(Pho) Dang, that was Good
On Tuesday, after patiently waiting seven months, Keegan and I finally went to Pho Dang, a little Vietnamese restaurant in Winooski. I highly recommend it. The food was excellent, the service was impeccable, and it was affordable.
We split the Goi Cuon Tom Thit (cold spring roll with shrimp, vegetables, and pork) for an appetizer that came with some really tasty carrots. For the main dish, she had the Com Bo, Ga Xao Xa Ot (stir fried beef, chicken, lemongrass, scallion, and hot pepper served with rice) which was tasty. As tasty as it was, it wasn’t as good as my Bun Ga Nuong (grilled chicken with vermicelli noodles). It’s a bowl crunchy, meaty, and noodley goodness. It’s my favorite thing to eat. We also split a Ca Phe Sua Nong (coffee with condensed milk), which is the most sinfully delicious drink in the world. After dinner, we nursed our food comas with a few Flight of the Conchords episodes that had me singing in my dreams.
I waited so long to try Pho Dang because I wanted to go with Keegan — I was saving myself; I wanted my first time to be with someone special. For the past ten years or so, whenever Keegan and I are in Montréal we always eat at the same Vietnamese restaurant. The food is great and inexpensive. Plus, they have pictures of all the dishes in their menu — you can order by number or, my favorite method, pointing. We’ve always called it “Pho Bang” because someone wrote “Bang” below a sign that said “Pho” on the wall outside. We never knew its proper name because there are so many signs in their window and it wasn’t on their menu. The last time we were there, we made a conscious effort to find out its real name. We found it on their takeout menu, but I can’t remember it and the menu I took is buried somewhere in my workroom. All I remember is none of the numerous signs had the name on them and neither “Pho” nor “Bang” are in it. Oh well, Pho Bang is good name. Plus, it usually involves a punching gesture.
In June, on my way back home from the Adirondacks, I drove past Pho Dang in Winooski, a week or so after it opened. I immediately called Keegan when I got home to tell her about it and we made plans to go. Seven months later, we were there.
And the Pho don’t stop because last weekend I drove by another Vietnamese restaurant called Pho Hong (Pho Hung would’ve been better) and it’s right around the corner from my apartment. I hope it’s good because the only downside to Pho Dang is that it’s a bit far to walk. Hmmm… since I don’t have any food at home, it’s pay day, and I don’t have any plans for this evening, I might go there tonight.