Category: Vietnamese

Brunch · Burgers · Vietnamese

Bastion Burgers, Holy Grill and Pure Saigonese

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Five Stars is back! Chew Steel and I picked him up at the airport. We stopped by to show filial piety to our parents and then Ubered out to try the burgers at Bastion Burgers. Let’s listen to “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat for this post.

Bastion is located in PinBar, a bar that reminded me a little of the now-defunct Cambie Hostel in Vancouver, from the pleasantly drawn graffiti in the washroom stalls to the moody shadows in the room.

We sat ourselves, and shortly after, our server stopped by. Five Stars ordered a regular iced tea ($6), and I ordered a hard iced tea ($15). Curious, he sipped my cocktail and winced, squealing it tasted like rubbing alcohol. I shared the O.G. Smashy ($13) and the American Cheese ($14) with Five Stars.

The O.G. was smaller than the American Cheese, as it wasn’t stacked because it didn’t come with lettuce and tomato. The caramelized onions made it taste more savoury and sweet. Five Stars noted that the skirt was perfect on the patty, teetering on burnt and ultra-thin.

The American Cheese was the star of the two. Five Stars fawned over the crisp, lacy layers of the smashed patties. The layers of beef made the burgers unique. But what won me over was the full-on beef flavour and the hot melted orange cheese that stuck to my teeth, balanced against the perfect proportion of chilled tomato, lettuce, and onion. Each bite was decadent yet refreshing. Five Stars exclaimed he could taste each distinct layer of meat, sauce, vegetable, and the bun.

I asked Five Stars if the American cheeseburger beat Class Clown’s. He said he’d need a side-by-side taste test as it had been a while since his last visit. Still, he admitted Bastion was easily on par. Class Clown has the edge with its killer wine list, but the absurd waitlist is brutal.

The side of the tater tots was ultra crunchy and hot from the fryer. Five Stars liked garlic aioli and dipping the crisp edges of the beef into it. I would get the tots and the American Cheese again. Five Stars was already planning his next visit before we’d even finished.

The next day, I took Five Stars to Holy Grill. I’ve had my eye on this Calgary classic for years. My brother-in-law Dave swears by the burgers, and I’ve eaten their food when I worked at Bow Valley Square. The building would throw parties for all the employees; their caterer was Holy Grill. The food is straight-up legit. I remember one spread with pizza, burgers, skewers, calamari, mussels, and other delights. Everything tasted homemade. I parked myself by the table and ate like Honey Boo Boo before a pageant.

I like the simplicity of the setup at Holy Grill on 10 Ave SW. You go up to the kitchen to order and pay. Five Stars wanted to try the eggs benedict ($18.99) with smash browns, while I picked the beef dip panini ($19.89). I requested soft eggs, which arrived with warm orange yolks that were runny when poked. He was especially thrilled by the little jar of extra hollandaise. He’s always griping that most places skimp on it, so he thought it was a thoughtful move by Holy Grill to throw in a bonus pour.

The panini was stacked with thin slices of roast beef and melted mozzarella. The shell was crunchy, while the beef dip added a soft, wet kiss of beefy broth. Five Stars praised the juicy beef slices and said he’d return for the same dishes. I preferred Five Stars smash browns over the fries I got with my panino. The potatoes were crunchy on the outside while the inside was hot and meltingly soft. We’ll be back, but I’m adding a burger to the lineup next time.

For dinner, Chew Steel and I took Five Stars to Pure Saigonese. But first, we stopped at Side Hustle for a drink. It’s my favourite lounge in the city. Maybe it’s the welcoming all-female crew, the laid-back crowd, or the safe vibe from the combination of all the above.

After, we moseyed over to Pure Saigonese and finally met the famous Matt. If you look at Google’s reviews, you will see that more than half of the customers are gushing about his service. I’ll admit, I thought his friends were behind those rave reviews, especially since, on previous visits, the service of the non-Matts didn’t quite match the high standard of the food. But Matt is the real deal. He is professional, helpful, and busy hustling to manage the entire restaurant.

Since we ordered drinks, wings were half off ($8), so we took advantage and ordered house salted chili and chili lime nuac. The chili lime guac cham batter was buttery and sweet, with the tiniest tingle of heat. The house-seasoned chili chicken wings were good as well, though tamer. The batter reminds me of Church’s chicken. Size-wise, the wings are bigger than pub wings but not as fat as Lonely Mouth.

