If you know anything about me
at all, you’ll know that I really, really like going out for dinner and trying
new foods. When I was given the opportunity to check out the menu at a new
joint – Pho Café on Bold Street – I absolutely jumped at the opportunity and
invited my best friend along for the ride. We booked in for a Wednesday
afternoon and arrived ready and waiting to eat some amazing dishes.
Pho café is in an absolutely
prime location, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of the Bold Street shops
and restaurants. The interiors are spectacular and I found myself spending a
significant amount of time before looking at the menu just checking out all the
artwork and the layout of the place. For a Wednesday night, it was quite busy,
with one large table occupied by a family party. Very good first impressions.
We were greeted immediately by a waiter, who
ensured that not only were we comfortable and given the help we needed, but
ensured that our table was moved once a better one (with much better lighting
for pictures…) became available. He told us all about the company and talked us
through the menu, explaining different aspects and ensuring that we knew
exactly what we were ordering!
Catrin and I decided that we
weren’t actually THAT hungry (for us) so we decided to share a starter between
the two of us, then grab a main and dessert each. One of the lovely ladies in
the restaurant brought over a platter of prawn crackers and sweet chilli dip
for us to nibble on, we ordered drinks (homemade lemonade) and finally set
about deciding what we were going to eat. We umm-ed and ahh-ed over which
starter to go for as they all just sounded SO delicious, but eventually decided
on Cánh gà, which were crispy
chicken wings with a spicy (!!) sriracha dip. The wings were salty and
delicious and while I wasn’t brave enough to try the dip, Catrin was and whilst
she used it sparingly, she quite liked it – I, on the other hand, dipped mine
in the Sweet Chilli dip.
Mains were much easier to decide between – I’d
actually decided what I was going to eat at lunch whilst at work earlier in the
day and Catrin was very quick to decide what she was going to have as well. I
went for Beef Phở Xào, which were
wok fried noodles, with a generous serving of beef, lemongrass, beansprouts and
peanuts. I’m always a little bit apprehensive getting foods with peanuts in
them, not for my own safety but for other peoples’, but this dish was more than
worth that. The portion sizes were fantastic, there was more than enough of
everything. The entire dish was full of flavour, filling and very moreish. I’ll
more than likely be returning and ordering this dish again. Catrin ordered the
traditional Vietnamese dish, the Phở
chín. This dish was an interesting one, as you were given the broth aspect
of the dish, and then a side plate with herbs and sauces to make it exactly to
your own taste: there’s absolutely no room for disappointment here. Again, the
dish was plentiful in both quantity and flavour. This is another dish that I’d
really like to go back and have a taste of, as I had some serious food envy
watching Catrin eat it. Stomachs full, our thoughts turned straight back to the
menu and what was to come next!
At this point in the meal, the lovely lady who had
been so attentive towards us all evening suggested we try a few of the
restaurant’s signature cocktails. I only had to see the word “Prosecco” on the
menu before I pounced on the Rose Apple
Bellini, whilst Catrin opted for the Phojito:
a Vietnamese twist on the classic mojito. These drinks were interesting,
simply because of the inclusion of rice
spirit, something I’d never tasted before. The Bellini wasn’t really to my
taste, as it was quite strong, but as a treat it was definitely something I was
glad to have tried. On the other hand, the Phojito
was absolutely delicious.
Of course, we couldn’t go to a restaurant and not get
dessert. I avoid dairy, for health issues, so I decided to get the Kem sorbet, so I wouldn’t miss out. I
don’t think I’m speaking out of turn at all when I say that it was probably the
best sorbet I’ve eaten outside of Italy: it was absolutely delicious, sweet but
not overbearing and was a fantastic, light end to a delicious meal. Catrin
chose the Bánh sô-cô-la truffle, a delicious
looking chocolate truffle slab served with a generous helping of green tea ice
cream.
All in all, the food and service at Pho was incredible. The staff were
attentive to our (and more importantly, to other customers) needs and I can see
myself returning time and time again. I’m always looking for good and consistent
places to eat so I can see this place becoming a staple in my life.
(Food and drinks were complimentary, thoughts and opinions remain my own)
