Oh my gosh what a cool spot. We made a reservation for 8:45 on open table, but for some reason it changed it to a different day, so of course we go in and our reservation is no where to be found. We waited for a bit in the lounge and had 2 amazing cocktails (ice spa and Mezcalito) and we were able to snag 2 seats at the bar! Our bartender Lindsay was super sweet and helpful with the menu and everything we ordered was freaking delicious you really can't go wrong with anything you pick. Stop what your doing and go eat here now. read more

I loved all of it! The food, the ambiance and the service! It is refreshing to find such place in Raleigh.

Let me start off by admitting that I have no idea what authentic Laotian food is like. That said, I think Bida Manda has great food, and I welcome the addition of another ethnicity to the Triangle's food scene. For my first visit, I ordered the green papaya salad with mixed vegetables (spicy) and shared an order of the soft shell crab. I also tried a friend's order of the green papaya salad with duck. I figured the two dishes would be mostly the same but with meat instead of vegetables, however the duck version comes with a sweet sauce on both the papaya and the meat that really enhances the flavor and mellows out the spice level. The papaya in my grilled vegetables version was a little too hot for me to eat comfortable, although that's entirely up to the individual. The crab is served as six individual pieces over lettuce and sauce, making it easy to share and quite delicious. After dinner, they bring shots of a palate cleansing lemonade, although I'd recommend tasting a sip of it first and diluting it if you find it too sweet or sour. The other items on the menu also look interesting and I'm definitely looking forward to making another trip out there. The atmosphere is fairly dark, with dimmed lights and a candle on each table as it starts to get dark outside. I'd recommend Bida Manda both for date nights and for meeting up with friends. read more

I am so happy to see that Bida Manda already has so many good reviews from happy Yelpers. My boyfriend and I walked in with no reservation on Friday night hoping to get a table--ha. No go. But, undeterred, we made a reservation for Saturday night instead, and showed up hungry! I was really excited about the menu and the space after looking at the (beautifully designed) Bida Manda website. This is saying something for me, because the heavy influence of/similarity to Thai food can be tough for someone with a peanut allergy. But even so, I saw so many foods that I wanted to try! The owners have really done a beautiful, special job with the space. The wall nearest to Tir Na Nog has a series of photo panels depicting some really great Laotian scenes. Although the space is mostly open, there is a barrier between the majority of the tables and the bar area. The menus are served on stylized clipboards. I opted for a drink I saw on the restaurant's Facebook: the Oak City Sour. Being a big fan of Amaretto sours, I was excited to try this. It did not disappoint! It was delicious and dangerous, tasting mainly tart and not at all alcoholic. I chose the basil beef as my entree. Mark had the caramelized ginger pork ribs. We both cleaned our plates; everything was delicious! The basil beef was distinctly spicy for some of us spice-wimpy American eaters (i.e., me). I was able to eat it, but I think I would've had to shamefacedly send it back and ask for less spice if it had been any more. Maybe future incarnations of the menu could consider mentioning this? Our server was very nice and helpful, but did check up on us what seemed like a few too many times--twice asking if everything was okay after we were served drinks, and 3-4 times after the food. But I understand this is an issue of customer preference; and I figure this is because they recently opened and want to make sure all their initial customers are as happy as possible. I will 100% be back to try a delicious dessert and the stuffed pepper appetizer! Don't miss your chance to dine at a fantastic Laotian restaurant right here in downtown Raleigh! read more

It feels awkward and petty to take apart a restaurant that many Raleigh Yelpers appear to consider the crown jewel of downtown dining. But kvetch I must. Over the course of 4+ lunches and dinners, I've found myself utterly underwhelmed by the food served by Bida Manda. Not a total dive, but not worth the time or the coin for anyone with a discerning pallet. My initial suspicion is that the gulf between my impression and those of the countless smitten reviewers on this page results from the fact that I haven't fallen under the influence of girly drinks, nor was I won over by the classy decor or conspicuously buxom waitstaff. I go to a restaurant to eat, and in that department Bida Manda came up short in several respects. For a fine(-ish) dining restaurant in a region known for its farm-to-table ethos, I have been repeatedly astonished by the mediocre-quality, out-of-season vegetables they get away with serving. Moreover, the menu and its execution just aren't that interesting, demonstrating little variation from the fare found at slightly-above-average middle-American strip mall Thai food joints. The high prices are clearly not rationalized by their produce bill, nor are they going to support a particularly talented chef. Rather, I suspect that the overinflated dinner tab represents little more than a luxury tax, or perhaps a levy for the alleged "ambiance" that continues to bedazzle table after table of fat-walleted Raleighites. read more

How to beat a dead horse: Review Bida Manda... apparently. I didn't actually realize this place was so popular until I decided to review it for yelp. I am not a Raleigh local but my sister is and apparently prides herself in being pretty popular among the "elite" of Raleigh (whatever that means). She reserved Bida Manda for her rehearsal dinner and I was pleased, though not surprised, to find an upscale mod and chic looking Asian restaurant. Not that I'm knocking on Asian restaurants but many of the ones I have reviewed are often and colloquially referred to as "holes in walls" with great food.Though, in hindsight I doubt my sister would book one of those kinds of restaurants for the rehearsal dinner... Yet I digress. The place was gorgeous and dimly lit and elegantly decorated with bamboo and canvas photos of Laotian monks. Though the meal was already set, I managed to convince my husband to get a few cocktails off of the drinks menu (I meaaann, we aren't paying for this right?!). I had a hazelnut manhattan, which was a deliciously nutty balance between the hazelnut and vanilla of the bourbon. Evidently, not my husband's type of drink so note: If you are not a fan of sweet cocktails maybe stray from this one, I don't think you can really go wrong with the cocktail menu. Moreover, if you're feeling something just describe what you want and maybe the bartender or waitress will be able to help you out. The food though was phenomenal. I expect nothing less from my sister and her choice in food. Though I don't remember the whole menu the two things that really stood out to me was the Crispy Pork Belly soup. It's kind of like a vamped up Laksa with Kaffir lime leaves, coconut curry broth, and rice noodles all topped with crispy pork belly. The only words to accurately describe it is the Homer Simpson drool/gargle spelled, I believe, "Aauaughghrrhghgaahghgghhalaaughghahagh." The other standout meal was the dessert selection where the was a very typical Asian dish of sweet and sticky rice with coconut custard which was gorgeously balanced so that, unlike continental fare, the dessert was not overwhelmed with sugar that you lost the subtleties of coconut. I really enjoyed my first time here at Bida Manda and I don't suspect it will be any different when I beg my sister to take me there again on my next visit. The food was amazing, the drinks went down easy and pleasurably, and the staff were incredibly friendly. Unfortunately, I didn't pay for it so advising on a fair price would be really dumb of me. But if you've got the money and aren't averse to coconut and are looking for something a bit exotic and different for a dinner date idea, I would highly recommend Bida Manda. read more

