I was pleasantly surprised when my friends invited me to Straits Cafe last week. I haven't been there for a while now and the place has changed! ---for the better!! The deco is so much subdue... More

I was pleasantly surprised when my friends invited me to Straits Cafe last week. I haven't been there for a while now and the place has changed! ---for the better!! The deco is so much subdue now...like the place has matured. I like the host, who was very polite and helpful. We went at Happy Hours and stayed until dinner. The drinks were only $5 unitl 6:00pm. Great value. The roti was still the best in town. The grilled sea-bass was out of this world. Definitely will go back again with my date. Pros: Great drinks
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Very spicy food. If you don't want their fusion drinks there is very little to choose from. Tables are very close together limiting private conversations. Probably won't go back. Trader Vics... More

Very spicy food. If you don't want their fusion drinks there is very little to choose from. Tables are very close together limiting private conversations. Probably won't go back. Trader Vics is just down the street
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Unfortunately we were told by our management this place was superb and that our company celebration lunch had to be here. We arrived to no air-conditioning on a 100+ day and they didn't even have a... More

Unfortunately we were told by our management this place was superb and that our company celebration lunch had to be here. We arrived to no air-conditioning on a 100+ day and they didn't even have a fan turned on. Appetizers amounted to 1 small triangle shaped bread the size of an appetizer, and 1 other appetizer per person. Main dishes were served that could feed 4 people to tables of 11-12. My boss didn't even eat more than rice and a few bites of the main courses because he was concerned there was not enough food for employees. We had to ask to have rice delivered. It was almost like they were going out of there way to insult us. And this was a set price luncheon. The word of mouth after this party from our 50+ employees will last for the next year. Most of the good reviews on this website are from 2006. They had great reviews from our management - most who went regularly in 2006, but the place has gone downhill. Don't under any circumstances plan a group event here. Pros: Hostess is friendliest person in the entire place Cons: Small portions, overpriced, service, no airconditioning, management
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I first learned about Straits in Santana Row, which wasn't like a restaurant, but more of a nightclub. They told me that they have two more locations in the bay area. One in San Francisco, and one... More

I first learned about Straits in Santana Row, which wasn't like a restaurant, but more of a nightclub. They told me that they have two more locations in the bay area. One in San Francisco, and one in Burlingame. I later found out that there is another one in Palo Alto but Santana Row insisted that Palo Alto was closed down. When I visited Palo Alto, they told me that they are an independent entity and not affiliated with the other three locations even though their menu is similar. WOW what a difference! First of all, its a classy restaurant atmosphere, with no loud obnoxious music, no dancing, and perfect outing for a business dinner which my company has often. The service is impeccable where we got our drinks and food in a timely manner, even when the restaurant was busy on a weeknight. The bartender really put time and effort into making the cocktails, as did the kitchen because the food was fantastic! Wonderful wine list too. My business dinners will be at Straits Palo Alto regularly. Pros: food, drinks, ambiance, parking, business Cons: hard to find
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I have been to the other Straits Cafe created by famed chef Chris Yeo and this one tops them all. The Palo Alto location has the best food and service, not to mention its romantic settings. I... More

I have been to the other Straits Cafe created by famed chef Chris Yeo and this one tops them all. The Palo Alto location has the best food and service, not to mention its romantic settings. I definitely recommended it all those who are looking for a great place for dates.
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The restaurant provides a good overall dining experience. The roti prata is a good appetizer to start with. Spicy noodles, coconut rice, crispy tofu and the cabbage dish are all very good. The fruit... More

The restaurant provides a good overall dining experience. The roti prata is a good appetizer to start with. Spicy noodles, coconut rice, crispy tofu and the cabbage dish are all very good. The fruit flavored lassi is excellent. However, the food really does not justify the high price tag. If you have money to throw around and want to try Singaporean flavors, this is not a bad place. But I've had similar food in much reasonably priced restaurants.
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My husband I dined at Straits in its old location on Geary while we were in San Francisco in May to look for an apartment. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and service. The appetizer salad was... More

My husband I dined at Straits in its old location on Geary while we were in San Francisco in May to look for an apartment. We thoroughly enjoyed the meal and service. The appetizer salad was suberb with fresh mixed greens and tossed with just the right amount of dressing. We shared a entree fish special and a veggie dish and could not find one thing to complain about. We never order dessert but here we even ordered and ate every bit of a mango custard. Fun atmosphere, bright interesting flavors. Great restaurant.
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The Peninsula Straits is a step down from the San Francisco original. The space is bigger, which means you can get a table easier, but more generic. The food's good, but has a production line... More

The Peninsula Straits is a step down from the San Francisco original. The space is bigger, which means you can get a table easier, but more generic. The food's good, but has a production line quality that causes a "that was good" rather than rapture. For those prices, I expect a little more rapture. Pros: Parking Cons: Average quality everything
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I love this restaurant! The service is smooth, the ambience is relaxing and elegant, and the food, of course, is phenomenal. I prefer the Straits in Palo Alto to the one in Santana Row because I... More

I love this restaurant! The service is smooth, the ambience is relaxing and elegant, and the food, of course, is phenomenal. I prefer the Straits in Palo Alto to the one in Santana Row because I think this one is more service-friendly and more laid back. During busy hours, Santana Row can have some spotty service and pretentious clientle who are there to "see and be seen." I highly recommend the lamb satay, roti prata, ginger salad, origami seabass, and anything else that "sounds good"... because chances are, it's delicious.
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This used to be a favorite restaurant. However, the food quality has gone downhill - steak that used to be tender is now tough, duck that used to be reasonably crisp and lean is fatty, etc.. The... More

This used to be a favorite restaurant. However, the food quality has gone downhill - steak that used to be tender is now tough, duck that used to be reasonably crisp and lean is fatty, etc.. The last couple of times I've been there, the food has been at a level where, if it had been the first time, I would never have gone back. The goodwill this restaurant had built has now been used up.
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