Fodor's Expert Review Out the Door

A casual offshoot of Charles Phan's Slanted Door, this spot is actually where locals prefer to go for his version of Vietnamese cooking, and the look is chic and simple, with an open kitchen, a communal table, counter seating, and an eclectic crowd. You can find all the Phan classics (daikon rice cake, crab and cellophane noodles), but there are plenty of other standout dishes. Some, like chicken porridge with Chinese doughnuts, you can't even find at the chef's Ferry Building flagship. There's strong and sweet Vietnamese coffee and plenty of quality wines and beers on tap to choose from.