Located across from the Holiday Inn, and just down the street from Portsmouth Square, Louies is off the beaten path in a building that used to house a Japanese restaurant. A Louies experience takes a little getting used to. Althoughthe standard Cantonese restaurant fish tanks greet you, the space is broken up like a split-level ranch house, with a balcony and basement next to the center section on street level.
The center section is broken into a number of banquet rooms separated by shoji screens (old Japanese restaurant, remember?). Because of the stairs there arent any carts. If you come here for dim sum, you have to order off of the menu, instead of inspecting the carts that (dont) go by. And if all of that isnt strange enough, here is a place that has "Louies California" in its name, and it is one of the three or four best Chinese restaurants in San Francisco. Perhaps the food at Koi Palace is a bit better, but Louies isnt as crowded as a zoo, and the staff tries to make you happy. Some places (which shall remain nameless) are resting on their laurels, but Louies is new and doesnt have enough laurels yet for even a catnap. I had some Fried Rice here (seasoned with dried scallops and ginger juice) that is one of the best dishes Ive ever had in a Chinese restaurant. The sautéed vegetables are stir fried with garlic and served al dente. Ive also had outstanding E-Fu noodles with soy sauce, and some superb fried whole soft-shell crab. I think it would be hard to go wrong here no matter what you order. The staff is professional and eager to please. Although they serve serious Chinese food, they arent condescending, and they want to help any round eyes that havent quite got the hang of Chinese food yet. Highly Recommended
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