Three stars for a decent Vietnamese food focused restaurant. (I think it's more fusion though)
If you like trendy, fusion Vietnamese that is more, in a bohemian-trendy decor that doesn't feel Vietnamese at all, this is your home. It has potential to be upgraded to 4 stars. It's about 3.5 now... If they can make the taste a bit more "Vietnamese".
The food is ok. Ordered a mix of items. The Vietnamese spring roll is ok (you get one roll cut in half). Papaya salad is small and ok too (but my favorite papaya salad is at Keo Inn which is two streets away from here). Of course I tried the ultimate staple of any Vietnamese restaurant: the Pho. With beef of course. Now of course I'm not going to rate this as I would for a really authentic place because they already tell you it's made with bouillon. First, the temperature was warm. It wasn't hot piping like a true Asian would want this - so this is not really authentic and served to "local" tastes. For any Asian, this is a no go!!!However I do give them props for using a better cut of beef than every other "Vietnamese" restaurant in Zurich and for offering a decent "side" for the noodles (small amount of bean sprouts, chilis, lime and green veggies). This is an upgrade despite the fact they only give you like 3-4 small slices for almost 20 francs. What do you expect, it's Zurich priced - but very cheap on ingredients. The Pho is ok. Nothing to write home about. Things are kinda bland. The spring rolls w vermicelli my friend liked but also nothing to write home about. Things here are prob watered down for local taste? Desert was also nothing to write home about.
They have no drinks menu but they serve plenty of beer and some tea. I had the ginger tea (which they put 100% ginger root) which kicked but was good for my stomach. But no sign of a true Vietnamese coffee, but again, it's a fusion and not authentic place.
It has a quasi fusion look to it. With the name alone, you are kinda figuring out what kind of restaurant this is until you look at the menu. The decor doesn't leave room for interpretation. It's kinda cool. But maybe what I'd expect for a fusion tea shop. Something out of bohemia meets posh San Francisco shop. And if you don't know Vietnamese food, even after looking at the menu you may still not even know what type of food this is.
Overall report card of stars:
One star off for atmosphere, if you are the type to look for authentic feel - it certainly lacks in that in decor and service (it's not bad service though, actually my server was quite nice). It's not family owned (I think it's run by a few locals and no sign of Vietnamese ppl working here), my four stars and most prized Vietnamese place is still the family operated "Restaurant Vietnam" near Binz in Zurich.
One more star off for taste... Could use more of the Vietnamese taste... I wonder just like the decor, it's probably curtailed to local taste. So maybe it's a semi- Vietnamese fusion place instead is how you should look at it. read more