The soup. Trust me, get the soup. So good. Came to Bida Manda for a work meeting and experienced great service, a very cool atmosphere and the best soup I have ever had (the Crispy Pork Belly soup!). For the price the portion was HUGE, so much so that I still had 3/4 of the bowl when I had to bow out. The veggies were fresh and the spice level wasn't too bad for a weakling like me. The only (tiny) gripe I had was the actual pork belly in the soup was pretty hard and surprised me when I bit down on it. It kind of reminded me of fat back rather than actual pork belly. I know the dish states 'crispy pork belly' but it was more like crunchy. But despite this the soup, and Bida Manda as a whole, was still pretty amazing! read more

Our server Nate is great! The pork belly soup was out of this world. The ginger glazed ribs fell right off the bone. The "if it makes you happy" drink was delicious! read more

One of my best friends is Laotian so we all got together and hit this new place up. Mmm, deliciouso. I, of course, ordered the Crispy Pork Belly Soup. I only wish it came with more pork belly! It was fried to perfection. Crunchy with a fatty tender inside that just melted in my mouth. Plus, the noodles had soaked up that yummy broth flavor. I double-checked with my friend, he said it was legit. Always a plus! (Funny enough, his aunt made that for lunch). Our drinks were specials. I ordered the apple julep which sounded sweet but was crazy strong. A friend had the 'spiked' Thai Tea - not too strong but had a bit too much citrus for me. Almost forgot! Instead of bread, you get shrimp-flavored chips. YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. Mmmmmm....! read more

Our night at Bida Manda began with great expectations- alas, like the novel our evening ended in tragedy. Walking through the doors it was clear that the other reviews were correct- the dining room was beautiful, well-lit, and uncrowded. Even though there was a loud St. Patrick's party rocking on outside, it was pleasant and not too noisy inside. We had a reservation and were seated quickly. I enjoyed a really delicious cocktail (Rose Clair) from the bar, and we ordered a couple of appetizers and our mains within a few minutes of being seated. I had the soft shell crab with the citrus pesto. It was cooked well, but tasted as though the oil was old. This leant an almost burnt taste to the crab, even though the rice flour dusting the crab was only golden-brown. My wife's summer rolls were well made, and the sauce was excellent- the peanut did not overwhelm the other, more subtle flavors. The real trouble came with our entrees. Again- expectations can be a problem. When I read "Ginger Glazed Ribs" I anticipate something that's truly glazed- and will therefore provide a nice crunchy texture. More truthfully these ribs were served coated in a sticky ginger sauce. This would've been okay- had they only been properly butchered. All of the ribs were served "country style" with the cartilage, and tougher meat still attached at the end, and one of the ribs I received was actually from the union of the ribs and the spare ribs, and was quite a bit tougher than it's compatriots. I understand that this would otherwise be food waste- but I'd rather pay $16 and get great ribs, than $14 for sub-par, poorly butchered ribs. My ribs were served with Jasmine rice that unfortunately hadn't seen so much as a grain of salt, and grilled asparagus that might have been salted, but otherwise wasn't seasoned- no black pepper, no hit of citrus... nothing. My wife's steamed catfish was overcooked to the point of being bouncy and dry. Steaming can be an imprecise technique, but this was well past the point of being just medium to medium-well. It was ruined. The vegetables and sticky rice served with the catfish were better than my sides, but the rice was similarly salt-less. This was more acceptable with the catfish due to the saltiness of the broth in the steamer. Dessert wasn't exactly a disaster (Apricot tamarind "cobbler"- more like a spongecake, Coconut custard in a phyllo cup, mango sorbet) but when my wife said her favorite was the mango sorbet I mentioned that I thought it was too sweet, and tasted store-bought. Sure enough, when the manager came to take the check she asked, and he confirmed that the sorbet was "the one thing on the menu" that they didn't make in house. TL;DR- Disappointed. There are better options for great food, including Southeast Asian. Don't believe the hype. read more

