What Vietnamese Restaurant Do You Recommend To NYC's Pepperheads?
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05/23/2007
NYCinephile .. says:
NYC's Pepperheads (
http://hotnspicy.meetu...) will be "travelling" to Vietnam for their next Meetup.
We're looking for a restaurant that can offer a prix fixe menu with a number of authentic dishes, comfortably seat a group of 15 and doesn't skimp on the chilis.
What do you suggest?
05/23/2007
Beatrice W. says:
What neighborhood and what price range ??? My favorite like Klain is Nha Trang in Baxter Street, but if you are looking for upscale Indochine and Colonial are more elegant if not as authentic... Have fun, it is absolutely one of my favorite cuisine.
05/23/2007
Beatrice W. says:
Sorry Jando, but Viet Cafe is a fusion something??? Nam on Reade Street is a much better choice if you are looking in Tribeca. It remind me that I should review them because their cuisine is truly different and interesting.
05/23/2007
Alex "Jando" S. says:
Hey B: Nam is fancy. In fact, its fancier than Viet Cafe. The cuisine @ Nam is different because its also got some fusion elements in it. The place does have very good food.
I only throw in Viet Cafe because the food is delicious and they pride themselves on their authenticity though served in a contemporary setting. The prices are a tad up there for the entrees. Places like Anh, Viet Cafe, and Nam are very purty though. I'd prefer a smaller place and less pricey personally.
Its up to the NYC Pepperheads ultimately. The menus are noted below
Nam:
http://www.namnyc.com/...
Viet Cafe:
http://www.viet-cafe.c...
05/23/2007
Soozie "find my soul & u can have my *heart*" H. says:
If you want to try some authentic and "home style" dishes, check out O Mai in Chelsea. They are the same ppl who own Nam in Tribeca. Nam is more high end but the only thing I think they do well are their rolls (apps).
I like Nam Son (Grand St) and Thai Son (Baxter)..
05/23/2007
NYCinephile .. says:
@Kain:
Thanks for the recommendation! I think I've been to Nha Trang at least once before.
Other than it being your cousin's place, why do you recommend it?
05/23/2007
NYCinephile .. says:
@BW:
"What neighborhood and what price range ???"
We tend to dine in Manhattan, but aren't restricted to a particular 'hood. Generally, we like to keep the tab around $25 per person, plus tax and tip. Drinks are handled separately.
05/23/2007
NYCinephile .. says:
@Jando S:
Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts!
05/23/2007
Joolie "mzjoolz if you're nasty!" T. says:
i'm such a Vietnamese Food snob... since i'm from the west.... these are the ONLY places i've liked so far:
Nha Trang or Thai Son (right next to each other on Baxter)
best places i've been in NYC... hands down.
05/23/2007
NYCinephile .. says:
@ Joolie T.:
"these are the ONLY places i've liked so far"
Nha Trang definitely seems to have a lead...if you had to choose one, which would it be?
05/23/2007
Soozie "find my soul & u can have my *heart*" H. says:
Joolie T., I too am a Vietnamese food snob cuz I grew up in San Jose, CA and IMHO, there isn't a single Vietnamese restaurant in NYC that comes close to being "authentic". Falls Church, VA does have some good and authentic Vietnamese food but obviously it's a 3 hrs+ drive.
When I am super desperate and need a Viet fix, I go to Thai Son cuz it's about as good as it gets IMO.
05/23/2007
Joolie "mzjoolz if you're nasty!" T. says:
exactly, Soozie. i totally feel you.
everywhere i've gone in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan.. the Vietnamese (and Thai) places lack!!!!! i don't mean to be such a picky person... but when you're so accustomed to delicious, cheap, and authentic Asian cuisine... you can't help but to be a snob whenever your NYer friends boast about how great their Viet place is. my say..? "pleh!"
i would def. choose Thai Son. Banh Mi's are delicious, too.
05/23/2007
NYCinephile .. says:
@All:
I'm smiling at seeing how much discussion has been generated by my question! I really appreciate your recommendations. Off to investigate Thai Son....
05/23/2007
Soozie "find my soul & u can have my *heart*" H. says:
Yeah, sadly enough, cheap, authentic and good Vietnamese food is truly one cuisine NYC lacks! It really shocks and disappoints me given how MUCH attention NYC receives for it's dining scene! I can't help but chuckle when I see/read reviews on Chowhound about "authentic" Vietnamese cuisine in Manhattan & Outer Boroughs cuz IMO, none of these places come even CLOSE to the Vietnamese food to be found in SJ or better yet, "Little Saigon" in OC.
The Banh Mi here is ridiculously expensive and doesn't compare to what's sold in SJ. I have to bite the bullet and pay the $3.5-$4.0 they charge here for mediocre Banh Mi. Ironically, if these places charged the same price back in SJ for thei Banh Mi, they'd so be outta business in a flash. Oh well, I don't mean to rant but I'm just shocked that this renowned dining city lacks authentic and good Vietnamese food.
05/24/2007
Alex "Jando" S. says:
Ouch. I agree there are better options in Cali I think it has a lot to do with the natural resources we're utilizing here as opposed to in CA (water, spices, etc.). There is also a great Vietnamese presence over there as well so its hard to compare. And besides, what gets more authentic than going to Vietnam? =P Its not Houston or the OC but I think NY is making some strides with some of the newer pho places opening up in Flushing (Pho Hoang, Pho Bang, etc.) and some of the places popping up in Chinatown (Xe Lua, etc.).
Though I have tried some places around here that have made me say: "What the pho?!?!" j/k.
05/24/2007
NYCinephile .. says:
@All:
Thanks very much for your suggestions. I met with "Annie" at Thai Son this evening and, given my group's size, she recommended its sister establishment, Nam Son. She's already sketched out a prix fixe menu that sounds VERY appetizing.
07/06/2007
Peter S. says:
Surprised no one has recommended New Pasteur, also on Baxter Street. I haven't been to Nha Trang, but I have been to Vietnam, and my vote goes to Pasteur.
07/06/2007
Yujin L. says:
that's funny Falls church was mentioned. i'm from that area and miss the pho in falls church & arlingon. =(
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