Attendees: Beata, Steph, Emma, Imogene, Paddy, Penny, AndrewChopstick Chowdown Challenge was back with a ravenous vengeance this week after a leave of absence. Thanh Ha 2 was the location and one of the best overall tasting experiences on the route thus far. The menu is like an encyclopedia complete with pretty pictures. We make quick work of it though, following the ChChCh formula, along with some of our favourites – duck and squid.
The service, on the other hand, is ineffectual. We’ve become accustomed to the quick 'in-out' approach of these eateries, where waiters are anticipating your order as soon as you open the menu, dishes are whipped out at lightning speed and waitstaff are attentive. Being busy isn’t an excuse as many of the restaurants seem to become more efficient the busier it gets.
As Paddy says there appears to be a “tea allowance” which we used up within 5 minutes of arrival. It takes four requests to finally get another pot of tea which turns out to be as simple as the waiter picking it up off the counter where they are all ready to go.
The wine list is also a lie. After attempting to order two different types of white by the glass, we are informed they only have the house wine.
When the spring rolls come out we notice the lack of bowls and chopsticks as Penny ponders using her tea cup as a bowl. We finish the rice paper rolls by the time we get any napkins. Just as puzzling is the Masterfood squeeze bottle of tomato sauce that is put on the table. I was convinced it was a Chinese BBQ sauce in a ketchup container, but no it is in fact tomato sauce.
When the spring rolls come out we notice the lack of bowls and chopsticks as Penny ponders using her tea cup as a bowl. We finish the rice paper rolls by the time we get any napkins. Just as puzzling is the Masterfood squeeze bottle of tomato sauce that is put on the table. I was convinced it was a Chinese BBQ sauce in a ketchup container, but no it is in fact tomato sauce.
However I am on good terms with the food from first bite. The vegetable spring rolls are delicious with finely shredded filling and a peppery flavour. The rice paper rolls are the best we’ve had, juicy and all the ingredients coming together, warm and perfectly shredded with enough mint and a tasty peanut sauce.From the specials on the back wall we get the Vietnamese pancake. Crunchy bean shoots, shredded carrot and other vegetable are combined with prawns and pork, enveloped in a crispy savoury pancake. On the scale of small to large, this is massive. Accompanying lettuce, vietnamese basil and mint means you can wrap it up like a spring roll with some sweet chilli dipping sauce. An excellent example of this traditional dish.
Duck with plum sauce gets extra points for presentation but is rather fatty. The squid with tamarind sauce from the house specials tastes odd. I would say more like a fish cake than squid.
Last but not least is our proxy number 27. Since number 27 was the rice paper rolls we are already obliged to get, we order number 13 – mung bean pies. Having no idea what these would look or taste like, I don't expect them to look like fried muffins and taste like samosa filling. But there you have it. With a dollop of chilli sauce these are addictive!
It's clear we all agree on the quailty of the food. Consistently high ratings on all the standards is a testament to the taste.
Ratings
Rice paper rolls 8.1/10
Vegetarian spring rolls 7.9/10
Beef pho 7.6/10
#13 Mung bean pie 8.7/10
Daily special (vietnamese pancake) 8.6/10
Duck and plum sauce 6.3/10
Squid and tamarind 5.8/10
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