Phan's Kitchen and Bar in Irvine offers a unique blend of contemporary Vietnamese cuisine alongside specialty cocktails and wines in a sleek setting. One notable aspect of the restaurant is its location, nestled almost inconspicuously in the middle of a residential condo area. To find it, diners embark on a short drive into the complex, where they'll discover not only Phan's but also a handful of other businesses. The unconventional location adds an element of discovery to the dining experience, making it a hidden gem for those willing to venture a bit off the beaten path. The restaurant's sleek ambiance provides a modern and stylish backdrop, creating an inviting atmosphere for patrons seeking a culinary adventure. When you walk in, you are greeted by the large screen tv above the small bar seating area, next to the hostess station. I think they were short staffed the night we came in but the hostess saw us, but went about other tasks and left the owner to seat us when he came out and saw us just standing there. The hostess was like, "Oh yeah, they are here." The restaurant was not very busy at the time, but they definitely did not have enough staff to manage the guests they already had. It was a cold and windy night so the DH and I opted to have some wings and some warming Pho with some drinks. The restaurant had an open kitchen area so you can see what was going on in the back. There were three people in the kitchen but only one person was cooking the other two were helping with prep and expediting but the cook/chef was a one man show. The wings took a little time so we thought they forgot our order, but when they came, they were definitely worth the wait. The were crispy on the outside with a mild hint of fish sauce, not overpowering, and the inside was nice and juicy! Given that the wings took a little while to come, we thought we had a little more time to eat the wings before the pho came, but shortly right after the wings arrived, the pho came out. So we hustled to finish our wings and start on the pho before it got cold. By now, there was a crowd that was starting to accumulate at the front door and people were crammed inside to stay out of the wind. I'm glad we got our food at that point as service was almost out the door as it got really busy. We tried to ask for additional condiments to eat with the pho, but they never came. The pho was good, but it could have been much better if we were able to get extra condiments with our pho. We were surprised that no one came to check in on us or give us the check since it was just the too of us sitting at a 6-top table and the crowd was growing. We finally had to flag down someone to get the check, seems like that owner was running all over the place. The menu at Phan's Kitchen and Bar boasts a selection of contemporary Vietnamese fare, promising a fusion of traditional flavors with a modern twist. From classic dishes to inventive creations, diners can expect a diverse range of options that cater to various tastes. The d was quite good, but the experience was somewhat dampened by the lack of service. It could have been on a night where they were short-staffed or it could just be lack or organization and process.
Owner is an amazing, talked to me and my friends and talked about the business and his story of getting the place. I’ve been here before a year ago and the food this time was way different in a good way. Food is really high quality and tasted amazing. Easily one of my favorite pho spots to go now. Prices are really good. 10/10 recommend to anyone.
A neighborhood gem! On top of the food being absolutely delicious, Chris and his team go above and beyond in terms of hospitality. The wonton soup will be something I will be getting on a weekly basis, and the guava lychee martini is something special. I am looking forward to the upcoming sushi and speakeasy expansion!