Well.. you know this place is going to be good eats, afterall, I do believe these are the old owners of Pho Dau Bo down on International Avenue aka 17th Avenue SE aka Pho Avenue.
From friends to reviewers I know everyone loves this place, don't get me wrong the food is great -- well at least some of it is. Service is very low when the place is packed but most Vietnamese restaurants tend to be that way.
Their satay bowls are delicious, just the right amount of zing to enjoy a flavorful bowl of soup on a hot or cold day. The one thing I dislike about this place is the fact that there are only one bowl serving size.
I'm not one for the 'westernized' Vietnamese restaurants. I like having my size selection of bowls because I'm not always super starving when I go eat and in most instances a small bowl is perfect for my appetite complimented with some spring rolls and an iced coffee.
Speaking of spring rolls, I don't very much like the spring rolls at this place -- it's not that the spring rolls taste bad but it's mostly filled with carrots and is very lacking in the meat department. A good spring roll is 80% meat with 20% carrot.
This place is better to go eat at when you're with one or two people, when you're in large groups it does get kind of hectic and unorganized and through talking to other people that have eaten there it seems to be a reoccurring pattern.
I also find prices here just a bit steeper than it needs to be, I know for one because of who the restaurant caters to as well as the fact that there is only one sized bowl.
As far as decor, ambience and atmosphere go this place did it's homework -- not that it's super high-end luxurious but they did take the time to look at their brand as a whole which I find admirable.
If I'm in the NE along 32nd avenue I will usually stop by here for a quick bite!