Pho Binh Hoa, Redwood City

It's no secret that Jon and I are regulars at El Grullense — the one that's located inside the little strip mall on Woodside Road. But the other night, during our (at least) weekly visit, we noticed that the Asian restaurant a few doors down, Happy Day, had changed its name. It's now Pho Binh Hoa and, as the name implies, specializes in Vietnamese food.

Very affordable Vietnamese food.

Last night, we popped in for dinner. I ordered a bowl of pho that was the size of my head, and it was only six bucks. I went with the rare steak (which gets cooked in the delicious hot broth) and well-done flank version. But the latter meat was a bit too fatty for my taste. So next time, I think I'll ask for just the rare steak.

Jon, who does not like soups (it's crazy — I know!), ordered a stir-fried chicken and rice dish. He also is not super into white rice, so he ate up most of his chicken, but not all of his rice. And he left his side of soup untouched.

Okay, remember how my pho arrived in a giant bowl? Well, to neither of our surprise, I couldn't finish it. But, given what Jon left behind of his meal, and that I only consumed about 50 percent of mine, the extremely sweet server was very concerned when she came to clear our table. She was so sincere, that I admit, it further endeared this place to me. The first staffer we encountered here (a gentleman who may be the proprietor?) was also very kind. Oh, and this place is super-clean, so it earns extra points with both of us for that. And the easy-listening '80s music is a nice touch.

With our entrees and a drink each (fresh-pressed lemonade for Jon, iced coffee with condensed milk for me), our bill totaled less than $20. BTW, for those who enjoy those pearl drinks — the ones with the tapioca balls in them — they offer several flavors here.

Pho with beef is one of two standard dishes by which I judge a Vietnamese restaurant. The other is the rice vermicelli served with bbq pork and an eggroll. So I'll be making a return visit to Pho Binh Hoa to report back on that one.

In the meantime, check it our for yourself — and don't be scared by the tripe on the menu! (Coincidentally, El Grullense offers tripe as well. But the few times I've ordered a tripe taco, the cashier seems to question if I know what I'm asking for.)

Pho Hoa Binh
756 Woodside Road
Redwood City, CA
(650) 369-3767

Weekend Dining

Jon's parents were in town this weekend and when they visit, we tend to eat out. We usually reach into the "Greatest Hits" file and proceed to make reservations. So we decided on The Village Pub for Friday night's dinner, and Tamarine for Saturday.

• The Village Pub - Jon and I have been here several times before, and have never been disappointed. I love the food, the service and the ambiance here. The four starters at the table were: sweetbreads (me); lettuce salad (Jon); Caesar salad (FIL); and cabbage soup (MIL). I usually don't order sweetbreads because it kinda grosses Jon out. But this place is the exception. The dish is so delicious here, I would gladly tell Jon to sit at another table if he can't handle my sweetbread-consumption. Theu are crispy on the outside, and velvety smooth on the inside. The poached egg on top makes the appetizer even more rich, but you won't hear me complaining.
  
  Our entrees were: maple brined porch chops (me); pub burger (Jon); steak frites (FIL); and poached sole (MIL). Thumbs-up all around. Note: Jon likes the food at The Village Pub, but thinks it can be a bit heavy. So his entree is usually the burger off of the Pub Menu.
  
  So after we were done enjoying our entrees, the GM stopped by our table. He mentioned that he'd read my blog; he actually remembered Jon's name; he referred to some comments I had posted about previous dining experiences at The Village Pub; and he even got to talking about South Carolina with the in-laws. As if all of that wasn't nice enough, he even offered to comp our desserts! My father-in-law was way impressed by all of the above.
  
  I ended up being the only one to order dessert — the hot chocolate, served with pomegranate marshmallows and three miniature palmiers. (Note: The chocolate souffle here is completely awesome, but I decided to branch out and try a different dessert.) The hot chocolate, which is made with Valrhona, was so good. Thick, creamy and not overly sweet. At first, I thought the marshmallows were just ehhh ... But that was when I was just popping them, straight-up, in my mouth. Once I actually dunked them in the hot chocolate, the flavors totally came together and made sense. The palmiers were delightly crispy and buttery. And, really, who doesn't love miniaturized sweets?
  
  
• Tamarine - Saturday night's dinner was just as satisfying as Friday's, although the cuisine and the restaurant were so different. Jon's parents have been to Tamarine a couple of times before. We decided to go back again because they've enjoyed it so much in the past, and there aren't a lot of Vietnamese dining options where they live (Hilton Head Island, SC).
  
  To start, we ordered the crispy mushroom rolls; crab and garlic noodles; and salt and pepper calamari. For our main course, we shared the shaking beef (of course); hoisin lamb chops (the chops themselves are fine, but I really love the sweet potato fries that they're served with); lemongrass bass (Jon thinks it's fun just to say it); and the curried long beans. It was just the right amount of food for all four of us.
  
  And, of course, I saved room for dessert! I have such a soft spot for fried bananas because it was my favorite dessert growing up. My mom made it all the time. So if it's on a menu (and this is very important: no coconut in the batter!), I am all over it.

