Take someone here to show off how hip, rich, connected you are. Still not get laid for being a poseur. read more

Amazing customer service! They cater to the needs of every customer. Great ambience and scenery. Kinda loins but not obnoxious loud. Ginger short ribs - outstanding! Great taste -very tender -good size portions Salmon - cooked medium(not my thing) but you can specify how you would want it cooked - the seasoning was fantastic - would order again and recommend to others. Birthday dessert: Purple rice caramelized with coconut creme and fresh mangos AWESOME!!! and a pleasant surprise Everyone should go here and try it! 5 stars read more

My absolute favorite restaurant in Raleigh for years now. Pork belly soup and green papaya salad all the way!

We use yelp to find places when we travel. This pop up 41/2 stars Asian fusion, I give them a try. We have crispy spring roll, was soo salty, papaya salad was too sweet for me duck breast was perfect, ginger pork ribs was too bland and very pricey. 3 stars for a nice service and clean. Not recommend this place. read more

Every element is lovely--atmosphere, decor and food. I had the Pho, and it was spectacular. Perfect place and meal on a chilly evening.

Amazing night at Bida Manda. Our server was incredibly friendly but was very respectful of our space and didn't bother us too much. He also made an effort to congratulate the Med School student (it was a special dinner for him) and remembered all of our names. Also the meal was delicious!!! This restaurant has a great back story that I recommend looking it up before you come. read more

Great service, great food, and great atmosphere! Highly recommend for anyone that's visiting Raleigh. Went for lunch and loved the Chicken Curry. read more

Bida Manda - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Love this spot! Best gluten free Asian food I've had in a while! Always kind staff and reservation options or short waits. Can get drinks at bar while you wait! Can't wait for them to open back up again. read more

Loved - - The complimentary shrimp crisps (don't fill up these like I did haha) - Crispy rice lettuce wraps (soooo good; make sure you drizzle the sauce on beforehand - adds a lot of flavor) - My favorite entree - crispy pork belly soup (huge portion size & they'll split it in 2 if you want to share; still had tons of leftovers) - His favorite entree - Sticky ribs (again, a huge portion so plan to have a great doggy bag) - Cold brew old fashioned The only thing that I wasn't a huge fan of was the mezcalito drink. Not spicy enough for me personally. Great atmosphere, friendly service, takes reservations, nice/low noise level, really moderate prices (most entrees are less than $20). Definitely would recommend for date night or if you have visitors in town. read more

We were unimpressed. The decor is awesome and the location is great, but the food is lacking authentic flavor and it's high in sodium - my husband and I both had a headache afterward from it which usually means too much sodium. I like wine and the wine list lacked reasonable prices for good wine. But we live in Holly Springs and we've been spoiled by Osha Thai which is much better! We will not be returning. read more

Never in my life have I ever had such fantastic service!!!! Seriously the food is die for and the friendly service is something to applauded! First off the owner...daughter of the couple in the picture that is featured in the menu greets every table and is sooooooo nice! She was afraid I wasn't going to get the full experience of these 2 particular appetizers she recommended because we only ordered one of them, so she sent over a complimentary sampler appetizer! Who does that! Then our real waitress was so smart and really described the dishes so well that I felt totally comfortable with ordering Laos food. Everything was delicious: the lettuce rice wraps, the sausage stuffed peppers, the wings, the ribs, and my mango dish with sea bass was to die for yummy! At the end she brought us a pallet cleanser non alcoholic shot of this cucumber lemon thing which i was raving about. So at the end she had the bartender make me a complimentary full size drink of it to go! Who does that too!? A must dine in Raleigh!! read more

For a special occasion family dinner, we always consider Bida Manda. The layout is unique and the service has always been great. I love the Crispy Pork Belly Soup so much. It has the most amazing broth I've ever tasted. I talk dirty to it every time because that's how it likes it. Devour it. Don't play nice. That soup knows how good it is and wants it bad. Recommendations also go out to the lettuce wraps, papaya salad, and chicken curry.... read more

Bida Manda - Lettuce wraps. A must for appetizers - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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In town on business, I learned that Bida Manda has an extremely good reputation. I stumbled upon it while driving randomly through downtown, and was lucky to get in without a reservation. Sadly, it didn't live up to the hype but I would still call Bida Manda worth a try. I got the basil stir fry, and it was a disappointment. For around $17, it turned out to be essentially the stir-fried vegetables you'd get at a corner Chinese restaurant; intensely sweet in a thick, glutinous sauce. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be, but there wasn't much about it that made me think I was having an expensive meal, or something genuinely exotic. Everything else was outstanding, especially the building itself. The walls are done in tasteful bamboo, the lighting is soft and of a pleasing wavelength, and the noise level was low. Service was excellent, and our server did make useful suggestions. I should have listened. Overall, I wouldn't go back anytime soon, especially because for dinner this is a definite $$$; pricey. read more

