S.F. Bay Area
San Francisco Restaurants
Ana Mandara ****

891 Beach Street
Ghirardelli Square
415-771-6800

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Description & Atmosphere
Part-owners Don Johnson and Cheech Marin (the dynamic duo from the old "Nash Bridges" television show) opened a beautiful Vietnamese restaurant in Ghirardelli Square.

Ana Mandara has a striking interior. Using the Chinese art of feng shui, the restaurant is decorated with stunning Asian artifacts, antiques and tropical plants.

The Vietnamese courtyard dining room is multi-tiered, with arches and a dramatic staircase that leads up to the bar and lounge area. Ana Mandara has two entrances — the main entrance is on Beach Street and the other leads from Ghirardelli Square into the upstairs bar area.

Food
The food and presentation is exceptional. Enticing starters include: Escargot Hanoi-style with light ginger sauce (similar to paté), Crispy Mini Rolls with Crabmeat, Shrimp & Shitake Mushrooms, and Dungeness Crabmeat baked in Green Bamboo. Recommended main entrees include: "Happy Pancake" folded and filled with Sea Scallops and Prawns, Lobster Tower with fragrant rice, avocado and Daikon sprouts, Wokked Tournedos of Beef Tenderloin with sweet onions, peppery cress and shaved roasted garlic, and Seared Mekong Delta Basa (similar to Sole) with a spicy lemon sauce.

Desserts are yummy, so save room for at least one and order extra forks.

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