Having fun lunch plans today with Sonya, we met Downtown at Pho Van Fresh, a casual Vietnamese eatery specializing in, you guessed it, Vietnamese street food such as pho, bowls and banh mis. It was great to see the space was large enough to accommodate a hefty lunch crowd, so in we went to enjoy a leisurely meal during prime-time lunch hour.
Atmosphere:Located in the heart of the Pearl District in Downtown Portland, Pho Van Fresh is conveniently located on the corner of NW Glisan and 10th Avenue. As already mentioned, their dining space is quite extensive, and I've heard from other locals that this restaurant used to be occupied by another place called Silk, which was quite popular. Rumored to have the same owners but now a different name and ambiance, I think the current set-up works really well.
The dining style here is very casual, as I like it, in which you order up front and then your food is brought to your table. Sonya and I sat outside in the shade where we continued to enjoy great service and the benefits of dining al fresco.
Food:
As soon as I noticed the banh mis on the menu, I was totally sold and had to go with my top choice - the pork. Sonya ordered a rice bowl, which was generous in size and boasted overall nice flavor both in the protein and the starch.
Pork 3-ways Banh Mi - Boasting three different types of preparations of pork including pork belly, hand pulled pork and a homemade mortadella pork, this sandwich was all sorts of yummy. Despite sounding very meaty, in actuality it was pretty light--topped with lots of fresh vegetables such as a traditional carrot, cilantro and onion medley. The bread itself deserves an individual nod, as it was perfectly toasted, airy and held up well to all the above-mentioned ingredients.
Service and Cost:
Although we came in during prime time lunch hour, all orders seemed to be expedited very quickly and we received our food in 10 short minutes. After that, I'm happy to say that someone came by to check on us and we always felt well taken care of - including when it came to busing our plates.
Costs are inexpensive and offer a great run for your money at just $6.95 for a large banh mi and $8.75 for Sonya's rice bowl. We'll definitely be back for more!
3 Mmmms
Pho Van Fresh - 1012 NW Glisan Street, Portland OR 97209
503.248.2172
phovanfresh.com
Last week’s visit to the LIC Flea, got me poking around the neighborhood, and I also had the chance to peek into a few places I’ve been meaning to check out. One such eatery is the Cyclo Vietnamese Sandwich and Noodle shop, which boasts popular foods such as banh-mi sandwiches (my fave), pho, noodles salads, as well as clay pot rice dishes. While I saved all the eating for the actual LIC Flea that day, I made sure to grab a menu to entice me for next time. Here’s a peek. Have you tried Cyclo yet?
Noodle Soups (Pho)
Pho beef – with oxtail broth…$6 (Small)…$9 (Large)
Pho veggies and tofu…$6 (Small)…$8 (Large)
Super Bowl – pho with beef, chicken, shrimp and tofu…$14
Vermicelli Noodle Salads – these come with green leaf, cucumber, mint leaf, lime fish sauce, fried shallots and crushed peanuts
With marinated tofu…$8
With grilled lemongrass chicken breast…$10
With grilled pork chop or beef…$10
Sandwiches (aka Banh-Mi) – these come with pickled daikon, carrots, cilantro, cucumbers, soy sauce and spicy sriracha sauce
Classic Banh-Mi Sandwich – with Vietnamese ham, roasted ground pork and pate…$8
Banh Mi Ga – traditional Banh Mi with chicken…$8
Vegetarian Banh Mi – with tofu…$8
Clay Pot Rice Dishes – these are cooked over rice in a clay pot with a side of steamed Yu Choy and Soy Gravy
Clay Pot Ginger Chicken…$10
Clay Pot Tofu and Shitake Mushroom…$10
Clay Pot Vietnamese Beef Stew…$11
They also have a lunch special on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during which they serve their regular fare but at lower prices, or sometimes combined with a side such as a salad.
I’m totally intrigued and can’t wait to check it out soon!
Cyclo – 5-51 47th Avenue, Long Island City NY 11101
718.786.8309
7 Train to Vernon Blvd/Jackson Avenue
www.cyclolic.com
It was back in July that Lisa and I tried Bao Noodles - the Vietnamese bistro-esque restaurant in Murray Hill. We enjoyed our experience so much that when I was asked back to try the new brunch menu, I gladly accepted. This time my friend Katie accompanied me and for the first time in our lives, we tried Vietnamese brunch food. In one simple word, YUM!
Drinks - Katie and I both started with Bao Bellinis, a fun twist on a traditional version, this one including peach puree, citrus vodka and golden star tea. It was really fruity and more interesting than a regular bellini - the vodka made it stiffer for sure yet it went down
easy without the sting of carbonation.
I also asked for coffee, expecting a regular cup of joe but instead got Vietnamese coffee. Not sure about what that entailed, I asked about its contents. Well for starters it's a lot stronger than regular coffee and more espresso-like. Another point of differentiation is that it's served with condensed milk on the bottom - therefore not needing sugar. What you do is stir, stir, stir quickly with your long spoon and watch the coffee change color from almost black to cappuccino brown. One sip and we were hooked - it was a sweet, potent liquid that commanded attention.
Vietnamese Congee - Our first bites consisted of this traditional Vietnamese delight, which is essentially porridge topped with protein. We tried two kinds of congee - one with pork, chicken and duck and the other with squid, crab and shrimp. I liked the meat version better, especially since the meat was really tender and buttery. The sticky rice that rested on the bottom of the bowl was almost soupy and made me think of oatmeal on crack. A side of deep fry bread rounded out the dish, and it was especially wonderful to dip into the rice and meat. If you want to try something totally out of the norm for brunch, this is it.
