Bánh Mì Très Bon - Richmond

Beautiful Vietnamese restaurant First visit on Sep 6 Decoration 5/5 saves entire restaurant Atmosphere 4/5 is like a cafe shop or library. if you talk too loud, everyone can hear you talk. Service 4/5: high expectations of the beautiful restaurant but theservice is quiet. No chatting, no explanation server just sits us down at the table and not even welcome or tell us to scan tosee the menu, no check back to the table even not that busy Food 4/5 presentation is beautiful but the taste doesn't match Wouldcome back to try out Bun Rieu and Bun Bo Hue

Have been getting takeout several times in the last 2 years during the pandemic, but now was able to eat in for years. It was busy but the service was very good and efficient. As always the food is a step above the average small Vietnamese restaurant. Ofcourse you pay more, but I think it's worth it.

One standout dish was the deep-fried shrimp, wrapped in a delicate, flaky batter that provides a delightful crunch. The accompanying dipping sauce introduces a refreshing citrus element that balances the salty and sweet notes of the fish sauce, which I found to be a fantastic complement. However, I must mention that the prices are a bit on the higher side, especially compared to similar restaurants. Paying $20 for a bowl of pho is quite steep, but perhaps that’s the trade-off for enjoying a meal without leaving the place smelling like the food. Overall, while the restaurant has its quirks, it offers a memorable dining experience.

As mentioned in other reviews, the service was good but could benefit from more precision. Our soups were served several minutes apart, despite being the same dish, which disrupted the flow of our meal. I observed similar patterns at other tables as well. Additionally, staff awareness was lacking; we had to call the waitress over twice. The food was where our experience took a turn. While the presentation was lovely, the portion sizes were small. The broth for the pho was bland and overly salty, and the rice noodles had an undesirable starchy texture, indicating they were not properly prepared before being added to the broth. However, the most concerning issue was discovering a live cut-worm in the basil leaves of one of our dishes. We understand that working with fresh ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine can sometimes lead to such occurrences, and we know this isn't typical for this restaurant. Nevertheless, it completely ruined our meal as we began to question whether other hidden pests might be present. When we brought this to the waitress's attention, she apologized and took appropriate action. She allowed us to cancel the rolls we had ordered and removed that dish from our bill. Her surprise at the situation was a positive sign, indicating that this is not a standard issue for the restaurant.

**Food**: My introduction to bun rieu here was truly enjoyable! The broth had a wonderful blend of tomato and seafood flavors that really impressed me. I would definitely order it again and look forward to trying their pho on my next visit. Additionally, the beef and pork dumplings made with tapioca starch were quite tasty. The chewy tapioca casing added a unique texture that made eating them even more interesting. **Atmosphere**: The restaurant's interior is charming and well-designed. The food is served on cute trays, contributing to the casual yet inviting ambiance, perfect for enjoying a warm bowl of soup or a Bánh mì sandwich. **Pricing**: Prices are slightly higher than your typical pho place, with soups generally priced between 15 and 20 CAD. However, the quality of the food makes it worth the price. **Service**: The staff were incredibly friendly, and our food arrived quickly. They were attentive, frequently checking in to see if we needed anything and were helpful in splitting the bill among our group. **Other**: The parking lot is shared with several other businesses, so I took advantage of that for convenient parking. Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant for a great Vietnamese dining experience!