"Pho 888’s special bowl understands soup diplomacy—it’s a balanced bowl that sits in the middle of the sweet or savory spectrum. But it’s the strong punch from warming spices that distinguishes this Uptown spot’s soup full of meatballs, eye of round, and tendon. Each spoonful is packed with enough cinnamon, clove, and star anise to convince you that it’s the holiday season." - john ringor