Five stars, all around. Laotian food proves to be delicious, flavorful, and satisfying. I wasn't sure what to expect. I have traveled to Thailand and I have traveled to Vietnam, so I expected something similar. The food, was indeed very similar, slightly influenced by both, with elements of French cooking, and additionally a certain je ne sais quoi, that is exclusive to Laos. The space is quite beautiful and inviting. I especially love that they included local Raleigh culture into their decor. Some of the wood used was salvaged from old barns and churches in North Carolina. We sat in a cozy corner table, and we started with two appetizers: crispy spring rolls (pork) and chicken wings flavored with Lao spicy peanut sauce. Our server cautioned us that there were habañero peppers in the sauce. We were up for the challenge. Oh my goodness, this dish was not for the faint of heart! I loved the flavor, but the heat hit my throat, tongue, and lips like a ton of bricks. Our server sensed our need to put out the fire, so she brought us some coconut soda, which was so incredibly soothing and refreshing, that I soon forgot that something so spicy had graced my palate. Although we couldn't finish the wings, my friend took them home. He is not one to give up on food, and he will tackle the heat at a later time. Additionally, instead of bread, the restaurant provides crispy shrimp chips. They were so satisfying and gently melted on my tongue. We each had a drink called "Corn and Oil". I won't give away all of their secrets, but my friend, who is a bartender by trade, said "This is the best cocktail I've ever tasted." Do yourself a favor and order a few of these. It was certainly the smoothest, most palatable, and refreshing drink I've had in a long time. Bida Manda also has an extensive Vermouth menu, which is pretty unique to any restaurant's bar menu. We each tried a Vermouth (neat) and we were not disappointed. As my entree, I tried the Crispy Pork Belly Soup. Everything about it screamed perfection. The meat was tender and flavorful. The noodles were firm and satiating. The julienned vegetables and seasonings left me happy and fulfilled. I actually found myself smiling throughout my meal. My dining companion had the Caramelized Ginger pork ribs. They were tender, and succulent. He ate every last bite. (I, on the other hand, had some left-overs. I had intended on eating them the next day, but they were so good that I ate them within an hour of getting home!) For dessert we tried the trio: Apricot-tamarind cobbler, coconut custard crisp, and Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée. All three were extremely pleasing to my palate. I think my favorite was the Crème Brûlée There is something extremely satisfying about that initial "crackle" sound when the spoon breaks through the crispy, torched outer shell. The coconut custard crisp was light and delicate, and graced my tongue as gently as a feather landing gingerly on the ground. Additionally, I would be doing the restaurant an injustice, if I didn't add that the service was phenomenal, impeccable, and perfect in every way. Our server was knowledgeable, attentive, and friendly. She had some good recommendations and we felt very well cared for. Van is the owner, and he was very kind to us. To provide a little background, I had made a reservation on a holiday (Martin Luther King Day). Open Table had not been updated to show that the restaurant was closed, so my friend visiting from NYC and I were delighted to have a reservation at Bida Manda. But then we got a call, as we were in the car on the way there, letting us know that they were actually closed. Van was kind enough to take care of our dinner, at a later date, because of the mistake. I am very very grateful. And guess what? I am going to tell every single one of my friends about the wonderful hospitality, the delectable food, and the exquisite service. And I will be supporting this downtown gem again in the near future. I can't wait until my friend from New York comes back to visit again, so she can experience Bida Manda. Thank you so much for your warm hospitality and unique cuisine. Khàwp jai lai lai!!!!!! read more

I love trying new things, and since I had never been to (or even heard of) a Laotian restaurant, I insisted we go to Bida Manda when we were in Raleigh. It ended up being a good choice and we had a very enjoyable meal at a very friendly restaurant. Bida Manda is family owned, and you get that sense right off the bat from the wait staff who are extremely friendly and personable. We had mentioned to the hostess when we walked in that we were from Charlotte and came to town to catch a hockey game, and all the other servers (and even one of the owners) who came out talked to us about that, making us feel right at home. Along with the great service comes good food. Turns out Laotian is very similar to Thai, which makes sense given the geographic location of both places. As a "bread service" they bring out these complimentary pieces of shrimp toast. It's kind of like a rice cake but with a shrimpy taste, and was surprisingly good. For an appetizer we ordered the crispy rice lettuce wrap ($7.90) and absolutely loved it. The rice was cooked perfectly and had a great spice to it. There were six huge "slices" of iceberg lettuce that you could scoop the rice onto and eat as kind of an impromptu taco. It also came with a peanut sauce that added a bit more spice, as well as some peanutty goodness. It was a great, light appetizer and something I would look for at other restaurants. Now I'm a huge duck fan, so for dinner I ordered the duck larb ($15.90.) What I ended up getting was a heaping plate of minced duck meat with a couple of roasted veggies and a basket of sticky rice. It was a lot of meat...in fact, it was too much meat, and that's something I never say. There was some cilantro mixed in with it but it was mostly just a pile of minced duck meat cooked to well. It wasn't as flavorful as I like since I like my duck medium rare, and there was a touch too much spice for me. I usually go with "medium" spice when eating Thai or Indian, but this version of medium was more than I like, and I went through a whole carafe of water on my own. Oh, and unless you want livers and gizzards make sure you say no to the traditional preparation. The missus got the green papaya salad ($12.90) and really enjoyed it. It was like a dry noodle bowl but the noodles were actually fine strands of papaya tossed in sauce. It was quite refreshing and unique, and I really enjoyed the few tastes I managed to steal. Bida Monda is a great dining experience. Solid food and friendly staff makes this a great place to grab dinner, and I highly recommend it if you want to try something a little different when in Raleigh. read more

Both food and service were amazing! Would highly recommend this restaurant! Thank you for being so accommodating to our little ones as well!

Mu girlfriend and I were here a couple of days ago after walking around downtown at night. It was 1.5 hours until closing time, so we slipped in there before it was time to close. We had already eaten 2 hours ago, and weren't very full. I'd say that it was a little harder to impress us because of that. We got the Curry Coconut Chicken Wings, and we asked for them to e made very spicy instead of mild (like they are on the menu). It came out spicy, but not enough, so we told the waiter to notify the kitchen for the next course, the Beef Larb. Yes, we decided to get it with the beef tripe. It felt awesome that the kitchen actually sent our order out with ample chopped red Thai chili peppers. We really appreciated that. The waiter was also great with keeping our meal enjoyable--checking in and being friendly but not being too present. The larb was great. It was tart, savory, spicy, delicious. The sticky rice definitely had a firmer, chewier texture to it, but it was still obviously very well-cooked. It was fragrant and the basket that it was steamed in definitely gave it some real flavor. We didn't mind at all buying another portion of rice to take home with our leftovers...and it was a pleasant surprise when we opened the package and it was a sizable portion of rice. We can't wait to go back and try the duck larb with the chicken livers and gizzards. read more

