Rate-A-Restaurant #337: Miss SaiGon (San Francisco)

Restaurant: Miss Saigon

Location: 100 6th St (San Francisco)

Type of restaurant: Vietnamese



We stipulated: The Vietnamese restaurant we planned to eat at, near our hotel, was too crowded, with a 45 minute wait. After a quick Yelp consultation, we decided to walk over to Miss SaiGon. (Yes, the "G" is capitalized.) Via a slightly sketchy street.

They stipulated: Christmas comes early to Miss Saigon. It was the first weekend of November, and already the decorations were up and the TV was playing "How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Ho ho ho.



What we ordered: Dau Hu Xau Rau Cai (Golden tofu stir-fried with vegetables in black bean sauce; $10.95); Bun Thit Nuong Cha Gio Noodles (Vermicelli with grilled pork, egg roll, lettuce, cucumber, bean sprout; $8.95); Con Ga Ngu VI (Five spiced chicken served with steamed rice and vegetable; $8.25)



High point:  The pork chop.

Low point:  The veggies and tofu were way too deep fried.



Overall impression: Good prices. But strange environment.

Will we return: We're not in SF enough to really ever make a return.

Rate-A-Restaurant #223: Good Girl Dinette

Restaurant: Good Girl Dinette

Location: 110 North Avenue 56 (Highland Park)

Type of restaurant: Vietnamese comfort food

We stipulated: Blogger Kid's preschool was holding another "Parents Night Out" event -- which means date night for me and Maria. (Er, more like "Date Night Plus One," as the Blogger Baby joins us on our so-called "Date Nights" these days.) It was also a Friday during Lent -- so no meat for us.



They stipulated: The Good Girl Dinette is BYOB -- yay! -- and most of its signature dishes can come veggie-only if you so desire -- which worked for us that particular Friday. Also, their curry pies take 30 minutes to bake.



What we ordered: House-made pop, $2.25 (parkling water mixed with fresh citrus -- limes, mandarin oranges, or oro blanco grapefruit; we picked the grapefruit); Fresh spring rolls, $6.25 (stuffed with tofu and herbs, served with a peanut sauce); cauliflower curry pot pie, $10 (savory curry pies topped with a homemade biscuit); roasted oyster mushroom baguette, $7.25 (served with pickles, homemade cilantro-maggi mayo, and spicy fries or vietnamese slaw; we picked the spicy fries, of course)



High point: The Oro blanco grapefruit soda was not too sweet, but just right. The banh mi had a nice spice and crunchy bread. And the fries were fantastic -- no ketchup required.

Low point: Wish it didn't take 30 minutes for the pot pie; I could also use more filling inside. But the curry in it is excellent.



Overall impression: The Good Girl Dinette is easily one of our new favorites. The prices are right, the environment is inviting, the restaurant very kid-friendly. And the food is a nice mix of unique, unusual and familiar, comforting flavors. I even love the space: In the ground floor of an older Highland Park building.



Chance we'll go back: We already have, introducing friends with similar-aged kids to the restaurant. Four adults and four little ones sounds a little nuts -- yet it turned out OK on a Sunday evening. And the bill came just as the babies started getting restless. This time out, we also got a chance to try some of the meat dishes -- and I'd now argue that the Good Girl Dinette's galangal chicken baguette may be the best banh mi you'll find within Los Angeles city limits.

(For our complete list of nearly 225 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.)

Rate-A-Restaurant #183: Viet Noodle Bar

Restaurant: Viet Noodle Bar

Location: 3133 Glendale Blvd. (Atwater Village)

Type of restaurant: Vietnamese



We stipulated: It was a Saturday night, and neither of us felt like cooking. Neither of us also felt like spending a ton of money for dinner. Oh, and we couldn't just abandon our Blogger Preschooler. We could go to one of our staples, Indochine Vien in Atwater Village... or we could try something new. It was time to finally check out the rival Vietnamese joint across from Indochine, Viet Noodle Bar.


Springrolls

What we ordered: Appetizer: Bo Bia Chay (Fresh Springrolls: jicama, carrot, tofu, basil, shallots: $5). Fresh rice noodles: Bun Ca Thi La (White Fish Noodle: with dill, turmeric, white fish: $8) and Bun Chay (Vegetarian Soyskin noodle: Soyskin, shiitake: $8).


White Fish Noodle

High point: The White Fish Noodle was a nice surprise -- guess you can't go wrong with dill and curry. Delicious. I would have eaten it all myself, but we were sharing both dishes.

Low point: I'm sad to report that Viet Noodle Bar is cash only. I rarely carry much cash on me -- but thankfully our bill was small enough that I could cover it. Just remember to plan accordingly -- or you'll be facing ATM charges somewhere.


Vegetarian Soyskin Noodle

Overall impression: The Blogger Preschooler enjoys the noodles at Indochine Vien, but I gotta say, we're kind of leaning toward Viet now. The food's good, reasonably priced, and the restaurant has a cool, stark, minimalist/urban vibe. And my main issues with Viet -- small menu and the communal dining table -- have also been addressed now that the restaurant has expanded. According to Eating LA and the Daily Dish, the new menu includes banh mi -- hurray!

Chance we'll go back: We definitely have to check out the expanded space... and try a banh mi.

For a complete list of our nearly 185 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.

Rate-A-Restaurant #172: Golden Deli Vietnamese

Restaurant: Golden Deli Vietnamese Restaurant

Location: 815 W Las Tunas Drive (San Gabriel)

Type of restaurant: Vietnamese

They stipulated: Test your luck trying to find parking in the cramped lot (we lucked out and found a spot on the street). You'll also likely be waiting for a table on the sidewalk at this strip mall; take advantage of it by checking out the nearby stores. Just make sure you're close to the door when they call your name.

We stipulated: We were car shopping in the Alhambra area, and realized we were close enough to keep driving a bit further for the mythical, cheap Banh Mi sandwiches of Golden Deli. Actually, Maria's been here before, so they weren't mythical at all to her. But she's been wanting to take me here forever. Now that our nearby K.P.'s is no more in Silver Lake, I needed a new home for Banh Mi.



What we ordered: For beverage, I got Soda Xi Muoi -- Salted Plum Soda ($1.60), while Maria ordered the Mang Cau Xiem -- Cheremoya ($1.50). For entree, we got the Bun Chao Tom/Bo Nuong/Cha Gio -- Shrimp Paste/Charbroiled Beef/Egg Roll with rice vermicelli ($6.25). We also got the Banh Mi Thit Nuong -- Banh Mi with charbroiled pork ($3)



High point: $3 for an excellent Banh Mi. Now I feel ridiculous for spending so much at K.P.'s -- although, I guess K.P.'s had Golden Deli beat for convenience. But man, that price for that sandwich is worth the drive.

Low point: The service is not friendly in the least... but yet, I didn't mind, it kinda added to the place.



Overall impression: Any place that offers up a homemade salted dried plum soda is OK in my book. You heard me right. Coming from Hawaii, I loves me some li hing mui -- there's something about the saltiness, tartness and sweetness all rolled into one that makes me a firm believer. Here, it mixed nicely with the soda water (and didn't contain that unnecessary food coloring).

Oh, and did I mention $3 Banh Mi?!

Chance we'll go back: OK, one more time: $3 Banh Mi! So yes, we will be back.

For a complete list of our more than 170 restaurant reviews, check out our companion Rate-A-Restaurant site.