I always order the shrimp mango papaya salad ($12) and the shrimp tempura ($15). Our plate contained four mega-charred prawns. I love the contrast between the wildly crunchy vegetables, peanuts, and sweet-tart dressing.

Everyone’s favourite was the seafood rice ($20). What hooked me was the unbeatable trio of real Dungeness crab, shrimp, and tobiko. The generous chunks of flaky white crab meat tasted sweet and delicate, and combined with those chewy grains of rice and those briny bursts of tobiko, I couldn’t stop shovelling the rice into my mouth.

Five Stars is on a rigorous diet, borderline unhealthy, but even he couldn’t resist. He complained that the food was so good he couldn’t stop eating like a pig. Lam should patent the seafood fried rice. I usually don’t order fried rice, as I make a good one at home. However, nothing beats Lam’s top-notch ingredients. This one’s a game-changer.

Lam Pham came out to say hi and dropped off a treat for us – the roasted duck crostini ($12). The crostini was lightly toasted and airy, while the pate was creamy and not overpowering. Five Stars thought it tasted like a duck Yorkshire pudding, like a Sunday roast, but not as heavy. Chew Steel raved about this bite, even though he’s not usually a pate guy. He just returned from Vietnam and said the food at Pure Saigonese is as good or even better than what he had in Vietnam.

My older brother Narc is coming to pay homage to my parents in July. I’m not 100% sure where I’ll take him yet, but it feels like a case worth investigating. Somewhere where the flavour is worth interrogating, and the BBQ meat doesn’t crack under pressure. To be continued.

Banh Mi · Restaurants · Vietnamese

Banh Mi Date #16: Banh Mi Cay

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Chew Steel and I were out grocery shopping when he suggested we get a banh mi for lunch. Shwing! Since we were 12 minutes away from Forest Lawn, he asked me to find a place I like. For this post, let’s listen to “Feed My Frankenstein” by Alice Cooper.

I remembered a Facebook post by Maro Ezz who owns a Mediterranean bakery near Banh Mi Cay. Maro came in to order a banh mi and chatted with the owner, who mentioned business was slow. Concerned and wanting to support her, he wrote about the friendly service and excellent food and recommended that other people check it out.

I ordered a House Special Cold Cut ($8.50) and a Beef Sate ($8.50) for Chew Steel. The subs took a few minutes to make because the owner is meticulous. I watched, memorized as she gently layered the meats and deftly arranged the toppings. I noticed that my cold cuts were popped in the toaster, so the meat is warmed up. Before we left the plaza, I picked up plain rice rolls from Lang Cao ($10) for breakfast the next day. Lang Cao is a cash-only spot that sells freshly made banh cuon.

I took a bite of Chew Steel’s beef sate. The beef was saucy with a pleasant heat, and I loved the prominent lemongrass flavour in the soft meat. Chew Steel mentioned the bread was light and didn’t cut into the roof of his mouth. I was impressed with the amount of beef. I would get this again.

I counted four layers of cold cuts in my assorted sub. The meat had a rougher texture than Thai Tai and Thi Thien, and its natural taste stood out against the smoothness of more processed cold cuts. The pate was more subtle than Saigon Deli and Banh Mi Nhu Y. I liked how, occasionally, a drip of mayonnaise mingled with Maggi sauce and pate would drip down on my parchment paper.

My banh mi came with two slender stalks of cucumbers, sweet, pickled carrots and raw onions. The subs are bigger than Kim Anh and Thi Thi, but less girthy than My Tho BBQ or My My Subs. I enjoyed my assorted cold cuts but I preferred the sate beef because it was so freaking good.

The banh mis are excellent value and delicious. If Banh Mi Cay would pickle their onions and slice them a bit thinner, it would be near perfection. Thanks to the kind owner of a nearby Mediterranean shop for recommending this hidden gem. Hitting the Sauce gives Banh Mi Cay two phat thumbs up.

Bars/Lounges · Vietnamese

Paper Lantern – Twice Lit

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Friday was my last day at my job, leaving me an entire weekend of unemployment before I started my new position. Chew Steel wanted to mark the occasion by going out for dinner. I picked Paper Lantern as I wanted to relive my experience with Danni and the Olympian two days earlier. Let’s listen to “Kokomo” by the Beach Boys for this post.