Wow! After several word-of-mouth recommendations, we finally snagged a table at Bida Manda for dinner last night, and it lived up (and beyond) our expectations! We arrived right as they opened (5pm), and we were able to have the last table for that seating. (That's a hint for make reservations!) There were several seats open at the bar as well. The beer/wine/cocktail list was diverse and interesting. It was nice to see several local beers on draught, which we indulged in (Cottonwood Frostnipper). Our server, Beth, was extremely attentive. For our main entrees, I ordered the Green Papaya Salad with grilled vegetables (vegan friendly) and my fiance ordered the Pad Thai with Chicken. While we waited, we were brought the shrimp chips similar to other guests. My fiance gave them the thumbs up and happily crunched away as we chatted, waiting for our food to arrive. Oh, and it did. I did not know what to expect with the Green Papaya Salad. Beth explained to make either a small ball or small pad out of my sticky rice and then scoop up my grilled vegetables and the papaya salad with my hands. Yes, eat with with your hands (seemingly so inappropriate!) But, I did. The first bite was outstanding. I opted for medium heat for the papaya salad, which was plenty for me. The freshness of the spices used were apparent. The blend of the grilled vegetables with the sweet & spicy salad was so complex and satisfying. My dining partner raved about the Pad Thai with chicken as well. We both happily cleaned our plates, and then enjoyed the post-dinner cleansing juice served (what a treat). Outstanding. We will be back to try more dishes in such a cozy dining experience. It is a must if in downtown Raleigh! read more

Had a fabulous day out in Raleigh with my better half... ended up walking into Bida Manda around 6:30pm for dinner with no reservations on a Saturday night... got fortuitously seated within 15 minutes due to another party being late... AND found out it's Restaurant Week and they're having a 3 course menu for $25/person!!! Holy crap, talk about an amazing day! I've never considered myself a particularly lucky person, but I think fate stepped in here and the stars just perfectly aligned... because I had one of the best meals I've had since I moved to NC. I doubt you could go wrong with anything on this menu, but I'll tell you that I had the crispy pork belly soup and I wanted to die right there because my life could not get any happier. I felt weird ordering a "soup" as a main dish, but rest assured, this decadent bowl of awesome-ness is super rich and super filling. If you like Japanese ramen, I think you'll love this dish. It's very similar but with subtle twists in flavor. I would love to come back here. Would be a great anniversary or special occasion restaurant because it's a little pricey (but totally worth it). Great atmosphere, fabulous ambiance, and top notch service. Fully 5-star satisfied with my visit here. read more

Bida Manda definitely came with some high expectations based on the online reviews. Also, the fact that we could only get a late reservation proves that it's a popular place. We were quickly seated and the service was good to great for the most part. Our server was very knowledgeable with the menu from top to bottom and made great suggestions for us. We wanted a quick appetizer of panang crab cakes along with our drinks. Our server warned us that the crab cakes were on the smaller side and they were, but also definitely tasty with a small amount of pickle carrots/veggie mixture as a garnish. For drinks, the wife went with the standard piña colada, and I went with the bitter goodness of the crom. The drinks were good, but I'm definitely not a piña colada guy. On to the food, everything looked good on the menu, but I was pretty dead set on getting the larb from the get go. I went with the duck and duck parts options. Laos spicy please and yes it was but nothing crazy spicy like I'm going to feel it the next day spicy. Depending, I might do double Laos spicy next time. Anyway, the wife got one of their best sellers, the green papaya salad. She got the one with the trout. I tried a little bit of it and the trout was very well cooked. She really enjoyed her dish and at a medium spicy level. Onto dessert, which was a continuation of great food. The wife got a purple rice with a coconut cream type of dessert. She loved it, but having tasted it, like the piña colada, it's clearly not my jam. My trio of pumpkin creme brûlée, apricot cake and well I'm not sure what the third one was but they were all good. I particularly like the apricot one. All in all a great meal, I'm giving it a 4 star for now but will return at my next convenience and it will very likely be bumped to a 5 star. read more

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We were visiting friends in Clayton NC and they decided we needed to give this restaurant a try. We had reservations, which we were told were hard to get, so we were seated straight away. The hostess was extremely friendly and took the time to answer our many questions and to also make a few drinks and menu recommendations. Drinks were ordered and all were fabulous. We ordered the Crispy Spring Rolls and the Chicken wings for appetizers and both were great. We really liked the side sauces included to both dishes, as they helped to embellish the tastes! For our entrees, I had the Green Papaya Salad, which was not really a salad, but much more. Mine came with slices of perfectly prepared Glazed Duck and it was possibly the best food on the table. My wife went for the Pad Thai, which she said was good but not quite spicy enough. Our friends had the Basil Stir-Fry and the Crispy Pork Belly Soup, both looked yummy, but were gone so fast that I did not get to taste them. We did not have dessert but our friends vowed to try it soon. The stay with our friends was wonderful, the food at this restaurant was great, so our over-all experience was very positive. Great work! read more

This place is not kitschy or trendy for trendy sake. It is really awesome. One of the best restaurants I've been to in a while. The drink menu is truly unique and there's something for everyone. The decor is perfect, just enough light, they do a really job making a huge room feel intimate. The food menu is small, by asian fusion standards, which I think is why the food is so good, they mastered just enough things. Drink: Luchapina - Herbal and refreshing Friendship Daiquiri - like a really good capirinha Scotcha - Great smokiness from the scotch, just sweet enough Food: Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps - The flavors were awesome, but the texture of the rice made it feel like you were eating something more substantial Luang Prabang Lemongrass Sausage - really finely minced meat, melt in your mouth Crispy Pork Belly Soup - So rich, the curry was so mouthwateringly awesome. We couldn't finish it, we brought it home, froze it and ate it 3 days later, it was still awesome Duck Larb - Really interesting dish, perfectly cooked duck Must go here. I know nothing about Laotian food, but the food here pulls from everything awesome from every south asian cuisines. Love it read more

