3108 Kingsdale Ctr
Columbus, OH 43221Upper Arlington
Average entree price- $8
It's funny how you can spend so much time in one place, then after a few small changes you find yourself removed from the location entirely. Grocery stores are an example of this.
I can not tell you the number of times that I perused the isles of the Kingsdale Giant Eagle, shopping for those hard to find, yet strangely critical items. Now, all of that's a distant memory, and I dare not think of the a reason to venture that way.
That was until the other day. After hearing so much about a relatively new Vietnamese restaurant, nestled in the shadow of the mega-store, I found myself strolling over and checking it out.
I will be honest and admit that I do not regularly eat Vietnamese food. (Gasp I know) This fact is particularly true in the winter. Well aware that Pho is becoming a crowd favorite, I often find myself overcome by the strong anise, fish sauce combo and skip on by. This leaves me longing for the assortments of grilled meats over fresh and pickled veggies mixed with fish sauces, chilies, and lime...
(Pause to wipe the saliva off the computer)
...We digress. The place is unassuming. A clean, simple (but not unwelcoming) environment nestled in a shopping plaza. Some nice Edison style bulbs down the center, with paper food boats nicely adorning a deep blue wall. Wooden tables and a simple and easy to follow menu up high. The scents of grilled meats wafting out of the open kitchen and a friendly gentleman that I presumed to be the owner to take your order.
There is an assortment of Pho, as one would expect, as well as Bahn-Mi sandwiches (appearing to be on a softer roll) and a mixed vegetable and meat bowl called Combun. I opted for the latter option in pork, as well as a summer roll from their appetizer section.
The Summer roll was simple and clean as one would expect. Vermicelli with shrimp, thin cucumber, and a mix of mint and cilantro all wrapped up tightly in a slightly gummy rice paper wrapper. Accompanying the roll was a simple daikon carrot slaw, a boat of peanut sauce, and a suggestion from the host to have it all together. I had to first bite of the roll by itself- fresh, simple, clean. I added the toppings, and as expected and informed the roll became richer- warm peanuts, a splash of vinegar, and that familiar funk of fish sauce.
A very simple dish, nothing to change the world of food- but never scoff at simplicity done well.
Moving on to the Combun. A wide, low bowl portioned with your choice of steamed rice or noodles, thinly sliced cabbage,pickled vegetable, your choice of grilled meat or tofu, cucumbers, and bean sprouts all topped with cilantro, and peanuts. I chose to do mine with rice and grilled pork and, feeling extra saucy, a fried egg.
Again the dish was simple, something you expect to find during the summer (when turning on any source of fire is a crime against humanity). The pork was tender and flavorful. Vegetables were fresh and sliced appropriately. The bowl was lightly sprinkled with fish sauce and kindly asked you to mix and match all your bits and seek out the toasted peanuts.
I found myself pleased. Admittedly, however, towards the end my urges did get the best of me, and I found my tuckus uprooted to grab some lime slices and spiced oil. Annnnnnnd with the addition of my peanut sauce (left over from the summer roll) found a deepness that I almost wish I could have ordered from the beginning.
All in all, if you want a customer service driven fast casual (not a build-a bowl disaster cluster-fuck) simple introduction to Vietnamese food, why not give Vietnamnoms a try? If you are the hard-core lived it Vietnam for 5 years person, you may be disappointed. However, I found Vietnamnoms to be a great, fresh, break from my usual course. I look forward to trying their Bahn-Mi.
Keep Eating,
JTFussy
I can not tell you the number of times that I perused the isles of the Kingsdale Giant Eagle, shopping for those hard to find, yet strangely critical items. Now, all of that's a distant memory, and I dare not think of the a reason to venture that way.
That was until the other day. After hearing so much about a relatively new Vietnamese restaurant, nestled in the shadow of the mega-store, I found myself strolling over and checking it out.
I will be honest and admit that I do not regularly eat Vietnamese food. (Gasp I know) This fact is particularly true in the winter. Well aware that Pho is becoming a crowd favorite, I often find myself overcome by the strong anise, fish sauce combo and skip on by. This leaves me longing for the assortments of grilled meats over fresh and pickled veggies mixed with fish sauces, chilies, and lime...
(Pause to wipe the saliva off the computer)
...We digress. The place is unassuming. A clean, simple (but not unwelcoming) environment nestled in a shopping plaza. Some nice Edison style bulbs down the center, with paper food boats nicely adorning a deep blue wall. Wooden tables and a simple and easy to follow menu up high. The scents of grilled meats wafting out of the open kitchen and a friendly gentleman that I presumed to be the owner to take your order.
There is an assortment of Pho, as one would expect, as well as Bahn-Mi sandwiches (appearing to be on a softer roll) and a mixed vegetable and meat bowl called Combun. I opted for the latter option in pork, as well as a summer roll from their appetizer section.
The Summer roll was simple and clean as one would expect. Vermicelli with shrimp, thin cucumber, and a mix of mint and cilantro all wrapped up tightly in a slightly gummy rice paper wrapper. Accompanying the roll was a simple daikon carrot slaw, a boat of peanut sauce, and a suggestion from the host to have it all together. I had to first bite of the roll by itself- fresh, simple, clean. I added the toppings, and as expected and informed the roll became richer- warm peanuts, a splash of vinegar, and that familiar funk of fish sauce.
A very simple dish, nothing to change the world of food- but never scoff at simplicity done well.
Moving on to the Combun. A wide, low bowl portioned with your choice of steamed rice or noodles, thinly sliced cabbage,pickled vegetable, your choice of grilled meat or tofu, cucumbers, and bean sprouts all topped with cilantro, and peanuts. I chose to do mine with rice and grilled pork and, feeling extra saucy, a fried egg.
Again the dish was simple, something you expect to find during the summer (when turning on any source of fire is a crime against humanity). The pork was tender and flavorful. Vegetables were fresh and sliced appropriately. The bowl was lightly sprinkled with fish sauce and kindly asked you to mix and match all your bits and seek out the toasted peanuts.
I found myself pleased. Admittedly, however, towards the end my urges did get the best of me, and I found my tuckus uprooted to grab some lime slices and spiced oil. Annnnnnnd with the addition of my peanut sauce (left over from the summer roll) found a deepness that I almost wish I could have ordered from the beginning.
All in all, if you want a customer service driven fast casual (not a build-a bowl disaster cluster-fuck) simple introduction to Vietnamese food, why not give Vietnamnoms a try? If you are the hard-core lived it Vietnam for 5 years person, you may be disappointed. However, I found Vietnamnoms to be a great, fresh, break from my usual course. I look forward to trying their Bahn-Mi.
Keep Eating,
JTFussy
