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Pho
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This second branch of the original Pho in Clerkenwell is already making waves with the Fitzrovian lunchtime crowd. They’re attracted to the clean-cut, modern surroundings that are a far cry from the canteens of east London. Here, striking photographs of Vietnam’s street culture flank the walls; the grey-red-white colour scheme epitomises minimalist chic. This simplicity extends to the cooking, with a menu offering a basic round-up of Vietnam’s best-known dishes. Unlike the original set-up, however, there are no banh mi (Vietnamese baguettes). The laudable aim is to make Vietnamese cooking more accessible, but we found the food a pale imitation of the cuisine. Pho’s eponymous dish of beef noodle soup was let down by the broth – it lacked depth, tasting more of carrots than meat and subtle spices. However, we couldn’t fault a dish of fresh summer rolls bursting with herbs and juicy prawns, nor did we dismiss a perfectly brewed ‘weasel’ coffee, rich with sweet condensed milk. Pho offers only a small sampling when it comes to authentic Vietnamese cuisine, but we can’t deny it presents a fair introduction – and it’s good to find such an option in the West End.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 3 Great Titchfield Street, Fitzrovia, W1W 8AX
- Area: Fitzrovia
- Tel: 020 7436 0111
- www.phocafe.co.uk
- Book online
- Category: Vietnamese
- Travel: Oxford Circus tube
- Times: Meals served noon-10.30pm Mon-Sat
- Price: Main courses £5.75-£8.95
- Credit cards: MC, V
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LaBellaVita_p
A bit of madness and fun to your life will be fantastic. maybe wecan find that together. I believe in people and the big miracle of life :)
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I missed Tonkinoise? at 13 th district in Paris. They are really famous and tasty. Fortunately, I've found good PHO restaurant at Westfield in London. Whenever I've been there, I could not help but having Brisket, Summer roll and White Coffee. I love it!
I like the stock, just cooked rice noodle, beef, thick onion, chilies, lime, soja and herbs. A few weeks ago, I've found PHO near Oxford Circus. It was like Oasis in the desert for me. To be honest, I prefer Westfield. First of all, Westfied has better taste(less salty, better stock), more lively and friendly. At Oxford Circus, girls with T-shirt are good, but the other waitress looks like manager doesn't have a good manner ...that's too bad... Whenever I go there, I cannot help but thinking she pays attention too much for the tips. Moreover, she charges me more for take away food. When I've asked 'Isn't it less expensive for take away?' she answered 'That's finished'. If it was worthy I could understand, but when I've got back home, all I've had was a few beef slice, two spoonful of rice noodle, and some vegetables in the half of lounch box. I've payed 7.95 for that! When I've visited today, I've found different price list for the less quantity take away food. She charges me 3 pounds more even if I've complained when I paid... It's just small thing, but I don't want to come back that atmosphere... Dont' forget your catch phrase is vietnamese street food... need to be more friendly and open minded..
Very good pho,the beef stock was seasoned just perfectly and the brisket cooked just right so it melted in my mouth. The best pho I have tasted outside of Vietnam and France. The best thing about it was the complete lack of msg in the stock which far too often is completely overused to substitute for flavour at other Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants.
I really did not liked this place.
The quantities are small and the food is untasty. I tried the pho, bo bun, spingrolls and my disappintment was growin and growing. Vietnamese cuisine is rich in flavors, in colors, this cuisine was absolutely flat, grey and uninteresting.
I would recommend better going to the real vietnamese places in East London
Dissappointingly, these people are missing a real trick as there is a dearth of Vietnamese in W1. My Pho Tai was a thin and tasteless gruel with a an alomst comically sparse amount of beef somewhere in there. Also, there is no excuse for tough noodles, Pho should be light and tasty but it should also be nourishing; I have never left so hungry after an £8 lunch.
I suggest the staff have a Christmas outing to Song Que on Kingsland Rd. for a clue as to where they're goiing wrong.
We went to the Pho on Great Titchfield Street for a quick lunch. The food was average - my vegetarian maincourse was not the most flavoursome but the starters were pretty good.
What made this meal exceptional though was the appalling service! We had to wait nearly an hour for the main course after foolishly asking for it to arrive after the starters - hardly difficult considering we had ordered them together!
The manager couldnt care less that we had complained and simply informed us that there was a big group downstairs!
If you are looking for a quick vietnamese give Pho a miss!
Living close by, this new addition to the area is much appreciated! I was drawn in last week, and it will most certainly be the first of many visits! Great food, great atmosphere, great location. Officially a new Pho fan!
Usually I eat in and have never failed to be impressed by the wonderful food. Just had a takeaway today and wow does it hit the spot. Nothing like a hot and spicy soup to wash away the hangover! The best restaurant and now the best takeaway north of Oxford Street.
Our office thinks this a fantastic place and already is a regular haunt even though it is has just been open a couple of weeks. Hooray for Pho - finally we can eat Vietnamese food that contains nice meat, is served with a fantastic mix of fresh herbs and even plays decent music. Try the pho chin (brisket) and the spicy chicken!
Just had lunch at Pho and it was delicious. The beef soup (with meatballs, brisket and steak) was a massive meal in itself and a perfect meal on the go. Makes Wagamama look like old news! Highly recommend.