Paloma Cafe - San Jose

We always go here for the Bo Tu Vi. Very good. Service was good compare to other Asian restaurant. However the place is little run down over the year and Asian restaurant seem to not care. If it works why fix it attitude.

This coffee (hot, with condensed milk) was the best cup I have had outside of Vietnam.

For some reason, Paloma Cafe is quite popular among the trendy Vietnamese-American crowd. Situated in Grand Century Mall, finding parking on weekends can be a challenge, as both diners and shoppers vie for spaces in the air-conditioned environment. The restaurant's decor is an interesting mix; everything appears to coordinate, but it's hard to pinpoint the overall vibe they’re trying to achieve. There are colorful couches that create a relaxed atmosphere, making it a nice spot to enjoy a beer, coffee, or smoothie. This might explain why it’s considered such a great hangout. Unfortunately, the food doesn’t live up to the hype. The menu is limited, and the quality of the dishes doesn’t match the prices. If you decide to visit, enjoy the drinks and the ambiance, but consider dining elsewhere—there’s a decent Vietnamese food court just across from the restaurant.

This restaurant is fantastic! We visit frequently and always have a wonderful experience. The owners and staff are incredibly friendly, the food is consistently delicious, and the prices are very reasonable. Our top choice is the bun dao man tom—it's absolutely delicious!

I went in for dinner with a friend on Thursday, and there were only a few tables occupied. When I asked for recommendations, our young and friendly waiter with blonde highlights (kudos for the excellent service!) suggested the 'Bun Dau Mam Tom,' which includes fried tofu, fish cake, and steamed pork with a special sauce made from fermented fish and pineapple. He mentioned that 9 out of 10 customers order it. However, since I’m not a big fan of that sauce, I opted for something grilled instead. We went with the 'Bun Nem Cha Dac Biet,' which contained grilled pork, pork cake, and fried wonton wrappers served with a sweet sauce. For $36, the portion was generous—we ended up finishing only half and I shared the leftovers with another person, so it could easily feed four. One thing to note is that the pork could be sliced thinner. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and I can't complain about using our hands to make our own rolls. Here are a couple of tips: 1) Bring at least three or four people if you want to order a specialty dish, and 2) don’t forget to ask for some chopped red chili to add a bit of spice to your rolls!