I came with a group of friends on a recent Saturday and was rudely turned away. We arrived at 12 minutes past 2, and a waiter started to seat us when the manager came up behind and shook his head furiously, barking that the kitchen was closed. According to their website, it closes at 2:30pm. We got the message that they weren't going to seat us, but the manager insisted longer than necessary, showering us with negative energy. The kind waiter apologized and said he hoped he would see us again, and if it weren't for his apology I probably wouldn't have come back here.
I still wanted to try the place. Walking past, the odors are tantalizing, and the decor is fun: lots of colored lanterns, dark painted walls, and a bar at the back designed to look like a red and blue train car.
When I came back recently for dinner, the kind waiter wasn't working, but the manager was. His manner was significantly nicer (we arrived at the start of the dinner service), and he made small gestures to welcome us, telling us which table was best located, opening a side door to let in some air, making sure our meal was satisfactory at every course.
They really were only about the bo bun that night. They were out of most everything: pho, some nem appetizers, anything with shrimp, the gelatin dessert. That was slightly disappointing, but made my choice easy.
We split a pork and mushroom ban cuon to start (pleasantly warm and absolutely delicious with the sauce poured on top, but difficult to maneuver with chopsticks), and then I had the bo bun with grilled lemongrass pork. The bowl was filled to the brim with two skewers of perfectly-grilled and aromatic pork, but there were few vegetables (a small fistful of shredded carrots, a few julienned cucumbers, and a pinch of cilantro and spring onion). I was also surprised to find that there were no nems (fried spring rolls) included. I had figured there would be, because the menu listed the prices for extra nems and I very consciously did not order extra, thinking that the nems already included in the bowl would be enough. Perhaps I read that wrong.
My partner enjoyed his beef bo bun, and after the full bowl and a beer each, we were too full for dessert.
We might try this place again sometime. The ambiance is nice when you arrive on time, and the prices are reasonable (between 11 and 13 euros for a main dish and 6.50 for an appetizer). Plus, with its location on the street corner next to motorcycle parking, stools for chairs, and tables propped up on plastic crates, you do feel like you're in Vietnam. read more