Food was excellent I had the shrimp crepe, one of the best I've had from asian fusion restaurant. The staff is very friendly, only downside is it's very cramped, very loud, almost a college bar feeling. for such a great atmosphere and excellent food, it's time to expand. read more

Bida Manda - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Every once in a while there comes a place that generate hype on its name alone, even though one has absolutely no idea what it actually is. "Bida Manda," what is this place about? I happened to have stepped inside during the opening Wednesday night to make a reservation, and what I saw was truly impressive. Instead of forcing a traditional aesthetic, the folks at Bida Manda translated their personalities into its look, Laotian essence on the inside, modern yet simplistic looks all around. The tables and chairs reminded me of street food places back home. This space says they are as much Raleigh as they are Laos. Without further gilding the lilies, lets move on to the real juicy stuffs: ~Small Plates~ 1. Tom Yum Goong - less on tamarind taste, so it was like a lite hot & sour soup, with shrimps and mushrooms 2. Fresh Summer Rolls - at first it looked like a sushi roll, but upon closer look, and taste, it's just (rice wrapper) roll, wrapped and cut in sections. side with good sesame sauce with peanut, and tad fish sauce 3. Roasted Anaheim Pepper - stuffed with Lao herb sausage; the delicious aroma will hit your nose long before the appetizer ever reach your table and into your mouth. Smelled so good, and taste so good. 4. Tuna Ceviche - tuna, diced and minced, blended with herbs, filled tiny baked rice paper bowl (like one of those Tostitos scoops.) Can I emphasize on TINY? Decent flavor though. ~Main Courses~ 1. Thum Mark Houng - green papaya salad (w/ grilled duck breast) - I got my duck "medium," but it actually come out pink, which is great for me because that was exactly how I like it 2. Salad Luang Prabang - watercress salad - the tempura eggplant is actually light on taste; actually, if the batter is seasoned a little bit more, it would have been perfect 3. Nam Leoung - Saffron crepe - I got the one with shrimp & bacon (?) and my table mates got the vegetable one. Both were great. If I have to be real picky on it... maybe it was a bit oily, although with all the fresh cucumber and veggie on the side it totally balanced out. 4. Thom Khem - caramelized ginger pork rib - good cut of rib meat, flavored well with tangy soy sauce glaze, with strips of crispy ginger on top. Not with sticky rice but jasmin rice, with side of broth boiled eggs, halved. No joke, everyone at the table tonight said this taste exactly like home, exactly like how our moms would make it. 5. Kali Kai Mae - chicken curry - filled with meat and lots veggies, poured over jasmin rice. Heavy on coconut cream, so it's a bit sweet on my palate. (P.S. They also serve Pho on the menu. I did not get it tonight. But I will when I return for lunch, which shall be soon) ~Desserts & Drinks~ 1. Trio Plate - apricot-tamarind cobbler, coconut custard crisp, mango sorbet - all were pretty good, especially with optional chocolate dipping sauce on the side. 2. Witbier flip - cognac, lemon juice, simple syrup, whole egg, Big Boss Blanco Diablo - taste very seasonal, but not tropical. Very light. 3. Ginger Julep - Woah! talked about a strong drink! I need to find out what kind of bourbon the bartender uses! By the way, when I saw Sazerac on the bar menu I was already quite curious. "I hardly seen Sazerac around here... although I have repeated ask for this from Fox... Could it be?" I was surprised, and excited, to see Bida Manda had acquired the local cocktail mixologist extraordinaire Jordan Hester to man the bar. The service from when we walked in to confirm reservation, to be seated, all the way through to our drinks and all the courses of the meal arrived at the table, was well timed. We had chance to discuss our thoughts on each dish as we were finishing them. I think we all have agreed if we leave this place tonight with fish sauce on the breath, which we did, then we deem it satisfactory. Top notch delivery. Very impressed. Within two visits, not only did they already remembered my face and my name, we also had a nice chat with both of the sibling entrepreneurs. They are very pleasant, and can hold a conversation, make it a superb dining experience. read more

