Phan’s Kitchen and Bar

"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."

"Never loved a Vietnamese restaurant more than this one! Absolutely obsessed with their chicken satay as well as their brisket pho. Love the ambiance of the restaurant, great location, never need to wait to get seated, friendly staff, amazing food, quick service! High recommend!!!"

"The bread was so soft and the meat was seasoned to perfection, not to mention plentiful. The sweet potato fries were flavorful and both sauces were delicious. Typically places provide only one sauce for the sandwich, it was such a pleasant surprise to receive a sauce of the sandwich and a separate sauce of the fries. I generally only have half a sandwich and save the other half for later, but this place was soo delicious I ate both!! ***HIGHLY recommend***"

"Great small location, parking is limited by the restaurant but also a structure that looks like you need to pay. Food was great and definitely exceeded expectations. Sat at the bar but also regular seating as well. One of the best Pho places I’ve been to, and bowls around 14-18$ on average, definitely worth it. Will be coming again for Pho, curry and banh mi’s. The owner Chris was very nice as well and the rest of the staff too."