/ Reviews / Vietnamese
Pho For All Seasons
by Steph Wy Ng
on Friday, April 09, 2010 12:00 AM
Frenchman Ly Heng, also the proprietor of French restaurant Nova, has gone back to his Vietnamese-Thai roots, adding newly opened Pho Season to the mix of restaurants that can be found on DaGu Road. "I love this kind of food - a mix of Vietnamese with a bit of Thai. I couldn't find the same flavors here, so I had to fly back home to get it, that's why I decided to open up Pho Season," says Ly.
Some of the flavours here are pretty exquisite - and the portions are satisfying. Don't miss out on their delicious Grilled Meat Marinated in Lemongrass (RMB48). Whether you choose from beef, pork or chicken, the mixture of the tangy lemongrass and fresh Vietnamese herbs just creates an explosion of flavors in your mouth. This, coupled with the tenderness of the meat, makes it the best dish on the menu.
It is a small but concise list of food, which the owner is in the process of confirming, testing out the most popular dishes. The Beef Lemongrass Salad for RMB32 is recommended, its fresh, cut-across-the-grain beef fillet lightly seared on the outside but pinkish red inside, and served with crisp green vegetables topped with a sprinkling of chili peppers and a sharp lemongrass taste.
The Chicken Curry (RMB48) has a mild and runny soup-like texture that accompanies the good-quality cut of chicken leg meat and crunchy peppers and onions.
"It's high-quality fast food," comments Ly Heng. Affordably priced, a main and starter cost about RMB70. If you've still got room for dessert, try a traditional Vietnamese Coconut Flan (RMB22). Those with a taste for egg and coconut pieces, this is the steamed sweet for you.
Ly likes to enlist those closest to him in his projects. Bright, lime-green surroundings, coupled with dark brown wooden beams, are the design of a fellow French friend. The main chef - and part owner of Pho Season - is also Ly's cousin. In fact, 20 years ago, when his cousin owned a restaurant, Ly Heng worked as a waiter for him. Older and wise, they've joined forces to ensure that Pho Season serves up a winning combination of authentic, inexpensive, filling and tasty Vietnamese-Thai food.
The Bottom Line: A notable addition to the DaGu Rd restaurants, Pho Season offers traditional Vietnamese-Thai food at an affordable price.
