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| - This is, hands down, my favorite hidden hole-in-the-wall in Charlotte. The problem is, it's not that big a secret anymore. Pull up any evening and see the yuppie smattering of BMWs and SUVs lining the parking spaces at the front of this little unassuming building that houses such a number of tasty eats. Add to that it's at the intersection of Eastway and Shamrock and the contrast is only that much more apparent. That's right true Charlotteans- Eastway and Shamrock! Double-check your locks before you head inside for some true Vietnamese delights.
As any regular knows, the place is actually run by a head female server who knows her customers to a fault and greets you with hugs and an almost scary photographic memory of what you like to eat and drink. The top steak houses in the city can keep track of my visits all they want, but they still can't recite and confirm my order for me before I've even slid into one of the booths to prepare for the meal to come. I kinda of like that, even if it locks me in before I've perused the menu. Luckily, I've carved out a trio of favorites that the head server runs thru before we send the order back to the kitchen.
Highlights include summer rolls- tender rice paper wraps fresh shrimp mixed with greens, bean sprouts and mint leaves. The star here, though, is really the peanut dipping sauce. I unabashedly lick the little blow clean and have yet to find the equivalent anywhere else. It adds the perfect mix of tang and savory to contrast with the fresh earthiness of the greens and mint leaves in the roll. I could make a whole meal out of these.
For mains, I'm a big time fan of the lemongrass curries. Be it chicken or tofu, the flavor here rules- delicate lemongrass with the base heat and pungency of curry. The balance is near-perfect and I find myself using the side dish of rice to soak up every bit of the sauce. The fresh cilantro on top is like icing on this cake. I even love that you have the pull the herb's leaves off to mix in yourself- you control the strength of that element.
On colder nights, I also advocate the clay pot house special. It's a mix of meats served with vegetables and a rice cooked in a savory tomato base all melding together in a very hot clay pot. It warms me up and is one of those "stick to your ribs" dishes that leaves me full.
Meals are always finished off with a check and a couple mini peanut butter cookies, thicker than they are wider. Nice and cakey, without being overly sweet. You also get a tamarind hard candy, wrapped and perfect to open later. On the weekends you also get the most wonderful sesame bun with a sweet bean curd filling. I would threaten to cut my dining companions if they shut me out on this last piece, it is served hot and I could eat dozen if they'd let me.
In short, you get a get a mix of fresh herbs and savory sauces that are really perfect together. The menu is many, many pages long, but do not fear- just tell the server what you like and trust in her.
Yes, the prices here are a notch above what you might expect, but I have found portion sizes to be generous and the wife and I get by usually sharing a single entree, especially after each having a couple of summer rolls. The service, though, is especially efficient and expedient, even a single sip of water tends to generate a refill within seconds. I can deal with that. If you drink iced tea, they bring you a whole mini pitcher just for yourself. Beware- I find their tea is brewed really strong and the sweet tea- well, hope you like the sugar you true Southerner, you.
If I had one complaint here, it's the soundtrack that is on endless loop. Jazzy elevator music classics that are cheesier than any dish you will find on the menu. I swear every time I walk in I am "treated" to "My heart will go on" the Titanic theme song and the theme song from Bonanza- all in the mellow, jazz style that is meant to stay in the background but ends up being that gnat in your ear that just won't go away.
Still, I don't come hear to enjoy the tunes. I come to enjoy the food, and that, my friends, is superbly executed here.
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