Vanbrosia: Broken Rice

February 8, 2015

Uncle Hing’s Chicken Wings | Cánh Gà Chiên: Tossed in garlic butter - 3

J's comment > incredibly crisp, juicy and tender, completely infused w butter & garlic, though I wish there was an actual dipping bowl for the butter :D:D; BTW, A. C. and T. (haha...), you're welcome that I insisted on two orders, barely enough...

Curried Chicken Ballotine | Cà Ri Gà: Chicken dark meat stuff ed w minced curried chicken, curry, onion, taro, panko broken rice balls, lotus rootchips, yam threads, chili oil; side of steamed rice - 2+

J's comment > surprisingly juicy and tender chicken, unlike the dry stuff from last visit; curry a touch spicy but nothing unmanageable, very flavorful

Tamarind Duck | Vịt Me: Pan-seared duck breast, wild rice, green beans and bell peppers w a red wine tamarind reduction - 2

J's comment > not bad; duck slightly overcooked but very tender, no tendons whatsoever; could have used a lot more sauce though; rice and veggies OK, definitely sidekicks

Sizzling Saigon Crepe | Bánh Xèo: Turmeric & rice flour crepe filled w shrimp, pork, jicama, sprouts, green onion; side of lettuce & herbs for wrapping; nước mắm for dipping - 2

J's comment > crepe OK, nothing unforgettable but everything was well cooked

Betel-Wrapped Beef Platter | Bò Lá Lốt: Seasoned beef wrapped in fragrant betel leaves and charbroiled, served w a side of lettuce, fresh herbs and vermicelli, rice paper for wrapping and a pineapple anchovy sauce for dipping - 2

J's comment > beef very flavorful w the betel leaves; a fun DIY wrap

Phnom Penh Roll | Bò Bía: Chinese sausage, egg, carrot, jicama, basil, lettuce & peanuts wrapped in rice paper; peanut sauce - 2

J's comment > all ingredients fresh, but would have liked a lot more chinese sausage (that's what sold this dish last time)

Spring Rolls | Chả Giò: Minced pork, carrot, taro root, mushroom and onion hand-wrapped in rice paper and fried; nước mắm - 2

J's comment > very crisp spring rolls; decent amt of filling but was missing a certain something...

Cassava Fries | Khoai Mì Chiên: Crispy cassava wedges seasoned w paprika; jalapeno garlic mayo - 2

J's comment > very crisp cassava fries, well cooked but not addictively so; FYI, improperly cooked cassava = cyanide

House Vermicelli | Bún Heo Nuong Cha Gio: Vermicelli noodles, grilled chicken, pork brochette and a spring roll. All on a bed of greens and served with nước chắm - 2

J's comment > meats OK, not too dry but could be juicier

Pork Three Ways on Rice | Cơm Bi Suon Cha: Pork chops, shredded pork & minced pork loaf on rice - 2

J's comment > all three versions of the pork were dry, esp the loaf

Coconut Braised Pork Belly | Thịt Kho: Pork belly, egg, & daikon simmered in a clay pot w coconut juice and fish sauce, served w broken rice and pickled vegetables - 2

J's comment > pork belly definitely more fat than meat, about 60% fat and 40% meat; flavor OK but VERY salty

Prawn Mango Salad | Gỏi Xoài: Green mango julienne, shrimp, cucumber, carrot, daikon, jicama, Vietnamese coriander, mint, caramelized onion, crushed peanuts, citron vinaigrette - 2

J's comment > your avg Vietnamese julienne mango/papaya salad