I tried the Laotian Pho and I have to say it's probably the best Pho I've had anywhere. Enjoyed sitting at the bar as I was there by myself, the girls behind the bar were great, excellent service. The décor makes this place even more interesting. I will definitely come back on my next trip to Raleigh! read more

Finally got to check this place out for date night. Had an 8:00 reservation, weren't seated until 8:20. Got drinks (the Alpine '76 was delicious) and ordered the crab cakes pretty immediately upon sitting down. At 8:45, we ordered entrees. Crab cakes came out in a timely manner, and while really good with the panang sauce, they were SO small - silver dollar small. Two of them. Well, glad we had massive dishes coming. Maybe..... At 9:15 we had no entrees yet. We got a lot of "I promise they'll be out soon!" from our pretty attentive server. We tried the ol' someone-use-the-bathroom trick three times. It finally worked and we got our meals. I ordered the pork belly soup, which was a ginormous bowl of perfectly spiced rice noodles and red onion and some ground beef, but verrrrry disappointingly little pork belly, four bites to be exact. It was a very expensive bowl of really good coconut broth. Seriously, don't get me wrong, I LOVED the dish- but won't ever pay $17 for it again. Husband got the ginger pork ribs which he really enjoyed, but the rice was nothing special and the asparagus was very undercooked. All in all, glad we went, food was pretty good, but will we rush back? Probably not. read more

My new favorite. I like new and interesting flavors however this place takes it to another level. Appetizers: To start we ordered every single appetizer on the menu and the most memorable were... EVERYTHING. The wings were over the top with a very unique flavor - there were three flavor options and opted for the Hot Sweet Chili... We'll do the "Loa Spicy" next time. The sausage was incredible and the lettuce wraps with the side sauce, omg. Dinner: In terms of the entrees, we went with close friends and family so we were able to order nearly everything and sample them all. Highlights here were EVERYTHING again however the presentation of their dishes make you even more excited about what's in front of you! The aromas and flavors were not a let down either. We tried their specials, the pho, Larb (beef with tripe) and the fish which is served whole and cannot express in words how delicious all these entrees were. The worst part was getting full :( We cannot wait to go back to try the entrees we didn't get to try this time! The Bar: You're going to want to catch a ride here because of the drinks we had described in one word: "perfect." We started with the "dad's gin & tonic." Do not expect a typical gin & tonic here. More sparkles and flavors, very good... Also tried the "Hemingway 75" very good and very girly. Thank you honey for letting me sample :) For the main course I had the Sazerac. Don't let the innocent red color fool you. This is a potent concoction of Rye whiskey, cognac, peychaud's bitters, sugar, & absinthe that will surely leave you absinthe minded if you let it. Desert: Three to choose from and in good form we ordered all three and shared them all. The highlight was the purple rice. To top everything off, the owner served us too and he helped to ensure a great experience - thank you for making a great evening memorable. These guys have obviously put their heart into this place and it shows. read more

Very good food and great service! I tried the crispy pork noodle soup the chicken wings and the chicken curry with jasmine rice. All delicious. Not a fan of the coffee shot at the end. Too sweet for my taste but my husband liked it. read more

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My husband and I have been wanting try this place since we moved here in November. We looked for reservations on Opentable a week in advance and could still only get one for 5:15 or 9:00. This was a good sign. When we opened the doors we were greeted with two large curtains (I thought that was pretty neat!) then by three lovely and friendly hosts/hostesses. They took us to our table which was adjacent to the bar; an area I generally prefer. The walls were beautifully lined with bamboo, which was accented with gorgeous paintings. The lights were dim creating a warm and even romantic ambiance. The entire restaurant was very neat and clean. The bar was well put together; not to mention it was PACKED! All of the waiters and waitresses encountered were friendly, professional, and helpful. We saw the owner walking around picking up plates, delivering food, and making sure everyone was happy. Our waiter, Bad, was on point. He was not the hovering type he just seemed to be there when we wanted him to be (I love this in a waiter/waitress). When our drinks were empty we never had to wait for him to come around. The food: Seriously out of this world. To start, they bring out things called shrimp chips (I think) that were airy and just had a wonderful flavor! We ordered the lettuce wraps for appetizer and...wow. They were amazing! They put a few Thai peppers on top and Brad was nice enough to warn us because woo were they hot. For drinks my husband had the pear old fashion and I had the Mexican firing squad both were wonderful. For our entrees I had the Pork Belly soup and my husband had the Pad Thai. I cannot say enough about the tantalizing scents that were in both dishes. The pork belly soup is one of the dishes that people raved about so I was nervous that it may not hold up to the pedestal it had been put on; my worries were quickly dismissed after my first bite. My mouth is watering as I am writing this just thinking about the flavors. The portion was so big that I did bring half home and will behaving it for lunch today! The Pad Thai also had wonderful flavors and was perfectly prepared. I will say it was the best either of us have ever had. The portion was also very large so we will have that for lunch as week. Now to the dessert...we were not going to order any but when Brad told us what they were we just had to. It was a trio of Pumpkin Spice Creme Brûlée, Apple pie, and Coconut Tart Custard. We split it (what a good ida) and enjoyed every tastebud exploding piece! We will definitely return as there are so many more options for us to try. Looking forward to our next visit! Thank you for a great experience! read more

We had the chicken wings, Laotion HOTTT.. and man were they hott... and we loved them.. also had the Pork Belly Soup which was delicious, i recommend maybe chopping up the cilantro.. but that might be a preference type of thing... We then had the Beef Larb and it was so delicious! Very juicy and the flavors in that dish were def there! Next I tried the Papaya Salad with Duck... another amazing dish. Duck was cooked to perfection... and the Papaya salad was very good as well. I was not a fan of the Thai Tea Toddy... and had to send it back... but ended up getting the Rob Roy which was pretty good... Service was a definite 5 stars.. as busy as they were... our waitress knew the entire menu and explained everything thoroughly... she was great! Keep up the great work Bida Manda.. looking forward coming back! read more

