First of all we had a certificate from Restaurants.com that we wanted to use for $25 and couldn't so that put us off right then and there since the certificate says spend $50 get $25 off - my first impression when I looked at the menu: OVERPRICED! Wilted basil and cilantro. Limes were dry. Pho came out warm rather than hot and the noodles had already absorbed most of the broth. I suspect they have ready made plates of pho lying around. The food itself was atrocious. Worst pho I've ever tasted. Service was extremely poor as the servers had no clue how to wait on patrons and we had to repeat ourselves before they got the order right.
Two stars for the atmosphere because although they have a very nice bar and happy hour specials, but the constant blasting of music that requires you to talk loudly to the person across the table. Located next to the lobby of the Sam Carlos hotel in Phoenix. Hipster/Yuppies type of crowd. That's your give away that this was more of place to be seen then enjoy good Vietnamese cuisine. The place could use an intervention by any show on @thefoodnetwork to give this damn place a restaurant rescue. Where's #GordonRamsay when you need him? Oh I didn''t mention the flies buzzing around either.
I recommend the other more authentic Vietnamese restaurants in the city rather than Rice Paper.