Chew Steel asked our server for a recommendation and mentioned he enjoys rum. She suggested the Zombie Milk Punch ($18), which consists of three rums, lime, falernum cinnamon, grapefruit, grenadine, absinthe, bitters and clarified milk. I enjoyed my Mai Tai ($12), but his cocktail was even better. He remarked that he’d never had a drink that he enjoyed this much. I could taste cinnamon and lime. Chew Steel said it was smooth with the right balance of sweet, tart, and booze. I made a mental note to bring my friends Kournikova and Lululemon to Paper Lantern for cocktails. 

The Mango Salad ($14) didn’t disappoint. I was worried it wouldn’t be as good as Wednesday. The dressing isn’t too sweet and has a warm, lingering heat. I love the zing of the mint and the toothsome texture of the mango and papaya. The only other salad that compares to Paper Lantern’s is Lulu Bar’s Sichuan noodle salad. 

Chew Steel enjoyed the Beef Stew ($14). The beef and carrots were so soft that chewing wasn’t necessary. The rich gravy complemented the crusty baguette. The beef stew is the dish if you are craving a “meat and potatoes” type of meal. 

I wanted to order the “What’s the Kitchen Having ($14),” a rotating dish the kitchen makes for dinner. The salad greens were so fresh. The noodles were light and springy. Eating the greens with the noodles and meat reminded me of a Vietnamese bun with a different Asian twist, as the noodles were thicker, and the sweet char sui reminded me of Chinese food.

The soup tasted like it took a long time to prepare, as it had that wholesome flavour to it. Chew Steel thought there might have been shrimp in the base.

My favourite dish was the Crispy Crepes ($14). I tried a version of this dish at Cuty in Dalhousie, and I wasn’t a fan. However, Paper Lantern’s version has converted me. Our order came with two golden brown turmeric crepes. As I bit into it, the crepe gave way to a steamy pile of pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and mung beans. The roasted sprouts, fragrant from the wok, added a smoky note that elevated every bite. Wrapped in lettuce and dunked in fish sauce, these crepes have texture, freshness, and umami. I would order them again.

Chew Steel and I found a new hangout. He was impressed with the cocktails and food. This is my third visit, and knowing who runs the kitchen, I know we can expect the same consistency in the future. As we left, I glanced through the kitchen window to catch an admiring glimpse of the female chef responsible for our delicious meal. Hitting the Sauce gives Danni’s parents two phat thumbs up. 

Banh Mi · Chinatown · Vietnamese

Banh Mi Date #15: Paper Lantern

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For the past year, I’ve corresponded with Danni on Instagram. We share similar tastes in food, and we’ve even been to the same restaurants at the same time, though we weren’t aware then. We decided to meet up officially. I invited my friend, the Olympian. Divine Offering isn’t accessible on Wednesdays so that she couldn’t make it. Lovegastrogirl was in Tokyo; otherwise, she would have also come along. Let’s listen to “New Attitude” by Patti LaBelle for this post. 

We hemmed and hawed about where to go, and finally, I suggested Paper Lantern. It is a small world; as it turns out, Danni is the proud sister of the owner of Paper Lantern and Prosperity Bar. Her parents previously owned Orchid Room in Bankers Hall. I’ve never eaten there, but I heard the food was elevated Vietnamese cuisine and popular with the downtown crew. The Olympian and I asked her where she eats Vietnamese food, as we were curious where she would eat if it weren’t her family’s restaurant. She recommended Rau Bistro, Noodle World (#52 rice platter or coconut beef pho), Pho Uncle Ten, and Basil Ultimate. 

I ordered the PL Daiquiri ($12), Danni ordered a Mai Tai, and Olympian picked a non-alcoholic pina colada. My cocktail was light and breezy, with a tart tropical zing from the pineapple. For food, Danni picked some appetizers for us to share. I appreciated the water pitcher on the table, as I was parched that night. 

First up was the Sweet Nuoc Mam Chicken Wings ($12). Damn, the wings were saucy and crispy, the sauce was sticky and sweet. I was happy to see the wings and drums were five times the size of any pub wings. I want to try the shrimp salt and pepper version when I return. 

