Foods from Saigon Pho
Comments
2013 Sep 22
The blander than average soups suggest that this restaurant is aiming to please the average North American palate rather than lovers of Vietnamese food. Higher than average prices are likely a result of the premium Bank Street location, but they are contraindicated by chipped dishes and cracked table coverings.
My 23. Saigon Superior Seafood Soup (pictured) was not bad, each spoonful contained little bits of chopped squid, shrimp, surimi, or snow peas, but in terms of flavour it was a distant and anaemic cousin of the delicious rendition I've enjoyed at Vietnam Palace.
My wife's 44. Shrimp and beef satay soup with rice noodle was again not bad, but not nearly as good as what we can get at many other restaurants in town.
My daughter loved her 18. Won ton soup very much! She likes food that pleases the average North American palate. :-)
My 23. Saigon Superior Seafood Soup (pictured) was not bad, each spoonful contained little bits of chopped squid, shrimp, surimi, or snow peas, but in terms of flavour it was a distant and anaemic cousin of the delicious rendition I've enjoyed at Vietnam Palace.
My wife's 44. Shrimp and beef satay soup with rice noodle was again not bad, but not nearly as good as what we can get at many other restaurants in town.
My daughter loved her 18. Won ton soup very much! She likes food that pleases the average North American palate. :-)
2012 Oct 4
good call on the Cha Nem (item #0 on Appetizer menu) by Food Gypsy. this is solid meaty deep fried goodness that is a little different than your normal Viet spring roll. i was a little sticker shocked by the $8.50 pricetag (acknowledging this place isn't in Chinatown), however, the rolls are quite large and can easily be shared by 2 people. they're approaching eggroll sized territory.
also worth noting the restaurant's website here is pretty expansive for a Vietnamese joint - full menu with prices, photos, etc...
also worth noting the restaurant's website here is pretty expansive for a Vietnamese joint - full menu with prices, photos, etc...
2012 Mar 21
Saigon Pho is not my favorite pho in town, but I am an equal opportunity pho kinda' gal I so I spread my love around. I find the broth at Saigon a tad overpowering, giving me the breath of a thousand dragons.
The Cha Nem (#0, Special Seafood Spring Rolls) on the other hand, are truly outstanding. A light, rice wrapper, tightly binding bits of shrimp, crab, meat and vegetables together, then deep fried. They are the most unique amber colour, word has it it's due to a bit of beer in the rice wrapper batter... but I cannot name my sources. Worth a stop for lunch.
The Cha Nem (#0, Special Seafood Spring Rolls) on the other hand, are truly outstanding. A light, rice wrapper, tightly binding bits of shrimp, crab, meat and vegetables together, then deep fried. They are the most unique amber colour, word has it it's due to a bit of beer in the rice wrapper batter... but I cannot name my sources. Worth a stop for lunch.
2011 Aug 29
Not impressed. Walked in for lunch by myself on a Monday. It was fairly busy but the place was cleared up and no one was taking my order. I left after 30 minutes. Not worth the wait, especially if I have to wait again for the food. I wouldn't even have time to eat and be back at work on time. Lame.
2011 Aug 3
Ordered some fresh rolls here. Requested no bean sprouts.
There was virtually no vermicelli in the roll. It really did taste like a salad roll, as in iceberg lettuce roll with some mint and shrimp thrown in for good measure.
I believe this is simply a chef who does not know how to make a roll or perhaps vermicelli is too expensive?
Was impressed with the size of the place, the efficiency and at first glance, the cleanliness.
There was virtually no vermicelli in the roll. It really did taste like a salad roll, as in iceberg lettuce roll with some mint and shrimp thrown in for good measure.
I believe this is simply a chef who does not know how to make a roll or perhaps vermicelli is too expensive?
Was impressed with the size of the place, the efficiency and at first glance, the cleanliness.
2011 Jan 26
Aaaaand we're done going there.
We went in on Saturday afternoon, there were about three other tables, both servers (same as last time) were sitting at a table eating massive bowls of shrimp (I wonder if the owners know they're enjoying huge quantities of premium ingredients) and noodles. Our order was taken in a rush (presumably so that they could get back to their food), and when the soupa rrived we asked for red chilis. And waited. And waited. So my husband had to go interrupt their meal to make his request again. No water refills or check-ins either.
The lady at the table next to us got very angry since she was waiting (apprently) since before we arrived for service, and she commented, "The waiters are always eating here." She eventually gave up waiting too and went to ask the servers for some attention.
Again, the food is awesome, but this is ridiculous. We won't be back.
We went in on Saturday afternoon, there were about three other tables, both servers (same as last time) were sitting at a table eating massive bowls of shrimp (I wonder if the owners know they're enjoying huge quantities of premium ingredients) and noodles. Our order was taken in a rush (presumably so that they could get back to their food), and when the soupa rrived we asked for red chilis. And waited. And waited. So my husband had to go interrupt their meal to make his request again. No water refills or check-ins either.
The lady at the table next to us got very angry since she was waiting (apprently) since before we arrived for service, and she commented, "The waiters are always eating here." She eventually gave up waiting too and went to ask the servers for some attention.
Again, the food is awesome, but this is ridiculous. We won't be back.
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