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I live in California, so this isn't a review about their food or restaurant per se. Rather, it's a review about their wonderful customer service, which must be an indication of everything else about their establishment. I wanted to order a gift card for my brother, who lives in North Carolina, and after researching online, I found Bida Manda. Since the website said that they sell gift cards over the phone, I figured that I'd give it a try. I e-mailed them first and the co-owner, Vanvisa Nolintha, responded promptly and helpfully suggested times/days that I could call to order the gift cards. The person who picked up the phone was friendly and informative (I asked how far their restaurant was from my brother, since I'm unfamiliar with NC), and put me at ease with the entire transaction (what can I say? doing business across the country is tough and you want to make it go smoothly!). A week later (which happens to be today), my brother hadn't received the gift card and I realized he moved! I sent the gift card to the old address. Since today is his birthday, I e-mailed Vanvisa to see if they could re-send the card. Then, my brother told me that he wanted to eat at the restaurant tonight (little did I know, he already knew about this restaurant and said it's the best in Raleigh), so I e-mailed Vanvisa again to ask if they could leave the gift card at the front for him to pick it up. Vanvisa responded and said that everything would be taken care of. Here I am freaking out that I ruined the birthday dinner and possibly lost out on money, and Vanvisa responds with kindness and incredible customer service. You can bet that when I visit my brother in NC, I'll be eating at this restaurant! read more

It has taken me awhile to get around to writing this review because I wanted to love it so much as many other Yelpers do but I just didn't. I was completely underwhelmed by my experience and Disappointment in this case sadly prevailed. But before I get into the disappointment let me tell you what was good! The people! Everyone working there was as pleasant as can be making my wish even greater that the food would blow me away too. The hostesses and wait staff and one of the owners were all gracious and handled our needs beautifully. For example, my first drink, the Dejate caer was not what I was expecting and she quickly removed it and replaced it with no questions asked or "you must have bad taste" side eyes. That was much appreciated and there was no charge. Secondly, since it was our first time we were treated to the dessert trio which was a nice, welcoming touch. This is done for everyone, not because we are special other than just being generally cool people. The summer rolls were also a highlight and got my expectations for the food even greater. I liked how they were served cut into small manageable pieces and I could live off the peanut sauce served with it. The restaurant was very pretty inside and tastefully done. It feels upscale but still retains the warmth of a more casual setting. The palate cleansing drink was refreshing and perky. My husband and I both loved it-probably a highlight of the evening. The dessert trio was pretty and artfully done and more than enough considering how much taste is packed into each bite. Here is where it was average/disappointing. The service was slow. Though pleasant it took awhile for our waitress to come over and greet us. In between courses and waiting for the check were drawn out too long. We aren't in a hurry but we don't want to linger needlessly. The seating was extremely uncomfortable. I might as well had been seated on the floor. Of course, this may have made the wait seem longer because I had to sit ram rod straight trying to figure out how to work with the tiny table for several hours. The entrees. First they do not serve Gado Gado which was what I wanted to try. It was on the menu for a long time and was one of the reasons I had bookmarked this place. Instead I had the Tofu basil stir-fry which tasted like half a bottle of soy sauce had been dumped in it. I tried to soak some of this up with the rice to cut the taste but it was so dominant it ruined the dish. The rice tasted like regular steamed rice and not the more fragrant jasmine rice. I ended up taking it home and then throwing it away. My husband's Pad Thai wasn't much better. It had more of a tomato based sauce and tasted like cheap take out food to him not an elevated version worthy of the price tag. He gave his to a homeless person on the way back to the car. This isn't really a ding, either but we did have to ask for chop sticks and were not expecting the sticks you break apart that you find in take out bags. I should learn to bring my own. Not a ding, since it was replaced, but I will mention the description of the drink didn't match what was served. I expected something less murky but it had a mysterious air to it that is probably sophisticated but for me, I am too "country cons to town" to enjoy it. Maybe. Or it was just funky. Your call. Lastly, there was an employee standing in front of the building smoking and then going back inside. I know some people smoke, whatever, but I don't want to see evidence of it at an eating establishment. Take that to the back if you must. I can't say that it is a-ok but a flat out two doesn't feel right so I'd give this a two and a half to three stars. read more

I have only been there once, but plan to rectify that problem with more visits during my upcoming business trips to Raleigh. Great and unique place for a casual business lunch and the food was outstanding. Had the crispy pork soup, which was tantalizing. Many people seated around my table had also ordered it and were raving about it. Very savory flavor and a huge portion that I could not finish. The service was very good and the décor was modern and somewhat sparse, but keeping in character with what might be expected of a modern Laotian diner. Looking forward to going back soon! read more

This is definitely one of the best restaurants in downtown Raleigh! I have been here recently for dinner during Restaurant Week and twice for lunch. First - the staff is outstanding! Everyone from the hostesses to the servers to the backwaits are superb. They are all very good at customer service/hospitality and behave in a very professional manner. Also, you can often times see the owners helping out in the restaurant! Second - the food is even more outstanding! My favorite item on the menu so far are the crispy rice lettuce wraps. They have a great texture and flavor! I have also had the crispy pork belly soup and the green papaya salad. The soup is a large serving but kind of tricky to eat. I always order mild for the papaya salad but I know that you can get it very spicy. The presentation is always so lovely! Third - the ambiance and the details are perfect! From the woven wood walls, to the plates, to the palate cleanser at the end of the meal... Everything is so thoughtful! Well done Bida Manda! Such an enjoyable dining experience! read more

