Yep! I finally made it out to the Red Star after hearing one of my colleagues rave about this place. Sorry to say that I wasn't that impressed. Didn't eat anything! Just had a Ching Tao and left.

One of the reason I go to the French Cafe is for the Yunnan Coffee and the Cheeseburgers - the latter of which I think are the best in Kunming. The french fries are also pretty excellent! But then again, the staff and the owners are quite nice too.

I have made it a habit to order at the bar when I enter most of the cafes on WenLinJie. Otherwise, I just take it for granted that one will have to wait.

I really think that the French Cafe should definitely get rid of their WiFi (aka Why fry?) system though - since it can make people irritable. Recently, though, I have been getting better service there and the staff seems to be making an effort to be more friendly. Too much exposure to EMR (from cell phones and WiFi) can make people listless and irritable. Moreover, it is well-known - in some circles - that this is indeed most likely the cause of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) so for those who want to study in a WiFi cafe, you might actually be defeating the purpose of studying - since it can affect concentration and memory.

I like the French Cafe, but I am annoyed by people who lack consideration of those around them by frying the brains of those nearby them with their microwaves transceivers (i.e. cell phones) or by smoking. :(

The first cafe to make their establishment non-smoking on Wen Lin Jie will definitely attrack a nich-market of non-smoking customers. Many foreigners (and some Chinese) are extremely annoyed by this habit and often will get up and leave when someone near them starts smoking.

Often too, are people who come into one of these cafes to only order a cheap drink so that they can surf the Internet for hours. I don't see it really being profitable for the businesses to offer this "service" to attract customers - who in actuality are not there to eat, but rather to use the WiFi.

OK Bernie,

You are right! I have changed it to a 4. But I have yet to get sick at Salvador's. The rating at Silver Spoon still holds. To make food and leave it out all day is just not Kosher! And then they have the nerve to complain about my complaint - rather than trying to change anything! At least Salvador's is open and receptive about complaints - and they are considering losing the WiFri. (When you start to develop Alzheimer's you might also agree.) Peace!

I have been patronizing this place more recently - I started mainly because I heard a rumor they were going to get rid of their WiFri (your brain), but it has yet to happen. Having said that, I have become addicted to the burritos, which from my experience so far, I would say are the best in Kunming. When they do get around to doing away with the WiFri, I hope that they also make it a non-smoking establishment (or at least in the mornings and afternoons) since it is extremely annoying to non-smokers to have smoke blowing over to where they are sitting when they are trying to enjoy their food. Yes, definitely take Mulga's advice on doing away with the WiFri (your brain). I concur!

I went to their new restaurant on WenHuaJie the other night and I have to say the food was superb - and no MSG. Real Authentic Japanese food. I had a California Roll and the Teriyaki Chicken Don. The rice was excellent - just like in Japan. I will definitely be going back to this place.

This place is a bit expensive at 50 kuai for a cup of coffee. They are indeed catering to people from out of town (mainly Japanese businessmen and tourists - who are accustomed to paying such prices who live on foreign salaries). It is not really within the means of many ex-pats who are working here in China on a Chinese salary though - except for perhaps some foreigners on pension plans and rich Chinese. Well, those are pretty much the only people you will find in a place like this since the prices are even more expensive than what you would pay in Tokyo for something comparable! Having said that though, the coffee is probably the best you will find in Kunming. Cheers!