Poleng Lounge, San Francisco

There's something about a cocktail that just grabs one's attention, don't you think?

And this pretty Watermelon Green Beam ( "fresh watermelon mixed with lime, simple syrup, Han Asian Vodka, and green tea") was a refreshing start to a pleasant meal at Poleng Lounge, a small Asian Street Food restaurant that transforms into a small nightclub around 10pm.

We ate only vegetarian options and I didn't photograph all of them, especially once I got eating. My favorite dish was the Buddha's Treasures ("Pan fried homemade dumplings filled with minced vegetables, dusted with matcha green tea powder and served with a sesame ponzu sauce"):



We were all enchanted with the roti that came with this Indo-Thai Eggplant Temple ("Malaysian Roti flatbread with thai green and Indian purple eggplants accompanied with a curry dipping sauce."):


Also, not pictured but enjoyed were the Madras Samosas and the Crispy Tofu Triangles with Xiao Xing Rice Wine Sambal. And the company wasn't bad neither.

Oh.. and we had to have dessert... Green Tea Gelato, Coconut Gelato, and Mango Sorbet.

I enjoyed the mixed Asian dishes that combined Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian influences and ingredients. I also really liked the space and decor which was relaxed and naturalistic while maintaining a background of edgy city modernity. It's the kind of place that makes me miss city life and recall fondly how once I could go out without a babysitter. I'd definitely go back (to the restaurant, I mean.)

Read about chef Tim Luym, his vision and diverse food background in this SF Chronicle Article by Carol Ness Rising Star Chefs 2007: Tim Luym. I appreciate how he's made the restaurant an expression of his own unique background and interests. And, we enjoyed the music too, although I can't find an album of covers called Garage Door Opener. Anyone?