My husband & I have been going to Bona for 20 years (since our college days). This is where people of Vietnamese heritage go to eat Vietnamese food. We only order off of the ""Traditional"" menu. The first time I ate there I thought that the food was too authentic for my taste (I was accustom to American stir-fry and other restaurants do stir-fry better than Bona). A month later we went back to Bona and I developed a palate for true Vietnamese food very quickly. \r
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Try the crab meat rangoons (children love these) and Traditional F or G if you are a new to all of this. The spring rolls with peanut sauce are to die for! The egg rolls are the best in the state. The Traditional Y soup is also extremely tasty. Be sure to add the lime for a true taste experience. (I eat it in the summer, but it is exceptionally good on a cold MN day.) If you do not know how to eat something be sure to ask or just look around (Yes, the greens do go on top of the soup and the fish oil goes on top of the noodles). Bona's dipping sauces are exceptional.\r
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Lunch time is pretty crazy at Bona - lots of people, lots of food flying out very quickly. The service is not focused on being personable - it is focused on getting you in and out very fast. I do prefer the evening as it is less harried. We always stop by Bona when we are running late to the theater or need good (and inexpensive) food in a hurry. You are seated, served and have an appetizer literally within minutes; your main course and check come a few minutes after that. I never feel pressured to eat in a hurry or leave if I am not ready too, however it is nice to have the option if I need it.\r
*Note: Be sure to park appropriately or you will get clamped by the other restaurants (They have spies sitting concealed in the parking lot - no kidding). I learned this lesson one day when we parked 2 spots into Stub & Herbs space! No one was around and I just ran in to pick up an order. It cost me $96 cash, on-the-spot, to get my car back.\r
Pros: Something different, quick, inexpensive and tasty.
Cons: Ambience is cool & trendy, but not at all intimate.
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