After a very intense month, I found myself craving a little nostalgia and decided to revisit this restaurant near the university where I used to live while in school. It's a bit out of the way for me now, but I'm so glad I made the trip.
I was honestly surprised by how much the entire area has changed--there's been so much development and so many new restaurants. I also noticed a sign saying this restaurant was under new management, which made me curious.
I'm happy to report it was a wonderful experience.
I was greeted and seated promptly. During my visit, the staff shared that although the restaurant is under new management, it is still family-owned. It has transitioned from the parents, to the brother, and now to the daughter, who is the newest manager. I really appreciated hearing that because it feels like the heart of the restaurant is still very much intact.
The restaurant itself has been beautifully updated. The decor feels refreshed, with lovely wall art, tasteful decorations, music playing in the background, and everything was extremely clean.
Originally, I came in planning to order pho, but after chatting with my server, she recommended the salmon since I mentioned I liked salmon. I'm so glad I listened.
The salmon came with a choice of garlic noodles or fried rice (I chose the garlic noodles), and because of their current promotion, it also included a free drink and egg roll for dine-in guests during daytime hours.
I also ordered the spring rolls.
Everything I ordered was incredibly fresh. The spring rolls were soft, delicate, and clearly freshly made, filled with shrimp, pork, and crisp greens. The peanut sauce was amazing--much better than I remembered. I could taste peanuts, but also what seemed like roasted garlic or shallots, which added so much flavor.
The salmon was excellent: crispy and beautifully seared on the outside, flaky and tender on the inside, and served in a very generous portion. The garlic noodles were flavorful, well-seasoned, and paired perfectly with the salmon without feeling too heavy. Even the fresh salad on the side helped balance everything out.
Presentation was also lovely. Everything came out beautifully plated, with clean modern dishware and brand-new silverware that elevated the experience.
As an extra touch, they even gave me a sample of their beef broth, and one sip instantly brought back memories of when I used to come here. Rich, comforting, and deeply flavorful.
For everything--the salmon plate (including noodles, salad, drink, and egg roll) plus the spring rolls--my total came out to about $30.
Honestly, it's hard to find this level of freshness, quality, portion size, and service at such reasonable prices these days.
I genuinely hope more people give this place a try, especially with the new management. It feels like they're honoring what made this restaurant special while thoughtfully improving the experience.
I'll definitely be back. read more