It always makes me nervous having to go down town and park, but this place is totally worth it! I and 3 friends went out on the town one week night and got in the door and to a table with NO WAIT! WHAT?! Amazing, I know... I guess it's b/c we're all super stars (lol). We started out with appetizers, Roasted Anaheim Pepper, Manda's Crispy Pork Spring Rolls, and Tuna Ceviche. One of my friends, who is a chef said that Tuna Ceviche is one of the hardest things to make (b/c you're cooking your tuna with lime juice) and he said these were some of the best he's ever had. All of the appetizers were good, the Roasted pepper was mildly bland, and probably could have used a touch of salt. (And I rarely use salt.) for Entrees we had the Pho, which should have been served hotter, but had a really good flavor, Carmalized Ginger Pork Ribs, which were fall off the bone tender and good, the Basil Beef, very yummy! and the papya Salad with Duck, and the duck was cooked PERFECT. it's so easy to over cook duck, but the chef did it perfectly. We also ordered all 3 of their deserts, and each of us had a favorite. They're all worth a try, although the fried bananas were the lest favorite of us all, but the mint caramel sauce that came with it was EXCEPTIONAL...personally, I'd like a bowl of ice cream with that stuff on top! Over all a great experience. We were there the 2nd week it was open, so the wait staff is still learning the menu, but that takes time! So I do not fault them for that. Service was not at all slow, as some have complained about, we ate leisurely, and never felt rushed by the staff, and were in and out in about an hour and half. the ambiance of the place is very cool, don't forget to stop and check out the really cool work they did in the bar area, all put up by hand, super cool! I would say my only "complaint", if you even want to call it that, is that most of the food was on the verge of a little bland. I'm not a huge fan of using salt, in fact, when in restaurants I don't ever use the stuff, but this particular night I though everything i tried could use just a touch, not much though, of salt, and my companions, who are also not salt-ys felt the same way. However I would defiantly come back here, it's a fun place with good food. read more

Every once in a while there's a new Asian restaurant popping up that thinks the traditional cuisine is too regular to serve. They try usually try to class it up, turn it into a nightclub, call it a fusion restaurant, and lose all sense of tradition. Fortunately, Bida Manda is all about family, tradition, and devoid of neon lights and club music. I really liked the interior, with its minimalist design and natural touch. There are some crazy wood piping all around, but that's neither here nor there. The wood tables could pose a problem in the long run as the wear and tear of constant use will likely cause replacement or they will just feel dirty. The menu is quite short, but hit on many of your traditional southeast Asian fare. We sampled the ceviche, summer rolls, pho, pork ribs, tempura bananas, and purple rice. The ceviche, summer rolls, pork ribs, and purple rice were the highlights. The pho was lacking a little in flavor, and the tempura bananas are just too cliche (but someone just had to order it). On the front-end we had the Ginger Julep and the pina colada (the best in the world claim might be pushing it, although it was tasty). These came from a great bar menu, which I recommend heavily. 4 stars for what I believe to be a well-conceived restaurant. My only issue is that, while a good meal was had, it felt a little expensive at the end. I just hope they remember tradition and execution. I'm sure we'll be back. read more

Bida Manda - Front door - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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From start to finish, our experience at Bida Manda was incredible. To start the interior is beautiful in its simplicity with natural colors accented by full color photos on the wall and brought to life by the sticks covering them. Upon entering we were immediately sat and even greeted by Van, the restaurant's owner. The lighting was perfect as we looked over the menus clipped to pieces of reclaimed wood. A wall separates the dining room from the bar side of the restaurant with rectangle cutouts keeping them connected. Our waiter was extremely attentive the entire meal and knowledgeable about the things that we quizzed him on. We started with a couple of drinks, El Picafor and the Oak City Sour, and the lettuce wraps. Cutting right to it. All of these items were spot on. The Sour had a beautiful froth from the egg whites and the perfect sweet sour combination of flavors. I had the El Picafor and have to say this was my favorite mixed drink I've had...ever. I'm a huge fan of the pepper infused honey coming through on the back end of a sour infusion from the combination of grapefruit and lime juice. The lettuce wraps started us off right with perfect flavor and texture as the mixture of peanuts and veggies had an awesome crisp from a light frying technique. We were off to a wonderful start For the entrees we had the Crispy Pork Belly Soup and the Chick Larb served the traditional way with chicken liver and pork skin mixed in. The entrees came out just as we were finishing our appetizer and they did not disappoint. The pork belly was amazingly crisp and the broth of the soup was the perfect compliment with flavors of coconut curry and peanuts coming through. The noodles were slightly undercooked but overall the soup was excellent. The chicken larb (served Lao hot) seemed a small portion at first look but by the end it was the perfect amount. It was served with a small steam container of very sticky rice which went well with the main chicken larb mixture. The spice was right on. I recommend Lao hot if you like things spicy. By the end we were completely full and did not try the tempura bananas that I was eyeing on the menu. Again, from start to finish we had a wonderful experience at Bida Manda and will certainly be back in a few months to see how it has matured. The restaurant though just having opened seemed to be in sync and executing very well. I'm even tempted to come back just for a drink and an appetizer at the bar. If you like pepper order the Picafor and enjoy. Bida Manda is the perfect spot for those Southeastern Asian cravings where you want to sit down and enjoy the company of others over a carefully crafted meal. read more

