By Gail Block and Elias Davis –
This modern, busy waterfront restaurant in San Francisco’s revitalized Ferry building serves Vietnamese dishes and is one of the most highly-regarded restaurants of its type in California. It’s often packed, so it’s a good idea to make a reservation.
Run by Charles Phan, with innumerable relatives involved in the operation, the restaurant specializes in Asian food adapted to the Western palate, a fusion of the freshest ingredients inspired by the street food of his childhood Vietnam. In keeping with western tastes, Phan has worked with pastry chefs to develop a range of Asian-inspired desserts. His interest in wines led him to develop a large list heavy on German and Austrian Rieslings. Belgian beers also complement the flavors of the Vietnamese cuisine.
The menu is extensive and includes a raw bar. Specialties include shaking beef, daikon rice cakes, caramelized tiger prawns, chicken clay pot and wood oven-roasted whole fish.
The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and features a prix-fixe option at both meals for large parties. Phan recently won a James Beard award.
Slanted Door is located at 1 Ferry Building, #3 in San Francisco. Phone number is (415) 861-8032. The web site is www.slanteddoor.com
Love the Slanted Door! The wine list is a little confusing but last time I was there we asked our waiter to
pair the wines for us and it was great. Have you been to Anna Mandera, also great Vietnamese, in
Giardelli Square? It is very different from Slanted Door but also excellent.