Vietnamese in NYC

[lollypop]

Dinner for two this evening, and we're hoping for Vietnamese. One of use lives on the UES and the other works in Gramercy. Can anyone recommend some good Vietnamese restaurants? Our main objective is good food. And a place where we can sit and catch up so no take-out only spots. thanks.

[lollypop]

Thanks for weighing in, everyone. We ended up at Lan Cafe on East 6th. The decor was nothing at all. The food was fine but not spectacular. We had the fresh spring rolls with dipping sauce and the papaya salad. The salad was the better of the two starters, although both were really fresh and light on a hot day. For entrees we got a vegetarian pho, which was good albeit a little cinnamon-y. Second entree was #36 -- lemongrass seitan on vermicelli noodles with peanuts and vegetables. BYOB - no liquor license. Inexpensive. Dinner was $36 but we did not order any drinks. Worth a try if you are walking by and craving Vietnamese...

[wew]

I am a fan of An Choi. Excellent thick pork chop, soups, and noodles.

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An Choi
85 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002

[Smithsd1]

Thai Son and Nam Son both in Chinatown are excellent especially Banh Xeo, BBQ pork and meaty spring rolls

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Thai Son
89 Baxter St, New York, NY 10013

Nam Son
245 Grand St, New York, NY 10002

[pbjluver]

Vermicelli
on Second Ave., between 77th and 78th

delicious food
wonderful service

[thew]

i cannot concur. i find them hit and miss. some things are ok. some are really not, to my taste

their pho tasted like sock filled laundry water

[MVNYC]

Vermicelli is not good and way more expensive than the downtown places. I would second Xe Lua though you will both have to travel.

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Xe Lua
86 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013

[lollypop]

Has anyone any experience with Co Ba in Chelsea or Lan Cafe?

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Co Ba
110 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[kathryn]

Here's the Voice on Co Ba:
http://www.villagevoice.com/2010-08-1...

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Co Ba
110 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

[thew]

xe lua

[sgordon]

I'll second Xe Lua.

Also decent are Pho Grand and Cong Ly (the latter's Pho is particularly good)

Can't think of anything above Houston, though, if you're looking for something more local to you.

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Cong Ly
124 Hester St, New York, NY 10002

Xe Lua
86 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10013

[nanapop]

Siagon Grill - University Place should really do the trick

[bookhound]

Saigon Grill is to Vietnamese food as Olive Garden is to Italian food.

Manhattan suffers from a dearth of good Vietnamese food probably because of the lack of a Viet people. Try the outer boroughs board.

[uwsister]

I'd have to agree with Olive Garden comparison, unfortunately.

Cong Ly is pretty good for pho.

[bookhound]

Cong Ly Is my default spot but it's just okay.

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Cong Ly
124 Hester St, New York, NY 10002

[uwsister]

Hey - we do the best with what we've got, right?

[nomnommonster]

Gross, that's like recommending Outback for Australian food. I have to say there is no uniformly great Vietnamese restaurant in the city. Nam Son is pretty solid as far as NYC Viet restaurants go--get what's offered as a special.

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Nam Son
245 Grand St, New York, NY 10002

[chow_gal]

V-Cafe in Tribeca.