I am part of a minority that thinks the Slanted Door is overrated and has gotten too much publicity (Chelsea had a birthday party here when she was at Stanford). That being said, I’ve included it because everyone who lives in San Francisco will have eaten there at one point or another. It started out as a down-to-earth place in the Mission but now it’s a chi-chi place in the Ferry Building. The food is good, just not worth the wait. If you must go, get the crab with cellophane noodles. The caramel chicken clay pot and shaking beef are good, too. They encourage family-style dining, but portions can be on the small side.

Cuisine:	Vietnamese / Small Plates
Price:	Entrees are $15-25.
Dress:	Chic casual and up. Sevens and Diesels are OK, faded 501s and shorts aren’t.
Noise:	You’ll have to raise your voice but you won’t have to yell.
Reservations:	Absolutely necessary. There are a few walk-in spots, but don’t count on them. You could be waiting for hours. Literally. Also, book far in advance, even for weekday slots.
Payment:	Cash and credit cards.
Parking:	During the day, parking right on the Embarcadero isn’t bad, but the meters are limited to one hour. At night, you shouldn’t have trouble on the Embarcadero. Otherwise, there are several paid lots nearby.
Date place?	Sure. It’s hard to get into, well publicized, and in the foodie Ferry Building.
Homepage:	www.slanteddoor.com