At Sunflower Garden, rely on quick, decent Vietnamese food - Review - San Francisco - The Infatuation
"Sunflower Garden in the Sunset has a long Vietnamese menu with just about anything you’re in the mood for: huge bowls of phở and bún, loaded-up rice and noodle plates, and various rolls you can’t get elsewhere in the area. Overall, the dishes are solid and generously portioned, with a couple of standouts. The Vietnamese crepe spring roll combines the crispiness of bánh xèo with the chewiness of the rice paper wrapper. And, unexpectedly, we can't do without the lemon iced tea, which is lemon in name only and tastes much more like tamarind. There’s not much going on at Sunflower Garden in terms of atmosphere, which is just fine. The point here isn’t to linger, but to eat something that arrives minutes after it's been ordered and then get on with the day. Most of the time, friend groups swing by for quick catch-ups, solo diners zone out with some soup, and the occasional family with kids stop in for a fast and easy meal. Follow their lead and use this spot for a reliable, low-lift lunch or dinner. Food Rundown Imperial Rolls A bit mixed. The outside’s crispy, but the pork filling is mushy. We’d suggest going for a different roll. Vietnamese Crepe Spring Roll Something we get whenever we visit. The bánh xèo curled up inside stays crispy while the shrimp and vermicelli noodles add a satisfying chew. photo credit: Patrick Wong Sunflower Vermicelli Bowl Get this with the five-spice chicken that has charred, jagged edges. The proportions are a bit off, with plenty of meat but not enough noodles and vegetables, and the sauce is also slightly too sweet. Still, it’s a decent and filling entree. photo credit: Patrick Wong Beef Combination Noodle Soup As with everything else, the phở is hefty. But the broth is a bit bland and we find ourselves fishing for a few more slices of beef or a couple of extra meatballs. When the Sunset fog has forced you indoors, this soup will get the job done, though. PlayMute video credit: Patrick Wong Lemon Iced Tea We taste more tamarind than lemon in this drink, and have no qualms about it. It’s tart enough to make you pucker just a little bit, but it’s a refreshing chaser for everything else you’re eating. Order this. photo credit: Patrick Wong" - Patrick Wong
