Pho Vi Hoa
It’s almost certain that outside the big Vietnamese communities any Vietnamese restaurant you see in America has the word pho in it. People must eventually have the impression that Vietnamese eat nothing but rice noodle soup. Of course, Japanese eat nothing but sushi and Americans have only hamburgers.
Mudpie found this place earlier in Los Altos, about 10-15 minutes car ride from SLAC. We strayed from the usual pho and ordered a gargantuan set of appetizers and main courses. Starting off was the familiar goi cuon, a salad wrap with some lettuce or garden herbs, some halved shrimps (mainly for decoration), a razor blade thin slice of boiled pork, some fresh bean sprout, and a little bundle of rice vermicelli. I took a bite by itself, and the meat couldn’t quite buff the plain veggie up, so a dip into the peanut sauce nearby was essential. It was a very light appetizer, and no matter how slowly you go you’re gonna finish the roll in at most 3 minutes. I don’t know what kind of sauce they serve with in Vietnam, but the peanut sauce here is just really good.
Next came the supposedly called cha gio (stated “in rice paper” on the menu). As I had lived in Vietnam for 17 years I believe I’m qualified to judge whether a roll of cha gio is actually made of rice paper (banh trang) or the fooling wheat sheet that makes the Vietnamese cha gio synonymous with the Chinese egg roll. So here goes: “rice paper” my foot. It’s not any more rice paper than the average mediocre egg roll you find at any Chinese buffet. Can you ever find a real cha gio in America anymore? I’d give them some credit for trying: the wrapper is indeed thin. But rice paper is translucent, this is as opaque as Venus’ atmosphere. Good egg roll, but honestly, I feel cheated.
Pictured above is goi ngo sen tom thit (lotus stem salad with shrimp and pork), which appeared suspiciously in the appetizer section, since we both ate some and even took the rest home for another meal. One thing to be noticed is Vietnamese salad is nothing like our usual American garden salad or Caesar salad. The waiter is not going to ask you what kind of dressing you’d like, and you need not innocuously remind “on the side, please”. There is no reason to fret over some little Ranch or bleu cheese dressing that will cause your calorie level to shoot up, or vinaigrette to make your taste buds sour. The salad is simply soaked in a mixture of salt, lemon juice, and sugar. Every piece of lotus stem, sliced carrot, sliced onion, cilantro, even the thin slices of boiled pork and the shrimp halves, has almost the same taste of that mixture, thoroughly and evenly. The lotus stem is a little crunchy, the pork is tender and mild, but not plain in the least, topped with crushed peanuts for some nuttiness. The salad is a meal in itself, so simple and elegant. And healthy.
But we didn’t stay healthy for long. For main course we had com tay cam (English name: clay pot) and old timer bun thit nuong (cold rice vermicelli with grilled pork).
The rice came with a small cup of pho broth, which I’m not sure what to do with. I’m pretty sure the rice wasn’t cooked in the pot, only served in it, because the pot wasn’t hot and the rice was almost flaming. The first spoon was excellent, the second revealed that it’s a rather oily combination of fried rice, fried shiitake mushroom, fried Chinese sausage, and fried chicken. The pot could be smaller than your cereal bowl, but it’s like the pot of Thach Sanh, it’s so filling you keep eating layer after layer but you just can’t finish it in one sitting.
Now this had been my craving for a long time. A bowl of chargrilled pork chops atop a soft bed of bún, some bean sprout and sliced cucumber at the bottom for a taste of freshness, sprinkled crushed peanuts and many a spoonful of nuoc mam pha (fish extract diluted in water, mixed with lemon juice, salt and sugar, and very little chopped garlic). I like the bun, the nuoc mam, and the veggie, but I would whisper *just* a little disappointment with the pork. It was definitely flavorful, but it was too thinly sliced. It wasn’t grilled long enough to bring out all the flavor. And it’s a little, just a little, dry. Beside, how are you supposed to cut that monstrously wide sheet of meat with chopsticks?
This is the closest one could get to Vietnamese food from Palo Alto, and unarguably a good find (a decent one, if you’re uncompromisingly picky about real cha gio). It’s cheap and takes credit card. We didn’t have to wait long for our food to arrive, but if you expect attentive service coming to ask “Is everything okay?” and refill your water every 10 minutes, don’t come here. Vietnamese restaurants respect privacy of their customers, so no need to worry about putting food in your mouth the correct way (as there is none). The only thing that bothered me about this place was the chatty nature of the hostesses. When the restaurant wasn’t packed after prime lunch time, our ladies comfortably spilled out to each other, across the counter and tables in Vietnamese with heavy Southern accent, numerous pieces about friends and relatives. Not that many could understand them, but some background music would be more pleasant I think. See menu.
