Great Jellyfish at East Wall Chinese Restaurant

There is a very strange piece of artwork on the wall in the men's room, by the way. It's an image of the Bay Bridge with the San Francisco skyline in the background. But a closer look reveals that it's an intricately cut jigsaw puzzle that's been assembled, glued together and framed. It's been a long time since I have seen a framed jigsaw puzzle. As I scrubbed my hands, I wondered if they used cornstarch paste for the glue.

The lobster was a mess, but it was my only disappointment in three visits to East Wall. It seemed odd, since the live seafood dishes, including scallops, lobster and ling cod, are the best things to order at Fung's Kitchen.

I asked the waiter if the lobster could be ordered without cornstarch and he assured me it could. So I guess that's the trick. Otherwise, it's pretty hard to go wrong with this menu.

The Chinese fare is authentic and inexpensive, and it's served in a friendly, intimate setting at an unhurried pace. And that's why East Wall is gaining so many converts.