Unfortunately, my S.F. and Napa Valley hosts have given me the dubious honor of picking between these two restaurants tonight. Considering I have not been to either one, I am reaching out to the N. Ca. folks who might be able to provide guidance.
My concern is that RN74’s menu looks somewhat limited and Slanted Door has quite an extensive menu. It is Vietnamese, which I do like and enjoyed it when I went with Serge back in S. Fl. I heard this is probably the best Vietnamese food in the USA. One of women joining us is actually half Vietnamese as well. She says it is her favorite restaurant in S.F.
I realize they are totally different types of food. I have no preference either way, but if given the choice…WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? And maybe a bit of why you would make that choice. We made reservations for RN74, but that can be changed. If you have never been to both which one would you choose.
I am sure I will get some good feedback. I have a few hours to make the final choice.
Like you, I have never been to either. If I was in SF and only had the chance to do one of those, I would pick RN 74 because I have seen feedback that Slanted Door is more touristy these days. I have only seen emphatically positive reviews of RN 74.
I will also be interested to see what the local folks think about how these match up.
Too much food, and taking up too much time. We are in Sausalito, going to have a small salad for lunch . The general consensus of the group is to go to RN74 and leave the reservation as is. That could change if there is a compelling reason to do so. I will check in to WB in a couple of hours to see if there are any definite opinions on one vs. the other. Both is not an option.
I am back in Florida and I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. RN74 was an EXCELLENT choice. One of the best selections of Burgundies anywhere. The food was superb and the wines we ordered, while expensive, we a pleasure and complimented the food very nicely. Serge, you would have enjoyed this place for the wines AND for the food! What I really got a kick out of was the very small selection of Ca. Pinot. This is a burgundy themed restaurant. What I did not know was the RN74 was the main route through Burgundy.
I had the cauliflower and potato salad that was quite unique. We all shared the Mushroom Tempura and the Sturgeon spread. For the main course, I went with their chicken dish because it was highly recommended. It was probably one of the best chicken dishes I have ever had and I usually do not eat chicken at restaurants.
I am glad you didn’t go to slanted door cause it is nowhere near the best nor authentic vietnamese food. The half vietnamese in your party would have scoffed :
“One of women joining us is actually half Vietnamese as well. She says it is her favorite restaurant in S.F.”
Not my favorite restaurant in SF but slanted door is excellent: I live here, have eaten there a few dozen times and i can attest that there are many spectacular dishes on the menu. It is a bit of a scene but o what fun. Avoid the clay pot chicken and shaking beef; two of their signature tourist dishes and you will be fine.
Then the other half of her must dominate cause Slanted Door is a joke for vietnamese food. It’d be like taking a chinese person to PF Changs and them putting it in their top 10 restaurants. I think my ancestors just rolled in their grave when I typed that.
i get what your saying but i would hardly put PF Changs and SD in the same camp. thats just ridiculous.
FWIW, SD is vietnamese inspired food not pure “authentic” vietnamese. it’s very much in line with other food movements but then again i am not a purist. Pasta in italy or tomatoes in italy could be considered a perversion since neither ingredient are native but we would hardly make that assertion.
Serge I think he was referencing China as the origin of pasta . In the literal sense it is native to Italy, but I believe he probably meant it originated elsewhere.
I am sure Gabi will like the Vietnamese place, as long as their are healthy dishes.