Bangkok Spoon

One of my favorite lunch spots in downtown Mountain View. Just off of castro so parking is usually easy. Affordable, very tasty Thai food. Favorite is the mango scallop curry.

Atmosphere is quiet, dated and a bit musty, but service is friendly and quick.

Christopher Chin, MD

Dr. Chin is a family practice doctor specializing in internal medicine at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation's Mountain View campus. I started going to Dr. Chin back in 2005 and even though I no longer work near his office, I still go to him because I think he's a really great doctor. He takes an active interest in understanding my health and my family medical history - and keeps detailed electronic records of it so that whenever I go to see him it's already top of mind for him and factored into how he treats me. He's professional (never have to wait to long for him, always listens attentively to my questions, always follows up via phone with test results etc..), he does a really nice job explaining different medical conditions or treatments very clearly and thoroughly, and is personable. I like that he's got a kid of his own (like me) and is in roughly the same age group as me. Feels like he's young enough to be on top of cutting edge medicine and technology practices (electronic records, easy to get in touch with via email etc.) but old enough to have a lot of experience seeing and treating any medical issue I might have. I'd definitely recommend Dr Chin.

54 Mint Wine Bar

Had a nice lunch for 10 people at 54 Mint today and it was outstanding. Seating is on two levels - a light, airy street level room with a long bar and moderate sized dining area - and then the cellar, which has 3 large wooden tables surrounded by shelves and shelves of wine. We sat in the cellar. Host is from the Amalfi Coast - a young, very energetic and affable guy who ended up waiting on us as well. Food was excellent. I had the Pasta Pescatore for an entree which was great. Pastas are homemade and they use fresh, local ingredients.

It's in a somewhat sketchy location (5th and Mission) - tucked in Mint Plaza right next to Chez Papa Resto. Great place for a nice dinner before a movie at the Metreon and for a good sitdown lunch.

I'd definitely recommend 54 Mint Wine Bar.

Precision Auto Glass Co

When rock hit the windshield of our Lexus SUV I called around to find quotes for a replacement windshield. I ended up going with Precision Auto Glass because they were $400 cheaper than the first quote I received - and I was totally satisfied with the work. Both of the auto glass companies I called told me not to bother getting a Lexus brand windshield as long as it didn't contain sensors in the windshield (which mine did not). You just end up paying more for the brand but getting nothing more in quality than the other brands they carry. Precision gave me a quote right there over the phone to goto my wife's office in Menlo Park the next morning and replace the windshield for $387. The other place quoted me $800 for the same thing.

They showed up at the office, completed the work, and gave my wife a call on the cell phone when done so she could go out and inspect the work. Just had to let it sit and cure for 6 hours before driving which was no problem since they came in the am. Car smelled of glue for a week or two but then went away. I've been totally satisfied with the work and am happy we saved $400. I would recommend Precision Auto Glass.

Aung, Diana, Md - Portola Valley Women's Health

Dr. Aung delivered one of our two children and was terrific through the whole delivery room experience. My wife really likes seeing Dr. Aung for regular checkups and has also been really happy with all of the doctors in the Portola Valley Women's Health clinic. I'd definitely recommend both Dr. Aung and the practice.

Absolute Home Improvement

I hired Mark to repair a broken wooden dining chair. (One of the slats in the chair back broke off from the top of the chair). Mark was very responsive. He drove to my house during the day while I was at work (our nanny was there) - so that he could get me a quote that same day. He called me from my house and we agreed on the price ($130). He took the chair home that day, fixed it and returned it to my house the next day. He called me that night to explain the work he did and to make sure I was happy with it. (I was). Mark clearly has pride in his work. He actually ended up replacing the pin in the chair back so that it was stronger than it was originally. I'm totally happy with the work, the process and the price - particuarly given how I never actually touched the chair or even met Mark in person! He really bent over backwards to work around my schedule - something I really appreciate. I'd recommend Mark and Absolute Home Improvement.

Bounceu

I've brought my kids to several birthday parties at Bounce U. It's a lot like Pump It Up in Belmont but a bit newer. They have the usual two cavernous rooms filled with 4 oversized inflatable stations that the kids can run wild on. They also have a side-by-side basketball shooting station (where I spend most of my time) and an air hockey table. Kids move from one room to the second room before retiring to the pizza and cake room. It's a fun place for parties and kids are pooped out afterwards. Conveniently located on Brittan right off the 101.

Ayola

Grabbed a chicken gyro and dolma here today for lunch. Total bill $8.61. Gyro is served in soft, warm pita instead of grilled lavash (for those of you who care about that). Chicken was fine. Dolma was good too. It's good fast food. There are 3 or 4 tables if you want to eat in. Definitely better than the Ayola a few blocks away on New Montgomery which I've tried and really not liked.

Canyon Inn

The Canyon Inn is a great place to bring the kids for a casual dinner of burgers, pizza or chicken tenders. They've got decent beer selection too. Walls are covered with pictures of the owner with former 49er players (this used to be a haunt of the team). Video games and a flinstone car that runs on quarters (like you see outside of grocery stores) are in the back so you can let the kids run over there while you finish your meal in peace.

Canton Seafood & Dim Sum House

Our office occassionally heads over to Canton for a Dim Sum lunch. Total old school Cantonese restaurant but solid Dim Sum at a price that still feels too expensive for lunch but that is certainly cheaper than Yank Sing. Worth the occassional trip.