Best Noodle House in Bay area

I regard a good bowl of noodles about as important as good lighting and world peace, so I was annoyed to find out that one of the best noodle places in the Bay area had escaped my radar for so long (and upset with certain friends who knew of my noodle disposition and did not inform me!). Well, my very decent cousin finally dropped the word that Santa Ramen (1944 S. El Camino Real in San Mateo) was "in a different league" than other noodle places and I should definitely check it out. I was skeptical at first, but needless to say, I was game for the comparison. Clearly she was right. I had the best braised pork ramen I've ever had. The broth was wonderfully fragrant and savory (though I think I still prefer the miso broth over the pork), filled with green onions and fresh made noodles. But it was the braised pork that took me to heaven. So tender and flavorful, I could only think of the term "like buttah" to describe its goodness.

The restaurant definitely stays packed, but orders are taken while you are in line, and so the food arrives fairly quickly after sitting. The friendly hostess confirmed that they moved to this location from their original one in downtown San Mateo, but they plan to open that one again soon. Sorry, no plans to open one in SF.

My other favorite noodle places: Katana-Ya on 430 Geary St, Taste of Formosa on 2428 Clement and Iroha on 1728 Buchanan.

Union Square Retail Changes

Virgin is closing but....
Diesel will be opening on Market St
Bulgari is taking over the old Gucci space
Paul Smith is opening their first SF store!

Some big changes coming to Union Square. Most are not surprised that the Virgin Megastore is closing next month, after 14 years at the corner of Market and Stockton. The one in Vancouver closed a long time ago. A loser in the new digital music world, I will be sad to see this media megastore close. I have fond memories of browsing their huge DVD selection (though rarely buying there after the internet stores became so much cheaper) and previewing new CD's. Is the retail media store concept totally dead?? It sure looks like it. A more troubling issue is WHO will rent this huge space in this economy? My dream: Japan's MUJI store, which already has retail stores in NYC.

On the bright side, it looks like there will be new stores for luxury retailer Bulgari in the old Gucci space; Diesel, which will be opening right across from Apple, and putting into question whether their current store on 101 Post will stay open; and British icon Sir Paul Smith will be opening their first SF store at 46 Geary St, only a block from John Varvatos. I think this will be only the fourth Paul Smith stand alone shop in the US (2 in NYC and one in LA), signifying Union Square as a must have location for top designers.