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| - I normally wait a few days to review a place after I eat at it. A little distance between me and the place itself always does some good for the objectivity of the review. I can't hold back on this place, though.
First, it's immaculate inside. We're talking Maserati-dealership levels of cleanliness in the dining room. It's well-lit with natural light in the daytime. While atmosphere doesn't do all that much for the quality of the meal for me, this place deserves to be noticed for that alone.
I had the duck noodle soup. I eat pho like it's my job, so I wanted to try something similar, yet still different. They brought me a good-sized bowl, with great hunks of tender duck meat. It wasn't as hot as I expected, so I asked for some hot sauce; this is where Map really started to earn its five stars.
I expected a bottle of Sriracha or something similar. What I got was a small spoon of reddish powder, about the color of paprika, with some red pepper flakes mixed in. I wet my finger and took a taste off the edge. I've had Szechuan peppercorn once or twice a while ago, but one doesn't quickly forget the numbing sensation that comes with the spicy flavor. That's what I got. Needless to say, that whole spoon ended up in the soup.
The bill came; it was next to nothing. For the way the restaurant is set up and the quality of the food, it felt like it should have cost much more. I guess that's the beauty of Asiatown. I'm sitting here, full and happy, with my wallet only a little lighter.
I sincerely hope that the next time I go to this place, there's a line out the door.
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