There was a lot of beef in the carpaccio ($12). I liked how the peanuts and onions gave some textural contrast to the soft, raw meat. The beef itself had a nice flavour. I didn’t realize there was cilantro in this dish. Had I known, I would have omitted the herb, as I’m one of the unlucky ones with the soap gene.  

The pork belly banh mi ($10) was a winner! The special sauce and house mayonnaise were savoury and rich. The braised pork belly was so soft and warm that it melted right into the light, crusty bread. The pickled vegetables added a lovely crunch to each bite. Danni recommended trying the chicken roti banh mi next time. Her eyes lit up as she described how the chicken was caramelized. 

The Pineapple Stir fry ($12) was as good as I remembered it from my last visit. The rice bowl contained ample sweet pork belly, shrimp, and pineapple. If you are hungry, I recommend ordering a rice bowl, as it is filling.

My favourite dish was the Mango Salad ($14). It takes a lot for me to like a salad over wings, so the chef back there is performing a miracle. The mango and papaya strands were chilled, crunchy from the peanuts and herby from the fresh mint leaves. I liked scooping up the refreshing salad on top of the shrimp cracker. 

When the bill came, I was surprised to see how affordable it was. My bill, including one cocktail, was only thirty dollars. In today’s economy, that’s incredible. I informed Danni I was bringing Chew Steel to Paper Lantern for our next date night. She suggested I try the Beef Stew ($14) and Crispy Crepes ($15). I already know what I want—a repeat of the mango salad, banh mi, and the shrimp salt wings.

We plan to do another girls’ outing, this time at Prosperity Bar, to try the Big Mac egg rolls, Philly Cheese Banh Mi, and some dumplings. Next time, we’ll be sure to include Lovegastrogirl and Divine Offering. Perhaps I’ll have to start my supper club again, No Man’s Dinner, with the president, Loaf2go. 

Restaurants · Vietnamese

Pure Street Food

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On Saturday, I met up with my colleagues. I hosted a little gathering at my house, and then we met for brunch the following morning. For this post, let’s listen to: “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” by The Proclaimers. 

I suggested First Street Market because we wouldn’t have to wait in line, and there are traditional breakfast items and things I like to eat, like pho, dosas, and tacos. Freedom went to Friends with Benedicts, Nightengale bought a sandwich from Alforno, and Hammer bought a rice bowl from K-Town Fried Chicken. Despite the long lineup at Friends with Benedicts, Freedom picked up his food rather quickly. Hammer enjoyed her crispy soy garlic tofu bowl and recommended that next time, I try the new Korean stall. Nightengale carefully ate her messy sandwich, which dripped with white globs of fior di latte. I’ve been craving pho for months, so I went to Pure Street Food when I saw the owner, Lam Pham, was at the helm of his restaurant. 

When I sat down, I took a moment to inhale the sweet, comforting fragrance of Pure’s hu tieu bo sate ($19). Oh, it’s been too long since I last ate here. The steam from the pho floated up; and the scent clung to my hair for hours afterward.

Unlike other Vietnamese restaurants, there was more meat than noodles. I especially enjoyed the tender slices of beef shank and brisket. I could taste the quality of each piece of beef. My favourite part of the meal was gnawing rather indelicately eating around the beef rib to suck out all the gelatinous goodness. I noticed the bean sprouts were spanking fresh and ultra crunchy. Even the basil tasted extra vibrant. The noodles were noticeably silky and slippery, and I saw that the longer I took to eat them, the more the heaviness of the broth was absorbed into them. The broth is rich and heavily infused with spicy sate oil. 

Near the end of our meal, Lam came over to our table and dropped me off a treat—his special sesame donut with pork belly and pork crackling ($8). I was already so full of my pho, but the fei poi in me couldn’t resist such a gift. Each donut half was stacked high with soft layers of pork belly, pickled carrots, cucumber and sriracha aioli. At the back of each donut was a light, crunchy crackle from the pork. Each bite was decadent, heavy from the sauces, and sweet from the thin sesame shell, like a savoury dessert. 

There was so much in the bowl that I couldn’t finish all the noodles, and I barely drank the broth. Such a waste, as a beef broth like this, is an elixir of life. Next time I come, I’ll get my meal in a takeout bowl, eat all the noodles, and then take home the broth and meat. My new place of employment is two blocks from Pure Street, so I’ll be sure to return soon for my pho fix.

