Vietnamese

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Miss Chu – South Yarra – Sunday 6 September 2015 – Dinner

Traditional beef pho

Traditional beef pho

Having walked past a few times before visiting there is something enticing about the entrance to Miss Chu. The model of having the takeaway at the front and the restaurant at the back doesn’t always work but in this case there is something comforting.

The fitout for this Vietnamese diner uses every inch of the long and tight rectangle room. It is funky and functional. The menu doubles as an order form immediately bringing memories of places like Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong. While we are here for soup, there are just too many enticing dishes to completely focus there.
So we begin with rice paper rolls. Beautiful, tight wrapped rice paper covers a generous roast duck filling. Combined with the rice wine vinegar based sweet chilli sauce you have way more than a snack. This could act as a light lunch.

Roast duck and banana flower rice paper rolls

Roast duck and banana flower rice paper rolls

Next we try the prawn and crab net spring rolls. Again, it strikes me that you can actually taste the prawn and crab through its generousity, which should be the usual case, but just isn’t in reality. Each bite is delicious and again the dipping sauce adds a hit of heat.

We now have our traditional Vietnamese pho filled with beef. The broth is great, but certainly no better than many on Victoria Street. What does set this pho apart is the noodles which are perfectly formed and have that elasticity and texture that puts them in the exceptional basket. The beef is tender enough, but still could be cut a little smaller in the kitchen. Put another way, it’s probably not a first date dish.

Prawn & crab net spring rolls

Prawn & crab net spring rolls

With a good selection of drinks available, Miss Chu provides a terrific dining experience. While you write your own order, the service is still interactive, and on this occasion, quick. For the price tag it is one of those experiences where you are already planning future visits as you slurp the last of those awesome noodles.

Miss Chu Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Anchovy – Richmond – Saturday 13 June 2015 – Dinner

Grilled green prawns, sweet tamarind, Vietnamese mint

Grilled green prawns, sweet tamarind, Vietnamese mint

I’m excited! Modern Vietnamese has hit Bridge Road in Richmond in a big way. The good looking clean lines of the interior translate to the food being dished out.

Anchovy is the new kid on the block and has made an instant impact. Having tried to get a table after 9pm the week prior (and not succeeding), we book a table tonight by email during the day. It is a system that works well on this occasion.

Vietnamese blood pudding, ginger, cos

Vietnamese blood pudding, ginger, cos

Given the crowds, we are excited about trying several dishes and seeing what Anchovy’s modern take on Vietnamese looks like. For the rice paper rolls, and the spring rolls, it does not look too different. The rice paper roll is expertly wrapped containing a delicious fish that is growing in popularity in Bonito. I love this fish since first trying it at Provenance in Beechworth and the inclusion in the rice paper rolls is intelligent. The spring rolls are delicious; better than most. When wrapped in the mustard leaves with a few select herbs and dipped in the sweet chilli you have a starter hard to not order.

Spring rolls, mustard leaves, herbs

Spring rolls, mustard leaves, herbs

My favourite starter was modern. Great blood pudding, soft consistency, wrapped in a cos lettuce leaf, covered with Vietnamese mint, coriander and pickled ginger. Absolutely delicious for offal fiends like myself. Next we tuck in to several chargrilled prawns. It is not the cheapest dish on the menu but the green prawns are a good size, are beautifully cooked just through, and the sweet tamarind in the juices and Vietnamese mint, add to what is simply great food.

Rice paper roll, bonito, coconut, perilla

Rice paper roll, bonito, coconut, perilla

For our larger dish we share the pan-fried flounder. There are four nicely sized fillets. Again, the skill of the chefs is shown in the well cooked fillets which are accompanied by a lot of spring onions, coriander and a burnt butter that adds excellent flavour, but does not in any way detract from the flounder which stars. The quality of the food has been as exciting as its potential offered. We simply must try dessert despite the good portion sizes.

Pan-fried flounder, spring onions, mustard greens, burnt butter

Pan-fried flounder, spring onions, mustard greens, burnt butter

Finishing off with the beignets is a delight. They are light and expertly cooked and prepared. The coffee cream and condensed milk additions could divide diners who are often either for or against coffee in dessert, but it works, and coffee certainly has a role in Vietnamese culture. Something that I really like about this dessert has been a feature of the entire menu. A few excellent components in the dish, combining together to enhance the star, but not going too far.

Beignets, coffee cream and condensed milk

Beignets, coffee cream and condensed milk

The whole experience tonight has been fantastic. Sitting on the bar the service has been enthusiastic and skilled. The restaurant is busy creating a good Saturday night buzz, and the refit of the previous tenant has really made its mark. Anchovy is a newcomer that packs a professional punch; I look forward to seeing it move through the ranks.

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