I went to Bida Manda with a couple girl friends last night, all of us for the first time. I'd spent a lot of time reviewing the menu (and Yelp recommendations!) before going because I'd never eaten Laotian food before and wasn't sure what to expect. Everyone really enjoyed their food. I got the beef basil stir fry, which was spicy but not overly so. The veggies were fresh and the flavors were solid. One of my friends got the veggie crepe, which she said was very good, and the other got the ginormous bowl of pork belly soup. She said it was wonderful. We all shared the complimentary shrimp chips they bring out prior to the meal, and those were good as well. Overall I enjoyed it, but I wasn't wow'ed by any stretch. They've switched over to their winter cocktail list as of yesterday, so a lot of the drinks you'll read about earlier than my review are no longer on the menu. We all went for wine because the cocktails were all pretty dark liquor heavy (lots of bourbon drinks), which was a bit more than we wanted to go with our dinner. The reason I gave the restaurant three stars, mainly, is because of the slow service. We all arrived separately and it took 5-10 minutes per person to get the glass of wine we each ordered. The food came out in a reasonable amount of time, but when it came time to get the check we sat. And sat. And sat. And then the checks came and we paid. And then we sat (and sat. and sat.) before getting our cards back. It just seemed to drag. I'll definitely go back if one of my friends is so inclined, but this isn't somewhere I'm dying to return to by any means. The food was good, but I just wasn't overly impressed by the whole experience. That said, you should definitely check it out for yourself. read more

We have enjoyed Laotian food before and were very excited, by the reviews and recommendations, to eat at Bida Manda. My rating is broken into two parts: food and experience. Experience: 4.5 stars! The atmosphere is very nice. We went on a freezing cold night, and they have a nice heavy drape in front of the door to prevent too much draft from entering the restaurant. In addition, when leaving the host opened the drape and held the door open for us. We were greeted instantly and with nothing but smiles and politeness. Our server was also very prompt and very knowledgable. She was able to give recommendations to us and tried her best to explain the flavors, and knew almost all of the ingredients which were in each dish we inquired about. There is no lack of training for the staff! Food: 2 stars. The food is said to be a fusion style, but the flavors were just lacking. My wife and I ordered two dishes (vegetarian, and no we did not get meat dishes in a vegetarian style) and neither had much flavor or substance to them. When accounting for the price of each dish, we were even more disappointed. The drinks were superb though. The table ordered 3 different drinks and each was delicious and did not lack the proper amount of alcohol. In addition, the dessert we ordered was amazing (we got the sampler). While the experience is great, the price and lack of flavor for the main meal will prevent us from returning. read more

This is quite possibly one of my new favorite restaurants in the Triangle. I went last night to celebrate my upcoming birthday with my boyfriend and it was spectacular. The ambiance was classy without being pretentious. The natural wood walls gave it a rustic feel and as my boyfriend said "the lighting is just perfect". We were welcomed by a very friendly hostess who made an effort to make conversation rather than just sit us at the table. Our waitress was great, very quick, and extremely knowledgeable about the menu. Anytime we ordered drinks (must try the moss mule I think is the name?), they came very quickly from the bartender, who made sure to ask each time if there was anything else he could get us at all. The timing of the courses was impeccable as well. I ate the Saffron crepe with bacon & shrimp. It has been some time since I was honestly taken a back by how delicious my dinner was. Even after I cleaned the plate, I was still oogled by the heavenly combination. YOU HAVE TO GET THIS MEAL! P.S. We mentioned we were celebrating my birthday and they gave us a free trio plate with Apricot-tamarind cobbler, coconut cream, and iced coffee creme brulee, which was blissful and the perfect size for two to share. The apricot-tamarind cobbler was more like a bread pudding with a thick apricot syrup - to.die.for. read more

I had my first Bida Manda experience recently, and found the food to be quite good. I ordered the pad Thai with shrimp, and enjoyed it a lot. The spice level was low, but they do offer spices you can add to increase the heat if you are so inclined. I skipped dessert, but did try their Laotian coffee, and I really liked it. The coffee was sweetened, so it was almost like having dessert. It is an iced-coffee. Not sure if they offer it hot. I really liked the décor of Bida Manda, (kind of like walking into a nicely decorated hut!) Our server was super sweet and efficient. This was my first visit to Bida Manda, but I would like to go back again and try some of their appetizers and other entrees. read more

I love when I get a dreamy dining experience. It doesn't happen everyday, so when a restaurant is firing on all cylinders, it's a real banner day. Thanks to Bida Manda, I had one of them, and got my first taste of Laotian cuisine. Although we figured this place would be popular, we foolishly strolled in on a Friday evening without a reservation...no tables til after 9pm and a private party in the bar til 7. The gals up front were very friendly, and since we were motivated to eat there, they offered to call us to remind us when the party in the bar would be over. We returned, and since a cancellation had occurred, the hostesses got us seated right away. Hip interior? Check (note: the owners constructed the branch wall coverings themselves) Friendly, helpful, bubbly service? Check. Tasty shrimp-rice chips to nibble on while we waited? check. We started out with the pork stuffed chili, which was a delight. A bit smaller than our appetites were hoping for, but we had some pretty amazing entrees follow our starter. I had the *perfectly* cooked duck breast with papaya salad. Even though duck shouldn't be well done, I needed it to be cooked through. Duck can easily come out tough as nails if overcooked, but my serving was beautifully seared, no pink, and seriously moist. I liked the papaya salad, although I generally prefer a thicker cut on the papaya for texture. This was grated, and not as crunchy as I have had elsewhere. But the medium heat level was perfect. And if it's too over the top for you, they'll offer to bring you a glass of milk to tone it down. My husband had the ribs, which were slow cooked, and the perfect blend of savory & sweet. I would have had food envy, but my dinner was pretty awesome itself. We ended the meal with a truly beautiful dessert (visually and flavor-wise). It was a group of tiny treats that included a perfectly executed french macaron (pumpkin, if memory serves), and a delicate little coconut cheesecake. This place is definitely worth checking out. If you've never had Laotian food, fear not, you'll recognize the flavors and themes if you've eaten Thai, Malaysian and/or Vietnamese....but you may find them reinterpreted through a different lens. You won't be sorry. read more

