38602 Tue Aug 09 19:49:40 -0700 2005 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 182024 Finally got around to trying Bodega Bistro. We had papaya salad (best I've ever had), spring rolls, pork bun, fried mushroom and crab rolls served like bun, pad thai, the "pancake" (similar to Slanted Door's crepe but crunchy), and the chef comped us a flan. Everything was delicious, casual but very friendly service. Too much food for three people came to $75 with drinks, tax, and generous tip. Tue Aug 09 19:49:40 -0700 2005 0 Robert Lauriston 1 182027 Bodega is not only very good, it's nice and quick if you are in a lunchtime hurry. Link: http://bunrab.com/yummychow/yummytitle.html Tue Aug 09 20:08:06 -0700 2005 182024 0 Edie 1 182063 I second, Bodega Bistro has become my favorite restaurant for anything Vietnamese but pho (and the pho isn't bad either, just not a specialty). I think the papaya salad is the best thing I've had on their menu as well. Wed Aug 10 00:42:41 -0700 2005 182024 0 Hungry Hippo 1 182111 Can anybody tell me the name of the herb with a sort of licorice / anise flavor BB uses in some of its dishes? It's a smooth, longish leaf, pointed, not a kind of basil or mint. Wed Aug 10 12:28:22 -0700 2005 182024 0 Robert Lauriston 2 182116 Perhaps rau ram, aka laksa? Image: http://www.makantime.com/cookbook/images/laksal.jpg Wed Aug 10 13:03:30 -0700 2005 182111 0 Melanie Wong 3 182120 That looks right, thanks. Wed Aug 10 13:24:26 -0700 2005 182116 0 Robert Lauriston