Cindy T.
Yelp
Brodard Chateau, I really wanted to fall head over heels for you, but alas, it was more of a lukewarm "meh" than a grand romance. With so many people singing your praises, I arrived with high hopes, eager to experience what everyone had been raving about. But today, I'm left with a firm 3 star conclusion.
We strolled in for lunch on a Saturday around 2PM, and I must say, being seated immediately was a pleasant surprise. The interior? Impressive, to say the least. With its spacious layout and castle-esque decor, the "chateau" theme was in full effect, which certainly made for a grand first impression.
We started with some of the usual suspects: nem nuong spring rolls, banh xeo, and bo luc lac. Each dish delivered in its own way, but none of them quite hit that high note I was hoping for. The nem nuong in the spring rolls was definitely flavorful, but the overall roll? Just a bit underwhelming, lacking that punch I expected. Now, the banh xeo... I had such high hopes. The addition of mung beans was a delightful twist, enhancing the flavor with a lovely depth, but the batter was too soggy for my liking. It needed that crisp snap, but instead, it fell a little flat. As for the bo luc lac, while I appreciated the creative addition of mushrooms, the overall saltiness of the dish was a bit much. My tastebuds felt like they were treading water in the Dead Sea.
Now, perhaps part of this disappointment was due to the build-up from well-meaning friends who had hyped this place into the stratosphere. Did I set the bar too high? Possibly. Although I'd like to add that the staff was very attentive, our empty plates were whisked away with perfect timing and our check arrived swiftly so we were out of there in no time.
In the end, I don't think Brodard Chateau is inherently bad, but it just didn't quite hit the mark for me. Perhaps it's more a case of personal taste, and that's totally okay. Still, I'm glad I gave it a try, it's always nice to cross a restaurant off your list. That said, I can't ignore the fact that the recommendations I received were all for their Fountain Valley location, so maybe I owe it to myself (and to Brodard) to give that spot a chance. Who knows? Maybe that's where the magic happens, and I'm more than willing to find out.