Pho Cafe
Here in southern California, I can’t walk five feet without running into a Cambodian-run donut shop. And thank Christ almighty that is the case. But why are all the best Vietnamese places in east LA? What, no love for Century City or the west side, my fair Vietnamese-brethen?
I don’t get it. Is there an ordinance stating that you can only open a Vietnamese restaurant within 500 feet of a guitar tuning shop? Silverlake can be fun, but c’mon guys, its not exactly the mecca you should be settling for.
It is with such racially-charged bitterness that I strolled into Pho Cafe. My indignant grouchiness faded away upon ordering a cold glass of Tiger beer and the beef fritter. Reminiscent of Korean rice paper bo sam, you take the crispy-sweet batter, mushroom and beef concoction and place it on top of a rice cake that you first dip into a bowl of steaming hot water. The water helps transform the cake into a membrane that you can fold over the contents. Add some cucumbers, mint, hoisin and rooster sauce, and you have yourself quite a tasty appetizer.
The pho was disappointing. Definitely not that great - the most important component, the broth, was not as savory as I expected and had too much salt. But the array of rolls and appetizers really make it worth stopping by here on your way to the Thirsty Crow, which is down the street.
Pho Cafe, 2841 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026, (213) 413-0888
