Carol R.
Yelp
Pho Bar is in the multiuse space on Griffin Road just east of University Drive. If you can't find parking in front of the restaurant, the first floor of the parking garage in the back is for visitors and patrons of the retailers.
The restaurant is very chic and modern and features Vietnamese food and a large menu of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
We got there just before 6:00 p.m. and took advantage of happy hour, which lasts from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. most days. A few single items are $7 each. They included the margaritas, wings, and spring rolls.
I decided to try a spicy passion fruit margarita. Wow! The spiciness was different. But combined with the passion fruit, it really was flavorful and packed a punch. In addition to the margarita, we got the fried calamari and the tamarind chicken wings. While the calamari was a bit chewy, the tamarind wings were crispy and savory. We also ordered the Vietnamese rice crepe (not part of the happy hour specials) with pork and shrimp. It was crispy and delicious.
Our first main entree was the lomo saltado, usually a Peruvian dish with sliced filet mignon sauteed with peppers, onions, and tomatoes and served with fries. This version was a bit different. The meat was a bit crispy with a sweetish sauce. And while the dish was stir fried, there wasn't any gravy, as is usually found in a saltado. The French fries also were crisp and not soggily soaked in gravy. It was a bit different than what we expected. But we did like it.
The house special pho was our second entree. It included tendon, tripe, flank, beef, eye round, brisket, house made noodles, vegetables, and a flavorful broth. Yummy!
For dessert, we shared a Ube mousse. My husband loved it. I would have preferred the mousse as a nice topping or filling on a slice of traditional Ube cake.
With a happy-hour drink, two happy-hour appetizers, a rice crepe, two entrees (yes, we did take some food home), a dessert, tax, and an automatic 18% tip, our bill was about $116. Our server Linh was very efficient and very sweet.
I am definitely going back for another spicy margarita, some tamarind chicken wings, and to try some other items on the menu.