She got her typical order of Pho Tai - Raw Beef Noodle Soup. The Pho came out and it wasn't hot enough. The broth was quite bland but at least the meat tasted great. I only had a few spoonfuls to sample but the fact that my wife left half the bowl uneaten was a good enough indication that the meal wasn't too great.
I decided to sample their Tomato Rice with Stir Fried Beef Cubes. When my dish arrived, it smelt and looked great. The beef was a bit hit and miss with some chewy pieces.. but at least it wasn't heavily loaded with bicarb and I can actually taste the type of meat I'm eating. The rice was deliciously buttery and best of all I loved how the sauce from the meat soaked into the lettuce and made a tasty dressing to compliment. The meat to rice ratio was spot on as well.
I also ordered an Iced White Coffee to pair with my meal.
The decor really brought me back to Cabramatta... it's clean but dingy at the same time... and I don't mind that. They leave all the condiments on the table as well as tea. I love the ritual of needing to wipe all my cutlery before I eat it... it's just something I grew up with... something familiar.
When we walked in the staff looked at us with very little care.. not even a greeting. She just pointed to a general area of vacant tables for us to choose from. Yes i know... asian service... what do you expect?
It's a tad annoying that the menu had a combination of Chinese and English as opposed to Vietnamese and English... but I guess it's to cater for the locals... and the fact they were Chinese themselves. I normally like the Vietnamese translations to help translate the English interpretations of the dish....
Overall it was just average, the prices, the food and the service. Personally if you're going to have Vietnamese food in Eastwood... just stick to Gia Hoi and Tan Viet... they're popular for a reason.
3 comments:
It is so difficult to find good pho.. I find that the only way is to cook it yourself! So sad that it was average and that the customer service was average.. There is such a stigma around Asian service, and rightly so, but I wish that it would change so that there is an all round good experience.. I guess the care for their customers reflected in their food?
Hi Annie. I think if a restaurant produces good food I can turn a blind eye slightly to the service. I normally don't expect much service other than the fact they bring out the food to me anyways... but when you cant mask it behind a great dish... I guess everything unravels quicker. It's so sad that Asian service gets a bad wrap and I hate promoting the fact (especially since I'm asian) but maybe in time... more places will veer towards a better customer service mentality... all it takes is a smile and a how do you do....
I 100% agree.. All it takes is a smile and a hello. I go to a nice Thai place in Mitcham called Chef's Thai. it is a lovely family owned business and the staff are so friendly and amazing. In saying all that their food is incredible too!
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