PHO HOANG
Neighbourhood ......... West End , Osborne , Downtown , Tuxedo
Address ......... 5-794 Sargent Ave Phone ............. 204-415-6893 Entrées ....................... $ 7- $ 11
Noodle joints are wildly popular right now , and one might be right to credit Pho Hoang for their new elevated status . This 11 year old local chainlet has stylishly swooped in to three more neighbourhoods in the last couple years , changing the scene for Vietnamese cuisine .
Upon entering the original locale , its interior makeover is transformative . From neon lit signage displaying playful messages like “ good pho the soul ” to a painted peacock covering an entire wall , it is clear the Hoang family is waging to win affection from stylish diners . Crayon coloured silk lanterns and a display of traditional blue and white porcelain vases clinch the cultural nod . Newer locations are distinctly modern too hinting at the fresh dining experience that awaits .
This buzzy eatery named for the signature soup of Vietnam is all about its broth . Beef bone broth is made daily and is the basis for its devout following . The intense depth and meaty flavour of the dark stock is the result of the kitchen ’ s dedication to tradition , ensuring at least 24 hours of simmering .
The delicious star anise spiked liquid is used throughout the menu , for all the iterations of noodle soups made with different combinations of meat , seafood , vegetables and flavour boosting herbs . Any one of these is a full feast . ciao ! reviews
Though soups may be the original drawing card of this place , the menu reflects an embarrassment of riches . Fresh lotus root salad whets the appetite with its tangy bites of the shredded root mixed with cucumbers and carrots .
Sweet potato and shrimp crepes are latke-like ultra crisp fritters boosting both sweet ingredients to delectable new stature . Soft rice paper roll-ups of salad fixings ; Thai basil , lettuce , bean sprouts , carrots , cukes and noodles , make plump fresh salad rolls .
Perfectly seared and charcoal kissed meats are reason enough to seek out Vietnamese fare . Here , barbequed short ribs , grilled pork and lemongrass chicken shouldn ’ t be missed .
On the drinks side of Pho Hoang , bubble teas and fresh sparkling limeade take a front seat .
CAFÉ CARLO
Neighbourhood .......... Corydon Address ................ 243 Lilac St Phone .............. 204-477-5544 Entrées .................... $ 21- $ 48
Cast your memory back to the Before Times and you may recall restaurants reveling in stark , minimalist chic . But trends are cyclical , and a return to comfort and maximalism has gathered on the horizon of the cutting edge . The latest designs have trended towards vibrancy and playfulness , while upping the cozy factor .
This turn also leads us back to some longtime favourites , who ’ ve known all along the value of a welcoming room and delicious food to eat it in . One such resto is Café Carlo . With three decades under its belt , this just-off-Corydon room continues to deliver the high quality it ’ s known for with a very now predilection for homey comfort .
The burgundy-walled space exudes warmth , with pendant lights and a softly glowing banquette . Tables are typically filled with small huddles of neighbourhood regulars and date-night pairs .
Classic appies get the elevated treatment , like plump prawns wrapped in crisped sheets of prosciutto . Porky and sea-saline , these morsels are set on a buttery hollandaise cut through with lemon and a drizzle of zingy herb gastrique .
Pan-fried broccoli may sound simple , but when paired with toasted pecans and savoury XO sauce , it delivers a tangy umami burst .
Café Carlo is known for pastas , with its fett chile ( fettuccine in a chile cream sauce loaded with Spanish ingredients like roasted red peppers and chorizo ) long reigning supreme . Opt for classics like vongole and ragu , or try pappardelle swimming in curry cream sauce and spaghetti tangled with spicy eggplant and feta .
Protein-centered entrees are equally well-prepared , blending tradition with just enough of a nouveau touch . For veal lovers , the schnitzel is a dream : the dusky meat meets its match with a bright sauce of plump capers and lemon .
What is it that turns diners into regulars , coming back again and again ? For the answer , look no further than a towering wedge of birthday cake semifreddo--layers of yellow cake , funfetti and chocolate ice creams , piled with sprinkle-popped struesel , all topped with a little candle . It ’ s fun , it ’ s decadent , and most of all , it ’ s delicious . What more could a restaurant be ?
ciao ! / oct / nov / two thousand twenty-two 33