Vietnamese

An An Kitchen & Bar

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On Friday, Chew Steel and I decided to go out for an early dinner. He suggested we try a new restaurant he thought I would like, An An Kitchen & Bar. We parked at his sister and brother-in-law’s business, conveniently located right across from the restaurant. For this post, let’s listen to “Dilemma” by Green Day.

We sat in the enclosed patio, which I thought initially would be too chilly. However, there was a stove at the door that kicked off some heat. I decided on two of the most popular dishes: An An Bun Cha Ha Noi ($19.50, +$1 gluten-free spring rolls) and the Pan-Seared Scallops ($16). For drinks, we ordered Asahi ($8), which came in a can. The beer was ice-cold, but I wished it came in the correct size glass. As I sipped, I wondered if my glass of beer was half full or half empty.

The seared scallops arrived in a set of five. I enjoyed the crunch of the tempura seaweed, the toasted peanuts, and the brightness of the lemon and fish sauce. Dipping the scallops into the fish sauce was tricky, as the toppings would fall off. The second time I dunked into the sauce, I lost my grip on the scallop, and it took a nosedive into its pungent bath. Despite my chopstick technique failings, I recommend this appetizer for its texture and flavour combination.

The vermicelli platter was a platter of eye-rolling deliciousness. The pork meatball was so tasty, with a soft and juicy texture. Chew Steel raved about the pork belly, which surprised me as he doesn’t like fatty meats. The pork was charred and crispy, with the smell and taste of the grill.

I loved the spring rolls served piping hot, crusted with a light batter, and melted in your mouth. The fish sauce was notably sweet and tart. I used all the lettuce, carrots, basil, cilantro, and carrots to make wraps. I heaped the springy noodles on top of the lettuce, layered it with pickled vegetables and herbs, added the spring roll or pork belly, and then dunked it into the warm dipping sauce. Chew Steel preferred to eat his food like a regular vermicelli bowl. He noted all the ingredients blended well together.

The portion was so large, we were full for hours after our dinner. We plan to return, and often, for the vermicelli platter. Hitting the Sauce gives An An two phat thumbs up.

Beer · Vietnamese

Tail Gunner and Rau Bistro

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Chew Steel and I stopped by Tail Gunner Brewery for a beer. Acme Pizza has officially moved into the brewery, and we saw several customers coming in to pick up a pie. Our server informed us if we wanted pizza, we could order from her, which is a different system than when Acme was at Two House Brewery. Let’s listen to “Angel” from Pink Pantheress for this post.

I went with my usual, the Linton Stephenson Czech Pilsner ($6.00, 330 ml). Chew Steel took a sip and noted it was crisp, dry and very “traditional.” I enjoyed the fresh foam and the light flavour. With beer this good, I don’t miss wine. 

I sipped Chew Steel’s Ross Dixon West Coast Pilsner pick ($6.00, 330 ml), and wow, this is a goodie. The initially tasted a little sweetness, followed by a tiny bit of bitterness. I thought the pilsner was floral, while Chew Steel smelled cedar and thought it was almost tropical. 

I was tempted to order a pizza, but I was craving Vietnamese food. I picked Rau Bistro, an old favourite of mine, located on Centre Street.

We shared the Banana Blossom Salad ($15) with Crispy Chicken Leg. The chicken itself was tasty, the skin a crackling, blistered brown. However, the salad mainly consisted of bamboo shoots with only a light sprinkle of carrots and herbs. The consistency of the salad was wet, soft and rubbery, with no distinct sweet or sour notes. The portion was large, but we only ate some of it. I read reviews of customers raving about this traditional dish, so maybe I wasn’t used to muted flavours. I would have preferred less bamboo shoots and more herbs, sprouts and banana blossoms.

I ordered a Mega Vermicelli Bowl ($18), and Chew Steel ordered a smaller version, the Grilled Meats Vermicelli Bowl ($16). The noodles in our bowl were plentiful but overcooked. However, the generous variety of crunchy vegetables made up for the noodles. He enjoyed the beef, which was sweet and smoky from what tasted like a charcoal grill. I loved the pork patty, which was juicy and just delicious. The shrimp was my second favourite protein, crunchy with a pleasant chomping quality. The chicken and spring rolls were a tad overcooked and chewy. The fish sauce tasted diluted and less potent than previous visits.

