Out the Door on Bush

... is chef Charles Phan's home post, it being where he and his family live in the large flat just above this latest in his chain of Out the Doors. (In fact, we saw him puttering around in the kitchen on our first visit there.)

Phan's is a true rags to riches story. An immigrant to this country, he's now a celebrated chef and owner of several restaurants including ritzy Slanted Door in the Ferry Building. His success has everything to do with the creativity in his Vietnamese fusion dishes. Phan showcases bright, fresh flavors and ingredients that make for really wonderful food.


Out the Door's crispy-crunchy jicama and grapefruit salad with shredded red cabbage and carrots comes lightly dressed in a sweet soy sauce and has a healthy helping of candied pecans. It's super fresh and tangy.


Slow-roasted BBQ Niman Ranch pork ribs come smoking hot out of the oven, doused in honey and hoisin, with a generous sprinkling of scallions and cilantro.


The sauteed prawns in a garlicky soy sauce were tender and moist. We opted to leave the heads behind and enjoyed the fleshy flavorful bodies over some jasmine rice.