San Francisco is renowned for its innovative take on Asian cuisine, and there is no better place to experience it than at chef Charles Phan's legendary, family-owned The Slanted Door restaurant. Located in the iconic Ferry Building on the Embarcadero waterfront, The Slanted Door is wildly popular with locals and international foodies from lunchtime through to late in the evenings. Not that Phan minds cooking for such high demand; in adolescence, when his parents held two jobs to provide for five children and other relatives, it fell to him to cook the family’s daily meals. He was influenced by his mother's French-Vietnamese style, the traditions of local northwest American ingredients, and both parents' ethnic Chinese background. The result? Sublimely crispy, melt-in-your-mouth imperial rolls with shrimp, pork, glass noodles and peanuts; fresh seared scallops with spicy, tangy red curry and pink lady apples; and a banana tapioca pudding with avocado ice cream and crisp lime meringue. The European-heavy wine list proposes several Rieslings to complement the spicy Vietnamese flavors, and don't miss their innovative menu of Asian-inspired cocktails to complete the experience. Bookings advised.