My friend and I stopped in Monday night at around 6:30 for dinner. The place was quite busy. We had made a reservation, but I think it would have been ok without one too. It was unfortunate that they were out of their house red. Though some of the other drinks looked tasty as well, we decided to opt out. My friend and I shared the summer rolls and papaya salad with duck breast. We both thought it was just alright. I couldn't taste much of the plum flavor in the dipping sauce, mostly just hoisin sauce. I wish the plum flavor would be more pronounce then it would definitely be a great and refreshing way to cleanse palate. The papaya salad and the duck breast was excellent. The papaya salad was nicely spiced and the duck breast was tender and juicy. We both enjoyed it very much. I was not really satisfied when I left Bida Manda. I just wish the summer spring roll would have more flavor (mint or basil would be great addition). I would rate my dining experience to be 3.5, but I am rounding up because of the service and the decor. read more

Wow--high quality food. But was not expecting those prices. My friends and I decided to visit Raleigh for the day and browsed yelp for suggestions. This came up as the first option, and being half Laotian, my friends were interested in tasting the food I grew up with. Plus it said $$ which we assumed wouldn't be too pricey. But it was--it was really expensive, particularly for what we were expecting. It was $10 for one sausage and $21 for duck larb. Don't get me wrong, the food was really really good, but I was not expecting those prices. (Although I do think Asian food has to right to be fancy and expensive). Overall this place is super authentic, highly recommend, especially if you've never had Lao food. Plus the way they cooked the larb--one of the best larb I've ever had. Don't tell my mom. read more

DAT DUCK LARB THOUGH. Seriously, It was insane. I dream about it. I want it again, like NOW. Remember the first time you had curry, or pad thai, or something else that you had never tasted before and you knew it was all over and you were going to crave that particular flavor and nothing else was going to satisfy that craving except for this particular dish. That's whats going to happen here. Fair warning. First off I am a crazy person when it comes to service and this place gets a high five. There was a tiny little snipped of a comment from our waitress that could have been confused with snarkyness but I'm choosing to ignore that. The hostess was super friendly and our server was incredibly knowledgeable and helpful when making decisions. I could go on and on but I'm going to try to keep this short. 1. order a cocktail, they are crafted by professionals and apparently rotate to keep up with fresh ingredients. My white mango sangria was bangin'. 2. A friend and I split the pork belly soup and this probably could have been the end if I were a smart lady. I am not a smart lady. 3. Traditional Duck Larb Medium Spicy. This stuff is no joke. I'm from southern Louisiana and spice is not generally an issue in NC but this was crazy hot. I generally order my Indian food and Thai food "medium" but this was more like "Laotioan Hot" and I'm happy it was. I loved every second of that dish and I don't think I'll ever be able to go back to Bida Manda with out ordering it again... or get hungry without wishing it were in my mouth. ENJOY!!! read more

The duck larp is amazing. Perfect flavoring, the portion is just right. The wine is yummy too. Great ambiance. Glad I came a little earlier, it got pact pretty quick. read more

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Bida Manda opened in one of the unluckiest spots for a downtown Raleigh restaurant, and has become a favorite among foodies. First tip: you will probably want to make a reservation. The secret is out. Second tip: enjoy some cocktails with a nice appetizer--like the crispy rice lettuce wraps. Third tip: you can't go wrong with the green papaya salad. Pick your favorite filling (the chicken and trout are my favorites), and enjoy! While the phrase "cooked with love" is cliche, this is one of the only restaurants in Raleigh where I think that rings true. From the moment you are greeted at the door, you feel welcome--as if the staff and owners are actually happy to see you (and they are!). This is one of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh. read more

Hmmm...guess I will be the first one to bad mouth about this lovely place. Basically this is Americanized Lao food. That means flavors are off, especially to a native Asian's palate. Both iced tea and iced coffee are way too sweet and lack the authentic emphasis on tea or coffee itself. Fried spring roll is OK but the sauce is like washed-out syrup which is totally not right. Pho broth has no taste at all. Nothing. Nada. It should be full of beef Unami flavor since it is ought to be made by simmering beef and beef bone for a long time. read more

