With single digits in the East and a heat wave in the West, I jumped at a chance to fill in for a canceled speaker at the winter Fancy Food Show.  That and the prospect of dining in one of my favorite restaurant cities.

I spent the first day walking the city streets, staying on the side with the sunlight, as the temperature hovered just over the 70s until I ended up outside the Ferry Building taking in the view of the Bay. As I stood there I realized that The Slanted Door — one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the US — had relocated there to become an anchor tenant about 5 years ago.

I had dined at their other locations more than once.  The places were so noisy that I remember having to strain to try hear the person sitting right across from me. Good thing the food was so delicious.  (In fact, Chef-owner Charles Phan received the James Beard Foundation Awards for Best Chef California in 2004.)

As I grabbed a seat at the counter I struck up a conversation with Nathan, my server whose menu descriptions were as full of details as if he were Micheal Bauer writing a rave review. I wanted it all, but settled on a shredded green papaya and carrot salad with tofu and crispy fried shallots seasoned with fish sauce ($9), grilled lemongrass pork over rice noddles, with a crispy imperial roll (rice paper filled with shrimp, pork, veggies and peanuts) and a green salad with fresh mint ($12) and Niman Ranch shaking beef with cubes of perfectly cooked and tender filet mignon, watercress, red onions in a spectacular lime dipping sauce ($26). A must during your next visit!


Slanted Door, Embarcadero, 1 Ferry Building (Market Street) 415.861.8032. www.SlantedDoor.com

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