Out the Door
Charles Phan’s The Slanted Door has been something of a movable Vietnamese feast since opening its doors on a gritty corner of S.F.’s Mission District 14 years ago. Updating traditional fare that was typically only consumed from a take-out box, Phan quickly garnered an army of fans (and national attention) with favorites like house-made spring rolls and shaking beef. After moving to an ill-fated South Beach location, Phan has thrived at S.F.’s Ferry Building for the last six years. And the James Beard winner didn’t stop there. Last spring, he opened a cafe at the California Academy of Sciences and even ventured into the realm of Chinese food with Heaven’s Dog (Phan is of Chinese decent and grew up in Vietnam before migrating to San Francisco). In the spirit of his original outpost, the chef converted a rundown flower warehouse in Pacific Heights for his newest venture, Out the Door, which quietly opened this fall. The Olle Lundberg-designed space brims with familiar charm: The large pendant light (pictured) was once a buoy from the architect’s ship. With his hand in so many pots, Phan always leaves guests wondering where they’ll find their next meal. 2232 Bush St., S.F., 415-923-9575. KELSEY McKINNON
[C Menu, Winter 2009/2010]
Tagged in: California, California Academy, Charles Phan, Dining, Ferry Building, James Beard Award, Mission, Out the Door, Restaurants, San Francisco, Shaking Beef, Slanted Door, Style, Vietnamese