We ate so well this weekend. And now it's back to frozen pizzas ... *sigh*

Pho Vi Hoa, Los Altos

On Monday, my sister and I had plans to lunch at Alexander's Steakhouse in Cupertino -- sort of a recon mission, so we could determine whether we should reserve a table for a larger siblings + spouses dinner later. I was reviewing the menu all Monday morning, pondering which appetizers and entrees and desserts we would order. (Mmm... Hamachi Sashimi...)

So we pulled into the parking lot and stumbled upon a mall security truck and a Sheriff's car blocking one lane. No problem. We went to the next lane. Then we got out and headed towards the door, where an employee was loitering. He proceeded to tell us that the restaurant is closed on Mondays. CLOSED! How did I not notice this during my half-a-dozen visits to the site that morning!

Anyway. I asked him for other nearby lunch recommendations, and you know what he told me? "There's a TGIFriday's across the street." Um, no. So my sister and I got back in the car all disappointed and famished (not a good combination). She then decided that she would take me to her favorite Vietnamese restaurant in Los Altos. She had been raving about Pho Vi Hoa for so long, that I put up with the sort-of far drive (remember, I'm HUNGRY) to check this place out.

When we arrived at the little strip mall in Los Altos, the parking lot was crazy -- full of bad drivers who were probably just as hungry and cranky as we were. We fought it out and got a parking spot, then walked over to the restaurant, where we were greeted by a line. *sigh* I was so unhappy. Like you would not believe, and so I started whining about how we could have just gone to Pho Hoa down the street from my office, and what makes this place so special, and blah blah blah... Goodness, I was such a pain.

But the thing about pho places is, the turnover is pretty quick. The wait ended up only being about five minutes, which probably felt like five million to my sister, who had to at least pretend to listen to me. She eats here about once a week with her husband, so she didn't even need to look at the menu. The waitress came over in about 30 seconds flat to take our order, which I was not prepared for. But we both ended up getting the classic Bun Thit Nuong -- a bowl of rice vermicelli with grilled pork, served with fish sauce. It was really, really good. And it made me shut up. The quality and flavor of the meat here is better than what you get at Pho Hoa, making it definitely worth the longer drive. We also ordered the Goi Cuon -- shrimp and pork spring rolls -- which were very tasty as well.

With a couple of drinks, two large satisfying noodle bowls and the appetizer, our total (before tax and tip) was about $25. It seemed a little pricier than Pho Hoa, but you'll find less fat on your meat and nicer ambiance at Pho Vi Hoa. So yes, the next time my sister drags me here, I won't be such an ingrate!

Pho Vi Hoa
4546 El Camino Real
Suite A12
Los Altos, CA
(650) 947-1290

Pho Hoa, Cupertino

I know, I know, it's a chain pho restaurant. So how good could it be, right?

Well, as someone whose mother made pho quite often when I was a kid, let me tell you: This place does pho really well. If you enjoy noodle soups as much as I do, get over any chain-food hang-ups you may have and get to Pho Hoa. It's fast. It's cheap. And the portions are huge.

The Co-Workers and I eat here regularly -- just today, in fact -- so I don't know why I haven't mentioned it before. The restaurant tends to fill up after noon, so we try to sneak in just before to beat the rush. No matter what, the service is efficient and the food generally comes up quickly. (There is really nothing to say about the ambiance here. Do NOT try to take a date to Pho Hoa!)

Adventurous types will appreciate the more unusual meat offerings -- including tripe, fatty flank and tendon. My usual order: the fried roll (#28) and beef noodle soup (#1, regular size for me). I load up my bowl with the Rooster (chile) sauce and dive right in.

Pho Hoa
1089 S. De Anza Boulevard
Cupertino, CA
(408) 366-0544

Three Seasons, Palo Alto

Last night marked my third visit to Three Seasons' Palo Alto location (the other two are in San Francisco and Walnut Creek). Jon was out of town, so it was just me, my sister and her husband. But don't worry -- we still ordered enough food to feed at least four.

Broken up into a number of categories -- spring rolls, satay, soups and salads, small plates, large plates, noodles and sides -- the menu is surprisingly extensive. Here are my favorites in each:

• Spring rolls: I like to go traditional here and order the version filled with pork and shrimp. Although dipping the rolls in just the peanut sauce is a perfectly delicious way to eat them, I add a little of the chili sauce as well (a.k.a. "The Rooster Sauce").
• Satay: It's a close race between the teriyaki beef and the Malaysian lamb, but the latter wins out (even though I would like the accompanying curry sauce to be thicker).
• Soups and salads: The tropical fruit salad features chunks of pineapple, mango, papaya and cucumber. Dried cranberries, glazed walnuts and a spicy dressing are also tossed into the mix. There's a nice contrast of ingredients (soft, crunchy, sweet, spicy).
• Small plates: Three Seasons' happy buns are a twist on the more often-seen steamed pork buns. Instead of pork, you get Peking duck. And I love the hoisin chili sauce that comes with it.
• Large plates: The Chilean sea bass is brought to the table in a small, jade-colored porcelain bowl (points for presentation). The steamed, silky white meat is swimming in a savory broth that is flavored with ginger, shitake mushrooms, fried shallots and white lily buds. Being the noodle-whore that I am, I also like the cellophane noodles in this dish.
• Noodles: This category is limited to only two contenders. My vote goes to the tiger prawns and garlic noodles, although I opt for no parmesan on top. (Parmesan? In Vietnamese food? I don't think so.)
• Sides: The blue lake green beans manage to be crispy and juicy. Sauteed with shitake mushrooms and shallots, they are some of the best I've had.

