We finally visited Little Grill Vietnamese Cafe and we were so impressed we were back again on Sunday!
This cheap and cheerful, yet trendy and inviting new kid on the block looks like it will become one of our mid-week staples on those nights we can’t be bothered cooking but want something fairly healthy and wholesome.
Thoughtfully decorated and well set out, there are Vietnamese hats (nón lá) on the entrance wall, murals and cute feel good quotes on other walls, and large bi-fold windows open at the front where you can sit and enjoy the night air and watch the shenanigans happening out on the strip.
We were served in no time and were surprised with a traditional Vietnamese greeting from our waiter: “Hey how ya goin’?”. The waiters, Shane and Nigel, are friendly, attentive and ready to have a laugh with the customers. Next to us, another couple had visited previously and the young lady warned her waiter, “If it’s not as good as last time I’ll be very upset!” to which he replied, “What if it’s better?”. A great comeback I thought!
For Wednesday’s entree we had the Gỏi cuốn tôm thịt (fresh spring rolls with pork and prawns), $6 for two rolls. A delicious little snack with a tasty dipping sauce to tide us over while we waited for our soup and we both chose the Phở Đặc Biệt (“cop the lot” combination beef ho-fun), $12 took me back to Ho Chi Minh City where I had Phở for breakfast every day! Very authentic. A delicious stock, silky rice noodles, plenty of beef and herbs plus an extra platter of fresh mint, bean shoots, lemon wedge and sauces to add whatever you choose to an already delicious bowl of goodness.
On Sunday we tried the Bì Cuốn which were similar fresh spring rolls same with shredded pork inside and a different dipping sauce. Also $6 and very good.The Mì Hoành Thánh Char Siu (char-Siu Wonton Egg Noodles Soup) $11 was also a flavour explosion. I requested rice noodles instead of egg noodles and this was no problem. More delicious stock, tasty wontons, noodles, sliced barbecue pork topped with herbs, spring onion and fried onions with an optional wedge of lime and fresh sliced red chilli to add. It was a hearty and delicious Sunday night meal. My other half had the Bún bò nướng vĩ (grilled beef marinated in lemongrass) which must have been good because before I thought to have a taste, it was all gone!
There are some ‘interesting’ green desserts available at the counter but those didn’t tempt us.
All up, $30 for two people to have a quick, filling and relatively healthy dinner. Can’t complain about that. We’ll be back again soon for sure!
Jane McGellin