Went here for my mother's birthday and couldn't have been more pleased with my meal. I'm not one to order sea bass in a restaurant, but it was recommended to me by a friend. I'd order this meal again in a heart beat. read more

Bida Manda - Pan-seared Dill and Lime Leaf Sea Bass (Green Papaya Salad) - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

We went here with the pickiest adult eater I know. She got the Pho, and said it was "OK". That's high praise coming from her. If you are new to Laotian food (as am I), it's crosses over a lot with other Southeast Asian - the Pho, as well as Pad Thai etc. My wife got a pork belly soup she loved, and I really liked my papaya salad with duck breast (I got it medium rare, next time I will get it medium). Normally when you get Asian food you have to choose between "hip bar" and "good food" and this place was all the way for both. Entrees were $16-20, which is maybe expensive for Pho joints but not for a cool restaurant downtown. Will definitely be back. read more

I could easily give Bida Manda five stars if it weren't for one thing: maybe I'm a fatty, but the portions were a tad small. I ate everything on my plate (plus a couple bites of my companion's), and was hungry not long after leaving. Everything else was fabulous, though. The restaurant is beautiful--somehow upscale and casual at the same time. It's how I want my dining room to feel. (Plus gold brocade in the bathroom?! Heck yes.) The cocktail list was impressive, and I selected a glass of champagne (because that's how I roll) with a coconut-flavored sugar cube. My friend got the Thai Tea Toddy and when I sipped it, I felt like I died and went to heaven. For dinner, I had the saffron crepe with mixed vegetables, and my friend had two appetizers: the galangal and coconut chicken soup and the soft shell crabs. We were both very happy diners. The service was impeccable, and the prices were surprisingly reasonable for how delicious everything was and how swank the place feels. Then again, I would have been upset to pay much more for such small portions. read more

I was very excited to go here but found it good yet not great. The Laotian flavors were not as unique as I expected, the menu and food could easily have been served at a Vietnamese restaurant. I had the ginger glazed ribs which were very good but a small portion (two ribs over rice). Again, the quality was good but not to the point where I thought about it after I left and the serving was surprising small. read more

I am fairly critical, and not one to easily give a five star review. That said, if you look at those I've posted, most (maybe all?) are five stars. I eat out a lot, and usually won't bother to write something up unless it really moves me. I'm a self-proclaimed foodie, have chef'd in some good reastaurants, and have travelled to a lot of great places around the country and around the world. I've been excited about going to Bida Manda for a long time. Last month I went there for a drink and to share some apps, and was quite impressed. Couldn't wait to return. So on Friday night (first Friday) I was able to get reservations for four, and went with my 13 year old daughter and my parents. We all got something completely different and all LOVED our food. Service was excellent, and our server gave us a lot of well informed, and relevant suggestions. She listened carefully to what we were each trying to eat, and hit the mark with helping us to get there. At our table we had: Duck Larb, with the gizzards and livers Steam Catfish Chicken Curry Salmon Special along with Chick/Lettuce wrap and Summer Roll appetizers. What can I say, I tasted it all, and it was all cooked to perfection, each dish had a flavor profile that was unique, but incredible, and when we left we were full, but not stuffed. The bill was beyond reasonable and my parents (who have dined around the world) could not stop talking about how great this place was. Nice touch, but out server (obviously not Loatian) had been taken to Laos by the owners. Aparently they take the understanding of the food, and the culture, and the connection between the two VERY seriously. To me, this is the essence of a truly great dining experience (to understand that connection), and really helped to make our experience a special night. Highly recommended! read more

Nothing says great meal than with a great story, and the tale behind this restaurant makes the food much more desirable and authentic. If your looking for a meal that was made with precisions, care, and intent to impact your life, then this is one place you've got to try. The ambiance is organic, and lush, you'r life will feel rich dinning here because you know your getting a quality one of a kind meal in Raleigh. The specialty cocktails are good, and the service is superb. Rush here! read more