There was so much food in our bowls that we didn’t finish it. The portions are generous; you won’t walk away hungry after ordering a meal. We were content with the vermicelli bowls, but I wondered if we ordered the wrong dishes. When I looked around, everyone was enjoying hot steaming bowls of pho.

This particular visit is likely isolated, as it didn’t reach the high-level enjoyment I’ve experienced on prior occasions. I’m sure the wrap and roll combos and 7-course set meals are still on point. In any case, Rau Bistro is still a good option for Vietnamese food.

Banh Mi · Cheap Eats · Vietnamese

Banh Mi Date #14 – Van Express

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Office Guardian walked over to Dimples and asked her where she wanted to go for lunch. Dimples pointed to Office Guardian’s belly and suggested wherever the baby wanted. They turned to me and asked for a recommendation. Let’s listen to “Possession” by Sarah McLachlan for this post. 

I suggested they head to Van Express for the pho or various soups as it was raining, and they wouldn’t have to walk outside. Office Guardian ran to get M to join and asked if I wanted to come along. I told them I would go for a walk, as it is tricky to navigate in the +15, but I would drop them off and continue on to Wise & Wright. Please note that all the pictures below were taken by Dimples.

When we arrived, the food smelled so good and the company so fun I decided to forgo my walk and join them. Eating here would also mean getting closer to my goal of 19 banh mi dates, even though it wasn’t L taking me. 

Office Guardian ordered Tom Yum ($11.90), Dimples ordered wonton noodle soup with vegetables and noodles ($11.50), and M and I both ordered a beef sate sub ($8.81). I was impressed that Tom Yum was packed with seafood, such as shrimp, fish balls, imitation crab, and fresh basil leaves. Office Guardian said the soup was nice and flavourful and not overly spicy. 

Dimples wonton soup looked good, too. The pork wontons were big and round, packed with meat. I told Dimples it was a pet peeve of mine when the wonton is more noodles than filling. The egg noodles looked properly cooked, thin and al dente. I could smell the cilantro in both their soups. She could only eat half, as she found the portion so filling. 

Our banh mi was the size of a foot-long sub. M mentioned that the bread, melted white cheese and meat tasted similar to Thi Thi. The carrots were cold and pickled, just the way I like them. The addition of onions and jalapeno gave it a nice bite. Price-wise, this is one of the cheapest and largest in the downtown core, aside from Thi Thien, who still only charges $4.99 for an assorted banh mi. I like this beef sate sub more than To Me, Secret Vietnamese Cafe and Thi Thien, but less than Pho 99, Pho Soc Trang or Banh Mi Nu Y. 

Banh mi date 14 out of 19. Only five more to go to accomplish my goal of going out on 19 banh mi dates. It’s important to have serious life goals.

Banh Mi · Sandwiches · Vietnamese

Pho 99 – Banh Mi Date #13

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On Valentine’s Day, I wanted Vietnamese food to reel in Banh Mi Date #13. L was game. He just requested to avoid any place that would be chaotic. For this post, let’s listen to “Real Love Baby” by Father John Misty.

I picked Pho 99 based on MJ Leung’s review on Calgary Food – Food YYC. The restaurant was previously Ricky’s, so it has an old-school family chain vibe. It was quiet and peaceful on a Tuesday at 11:30 am, just as L desired. By noon, it was busier, with customers dining in and placing orders to go. 

We requested two Saigon beers ($7.50), Deep-Fried Pork Spring Rolls ($8.25), Self-Wrap Rolls ($19.25), and a Grilled Lemongrass and Sate Beef Submarine ($9.95). After we ordered, I spotted the number four at our table, which is bad luck in Chinese culture. Whoops. Good thing I’m not superstitious. 

The water and rice wrappers for our platter came out before our appetizer. I noticed the water was only lukewarm, so when our wrap and roll platter arrived 15 minutes later, I asked if we could get the water replaced with hot water. If the water isn’t warm enough, I find the wrapper gummy and challenging to wrap.

The pork spring rolls were hot, crunchy, and slender, resembling Romeo Y Julieta mini cigars. I could see minced carrots and noodles in the creamy filling. The nuoc cham (dipping sauce) wasn’t overly sweet, and the smell and taste of fish sauce were subtle. 

