Alphabe Thursday - "U" Is for Unexpected - March 3, 2011

It is wonderful living in the San Francisco area.  When one least expects it, the most
delightful things can happen.  Today, I finally got around to going to in to have lab work
my doctor ordered almost two weeks ago.  It was nothng urgent, really, just annual
studies that needed to be done.  I had to be fasting for them and, since I didn't go till
nearly noon, I was ravenous after the long wait while a dozen or so people went ahead
of me.

When I left, I turned around in the St. Francis Shopping Center up the street and, in the
far corner, I  noticed a sign that said, "Dim Sum Specialists."  That sounded like a perfect
solution for lunch so I joined the line at the counter.  What a disappointment.  Nothing
looked at all appetizing.  In fact, most of the choices seemed rather dry and shriveled up.
I mean, how dare they advertise like this in an area where dim sum really is almost on a
par with the best offered in Hong Kong!!  Totally annoyed, I left, enduring the rain again
and got back in the car.

As I put the key in the ignition, directly in front of me, I saw another restaurant, the
Burma Cafe.  I figured it would be as bad as the other place, in the dilapidated shopping
center and almost left.  However, my curiosity - and the fact that I had never eaten
Burmese food in my sixty-six years - got the better of me. I got out of my car and went
inside.  What an unexpected surprise!

The setting was lovely and serene, with statues of elephants and various deities and
flowers that brightened the setting.  While only one couple was dining when I arrived,
several tables were occupied by the time I left.



Connie, the young woman, who was the only one serving during the time I was there, was
very attentive and friendly.  She explained the dishes and made helpful suggestions.  She
explained that there were similarities between Burmese, Thai, and Indian food but said
that Burmese food was, traditionally, not very spicy hot.

Intrigued, I ordered much more than I could finish, knowing that my sons would be
more than happy to finish anything  brought home.



For an appetizer, I chose aloo puri, fried puffed whole wheat bread ( I had eaten that

before in Indian restaurants ), served with curried potatoes.  That was absolutely

wonderful.

Aloo puri

Next, I had tea leaf salad!  Connie told me that was their most "exotic" salad.  It consisted

of marinated fermented tea leaves, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onion, fried broad beans, split

peas, peanuts and sliced jalapenos.  Connie brought it to me, beautifully arranged on a

plate to see before she mixed it up.  I had to restrain myself from finishing it all because I

wanted to save some for my boys to try. 

Tea leaf salad, before mixing

Tea leaf salad, mixed

I also had garlic noodles, some of the best I've ever had, with lots of garlic, scallions and

BBQ pork.  The lamb curry with potatoes were fabulous - not spicy - but in a wonderful,

fragrant gravy which both sons deemed delicious. 

Garlic noodles

Lamb curry

I had no room for dessert though I did drink two cups of Burmese milk tea, a sweetened

tea - no spices like the Indian chai ( which I actually prefer ). 

The menu for the Burma Cafe is very extensive and there are many more dishes that

I hope to try in the future.  It is definitely a place that would be fun to try with a group.

That way we can all order something different and share!

Who would have thought that a rather dowdy shopping mall like the St. Francis would

have such an unexpected gem like the Burma Cafe.  I am so lucky to have stumbled

upon it!


I am participating in Alphabe Thursday - check out the site and join in the fun!