"Tucked into a residential neighborhood, Vientian Cafe has the kind of greatest hits menu that spans pho, pad Thai, and every other Southeast Asian standard in between. But it’s a Lao restaurant above all else, and to unlock the restaurant’s true greatness, diners should order exclusively off the separate menu of Lao specialties: nam kao, or crunchy rice ball salad; best-in-class baked Lao sausages; catfish steamed inside banana leaves; and an assortment of delicious noodle soups. Call in for takeout during the restaurant’s regular business hours." - Luke Tsai