We ordered the classic standards of Vietnamese food, beginning with a skewered chicken satay served with a sweet and salty peanut sauce. Like a good satay, it was reminiscent of street food one could stumble in to while exploring a bustling downtown. Sitting in the finely decorated dining room, we couldn’t have been further from a lively street. With the sleek decor and open air kitchen, you can see your order as it’s whisked from one station to the other in a perfect orchestration of preparation.
The pork belly spring rolls were remarkably refreshing, balancing the grease and sweetness of the pork with the fresh crisp of raw vegetables. Following were shrimp and yam fries, where mint leaves, shrimp, panko-fried yam fries, and a sweet chili sauce are combined in a wrap to create some of the most amazing tastes that finger food could provide. The ingredients were fresh and balanced, creating an astounding crescendo in this food symphony.
Keeping in the traditionalist mentality, we ordered Pho as our entree, a classic Viatnamese soup served with noodles and your choice of protein. Even on the beautiful warm day that we went to Phans 55, the steaming Pho was perfect. The broth was the perfect example of bleeding out the flavors of the meats, while adding freshness with the raw bean sprouts. To finish the meal, we had a rainbow assortment of macaroons and a cool mango sorbet.
Really good stuff.
Miles H.
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