When the Van family wanted to open a new restaurant in the Pearl District (Pho Van Vietnamese Bistro, 1012 NW Glisan St., 248-2172) that would be more upscale than their noodle house on 82nd Avenue, they knew the smallest details would be key. So they brought in fresh flowers, created new dishes and designed one of the most intricately beautiful dinner menus in town. This carved piece of bamboo opens to reveal a clear plastic scroll that holds what look like tongue depressors with the dishes printed on them. Elizabeth Van says her husband, Lam, came up with the concept when visiting Vietnam. He asked an artist there to carve the pieces of bamboo so that they read "Eat Well" in Vietnamese; back in Portland, he found a company to make up the tongue depressors. Elizabeth concedes that the delicate menus need to be fixed every few months, but that the effort is worth it when they see the response of their customers. "They always ask 'What is this thing on my table?'" she says.
Dinner at Pho Van in the Pearl district tonight.
Lotus Salad with grilled shrimp on a large shrimp cracker (the kind that crackles on your tongue) Awsome, nice spices.
Battered & flash fried Talapia floating in a nice variation of the classic Viet fermented fish sauce. Delicious, a bit like tempura. The Talapia was nice and juicy.
Pork and eggplant in a ginger sauce with shallots, cooked in a clay pot. Hard to go wrong with pork in a sweet and salty sauce. One Singha beer and a pot of chrysanthemum tea. $42 total, tip included (no sales tax in Oregon)
The menu is smaller than the Van noodle house on 82nd and the food is less traditional, with a nod to nouveau/international whatever cuisine. The atmosphere and presentation is upscale but unpretentious. Both places are great, my new fave Vietnamese restaurants. (never been to Viet Nam)
thanks, hope to get to Portland in 2003
Also, Colosso is a tapas restaurant on Potrland's East side. Had a delicious pasta cooked risotto style with fresh clams and mussles. Lamb and chickpea stew. Fresh crab stuffed pepper with romesco sauce. All was fantastic! Nice wine too. Colosso, (the owner) began her business with a coffee cart and worked up to owning her own restaurant. Nice atmosphere, no spoof or chic, dark and warm. Smoking is usually (but not always) allowed after midnight. Once a year Colosso takes the whole staff to Spain for two weeks just to eat and relax.
Next time I'll eat much more.
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- Skinny 10-02-2002 6:59 am
Dinner at Pho Van in the Pearl district tonight.
Lotus Salad with grilled shrimp on a large shrimp cracker (the kind that crackles on your tongue) Awsome, nice spices.
Battered & flash fried Talapia floating in a nice variation of the classic Viet fermented fish sauce. Delicious, a bit like tempura. The Talapia was nice and juicy.
Pork and eggplant in a ginger sauce with shallots, cooked in a clay pot. Hard to go wrong with pork in a sweet and salty sauce. One Singha beer and a pot of chrysanthemum tea. $42 total, tip included (no sales tax in Oregon)
The menu is smaller than the Van noodle house on 82nd and the food is less traditional, with a nod to nouveau/international whatever cuisine. The atmosphere and presentation is upscale but unpretentious. Both places are great, my new fave Vietnamese restaurants. (never been to Viet Nam)
- steve 10-04-2002 7:42 am [add a comment]
thanks, hope to get to Portland in 2003
- Skinny 10-04-2002 4:59 pm [add a comment]
Also, Colosso is a tapas restaurant on Potrland's East side. Had a delicious pasta cooked risotto style with fresh clams and mussles. Lamb and chickpea stew. Fresh crab stuffed pepper with romesco sauce. All was fantastic! Nice wine too. Colosso, (the owner) began her business with a coffee cart and worked up to owning her own restaurant. Nice atmosphere, no spoof or chic, dark and warm. Smoking is usually (but not always) allowed after midnight. Once a year Colosso takes the whole staff to Spain for two weeks just to eat and relax.
Next time I'll eat much more.
- steve 10-13-2002 10:04 pm [add a comment]