You can pick various combinations for the wrap and roll platter. We chose the special prawns, lemongrass chicken, and sate beef. Our plate contained a heaping pile of glistening vegetables: romaine lettuce, basil, carrots, onions, and cucumbers. The vermicelli was laced with crushed peanuts and cooked green onions. The noodles were noticeably springy, with a jiggly mouthfeel. If you like Cuty’s wrap and roll combo, you’ll love Pho 99’s version. 

The shrimp was large and toothsome. The chicken was well-marinaded and generously proportioned. Of the three proteins, the clear winner was the sate beef. Oh my goodness – the wok hei flavour in the meat was so overwhelmingly delicious. The sauce wasn’t too sweet, and the meat was perfectly tender. I would get the beef wrap and roll platter again. 

Historically, L and I disagree about who makes the best banh mi in Calgary. It seems fitting that we finally agreed on February 14, 2023, that Pho 99 makes our favourite beef sate sub. Lightly toasted, the bread is soft enough that your teeth sink in without scraping the skin on the roof of your mouth. L liked there wasn’t an abundance of mayonnaise or sweet sauces. Instead, the beauty of this sub was how damn good the beef taste – generously layered, charred and smoky from the wok. 

Size-wise, Pho 99’s sub is bigger than Kim Anh and Trung Nguyen. The bread is softer than Soc Trang but on par with the freshness of MyMy Sub. By far, the texture and flavour of Pho 99’s beef is superior to Saigon Deli and To Me Sub . However, I prefer Banh Mi Nhu Y yellow mayonnaise, which adds a velvety texture. Thi Thi still wins in the vegetable department, serving up the best pickled carrots, onions, chilies and cucumber ribbons.

I mentioned to our server how much I enjoyed the beef sate wrap and banh mi. He stated that Pho 99 is known for its stir fry and that William from Vietnam Daily gave them a high rating. Based on the wok hei of the beef, I’m sure the stir fry is excellent. L and I are looking forward to returning and trying other beef dishes. Hitting the Sauce gives Pho 99 two phat thumbs up, and makes it on my list of Best Restaurants in YYC. 

Fusion · Vietnamese

Pure Street Food – Part Two

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On Sunday, Bex.oxo invited me to National Geographic Live. Before the presentation, we planned to dine at Maven, but the 1.5-hour wait deterred us. So instead, I suggested First Street Hall & Bar, as I knew Bex.oxo would find something she liked. Let’s listen to “Delicate” by Taylor Swift for this post.

We stopped by for a coffee at Alforno. As we sipped our cappuccinos, I showed Bex.oxo around the market. She noticed all the vendors are notable restauranteurs in Calgary’s food scene. I had the best intention of checking out Actually Pretty Good and La Mano, but I remembered seeing Foodkarma’s post on the dry noodles at Pure Street Food. I’m a sucker for a good recommendation, so I ordered the Hu Tieu Mi Kho Noodles ($15) and Spicy Bo Kho Brisket Sesame Donut ($6).

What blew me away was the sesame donut. The shell was thin, light and crackled when I bit into it. The brisket was so tender; I barely had to chew. The crowning glory in this donut was the layers of fresh basil, chilled cucumber and crunchy carrots. I noticed as the donut chilled, the flavours became even more pronounced. For me, this was like a banh mi but intensified. We both didn’t use the dip. We felt the donut was flavourful enough and didn’t need anything else. 

The Hu Ties Mi consisted of wok-tossed egg noodles, char sui, ground pork, spring greens, slices of fish cake, and a side of rib bone soup. The portions are so generous. I made Bex.oxo eat some of my lunch. I was instructed to sip the soup independently rather than mixing it into the bowl. I loved the broth’s flavour, which was so vibrant and lively. The big piece of rib meat was soft and meaty. I would order the soup again.

The sauce on the noodles had a robust spicy kick to it. The noodles were chewy, soft and sticky. There was so much char sui, ground pork, and noodles, the portion was big enough for two meals. 

The spring roll was killer – thick and densely packed with a savoury filling. I thought this was one of the better Vietnamese spring rolls in town. You can tell there was no scrimping of ingredients or love. 

I’ll have to come back and try another vendor other than Pure Street Food. Old habits die hard. But if I died that afternoon, I would have passed away happily. The sesame beef donut was one of the best things I’ve eaten in 2022.