"It was a close call, but the xiao long bao from HK Lounge Bistro in SoMa narrowly snagged the top spot thanks to these two words: tableside service. The soup dumplings here are served with a level of attentive theatrics usually reserved for fine dining places, but here it’s precious rather than over-the-top extravagant. Each wiggly dumpling is pulled off the steamer by a server who has been seriously trained in the art of not ripping the wrapper. Then the server gently dunks it in vinegar, places it into a spoon, and crowns it with an individual strand of ginger. We have never experienced anything like this. " - julia chen 1