I have spent a few minutes clicking back and forth between 2* and 3*, but I feel that 2* is more appropriate.
What I ordered: Beef Steak Pho.
Added Meatballs
Water to drink
I used all of the bean sprouts, thai basil, jalapeno, and lime that were provided alongside of the pho. I also added sriracha. I unfortunately do not have any photos to provide, as I left my phone at the office.
Pros (for me): It is almost within walking distance from my office, making it the closest and most convenient location for me to satisfy my Vietnamese food cravings.
Pros (for others):
-The menu is very well planned and designed. Everything is organized neatly, and all of the options are explained perfectly.
-The interior itself is quite visually appealing compared to almost every other Vietnamese place that I know of. There is a wall of fantastic scenery paintings, and the wood all around the dining area just felt warm.
-The cashier/server was pleasant and welcoming, as well as the man standing off to the side (I'm assuming owner or manager) watching over the staff.
The Cons:
-The food lacked a depth of flavor that you would typically expect from a signature Vietnamese dish. It had so much black pepper that I actually couldn't finish the last small bit of noodles at the bottom of the bowl after drinking the broth. It was just a large black pepper clump in the bowl. There was slightly too much onion, and not quite enough anise. Anise helps with that really distinct Pho flavor, and this bowl fell short.
-They went a bit light on the Thai Basil. I only received 4 small basil leaves with the dish of add-ons. (I did NOT, however, attempt to ask for more. That may be an option, but I am unable to confirm it.)
-The portion size was respectable, and honestly it was probably a proper portion size, but it was small compared to all of the other places around.
-The music was... uncomfortable to say the least. It was quite loud considering there were only myself, and two other girls dining inside. Conversation volume was incredibly low, yet the music was still blasting. It made me want to rush my meal just so I could have some peace of mind, rather than making me want to relax and enjoy the food that I was consuming.
-The price point was impossible to justify. The bowl I ordered was $10.99 + $2.25 + Tax for a total of $14.29. Compare this to one of the more popular Pho/Ramen/Noodle spots downtown, and this place is charging nearly $2.00 more for less protein. Pho Pho Pho charges $12.00 for a bowl containing Rare Beef, Meatballs, Shank, and Tripe, AND the portion is larger. Pho Sure is charging essentially the same price point, but with much less to offer. If the bowl blew me away with flavor, and gave me a really definite reason to crave it over Pho Pho Pho, or the even less expensive Pho Super9, I would be more than happy to pay at the current price point. It does not deliver like that, though.
In conclusion:
I have not written this place off yet, and I still recommend anyone to give this place a try. They are brand new, and they should be given a fair opportunity to learn and evolve. The space they are occupying is a competitive spot. There are a lot of working professionals in the area who love to gather at the eateries nearby. I HIGHLY recommend that they re-evaluate their price points in order to remain competitive.
I removed 1* for the lack of overall flavor in the dish, and the excessive amount of black pepper left in the bowl. I feel that as your restaurants signature dish, this needs to be nailed to perfection, and it was not.
I removed 1* for the unreasonable price point.
I removed 1* for the general discomfort and negative experience that the music created.
I will definitely return here at least one more time to try out other options, and will update my review as I do so. read more