Phobar: Where Teleportation to Vietnam Happens
As a foodie, one of my favorite things about NYC is the opportunity to locally try different cuisines from all over the world. Last week, it was time to try the Vietnamese cuisine at PhoBar, in honor of their recently added menu items. I was excited to live a new Vietnamese, culinary experience, but I was mostly curious to know what PhoBar’s buzz is all about. And I have to confess, the restaurant’s savory recipes, unique décor, and impeccable service, exceeded my expectations.
Right at the heart of Chinatown, PhoBar embraces the Asian atmosphere. It directly teleported me to a hip Vietnamese world with its ceiling of green water lilies, big dragon ornaments, and a neon-lit noodle bar… and of course, the food is also loyal to its culture. PhoBar’s menu has so many options, and I felt like ordering everything on it. For our entrées, my friend and I ended up picking the perfectly crispy Spring Rolls, the flavorful Chili Shrimps, and the savory Brussels Sprout Salad. In just five minutes (and I’m not exaggerating), everything was on the table. The food was delicious, but it was the speed of the service and the friendliness of the waiters that impressed me.
Since we were eating at PhoBar, we figured that we should taste its Pho dishes (of course). Wanting to keep it simple, we ordered the Classic Beef Pho, which was hea-ven-ly! This basic dish’s ingredients perfectly harmonize with one-another to create rich, yet light flavors. A big bowl of warm, and guiltless comfort-food, that effortlessly put a smile on our faces. My friend and I also shared the “Grilled Lemon Grass Chicken, Shrimp, & Spring Roll”. Served with dry noodles, the dish’s meats are so tender, and melt in the mouth. We were enjoying every bite of our dinner, but we kept some leftovers in our plates: Not because we didn’t love the food, but because PhoBar’s portions are VERY generous.
Looking at our not-so-empty plates, I was once again teleported to the Vietnamese world: here, even the portions reflect the culture’s values of generosity and giving. I now get why everyone praises PhoBar. And I can confirm that the BUZZ IS REAL!
From South of France to NYC: Mamo Restaurant Review
For decades, “Mamo Le Michelangelo” has been France’s “it” restaurant that attracts celebrities like Rihanna, Julia Roberts, and Angelina Jolie, during the Cannes Film Festival. Now, it’s come New York, with all its Mediterranean hospitality and refinement. Mamo, (Mamo Le Michelangelo’s sister restaurant in NYC) is the perfect marriage between contemporary and traditional Italian cuisine. With a single bite, this place brings the warmth of South of France to SoHo-- even in the midst of cold weather.
It was another freezing Manhattan night, and I was hastening towards the restaurant’s small door, to shield myself from the 30-degree weather; and behind Mamo’s entrance, lay a new world of elegance and coziness. Just what I needed!
Welcomed by a lovely hostess on the lower level of the restaurant, I checked my coat and went up a charming staircase, decorated with beautiful hand-painted tiles. My last step led me to an intimate dining room that instantly wowed me with its chicness: The majestically big grey and white marble bar. The large arch. The grey brick-wall. It all comes together to offer the contemporary with the traditional authenticity of Antibes-France.
As I sat at my table waiting for my friend to come, I entertained myself by reading the menu. It was neat, easy-to-read, and had the perfect variety of dishes. For the appetizers, my friend and I first decided to try the Truffle Fries, which were cooked in butter and were absolutely delicious. Then we tried the Mozzarella Roll. The cheese is clearly fresh but comes with a slightly bitter pesto sauce, that might not please all palates. The best part of dinner was, for sure, the main course: The Lobster Ravioli with Caviar. It was masterfully put together with a creamy sauce that melts in the mouth. We shared this Italian wonder with another dish, the New York Steak, which comes with a small pot of baked potatoes. The meat had a golden, thick crust with a perfectly-pink medium-rare center. Simply exquisite!
Yes, we ate a lot, which is why we decided not to order a desert, but the restaurant’s service is simply impeccable. The waiter offered us a tasty vanilla cake, that we ended up devouring. In fact, the servers are so attentive, that they even folded my friend’s table napkin when he went to use the restroom. You get what you pay for, and Moma’s high-end services and gourmet food are definitely worth their prices. As I drank my last sip of Sauvignon Blanc, I realized that it was time for me to don my coat again. Ciao coziness and warmth, and au revoir South of France! It is time for me to face New York’s cold again.