Bong Su

(SoMa)
311 Third St.  
415-536-5800 Map it
www.bongsu.com

$$$
Vietnamese
bar scene, business lunch, dine at the bar, good for groups, lunch, open 7 days, romantic

SCENE: Chic couples and groups out to celebrate gather at this stylish Vietnamese spot, a former greasy spoon that’s been transformed into a stunning restaurant and lounge by owner Anne Le and chef Tammy Huynh, both of Palo Alto’s Tamarine. Attractive waitresses in backless silk tops slink through the narrow dining room, where sheer drapes in neutral tones of bronze and cream hang from the ceiling and cover floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook Third Street.

EATS: The family-style dishes come from all over Vietnam—north, south and central. Starters include honey-roasted quail stuffed with sticky rice, and a heaping plate of fried salt-and-pepper calamari with a cilantro-spiked dipping sauce. Bong Su's take on shaking beef—tenderloin cubes with garlic and onion—gets an update with a peppery watercress salad, while clay-pot black cod is nicely caramelized with molasses. Desserts offer an Asian twist on some familiar favorites, such as fried-banana “beignets” served with chocolate dipping sauce.