Cuisine: 8
Service: 7
Decor: 6
Value: 3
Overall: 7
Not sure there is a restaurant in NYC that will make you feel like you have been transported to Vietnam more than Mam. From the small plates to the cramped space, to the plastic stools, it all feels very authentic. Only issue would be the high prices, which is clearly opposite of what you would expect of street food in Vietnam.
On a rainy Saturday, three of us got here at 11:55am. There was only one person ahead of us, but the line grew quickly after us and had about a dozen people by the time they opened at 12:00pm. They situated the guests with reservations first, then seated walk-ins like us promptly as well.
We were here to eat, so we ordered all eight appetizers and one entree, along with three drinks. Everything was quite good, but I would not pay these high prices again for most of the dishes. The value is certainly not there for what we got. Most appetizers were $15-18 for tiny portions. The only appetizers I would definitely get again would be the Oc Burou Nhoi Thit (stuffed snails) for $18 and Tom Chien (fried softshell prawns) for $15. Both were delicious and felt more worthy of their price tags.
My least favorite appetizer was the Trung Cut Lon Xao Mam Me (quail egg balut) for $10. It tasted pretty much like an overcooked hard boiled quail egg. The Chan Ga Ngam Sa Quat (boneless chicken feet) were marinated well, but the dipping sauce feels weird to me. Also $15 for a few chicken feet? Wow!
Everything else was good, but not must order items. That included Sun Ga Chien Mam Toi (garlic fried chicken cartilage), Goi Ngheu (raw surf clam salad), Mem Chay (fried veggie roll), and Ca Tim Chien (fried eggplant). All between $14-16, which makes them less desirable than if they were slightly lower.
With that said, the entree we shared, Bun Dau Dac Biet (large plate of meats, tofu, veggies, noodles for dipping in shrimp sauce), was excellent and somewhat reasonably priced. Everything on the platter was delectable, especially the sticky rice sausage, pork belly, and grilled intestines. The shrimp sauce is savory and pungent in a good way. We asked for seconds.
Lastly, the three drinks we ordered were all yummy, with my favorite being the Ca Phe Dua (Coconut Vietnamese iced coffee). The Ca Phe Sua Da (Vietnamese iced coffee) and Nuoc Sam (herbal drink) were both decent too.
Anyway, my take away from dining here is that come with a small group to share, but know that you are paying for Vietnamese street food inside a NYVC restaurant where they pay rent. Therefore, don't come expecting great street food at rock bottom prices and you'll have an ejoyable time. read more