Our lunch at Pho Chan was a fun and much-enjoyed, recent first-time dining experience. We were in Sapperton, New Westminster for an early-morning medical appointment, the restaurant was not far away, and its opening time of 10 am really appealed to us. When we got there, shortly before 10 am, lights were on inside, open sign had not been turned on, but the door was unlocked — we were inside, seated, reading the menu, and enjoying our first mugs of hot tea (brought to us directly from the kitchen) before our server arrived! No problem for all concerned, and for us, it was perfect, and provided a little extra time to relax, enjoy some delicious tea, and decide on what to order.
Impressions of the restaurant — clean (including washrooms), neat, and tidy. One tv ‘on’, sound low, no music that I can recall. Nice spacing of the tables - arranged around the perimeter, and down the middle of the premises. Wall decorations simple and colourful. For us, a nice ‘feel’ to the place.
Service was great. Our server was very friendly and pleasant, and took good care of us throughout our stay.
What was ordered and shared (w/menu numbers) — Appetizers - #1 - springs rolls (one order - two rolls, w/dipping sauce), #2 - salad rolls (one order - two rolls, w/peanut dipping sauce), and #4 - deep-fried chicken wings (w/dry, spicy mixture) — Pho - #22 - seafood w/egg noodles soup (large size, w/prawns, squid, and fish balls, plus, fresh garnish of bean sprouts, mint, and lemon slice) — Vermicelli - #30 - grilled lemongrass chicken and spring roll on vermicelli noodles (w/fresh salad - sliced cucumber, carrot, lettuce).
These offerings really hit-the-spot for “our kind of” late-breakfast/early-lunch. Presentations were appealing to the senses, and all dishes very well-prepared - the dishes provided a nice range of distinctive textures, tastes, and flavours. Crisp outside, moist inside, tasty chicken wings. Rolls were very special - salad rolls, so crispy-fresh and plump, spring rolls prepared differently from any I had ever been served before, non of that greasy, flaky batter, just a thin, light ‘pastry-like skin’, and each stuffed to the brim with flavourful ingredients, and a very tasty peanut sauce for dipping. The seafood pho was another big hit - broth light, and flavourful, and all ingredients so well-prepared, and with the extra fresh garnishes, such a tasty treat. Much of the vermicelli dish had to come home with us (I had done my usual thing, and ordered too much), but some noodles, most of the chicken, and some salad was eaten at the restaurant - the chicken was very tasty and tender, salad cool, crisp, and fresh, and vermicelli noodles perfectly prepared (my lady and I enjoyed leftovers as a snack dinner at home that eve).
We sure enjoyed our visit to Pho Chan — the restaurant’s “our kind of place” ambiance, friendly and accommodating staff and service, and the well-prepared food, that “tickled our senses”, and offered such flavourful taste treats. Thanks guys!!
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