What kind of Yelper would I be if I didn't share my kickass experience at Bida Manda? A pretty lame one, methinks. Scene: Saturday night, 8pm rezzie, and this place was PACKED to the gills. And I now know why: imagine that sweet spot between Vietnamese and Thai cuisine? That is Laotian flavor. It's like my dream come true. The staff here are so sweet - and so helpful. We were asked by multiple servers if we'd had Laotian food before, and treated to explanations of flavor and ingredients that were as on-point as they were thoughtful. There were three of us, and we started with the crispy spring rolls (ground pork). First of all, I LOVE that this is such a shareable app. Often with spring rolls it's one or two smallish spring rolls and it's difficult to share. This came with three long spring rolls, each split in half, so we were each able to enjoy one. We also chose an entree to split as an app - the caramelized ginger pork ribs. There were three generous-sized, sticky-sweet ribs atop a bed of sticky rice. It was a great choice for a starter. For entrees, we had the pumpkin curry, pho, and the beef larb (not with tripe, however). Each entree was a major win. My personal favorite was the pumpkin curry. I couldn't get enough. It was so hearty for a vegetarian dish. The chunks of pumpkin and root vegetables were so tender, like they had been slow cooking in this amazing curry all day. It was wonderful. The flavors were just spectacular! (Is it obvious I love this place or what?) For cocktails, we went with the amaretto sour (with egg whites) and the Rosey Smash (bourbon and rosemary based), and my husband had Bison Organic Honey Basil Beer, which he LOVED. Everything about this place makes my heart (and tummy) sing. Be warned, it's loud (the acoustics are tough) so it's not the place to go for an intimate first date... and - actually, maybe you shouldn't go at all. The more people who know about this gem, the harder it will be for me to get a reservation.... ; ) read more

This restaurant is arguably not truly Laotian... Really Thai with one or two Laotian dishes. However, the food was great. I love love love shrimp chips, but they need to serve them with Thai chili sauce!! For appetizer, we had the spring rolls. Your typical spring rolls but served with a peanut-y sauce. It would be good if they also gave you Thai chili sauce. Just saying! For main course, we had the salmon and the chicken curry. The curry was great and ever better the next day. Lots of chicken!! And the salmon was to die for. Perfectly cooked in an amazing Thai chili sauce. Hands down the best Thai chili sauce I've ever had. Worth trying out! And worth going back to more than once! read more

In my constant quest for excellent food, I continue to be amazed at the creativity and passion of chefs and owners everywhere to keep raising the bar ever higher. This place is a gem! I went in for a quick meal so did not try an array of dishes or drinks, just the pork belly soup. I wont add a pic of it or describe it in detail as its already been done here, but I will say it was so good that I could eat it daily! It actually tasted like khao soi (Burmese dish) that I have enjoyed, so maybe that's what it really was. Based on my sniff test (which I rely on a lot) I can expect most things on their menu to be at par with the soup (which by all mean was a meal). This along with other things on the menu can easily be explained by the influence of Laos' neighbors on its food (Vietnamese, Burmese, and Thai). The menu pulls from a lot of these countries/cultures and truly makes this place a foodie heaven if you love asian food. I will return over and over again when I am in the area. read more

Ate here last week with my fiancee, and we really enjoyed it. Really cool space, the service was great, and the food was quite tasty. The highlights were the lettuce wraps (delicious!) and the crispy pork belly soup. However, the beef pho left much to be desired -- both the beef (just tasted like boiled meat) and the broth severely lacked flavor. But, I guess that's what you get for ordering a Vietnamese dish at a Laotian restaurant -- bottom line: if it's authentic pho you want, you're better off going to Pho Far East on Capital Blvd. (the best in town if you ask me, and much cheaper too!), or even David's Dumpling & Noodle Bar. Also, while I enjoyed the crispy pork belly soup, I feel the cuts of pork could have had a better meat to fat ratio (it was basically pure fat). While this didn't bother me too much, I could see others being really put off by this if they're not used to eating really fatty pieces of meat. One last gripe is that the ginger julep tasted like pure bourbon -- no ginger to be found, and only a touch of mint. Not bad if you're looking for a good buzz, but not worth the $8 in my opinion. We'll definitely be back -- if only for those delectable lettuce wraps, and to try out the ribs and larb. read more

Such a good place the food is amazing great bartenders and staff! I love trying new places and it be so goo

Ate here for the first time for 2014 restaurant week and my overall opinion is that it definitely lives up to its high ratings! I have a feeling it's best to make reservations if you want to eat here, as it was incredibly busy on a Monday night. The restaurant has an intimate feel, good for dates and small get-togethers. The service we had was great as well, very kind and friendly waitress and quick on the refills! We started our meal off with the roasted anaheim pepper, definitely has some spicy kick but paired with the sausage stuffing, it was fantastic! I ordered the crispy pork belly soup, along with another member of my party, and it was just heavenly to the taste buds upon first sip! Broth is packed with rich flavor and comes out at just the perfect temperature. I'm a huge fan of coconut, so the broth was right up my alley. The pork belly lives up to its name and is indeed cooked to a perfect crisp. The portion was large and I was very full and satisfied by the end of my meal! Would definitely order this dish over and over again. For dessert we had a coconut custard and it was delicious! The taste was similar to that of flan, but had a lighter and softer consistency/texture. Would love to visit again! read more