My sister has been raving about Three Seasons' banana-chocolate spring rolls for months, but during my previous meals here, I had skipped dessert. Since the third time is indeed a charm, I was finally able to sample the spring rolls last night. And, yes, they lived up to all of the hype. Four crispy rolls filled with bananas and chocolate, drizzled with caramel, are served up with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. If you like bananas, you're in luck: The fried banana is another excellent dessert choice. I also ordered a glass of the Inniskillin Cabernet Franc (an ice wine made with red grapes). Delicious.

During each of my dining experiences here, the service has been great. The place can get a little loud when it's busy (which is often), but that just adds to the energy. It's nice to know that this stretch of University Avenue can handle two wonderful, contemporary Vietnamese eateries -- Three Seasons and the previously reviewed Tamarine.

Three Seasons
518 Bryant Street
Palo Alto, Ca
(650) 838-0353

Tamarine, Palo Alto

Once upon a time, the Slanted Door was my destination when I wanted wonderful Vietnamese food in a sleek and sophisticated setting. But in recent years, I -- and other Peninsula foodies -- have been able to get all of the above without driving 30+ miles up Highway 280.

In late 2002, Anne Le (no relation to me) and Tammy Huynh opened Tamarine. The restaurant's elegant decor -- woven floors at the entrance, a slate bar, white linen tablecloths, upholstered chairs, dark-wood paneling -- is a perfect match for their creative and contemporary cuisine.

Diners here come in all makes and models, including couples, large groups of friends (there is a private dining room), families and business associates. I've gone here on Date Night with my husband. This is where we brought the in-laws when they were in town. My sister and I have lunched at Tamarine on numerous occasions. And of course, I've forced San Francisco friends to dine here just so they can understand why we no longer deal with the culinary insanity that the Slanted Door has become.

As with many Asian restaurants, the food is meant to be eaten "family style." Sharing plates means you get to sample a lot more of the items on the menu, so I've got no complaints with that. Although nearly a dozen visits has yet to yield a bad dish, I do have a few favorites:

• Tuna tartare (chopped Big Eye tuna with cucumber and chili served in half a coconut, along with fried wonton chips);
• Shrimp rolls (rice paper rolls filled with shrimp, pork and mint -- good by itself, but great when dipped in the hoisin/peanut sauce);
• Papaya salad (the shredded fruit is highlighted with chewy strips of dried beef that are bursting with flavor);
• Hoisin lamb chops (as delicious as the lamb is, I think I love the accompanying crispy sweet potato fries even more); and
• Shaking beef (tender and juicy cubes of filet mignon served on a bed of watercress).

In addition to plain ol' jasmine rice, you can get six -- yes SIX -- other variations. I like the hainan, which is infused with ginger, chicken stock and garlic. And presentation is not overlooked on something as seemingly simple as the rice: each serving is wrapped up in a banana leaf.

To satisfy my sweet tooth, I usually end the meal with an order of the banana beignets; they remind me of the fried bananas my mom made when I was a kid. At Tamarine, you get three piping-hot beignets, with a scoop of coconut ice-cream in the middle. I also can't resist a glass of Vietnamese iced coffee (warning: it's super-strong), which comes to the table with the coffee, ice and condensed milk already combined. (Some restaurants let the coffee drip at your table, so you end up stirring it into the glass of ice and milk yourself -- a process which can sometimes get a little messy.)

The service is generally good from start to finish. The waitstaff is attentive and friendly, plates are changed regularly, and water glasses are refilled before they're empty. Although I have read some diner reviews that indicate that this isn't a good place for kids, I recently brought my four-year-old nephew here and they were very accommodating. They sliced up a bowl of mangoes just for him, brought extra wonton chips, etc.

Tamarine manages to pack them in during lunch (weekdays only) and dinner (daily), so reservations are always a good idea. But, if you can't get a spot in the main dining room, there's a large communal table next to the bar that's ideal for walk-ins. Wherever you end up sitting, be sure to take a spin through the restaurant to check out the artwork gracing the walls. All are auctioned off periodically, with proceeds donated to charity.

While Tamarine has plenty to offer, I especially love knowing that with the gas money I'm saving by getting my Vietnamese food fix in Palo Alto instead of San Francisco, I can splurge on one of the specialty cocktails. Mmm ... lychee martinis ...

Tamarine
546 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA
(650) 325-8500