Pho 117 - Lille

Arrived in Lille at the start of the Euros and many restaurants had simply shut! So in desperation we eventually found this one and we were pleasantly surprised. It is not at all expensive but don't let that put you off .... the food is fresh, tasty and plentiful. We were delighted with our choice.

The Vietnamese food here was excellent. We love pho and have enjoyed it from DC to California. The pho here was almost no different. It was flavorful and the broth had a balanced blend of spices. The only difference we encountered was the width of the rice noodles were wider, but that was of no consequence. The wider noodles actually made it easier for our children to eat with their chopsticks. The fried spring rolls have somewhat of a thicker wrapper, but it gives them a nice cake-like texture. The wait staff was also very pleasant and the restaurant, from what I could tell, was very clean. To us, pho is comfort food, and we will be returning again and again for a little taste of home!

Me and my girlfriend had a quick lunch in the pho117, we took the caramelized pork and a bowl of noodles with salad and spring rolls. The caramelized pork was amazingly tasty and the spring rolls very crunchy and delicious. The noodles were a bit too peanutty. A tip: Don't take the Saigon beer! One of the most disgusting beers I've tasted and I usually love beers. I'd rather go for Singha, Chang or Tsingtao.

I have never tasted Vietnamese food with such intense flavors before (in a good way). The Lab Sine Boeuf is a raw beef salad with Vietnamese flavors (I could taste the basil, ginger, chilli, fish sauce and lemon grass). The Bo Bun Boeuf Grillé is a pho with medium rare beef. I could taste the fish sauce and lime in the broth. Since I never had a banana tapioca before, I order one. Interesting combo of banana cooked with tapioca pearls in coconut cream. Everything was flavorsome from start to finish. Well priced.

We really like this quiet little restaurant on Gambetta. It's very reasonably priced compared to many restaurants in Lille. Flavours are still good and it is lovely and quiet so you can sit and chat at leisure and not feel rushed. Lovely touch - little cups of sake (with a surprise in the bottom of the cup). Will definitely return next time we visit Lille.