Viet Bistro

There's always something fun about going to a new restaurant. I'm always hoping it will be something new and when the place is 3 blocks walking distance all the better. Viet Bistro is a new restaurant just off Broadway on Devon from the owners of Pasteur, a really nice French-Vietnamese restaurant on north Broadway. Viet is their bistro. Entrees are priced from $8 for veggie options to $18 for a whole red snapper that was recommended but not tried.

A common problem according to some patrons is that despite your reservations it may take an extra 15-30 minutes to be seated. It's a small place and I'd attribute it to their growing pains. Apparantly diners take longer than they thought. But it's not a huge deal as half the restaurant is open seating where you can enjoy cocktails as soon as they get a liquor license. In the meantime in addition to the wine for the meal I'd suggest a six pack (lagers are always nice with Vietnamese food). Or a pre dinner libation for your wait. The seating and atmosphere is pretty nice and they gave us complimentary eggrolls for waiting and those were pretty tasty.

I was expecting Pasteur-quality food and I was disappointed. Flavors were very sharp and simple, ingredients were very typical.  It was quick cafe type food and it was pretty good but nothing stellar. Blue Elephant across the street has he opposite problem, eating in is a challenge in their small space where the front door is positively chilling but their food is a real find, not that it's "authentic thai" but more of a blend of flavors that offer a richness that was lacking at Viet Bistro. BUT again, that may be part of their growing pains.

For appetizers we had the veggie tempura and lobster rolls. Both were suggested by the waiter but lacked anything unusual. The lobster roll actually had very little flavor at all. The tempura was served with a sweet and sour sauce that was very typical also. The eggrolls we ate earlier had more flavor.

Entrees were a spicy shrimp that could be served anywhere, a daily special chicken entree that was dry and beef and bok choi skewers that were cooked perfectly but were dominated by a vinegary sauce.

A criticism of the restaurant is that their 20 item many is sparse. I was looking forward to a short simple and inspired menu. There was nothing new or different or exciting that I saw.

Restaurants in Chicago are really developing quickly. Over dinner we talked about Rique's $19 4-course dinner and Schwa's $45 bonanza. It seems like over the past few years local northside eateries have gotten wise to presentation and decor and with the saturation and enthusiasm over the many, many authentic ethnic spots the logical next step is exactly Viet Bistro... a more inexpensive Pasteur. Unfortunately their still working some kinks out but the atmosphere, service and concept are there and the menu is still young. I'm looking forward to going back.

Viet Bistro
1346 W. Devon
773-878-1061

Comments

[Aunt Carole]

Josh, please give Viet Bistro another visit! Three of us went last night (Tuesday) and thoroughtly enjoyed it. Simple, comfortable, room with no wait. I will agree that the recommended lobster rolls were nothing special, but both salads (ask about eating it with rice) and the spicy soup that they recommended were great.
I had the beef on the skewer and loved the flavors, and my companions both had and raved about the red snapper. Small menu that I hope will change from time to time. Looking forward to another visit.

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