After reading Munch's review of this restaurant, we decided to
give it a try. We're die-hard fans of Trams, so that's our
standard of comparison. This new Vietnamese restaurant is about
6 blocks east of Trams at 4917 Penn Ave. Just a small family run
store front, very clean, maybe a dozen tables, each neatly
appointed with all the requisite condiments and a small sheaf of
wheat in a vase for a littledecor touch.
The menu has permutations of pho, rice noodle soup,
vermicelli, and spring rolls. plus some interesting odd-sounding
things. All the entrees are only $5-6 (how can these places make
a profit?). The waitress speaks pretty good English so was able
to explain menu choices to us, sometimes a bit of a problem at
other Vietnamese restaurants we've been to. There was a very
cute and polite but energetic pigtailed girl, part of the
proprietor's family, who tooled around the small room the whole
time we were there, for entertainment.
Having eaten there only once, we've only tried three dishes
so far. The vegetarian spring rolls, amazingly, were even BETTER
than Trams we both thought. Very fresh, more basil, interesting
presentation with a pocket of tofu on top, and a crisp garden
flavor - we were very pleased with these. The pho was quite
different than Trams; more beefy in its base (yes I know this is
supposed to be beef soup) with a bit of sweetness that seemed
discordant. While we've found this style of pho in other cities,
we much prefer the intensely aromatic spicing of Tram's
masterpiece, which remains our favorite. We also had "special
rice noodle soup." This was quite good and is recommended. It
is a more fish-based stock (mildly so) with a few pieces each of
shrimp, squid, surimi, beef, and something mysterious that might
have been vietnamese bologna if there is such a thing, along with
noodles. A large plate of bean sprouts lime and basil was
provided for both soups, which also had some small
lettucy-looking leaves that were vaguely anise tinged (the
waitress said this item had "no name"). There were also some
jalapeno slices, which Trams used to have but no longer does.
This restaurant is the real thing. We feel rich now that Pgh
has TWO true Vietnamese places. We look forward to trying other
recesses of the menu.Pittsburgh, PA
Pho Minh
We ate there last Friday - food was good, just wished I know what it was ? the waitress didn't speak a word of English - just mumbled - and pointed ! Would reccommed it - but was more curious the other resturants I saw on the same street - like the rib place (forget name) and the "Jamican" place - anyone have experience with them >
As "Munch" pointed out in the P-G, this area is becoming a dining destination, with People's, Kayla's, Pho Minh. The 'Jamican' place is called El Tropicale.. It's a very small place- take out only. There are 6 or 8 items on the menu, they have Stew, "Brown Stew", and Curry, each with Chicken or Shrimp. They chicken curry was very good, at least I thought so. Don't know if it was authentic, but it was good. Also there is another chicken dish, which is rather sweet-ish, which I did not really care for. Prices are around 5.50 - 6.50 The menu board also has listed Chicken or Beef patties... haven't tried them yet. They also make fruit juices/smoothies, which are quite good. They use "Irish moss" (carageenan?) as a thickener. And a cooler of some strange brews... I tried an organic root drink. Very strong, tasted mediciny. Must be an acquired taste. I'm not sure about which rib place. Kayla's is a few doors up, they are African/Carribean, and do have ribs, at least as a special. There is a bar a couple blocks up, called Toro's... I haven't eaten there in a few years, but it was good then, though I didn't have the ribs. Are the noodles at Pho Minh real? (faux mien)?? <<groan>> mike mag wrote: > We ate there last Friday - food was good, just wished I know what it was ? > > the waitress didn't speak a word of English - just mumbled - and pointed ! > > Would reccommed it - but was more curious the other resturants I saw > on the same street - like the rib place (forget name) and the > "Jamican" place - anyone have experience with them >