none; Google Local info page
Date & Time visited: Sunday, November 6, 2005, 6:30 PM
Guests: Tony & AVP, Alex & Lani, Mark, Mox, Jennifer and me
What we had: Sizzling rice soup, Pot stickers & paper wrapped chicken (appetizer), Peking chicken, Sesame chicken, Kung Pao 3 ways (shrimp, chicken, beef), Mandarin shrimp, Spicy braised beancurd w/pork, Vegetable chow mein, white rice. I may have missed a dish.

We ordered the "Dinner for seven" and Alex had an entree all for himself. The entrees were served family style, with platters arranged on a large Lazy Susan in the middle of the table. Almost everything I tried (didn't eat the Kung Pao) was excellent, with the exception of the Peking chicken which I found too sweet and chewy. The Sesame chicken was especially good, and I'm going to have to try to find that on Chinese menus from now on.

Service: Very good. After a noticeable delay in taking our initial order, everything happened quickly and competently. Water and green tea refills were prompt and the various servers attending our table were friendly.

Would we go back: Likely, when we're in town and can get a group together. It seems especially suited to large group dinners.