Clearly a labor of love, this newcomer to the Raleigh restaurant scene is the brainchild of NC State grad, Vansana Nolintha, Nolintha has crafted a unique dining experience, masterfully representing his native Laos in the distinctive, earthbound surroundings, the authentic flavors and the attentive hospitality of Bida Manda (Laotian for father and mother) . With the native sapling-clad walls, the vintage chandeliers and the serene silk screens of Laotian scenes, there is nothing cookie cutter about this restaurant. The menu is likewise intriguing, offering dishes not found anywhere else in the Triangle. The Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps are delightfully peanut crunchy and flavorful, and the spring rolls, both vegetable and pork, are at once crispy and juicy. Both make great shared appetizers for the table. Amphone's Chicken Curry is a beautifully fragrant, spicy melange of root vegetables and chicken, just hot enough to tingle your tongue. The Crispy Pork Belly Soup is a huge serving of perfectly crisped pork, complemented with rice noodles in a rich, complex broth. Both the Beef and Duck Larb (a Laotian celebratory dish) offer lime-infused, sauteed bits of meat (definitely order these "the traditional way," with Beef tripe or chicken gizzards) -- true finger food, meant to be eaten by hand with sticky rice. The cocktail menu incorporates myriad housemade bitters, infusions and sugar cubes. The Oak City Sour is a tangy, slightly foamy blend of chardonnay, lemon juice, egg whites and oak bitters. The Thai tea toddy is an equally tasty blend of bourbon, lime juice, coconut cream, and Thai tea. Laotian beers are also offered. Desserts are seasonally inspired and might include a pumpkin macaroon with Thai tea caramel sauce or apricot tamarind cobbler. Small servings, not overly sweet -- just right to cap off a rich meal. Prices are reasonable. A meal for two with appetizers, dessert and wine can run under $75. Bida Manda is a most welcome addition to the Triangle dining roster! read more

WARNING: THE PRICES LISTED WITH THEIR MENU ARE OFF BY $2-$5 PER ITEM!!!!!!!!!!! I would give Bida a 5 star but I was very annoyed by their listed prices being much lower on line than when I got there. I am on a strict budget right now and I was not happy with that surprise. read more

My friend loved her first experience here, so we decided to go for an early dinner and drinks. Reservations were pretty hard to come by, but I managed to snag one for 6:30pm. The menu looked great, and even though I hadn't had much Laotian food before, I did see that there were a lot of similarities to Thai cuisine, which made the menu a bit more familiar and a bit more comfortable. The decor of the restaurant is very rustic and very well-executed. The lighting isn't too dim, yet the entire seating area still felt very intimate. We were seated promptly by the gaggle of hosts/hostesses and our waiter was very quick about getting us our drinks. I went with the peach old-fashioned, which was delicious and smokey, and the muddle peach on the bottom was awesome. I also tried the strawberry bitters cocktail, which was more sweet than anything, and only had a hint of bitters. As for food, we went with the spicy chicken wings, crab cakes to start, and the pork belly soup and the crispy lemongrass trout with papaya salad as our entrees. The wings were definitely SPICY, like eyes burning spicy. I love spicy food, and those wings definitely packed a hearty punch, so beware. The crab cakes were a bit on the smaller side, but still full of meaty crab and delicious. The pork belly soup was a large portion and had a sweet curry taste, similar to a lot of Thai curries, and had a bunch of crispy, fried pork belly strewn throughout the soup. Surprisingly, the fried pork belly stayed crispy and the saltiness of the pork worked very well the curry soup. The lemongrass trout was flash-fried perfectly, and I couldn't get enough of the papaya salad. The dish came with a small basket of sticky rice, and it was great using our hands to gather a bit of the rice, papaya salad, and trout all in one bite. Sometimes eating with your hands just makes the meal better. Prices are higher than most restaurants in Raleigh, but the experience is more unique as well, so in my opinion, it can be forgiven. Overall, the food and cocktails are definitely high quality, and you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Remember to make a reservation! read more

This restaurant is one of my favorite new restaurants in the Triangle! So much so that I arranged to dine here 3 times in a 2-week span! Their cocktails are delicious and strong. My favorite is the Thai Tea Toddy (cold). Their papaya salad with duck is FANTASTIC. I also love their soft-shell crab appetizer. The environment is ethnic Asian with rustic style (or..you can look at the pictures). Sadly, the nice food and the nice environment also comes with a fairly high price tag to boot. But I think it's worth it. Hey, TREAT YO' SELF! read more

