I've passed by this cafe/restaurant so many times on Caledonia and have always been too busy to stop in...until today Feb 13 2016.. the coldest day of the year. I was just coming off of a bad cold. So naturally the doctor's prescription is Pho.
Lac Vien has an impressive menu and reminds me of a friendly bustling urban diner .. only it's in an industrial zone on the edge of urbanity in North York. But don't be fooled. You'll see people from every walk of life enjoying a meal here.
For as little as $7 you can get a small Pho bowl to fill you up (unless you haven't eaten in days don't buy an XL Pho). My wife and I started off with some veggie spring rolls. Not too oily, crunchy and perfectly paired with their homemade Sriracha that's present at every table. My wife and shared the veggie and seafood Pho as well as the Chicken Satay Pho. The veggie seafood Pho came with fresh beansprouts and basil that smelled so delightful and tasted so fresh that I thought I was back in Hanoi where we first discovered authentic Pho. The Chicken Satay Pho had just the right amount of spice but the homemade Sriracha enhances the taste if you like spicy. Many Pho places I've been to brings their bowls out steaming hot and you are left waiting a long time before it's cool enough to eat. Not at Lac Vien. The temperature is just right.
I've gotta stress again that prices where super reasonable. For coffee, tea, appetizers and copious amounts of high quality Pho for two, our bill came out to $25.99
Finally I had the hot coffee with condensed milk. It was the best way to end a meal before heading out into the cold again.
My only complaint is that it gets a little drafty in that place. The windows look like they could use better insulation.
Bravo Lac Vien Bravo!