I've only been once and try not to review before visiting a few times. This review is an exception. I had read the reviews and heard from a variety of people that it was now open and sooo good. As a Vietnamese food lover, I'd been waiting impatiently for another addition to the (two) restaurants currently in town, and I love that they'd opted to open in a newly-vacant space. Was there on a Saturday evening with an air of frustration among guests and panic as the one lovely and well-known server was doing everything out front and could not keep up. Many people waiting without drinks or food. Normally I'd leave but I had nothing else to do and was not overly hungry, and my curiosity got the best of me. The place looked like it needed a little more work to be considered fully decorated and set up looked hastily done. That would not be a deterrent - some of the best food happens when decoration is not a priority.
Eventually we got a table - a high-top next to a curtain that hid what used to be an open kitchen used by the previous occupant. From there we could see everything in the dining room. Someone was called in to assist, and she brought friends and sat down; Maybe promised a free meal if she'd fill in in an emergency.
We could also hear everything, unfortunately. Whoever was preparing food was loudly coughing, blowing their nose, hacking, sneezing, spitting and...well, it was disgusting. We heard it all through the curtain and were grateful we could not see. We almost ran out after ordering but I couldn't do that to a fledgling place. I think the pressure to open and get things running and get money coming in means, in late winter restaurant staff are working when they shouldn't be.
Our food was okay. Not spectacular. Not hot. Vietnamese pancake that should have been stuffed with much more veggies/filling, a salad and chicken pho that tasted more like "chicken noodle soup" and lacking the usual accoutrements (sprouts, basil, etc.) that come with pho. We could not really enjoy the meal. I'm shocked we're not sick after that experience. Just beware. I'm sure sick restaurant staff happens everywhere but the curtain arrangement made it impossible to hide. read more