As tempted as I am to make as many "pho" puns as I can in one review, I will refrain. Ruefully, but probably for the best.
Dandelion delivers fantastic food, good service and a pretty good ambience in a location not known for fine dining. There were seven of us for dinner at the 8pm sitting, and we all walked out agreeing that we'd happily go back.
We shared rice paper rolls of various types for entree; all delicious, all well-presented, all delivered in good time. The reason I mention time is that the staff were a little slow in taking both food and drink orders; 20+ minutes of sitting with water only isn't exactly ideal.
Main course, we each went our own way. For me, pho with spanner crab. Wow. Light, yet complex, a balance of tomato and crab, a hint of citrus and spice, noodles and tofu rounding out the dish. Paired with a '10 Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, it was superb. L loved her pork, my sister her chicken pho, and the others their selections from the grill.
One concern regarding the food: When you insist on having two sittings, it's poor form to say something isn't available because you've run out. You know there are tables booked in for that seating, anticipate that they want the full menu available to them.
The atmosphere was clean, but hard edges and plain walls meant that sound bounced; overall, "loud", but not deafening. OK for conversation, but louder than desirable.
Overall: Highly recommended. Asian cuisine with subtle yet complex, brilliant flavours in a well-presented package. read more