Brandy Ho's Hunan Food

...our favorite North Beach restaurant... (link)

I had been to this restaurant a couple years ago and the ambiance used to be romantic and high class. However, I went there again 3 months ago and I was totally disappointed. I guess they have changed the management. The restaurant now is so bright and there is tiny spaces in between tables. It is true that it has an open kitchen but also poor ventilator system. The whole restaurant smells like food. The table and glassware are greasy even though they are supposed to be cleaned for new customers. Guess you know what happen when you walked out the restaurant after your meal. Too bad it looks more like a chain fastfood restaurant now.

Right on the edge of China Town and North Beach on Columbus st. (There is another location on Broadway but I've never been there). This place has an open kitchen so you can see the food being prepared. I've eaten here 3 or 4 times and its pretty consistent. The menu never changes and the prices are comparable with the rest of China town. The food is rather better than the rest. There are lots of spicy Hunan dishes which can be prepared as mild, medium or hot on request. Try the deep fried dumplings, and the sizzling rice shrimp, and the house chow mein.