Modern and Classic Vietnamese Dishes Move Into North Park | Eater San Diego

"On University Avenue in North Park I found a well-designed, contemporary Vietnamese eatery created by Han Tran and Jay Choy (who run the 14-year-old Ebisu Sushi) with partners Lam Nguyen and Phuc Vo, showcasing traditional Vietnamese cuisine and ingredients. Under a wall-sized Shepard Fairey 'Revolution Girl' print (displayed with the artist’s permission) and amid vintage motorbikes and an antique map of former Saigon, the restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, with brunch and happy hour to follow. Their signature pho uses a long-simmered bone broth made fresh daily and comes loaded with beef shank, oxtail, eye of round, flank, brisket and bone marrow; there’s also a surf-and-turf version with lobster and filet mignon, an all-seafood bowl, plus rich chicken and fully vegan broth alternatives. Classic offerings include Vietnamese baguette sandwiches, vermicelli rice noodle salad bowls, rice plates with grilled meats and bo kho (Vietnamese beef stew), while more modern innovations range from beef carpaccio with Vietnamese vinaigrette, crushed peanuts, fresh mint and watercress to banh mi–inspired crostini topped with bone marrow and taco-sized banh xeo stuffed with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts, jicama and fresh mint. The drinks program highlights hyper-local craft beer (mostly brewed in North Park), locally-made sake on tap, craft wine coolers and soju-based cocktails." - Candice Woo