Mandalay

02/19/07

Long wait with reservations, no cups on table for 45 min, hair in food, didn't bring leftovers, totally overrated

by hairypsalm at Citysearch

2/19/07. Saturday night reservations for 8 people at 7:30pm. Not seated until 8:15pm. Free wine was a nice touch, but that's the only thing nice you'll hear me say. Brought tea, but no cups. Took half hour before they brought beers, but still no cups & no water. Finally brought water 10 minutes after the beer. I started drinking tea from the spoon on the table and they finally got the message. Ordered food, half the table getting the "special dinner" the other getting the "royal dinner'. Neither were Royal or Special in the least. They were, however, the smallest portions I'd ever seen in my life. When they finally did bring the food, it was the at least 9:30pm at this point. The first dish went to the "special people" on the other side of the table, so I can't comment on that. My side was straight-up royalty. The Royal treatment so it seems, includes hair in your food, because the first dish that came our way contained one long black one. (that's what she said) We sent it back only to get the exact same plate sans hair. How do we know it was the same plate? well it was the same color and it's a salad that was originally mixed in front of use. The replacement plate was pre-mixed. Hair and service aside, the food was only so-so and not Zagat worthy. By the end of the meal, there was a little food left (due to everyone being to afraid to look like a fat hog taking more than one tablespon of food each) Anyway, we asked if they'd wrap it up and they never did. It supposedly got a 96 rating from the H.D. If hair in the food = 96 I'll be next door at the 100 rated sushi place. And if you're thinking of getting the set meal (special or royal), it only makes sense if you're a couple. Four plates for two people. If you add two more people to that order, they only bring two additional plates of food, not four. And no, they're not any bigger.

08/23/06

I love this restaurant!

by nejwej at Citysearch

I love this place! I find it a little more authentic then Burmese SuperStar on Clement. And the wait is SO much shorter. I take everyone I know there. I always order the Balada, Rainbow Salad, my friends all like the Curry, the Cocunut rice, and the Ngo Giok Dok (or something.. it's in the noodle section). The mango chicken seems to be pretty popular. Good drinks, Thai Ice Tea and Cocunut number are good. Make sure to order it with light ice.

The service can be ok at times. Amatuer waiters, but they are all VERY nice. The parking is somewhat tedious, but I find it worse on Clement...

I HIGHLY recommend this place.

• Pros: Food, Service
• Cons: Parking

03/31/06

another beer?

by xxxcorryxxx at Citysearch

We normally patronize Burma Suerstar 2 block away, but, decided to try this joint becasue of the long wait there. Turned out we were not the only table who were eating here at Mandalay becasue of the long wait at Burma Superstar.

Food was very average, a lot of chinese food and not enough Burmese Dishes. Service was very very polite, but very superficial at the same time. We like our food with beer, but, was asked to see if we wanted another beer for no less than 4 times within 30 minutes of my meal.

• Pros: cheap price, no wait, decent decor
• Cons: superficial service, subpar chinese dishes, parking

03/20/06

Disappointed

by babynorah at Citysearch

After reading the positive reviews, I was excited to try this restaurant. We had a favorite burmese restaurant we went to every week prior to moving to the East Bay area. Unfortunately, this doesn't even compare to the amazing authentic taste and variety of our favorite restaurant.

As the name indicates, the restaurant serves chinese and burmese food. Looking at the menu, the majority of the food was chinese which was disappointing. The signature burmese salads was difficult to swallow after a couple of bits. It consisted of too many nuts and overwhelms you. The ohno kaukswe soup was too salty and thick. The pan dry string bean came out a shriveled/wrinkled.

We won't be coming back here.

• Pros: decor
• Cons: not authentic

11/21/05

BEST FOOD EVER

by celestial904 at Citysearch

I take all of my out-of-town guests here. When they return to the city, I'm not sur eif it's to visit me or to eat at Mandalay. Best are the Tea Leaf Salad and the Mango Chicken!!!!!!

• Pros: staff, yummy food, take out, delivery