On 7 Jan 1998, Jeffrey Rose wrote: > I'm going to be in SF this coming April. I know the city is not known > for fiery cuisine but can anyone recommend some interesting restaurants to > check out? I'm happy with anything funky, ethnic, and spicy even if its My two favorites are both in North Beach, both Hunan-style Chinese: - Brandy Ho's Hunan, 2 locations. The Columbus location is older, more traditional chinatown decor, the Broadway location is black tile with neon. Be sure to order the smoked duck. When I order, I order "medium" and it's about as hot as I can manage. Also very good onion cake (not spicy, just good). - Henry's Hunan (on Sansome, 1/2 block off Broadway) has excelent house-smoked ham. I invariably order a dish of/containing they ssmoked pork, such as "Marty's Special." Also right up there: Hot & Sour Beef, the Cold Eggplant salad. AVOID The Stinking Rose on Columbus. I have not personally been there, but friends I trust who have been there say it is a tourist trap. The food isn't actually bad, just way overpriced. David Lichtman I want ni, I want ni, I want nitrosamines.