Do pictures of food speak for themselves? Can you tell if I loved my lunch at The Slanted Door by images alone? Let's find out. I'm not going to say any more--just going to post lunch pictures with labels so you know what you're looking at. Now it's your turn to be the critic: if you were served this food, would you be happy?
Green papaya salad with tofu, rau ram and roasted peanuts:
Japanese yellowtail with fried shallot and thai basil:
Cellophane noodles with fresh dungeness crab meat:
Chicken claypot with caramel sauce, chilies and fresh ginger:
Roasted pineapple and kumquat compote:
What say you, blog readers??
35 Comments
Works for me, Adam... and it is almost the only kind of food I miss in Italy.
Crabmeat... ahhhh!
Posted by Judith in Umbria | April 19, 2007 5:56 AM
I'd say your pretty smitten!
Posted by The Gourmet Peasant | April 19, 2007 7:22 AM
being a long-time lurker, i'd say you rather enjoyed it. how could you not?
Posted by kat | April 19, 2007 7:49 AM
Hiya Adam!
My crazy Grandpa Joe used to say, "If it looks good and smells good, it should taste good." However, since I can't smell your tasty photos, I'd have to guess that they fared well.
On the other hand, last night, John made Chicken and Peppers with Garam masala. It smelled and looked great, but he said it tasted like nearly nothing. The masala had zero flavor!
How was your food?
Posted by Deb | April 19, 2007 9:08 AM
I'd say you liked it, if only because I want to reach through my monitor and scarf all of it down. When are they going to invent THAT Internet feature, huh?
Posted by Lauren | April 19, 2007 9:18 AM
Personally, I'm drooling. That's practically all the foods I love.
Posted by yoko | April 19, 2007 9:21 AM
It all looks very yummy and quite colorful. Although for me I would prefer the first and last dish, since am vegetarian. Now if only I could smell it.
Posted by Michee | April 19, 2007 9:22 AM
I'd be happy with just the salad and dessert. Beautiful!!!
Posted by Summer | April 19, 2007 9:34 AM
It looks great, although the first dish looks rather dry for a papaya salad. I would say it needs more sauce since I see very little. The third dish also looks like it could be a bit boring... too many noodles. Just my 2 cents.
Posted by chapinaeats | April 19, 2007 9:39 AM
The photos certainly make it look good. Chicken claypot with caramel sauce? Can I have some?
Posted by Mary | April 19, 2007 9:50 AM
yes. you were very very happy.
and i am very very jealous.
Posted by shaygo | April 19, 2007 10:26 AM
I agree with Lauren. :) I'll add that it all looks very fresh, so yes, you enjoyed it immensely. :)
Posted by Sam | April 19, 2007 10:28 AM
I'd say mmmmm, I'm jealous
Posted by courtney | April 19, 2007 10:49 AM
For less refined, but just as good Vietnamese, you should really hit up the Tenderloin district. There's a little hole-in-the-wall called Turtle Tower that makes the best pho I've ever had. Hand-made noodles, really, really good.
Posted by bill p | April 19, 2007 11:00 AM
The dishes look really flavorful, wonderful, and even a bit healthier than some of the other dishes featured on your blog.
Posted by Patty | April 19, 2007 11:01 AM
I think you liked it cos I told you I thought you might be disapointed. I believe the more you anticipate something the less you like it, the more someone tells you it won't be that great, the more you will like it.
Posted by sam | April 19, 2007 11:14 AM
No comment needed really. Simply looked out of this world yummy!!!!!!!
Posted by Val | April 19, 2007 11:21 AM
I dunno, the pictures look appetizing and all but I've heard both good and bad things about Slanted Door.
If I were to guess if you liked the food or not, I'd say you did.
Posted by Jaded | April 19, 2007 11:52 AM
You will tell us the answer, won't you? This is the only restaurant you've been to so far in SF that I've heard of.
Posted by Kim | April 19, 2007 12:00 PM
Well, since those are such total food porn kitten shots, I'm assuming that yes, you liked your dinner.
And now I'm hungry...
Posted by robin | April 19, 2007 12:07 PM
Well, since those are such total food porn kitten shots, I'm assuming that yes, you liked your dinner.
And now I'm hungry...
Posted by robin | April 19, 2007 12:07 PM
Totally food porn. Now I need to go back to SF and the Slanted Door. Some of the best finds in that city are the little dives and virtually unknown places in offbeat neighborhoods ... like the Mission District.
Looking for some outrageously good ice cream? Go to Mitchell's, accessible best by car, not so much by public transit. Try the macapuno (baby coconut) ice cream. Totally X-rated.
Posted by Alto2 | April 19, 2007 12:20 PM
The fish and the noodle dish look a little boring, but it's hard to judge without knowing how they're seasoned.
Everything else looks absolutely delicious!
Posted by Steven | April 19, 2007 12:36 PM
Having had the Cellophane noodles with crab just 2 weeks ago, I know how yummy they are!!!
Adam I love that you are here in my city by the bay writing about places I know and love!!!
Glad you are enjoying your visit.
Posted by Lisa B | April 19, 2007 12:45 PM
Since I've eaten at the Slanted Door, I think I know your answer. By the way, nice decision-making on your menu choices. Exactly the same courses I would have picked for a nice lunch by the waterfront. So are you tempted to move to San Francisco yet? :)
Posted by The Single Guy Chef | April 19, 2007 1:35 PM
Not only do I adore the Slanted Door but I have also discovered (two days ago) that their slightly downmarket "Out the Door" restaurant in the Westfield Shopping Center is pretty darn fabulous. It's wonderful and far less crowded. I was so happy to find out they keep gluten-free soy sauce on hand so they can prepare nearly any dish gluten-free - Which is another reason to love this company, as if I needed another one.
Posted by Gluten-Free By The Bay | April 19, 2007 2:41 PM
Oh My! The photos alone make me hungry. the cellophane noodles!
Posted by Kelly | April 19, 2007 3:17 PM
Considering that my mouth was watering from the pictures...I'd say you enjoyed it immensely!
Posted by FoodiNerd | April 19, 2007 3:35 PM
I think it was love at first sight.....especially with the hamachi.
Posted by Anne | April 19, 2007 6:07 PM
Oh my goodness, those photos make my stomach growl! If you /didn't/ enjoy it, I would gladly, happily take your place and suffer through that meal in your stead, Adam.. ;} That all looks just fantastic! *drool* I think this is my favorite San Francisco post yet, food-wise..
Posted by m.k. | April 20, 2007 11:07 AM
Given the fact that you continued to order dish after dish, my guess would be that you thouroughly enjoyed them all and couldn't get enough.
Posted by mimi | April 20, 2007 4:27 PM
Most excellent choices but where oh where is the shaking beef???? You got all my faves except for the shaking beef.
Posted by millie | April 21, 2007 1:33 PM
I want your life, methinks.
Posted by flutter | April 22, 2007 4:05 PM
wow, that food looks divine. i agree with flutter, your life seems pretty good. :)
Posted by emily | April 22, 2007 8:28 PM
Actually, Slanted Door and Chicken Claypot specifically is #2 in my "5 Things to Eat Before You Die" list (http://cafefernando.com/?p=45). It is that good! You are one lucky guy!
Posted by Cenk | April 24, 2007 8:23 AM