Phở Vỉ Hoa Restaurant
4546 El Camino Real Suite A12
Los Altos, CA 94022
Lunch for two: $21.81
Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a 25 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
1Its like you learn my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the e-book in it or something. I think that you just can do with a few percent to pressure the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will definitely be back.
2I like meeting useful information , this post has got me even more info! .
3Wonderful post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this topic? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Bless you!
4Hi there, You’ve done a fantastic job. I’ll definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m sure they will be benefited from this site.
5Thanks a lot for giving everyone an exceptionally brilliant possiblity to discover important secrets from this site. It is always so great and as well , jam-packed with amusement for me and my office friends to search your web site at the very least 3 times every week to see the newest issues you will have. And lastly, we are usually happy for the dazzling ideas you serve. Selected 2 facts on this page are easily the most efficient I’ve ever had.
6When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
7Great site! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am bookmarking your feeds also
8Of course, what a magnificent blog and educative posts, I definitely will bookmark your website.Have an awsome day!
9Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
10It’s actually a nice and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
11I just could not go away your website before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information an individual provide to your visitors? Is gonna be back regularly to check up on new posts
12It’s actually a great and helpful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
13There are certainly numerous particulars like that to take into consideration. That is a nice point to deliver up. I provide the ideas above as common inspiration however clearly there are questions just like the one you carry up the place the most important thing will probably be working in sincere good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged round things like that, however I’m positive that your job is clearly identified as a good game. Both girls and boys feel the impression of only a moment’s pleasure, for the remainder of their lives.
14I have been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i’m happy to convey that I have a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make sure to do not forget this web site and give it a look regularly.
15I discovered your blog site on google and test a number of of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the excellent operate. I just further up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. In search of forward to reading extra from you later on!…
16Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is magnificent, as well as the content!
17Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch as I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch! “Remember It is 10 times harder to command the ear than to catch the eye.” by Duncan Maxwell Anderson.
18Write more, thats all I have to say. Literally, it seems as though you relied on the video to make your point. You obviously know what youre talking about, why waste your intelligence on just posting videos to your blog when you could be giving us something informative to read?
19I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site 🙂
20hey there and thanks on your information – I have certainly picked up something new from proper here. I did on the other hand expertise several technical issues the use of this website, as I skilled to reload the site a lot of occasions prior to I may just get it to load correctly. I were thinking about in case your hosting is OK? No longer that I am complaining, however sluggish loading cases instances will often have an effect on your placement in google and can harm your high-quality score if advertising and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Well I am adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..
21you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
22Wow! Thank you! I always needed to write on my site something like that. Can I take a part of your post to my site?
23I got what you mean , regards for posting.Woh I am glad to find this website through google.
24Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a risky determination great post! .
25I feel that is one of the so much important info for me. And i’m happy reading your article. But want to statement on few general things, The web site style is wonderful, the articles is in reality great :D. Excellent task, cheers
26This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
27of course like your web-site but you have to check the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very bothersome to tell the reality nevertheless I will certainly come again again.
28We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
29Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thank you However I’m experiencing issue with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting similar rss problem? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
30he blog was how do i say it… relevant, finally something that helped me. Thanks
31Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
32Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thank you Nevertheless I’m experiencing issue with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting identical rss downside? Anybody who knows kindly respond. Thnkx
33Magnificent web site. Lots of useful information here. I’m sending it to several pals ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks in your sweat!
34I am glad to be a visitor of this thoroughgoing blog! , thankyou for this rare info ! .
35Magnificent site. A lot of helpful info here. I am sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks for your sweat!
36You made some clear points there. I looked on the internet for the issue and found most individuals will agree with your blog.
37I saw a lot of website but I conceive this one has something special in it in it
38Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear concept
39Rattling excellent information can be found on weblog. “I can think of nothing less pleasurable than a life devoted to pleasure.” by John D. Rockefeller.
40Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
41You made some clear points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most guys will go along with with your blog.
42Oh my goodness! a tremendous article dude. Thanks Nevertheless I am experiencing situation with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anybody getting equivalent rss downside? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
43There is visibly a bunch to realize about this. I believe you made certain nice points in features also.
44I was reading through some of your posts on this website and I think this website is very informative! Keep posting.
45This is the right blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would want…HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for years. Great stuff, just great!
46I like the helpful information you provide in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly. I’m quite sure I will learn a lot of new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!
47Simply desire to say your article is as amazing. The clarity to your post is just cool and i can assume you are knowledgeable in this subject. Well with your permission let me to snatch your feed to keep updated with approaching post. Thanks one million and please continue the gratifying work.
48You are my intake, I own few blogs and infrequently run out from post :). “No opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible.” by W. H. Auden.
49Excellent post. I was checking constantly this blog and I am impressed! Extremely helpful information specifically the last part 🙂 I care for such info a lot. I was looking for this certain info for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
50