Mister Mao

"Uptown’s most exciting restaurant serves dim sum brunch in a fun, upbeat atmosphere on Saturday and Sunday. The offerings will change frequently, as does the dinner menu, but diners can expect a $50, family-style brunch comprised of 6 dishes. It might include Kashmiri fried chicken, Chinese chicken and rice dumplings, or pork lumpia. Don’t miss the enticing brunch cocktails, or $35 bottomless mimosas." - Eater Staff

"Mister Mao isn’t where you go for a taste of New Orleans tradition, but it is the place to expand your horizons while tasting stunningly distinctive food. This bohemian Uptown spot offers eclectic bites from roving dim sum carts — think garlic noodles, lechon kawali, and bjali (an Indian vegetable fritter) — during happy hour and brunch, while at dinner, Cambodian curried pork or shiitake-crusted scallops with sweet potato mochi explode with flavor, balanced by savory cocktails infused with Malört and aquafaba. Dessert is another unpredictable highlight: ever-changing, but usually incorporating a chance to try goods from small local makers." - Clair Lorell

"Expect the non-traditional at Mister Mao, where chef Sophina Uong conjures inventive, bold, and flavorful “inauthentic” cuisine. For New Year’s Eve: A Tribute to (San Francisco’s) House of Prime Rib, four courses for $85 with family-style prime rib and interesting trimmings. There are vegetarian, pescatarian, and gluten-free options too, and an ice cream pie for dessert — worth celebrating. Choose from two seatings, one at 6 p.m. and one at 8:30 p.m." - Beth D'Addono, Clair Lorell

"Mister Mao as happy hour destination is a great fit — the atmosphere guarantees a shift in mindset and chef Sophina Uong’s explosive flavors are sure to inject some liveliness into your day. The restaurant has brought back its roving, dim-style carts for a “Here Comes the Chuck Wagon” happy hour available Thursday through Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. Items will change, but expect $8 to $12 bites like Filipino chicken lumpia, spicy Chinese honey popcorn shrimp, pork siu mai, and more, alongside $8 rotating specialty cocktails and wines by the glass." - Eater Staff

"Looking for something non-traditional on turkey day? No better choice than Mister Mao, serving a $70 per person/$25 kids three courser with three seatings, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. Eat the bird tikka masala style, with turmeric creamed greens. Or go rogue with tom yum Gulf fish, local tuna crudo and steamed chicken and rice dumplings." - Beth D'Addono