Finally, I got around to trying the restaurant my friends have been buzzing about and checking Laotian food off my to-eat list! A little background: I went to design school with Vansana, so if any of you attended an NC State Art to Wear show from 2007-2009, you may remember the extravagant, beautiful work fueled by Van's imagination. So of course, I highly anticipated visiting his restaurant to see his unique twist. Flashback to last weekend: My friends and I decided to have a little reunion at our alum's establishment. The exterior aesthetic is jawdroppingly gorgeous -- and really stands apart on South Blount Street. As my group of three stepped inside from the blustery cold, our eyes were greeted by the warm smile of Van's sister Vanvisa. She welcomed us in, but then sadly informed us that they were completely booked until 9pm. However, she told us we could wait for the bar to open up -- which we decided to do. We walked over to the left, unbuttoning our jackets and sitting on the velvet couch, next to the glowing Christmas tree. Then, Vanvisa walked over, handed us drink menus, and offered to take our order while we waited. All three of us decided to warm up with cocktails: Pina Coloda, Rob Roy, and a Thai Tea Toddy. For the next ten minutes, we relaxed on the couch and gazed around at the packed interior and artwork. I cannot express how grateful I was to not be sitting under fluorescent light. To my delight, there were Edison-style lights that dangle above, equidistantly spaced across the ceiling -- creating a warm, golden glow that echoes throughout the space. Small tea lights adorn the small, wooden tables, along with little, floral bouquets. The walls were adorned with vibrant photographs (panels and fabric), and woven NC wooden sticks -- which I couldn't help dreamily gazing at their movement around the restaurant. Before we could get our drinks, Vanvisa fetched us over to some newly open seats at the bar. We rushed over, taking our place on the left-most corner, parallel to the wall. To our surprise, there was a small hook underneath the table to hang your purse/jacket! The bartender welcomed us, reconfirmed our drink orders, and handed us food menus. A few minutes later, and all three of us were presented with our cocktails. My friend's Pina Colada was my favorite -- a lovely marriage of coconut cream and pineapple juice, with dark rum floating at the top. My Thai Tea Toddy was the favorite of my two friends: bourbon, lime juice, coconut cream, and Thai tea. I kicked myself for not having the guts to order the Kentucky Breakfast Flip (bourbon, whole egg, lemon juice, Big Boss coffee stout). I was just scared of the whole egg and the possibility of getting salmonella... As for the other drinks, I'm still not ready for hot liquor. The menus are gorgeous -- leather fronted and mounted to a wooden back. For appetizers, we decided to order the Roasted Anaheim Pepper Stuffed with Lao Herb Sausage ($6.90) and the Mild Coconut Curry Chicken Wings ($7.90). The wings were warm, but not hot. The coconut curry sauce offered no "zing", so I'd suggest going with the Hot Sweet Chili Sauce. The pepper was decent, but hard to share -- a little tough to cut and the meat spilled out. For our entrées, I went with the Caramelized Ginger Pork Ribs and my friends ordered the Duck Larb with an extra side of sticky rice. It took about 15-20 minutes to get our food -- which wasn't bad. My dish consisted of three pork ribs topped with grilled asparagus on jasmine rice, with sauce and a boiled egg. I loved how the sauce and the meat was good, but I was disappointed with the quality of the meat. Each rib provided a couple nibbles of good meat, but with each rib I ended up with a mouthful of cartilage on the ends -- which wasn't so cool, since I had to discreetly spit the inedible parts in my napkin. The asparagus was tender and sticky rice was good -- but I felt like there should have been about three more ribs to justify the attached $14.90 price tag. The Duck Larb was interesting, since it contained liver meat (friend opted to not have the gizzard). In my opinion, there was way too much cilantro and the spicy lime sauce had me thinking I was eating a Spanish dish rather than Laotian. In its defense, there was a lot more meat than my dish -- even though it was only a dollar more. The sides of sticky rice were served in little baskets, which were adorable. I finished my meal, ordering a Champagne Cocktail with a house-made sugar cube -- very good! Everything about this visit was great, except for the male patrons who tried to steal my friend's seat at the bar -- and then proceeded to hover behind us while we ate for thirty minutes. Very rude. I would definitely return for lunch since it is cheaper to sample more dishes, and to try out the remaining cocktails. My main tip to you is to get reservations ahead of time! read more

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I really wanted to love this place. But stuff is just off the mark - a little. And I really would rate this a 3.5 instead of a four. The atmosphere and ambience is outstanding (though I wish you'd turn down the volume on the music). The decor and service are perfect (though the metal seats are pretty uncomfortable if your hips are wider than a adolescent boy). The food was well prepared, beautifully presented and with adequate to large portions (but the seasonings were repeated or not that special/unusual.) We were a group of 3 for lunch. We are long time ethnic foodies with a wide variety of dining experience. Two appetizers - the stuffed chile and the summer roll. Both were good, but the chile turned out to be the standout item of the meal. If you like spicy, this is a must! THIS was grwat, with an unusual sausage stuffing. We all agreed that the summer rolls (with shrimp) were fine, very fresh, but nothing more special than the usual found in a good vietnamese restaurant. I ordered the crispy pirk belly soup, another ordered the yellow chicken curry. This was where the spicing was so unexpectedly similar. With closed eyes, the flavor of my soup was indistinguishable from the curry sauce. The curry flavor was TOTALLY different than any other curry we've experienced, and very good. The chicken was amazingly moist (that boosted this review from three star to four). The crispy pork belly was very nice, albeit only four pieces. The very generous topping of ground pork on my soup almost made up for the skimpy serving of pork belly. Remaining entree of beef basil was enjoyed, though we all agreed it had a sweeter flavor than we were used to. This may be our minimal experience with Laotian cuisine. Lao iced tea and Lao iced coffees were good, but again nothing beyond what could easily be found in a vietnamese place. This would be a great first date place for someone who enjoys thai or vietnamese food. read more