With Bida Manda rated as the #1 restaurant in Raleigh on Yelp, I can personally add that this place is amazing. Due to the popularity, the restaurant is often quite busy, so a reservation or a patient party is recommended. The decor is industrial, yet comfortable. The seating is mostly intimate, mostly for parties of two or four. The menu is minimal and hasn't changed much, which I wish it did. It was easy to read despite the dim lighting in the restaurant. The service is always great at the restaurant. I do notice that they don't quickly seat guests at tables as soon as they're empty though, even if there are people waiting. Maybe this is to prevent overwhelming the servers. Servers always bring out glasses of water as soon as they come to greet you. For dinner, guests are given complimentary baskets of shrimp chips, which are so good. I have only tried a few dishes at Bida Manda. Fresh Shrimp Summer Rolls - It comes with three rolls cut in half. It is very similar to Vietnamese summer rolls. Green Papaya Salad - The salad came with sticky rice inside a bamboo basket. The dish was delicious and very flavorful. The duck was very tender. Crispy Pork Belly Soup - The curry in the was so creamy and rich. The pork belly was too crispy for my taste, it was often hard to bite into. I prefer my pork belly softer. Overall, they were both enjoyable dishes. Pad Thai - The portion is generous. The dish is different than the typical Thai dish. I can't even explain it, you'll just have to try it. After a finished meal, my party was either treated with a trio plate for dessert if we were celebrating a birthday and/or palate cleansing shots. Previously it was lemon-pineapple juice, but recently it has been Lao iced coffee. This coffee honestly changed my life. It was denser than regular American coffee, but still sweet and sweet, which is exactly how I like my coffee but can never seem to get it right myself. I contacted the owner and she gave me the name of the brand they use and a simple recipe on how to make it. I now enjoy a cup of that iced coffee every morning. I also appreciate that the servers take our leftovers to the kitchen and package it into clear plastic containers inside a secured brown paper bag, stamped with their design. The whole experience was amazing; the atmosphere, service, and food were exceptionally enjoyable. I really appreciate the attention to detail and the dedication to their customers that goes into the whole restaurant. I would love it if the menu would change to include some new dishes to try. I will definitely keep coming back. read more

Bida Manda - Crispy Rice Lettuce Wrap - Laotian Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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I've been putting this place off for quite some time now cause my boyfriend noticed their pho was way over $10 (authentic pho is olny around $8 bucks). I'm always a little skeptical about fusion places that serve pho, cause its very hard to get right. But one lunch afternoon we really only had this place as an option since the creole place we wanted to go to was closed. That being said, I'm really glad we got to try this place out. I had the crispy pork belly noodle soup and my boyfriend had the chicken curry. It was def very interesting. It was a very well crafted fusion dish. Pho noodles with curry soup topped with crispy pork belly. The taste was a perfect blend of Thai curry, Vietnamese, and Korean bbq all in one. At first I was a little disappointed that I only got three little pieces of pork belly in the soup. But it was so rich in fat and crispy, by the time I finished with the last piece, I realized three pieces was enough. I def recommend this dish to any soup lovers out there. Very hearty and hits the spot. The chicken curry was also very well made. Usually Thai curry dishes are a little too sweet for my taste but this chicken curry was seasoned just right. The chicken was also tender, not dry. The rice served is good old plain jasmine rice. I appreciate the free shots of Thai coffee offered at the end of our meal, great palate cleanser. I also want to mention how cute their plates, silver ware, and coffee cups were. I would def come back here again. I honestly didn't expect the food to be all that great but it def surprised me. Packed full of flavors, well rounded, and cohesive dishes. Great fusion place. read more

This place is special. The only way I can put it. I was visiting with a group of ladies and we all left feeling full, buzzed and sad that we would have to travel back to Raleigh if we wanted to feel the same way again. Everything from beginning to end was a considered experience. From the first introduction of our server (Hi Harry!) to the digestifs I never wanted it to end. The place felt sexy, warm, smart and again, special. I wanted to swim in the cocktail I got. I plan on making a huge (non-alcoholic version) pitcher of if now that I'm home because it was that good. I don't see it on their website so I don't have the exact name but it was gin, cucumber, black pepper (maybe lime?!) it was so good! The table got appetizers as well (my favorite being the lettuce wraps) and we each got an entree. We had WAY too much food. I split with my friend the chicken curry and the pho. While the pho was well flavored I was smitten with the curry. Spicy, warm, soupy, powerful - I could bathe in it. I will say while two people at our table ordered the filet papaya salad only one was cooked to the correct temp. That was the ONLY thing that wasn't 100%. Takeaway: get the curry, get a drink (for god sakes!) and wear loose clothing - the value/quality/quantity can get gut busting. :) See you again - and in my dreams - Bida Manda read more

Best restaurant in Raleigh and we're very privileged to have it. Lao restaurants are rare and most are on the west coast. A friend if mine in DC recently told me that they just got their first also restaurant so we've beaten a lot of much larger cities with this one. Now, I've never been to Laos so I can't make a comment on the food's authenticity but I can say it's absolutely delicious. The food on the menu is similar to this food in many ways. They offer curries, larb and papaya salad, for example. However, they also offer dishes I've never seen before (Lao sausage, the oft mentioned pork belly soup) and I feel like the spices are slightly different than this spices (both the larb and the papaya salad are spicier and better than what I've had at most thai restaurants). The papaya salad with dill trout is my go to dish. The combination of dill plus spicy pepper is unexpected and amazingly complex. The beef larb is amazing too. despite the upscale atmosphere, Bida Manda is actually a really good value. Yeah it's more expensive for dinner than standard take out thai but the portions are large and the quality is top notch. For lunch, this place is a steal. They have almost all of the same items for lunch as they do dinner just in slightly smaller portions and most of the lunch entrees are under 10 dollars! Since this place is so great, you do typically have to make reservations for dinner, even on week nights. Make them in advance too or you'll be eating at 10 o clock at night! If you do wind up having to take an off peak hour dinner reservation though, I can assure you the food is worth the wait! read more