Celestial Flame, San Francisco

Each day, Chinese restaurant Celestial Flame honors a 1,000-year-old tradition: the Chinese hot pot. These steaming helpings of thinly sliced meats, veggies, and broth simmer right at the table in metal pots. Guests may load up bowls with beef, hot peppers, mushrooms, and Chinese bacon, then wait for the customized meal to cook to perfection. The chefs also sizzle up Sichuan cuisine and Chinese favorites, including general tso's chicken, Mongolian beef, spicy mapo tofu, dumplings, and noodle dishes.