Vietnamese Breakfast Roll - When I heard this was one of their most popular items and when Katie spied someone else eating it (and commenting how great it was) I had to have it. What it was essentially was a Vietnamese-style sandwich (banh mi) with panko crusted pork and a fried egg on top. The pork was excellent - crunchy on the outside but tender and spicy on the inside. It definitely gave you that much needed jolt and tons of protein to get you through the day. I enjoyed the excellent quality bread, which did a good job at holding its own next to the hefty contents of the sandwich. The only disappointment was the egg, as it was half runny and half firm - not fried or poached, just something in between. I ended up taking it off and enjoying the pork by itself.
Vietnamese Omelette - Although I didn't try this, Katie said she really liked it. Consisting of vegetables and a side of yucca fries, it seemed to fill her up. She commented on how hearty it was and also about its unique Asian flavoring. It's not your ordinary omelette, that's for sure.
Service and Cost:
Just like last time, the service was really great, with friendly, conscientious staff who cares about pleasing customers. We even got to chat with one of the owners, Chris who gave us some inside scoop about the food and about how he got into this business. His love and enthusiasm for what he does shows and seems to rub off on the customers - there were quite a lot of loyal patrons enjoying brunch on this cold, Saturday afternoon.
Costs are very reasonable and especially for brunch. You can take advantage of their $9.95 brunch special with an entree and a morning cocktail.
3 Mmmms
Bao Noodles - 391 2nd Avenue, New York NY 10010
212.725.7770
6 Train to 23rd Street
www.baonoodles.com
Bao Noodles - 391 2nd Avenue, New York NY 10010
212.725.77706 Train to 23rd Streetwww.baonoodles.comLisa and I embarked on a Vietnamese adventure at Bao Noodles last week. The evening offered up deliciousness and surprises, as we tried dishes that were brand spankin' new to both of us.
Atmosphere:
Although Bao is an Asian restaurant, it feels very much like a bistro. The long mirrors, the wooden bar, the dim lighting and the mosaic-tile floor all work together to create a comfy bistro vibe.
Lisa and I sat in a booth towards the front of the restaurant, where we had privacy but at the same time, people-watched to our heart's content. There's a trend that we observed amongst the clientele--they're young, hip, not pretentious and totally into Bao. It appeared that a lot of people were regulars who lingered for quite a bit, leading me to the conclusion that Bao is a beloved neighborhood hangout.
Food:
We were super psyched about our tasting menu, which offered a sampling of Bao's specials that are still under experimentation. All ingredients tasted fresh and most of them come straight from Chinatown.
Appetizers - The fist thing we tried was a green soy bean salad, which was super simple, and fresh. It was a nice way to start because it offered light and clean flavors, originating not only from the beans but also from the crunchy jicama and red onions. My only complaint was that it was a bit hard to eat with chopsticks and a fork might've been helpful.
Our second appetizer, Malanga with a sesame cracker and pickled eggplant, hit it out of the park. The malanga (or taro) was our favorite, as it tasted like a light bean paste and provided the most delicious spread for the sesame cracker. Our taro nibbles got even better once we piled on the curried tofu sauce and the tangy pickled eggplant. I loved the texture party in my mouth--soft and smooth from the taro, spongy from the tofu, and crunchy from the pickled eggplant. One word--awesome!
The shrimp paste noodle soup was yet another starter that we enjoyed. The broth was the best part, as it was flavorful, comforting and not too salty. There were plenty of fresh scallions and cilantro in it, providing a nice crunch and an earthy taste. The shrimp paste had a definite kick and its texture was almost meat-like--quite interesting and different from the norm.
Entrees:
The first entree was the salt and pepper soft shell crab. We both dived in enthusiastically, first for the crab and then for the tangy bed of slaw. I adore cabbage and thought it made for a nice pairing with the crab, again juxtaposing different textures--the soft crab with the crunchy slaw. The crab itself was seasoned exquisitely with Asian spices and plenty of fresh cilantro.
Pan roasted quail with choi sam was our second entree and though we had doubts--I've tried quail before without much liking--the first bite changed our perceptions. The quail meat was cooked to perfection, maintaining enough juiciness to preserve its flavor yet lacking gaminess. The bed of bok choy (Chinese cabbage) was delightful, as it balanced out the heartier meat with fresh, healthy flavor.
Dessert:
Not sure how we managed to eat two desserts but they included the Durian sorbet as well as the yucca waffle with blueberry sauce. The durian sorbet was fragrant and refreshing - tasting slightly like coconut. It wasn't overly sweet, but had a hint of bitterness that surprised the senses.
The yucca waffle was incredibly rich and slightly buttery, resembling an Eggo waffle. The best part was the blueberry sauce, which was sweet and the aromatic--and the scoop of lavender ice cream made it more luxurious.
Drinks:
The drinks were another highlight of our experience, and for the most part, they were summery and exciting. One in particular that I enjoyed was the Summertime, featuring kiwi-strawberry infused sake, fresh kiwi, strawberry and prosecco. It was light, fizzy and went down easy. I also enjoyed the Sake Sangria, which was white in color with fresh fruit on top. It was a tad sweet for my liking, yet it was another thirst-quenching, sexy drink.Service and Cost:
The waitstaff wasn't overly social but they were detail oriented and methodical. We enjoyed speaking to the owners, Chris and Chris, who also helped to explain the dishes to us and communicated the evident passion and enthusiasm they've infused into this place. Overall, all dishes came out in good time and nothing warranted complaints.
Costs on the regular menu are gentle on the wallet and very conducive to today's challenging economy. Appetizers range between $4.95 - $11.95 and entrees will set you back between $7.95 -$16.95 (including anything from traditional Vietnamese dishes to seafood to pho, noodles or soup.
3 Mmmms
