A NEW Vietnamese restaurant has taken Bournemouth by storm- here’s what you can expect from a visit.
Since Pho opened in Bourne Avenue last December, I have been desperate to give its street-food inspired menu a try.
It is the first Pho restaurant to arrive in Dorset, and part of a growing chain founded by Stephen and Juliette Wall, putting it high up on my ‘must visit’ list as a foodie.
A cold and wet Monday evening in February became the perfect time to give it a try.
Me and my partner arrived at Pho shortly after 6pm, being promptly greeted by a smiling waitress, who we later learned to be Ivy Chan.
She showed us to our table - a cosy corner spot illuminated by Pho’s red logo above- and allowed us to get settled.
On return to take a drinks order, Ivy was able to tempt me away from the usual Diet Coke, and direct me to a menu of freshly squeezed juices, pointing out her favourite coconut, pineapple and apple mix.
I of course had to give her recommendation a go, and I am glad I did. The drink was fresh and bursting with flavour, and a great start to the evening.
Ivy then brought over some prawn crackers, giving us something to snack on while we browsed the food menu and continued with our drinks.
Pho is known for boasting a street food inspired menu, featuring dishes inspired by traditional Vietnamese cuisine, all of which are made on site from ingredients delivered daily.
Most of the food on offer is also gluten free and Pho has a partnership with plant-based THIS isn’t Chicken, giving plenty of options for a range of diets.
My partner and I were both overwhelmed with the choice, and as Ivy impressed with the drink recommendation, we asked her to do the same with the food.
She suggested the baby squid and chicken wing appetizers, so we went with these, plus vegetable spring rolls and the classic chicken curry main to share.
At this point I should also mention Beth Stant from the openings team at Pho. She introduced herself before our food arrived and did her best to teach us how to use chopsticks. Like the rest of the Pho crew, she was extremely friendly and welcoming, and had great knowledge about Vietnamese traditions.
Now for the food...
It came out promptly and piping hot - but it was the sort of food that looked so good you’d happily burn the roof of your mouth for it.
The appetisers were truly delicious- the chicken wings were crispy, but tender and packed with flavour; the baby squid worked perfectly with the salt, pepper and lime dip that accompanied it; the spring rolls were light and packed with tasty filling. The peanut sauce that came with the rolls deserves a mention- I can only describe it as glorious.
Impressed with the appetisers, I moved onto the main- a classic Vietnamese curry with chicken, veggies, and mushrooms, topped with peanuts and served with white rice.
It was an extremely generous portion, and every mouthful was as enjoyable as the last. The sauce was mild in spice, but rich, fragrant and packed with flavour.
What was noticeable across every dish was how fresh it tasted. My partner even described it as tasting ‘clean’- and I knew what he meant. It felt like we knew what we were eating and when it was prepared.
As well as the great tasting food, I equally enjoyed the atmosphere inside the restaurant, and the friendly service we had throughout the night.
I would recommend Pho to all the other foodie's out there, and will definitely be going back myself.
Pho is found at 23 to 27 Bourne Avenue in Bournemouth town centre.
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