in searching for a good chinese restaurant in the city to take my mom to this evening, i ran across my old post earlier this year:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/45291?user_name=&query=mayflower%2C+kirin (thanks for the replies!)
i totally forgot to respond to that original post and report back how wonderful kirin was! my group of 18 went there for my bday dinner back in april and had the $220 banquet dinner. we actually made a couple of substitutions and add ons too. the food was all very solid and well timed. i remember specifically the sticky rice chicken being so tasty, nevermind the grease. we had so much leftover though, boxes and boxes. the service was great and the manager (sam/henry?) was extremely nice and attentive thoughout the entire process (menu negotiation to uncorking our wine). i've been going ever since and he recognizes me when i come in too (score!)
back to this evening, i decided to play it safe and take my mom to kirin. she lives in LA and is accustomed to all the san gabriel valley powerhouses so she has a well-educated palate. i brought her last to koi palace, which she thought very highly of, but we were looking for something that was under $100 for the two of us tonight.
when we arrive, the manager recognized me again and showed us to a nice large table by the window. we ordered lobster in ginger & green onion, a steamed whole rock cod, and garlic sauteed pea sprouts.
we got a large bowl of complimentary soup to start. clear stewed pork broth with bean curd sheets, red dates (i think?), and water chestnuts. my mom is really big on soup and remarked that this one was very savory sweet, well seasoned, not too salty. we both finished a couple of servings.
the pea sprouts arrive (a nice large portion) that was crisp-tender and not stringy at all (old sprounts tend to have too much fiberous material). it had a nice subtle touch of garlic and broth, but i would've perferred just a touch more salt/soy.
the lobster was about 1 1/2 pounds and came out steaming hot. the meat was quickly cooked to a plump and tender texture, buttery sweet. sauce was well gingered and flavored. my only complaint with lobster dishes at chinese restaurants is that the pieces get cold rather quickly (like the claw meat which i save for last.)
the rock cod was perfect portioned for 2. this was overall good, but slightly overdone by a minute or two, resulting in firmer flesh vs velvety. the hot oil flash soy sauce was also a little unbalanced, not having enough sweet vs salt character.
we wrapped things up with some almond jello (please skip the canned tropical fruit served on top) and fortunte cookies (which i find hilarious at a restaurant like this).
service was great and the different waiters were all so polite and accommodating. very refreshing for these kind of restaurants. our bill came out to $87 with tax/tip and for us, was well worth it. yes, koi palace is extremely good; we thought of going there. but kirin represents a great neighborhood chinese restaurant with solid food and exceptional service. i'll definitely continue to be loyal and i think my mom now knows of at least 2 great chinese places to eat in SF.
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