I was going with a friend to World Market to pick up a case of this really great $6 bottle of wine.
Basically, 2005 was a great year for Cabernet Sauvignon so Hess Vineyards decided to create a label to sell some of this extra product. The wine is called XS ’05 and for $6, it’s perfect to be your everyday wine. It is a screw top (personally, that doesn’t bother me, but I know it does bother some). I’m not a sommelier, so if you don’t believe, me, check out this blogger’s review.
Before we went to pick up our cases of wine, we decided to try Saigon Saigon in Pentagon City.
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Food:My friend ordered the small bowl ($7.95) of pho while I ordered the large bowl ($8.95) of Tai Nam pho. As always it came with jalapenos, fresh basil, bean sprouts, and limes. The beef was a bit thick though for my taste, but the broth and noodles were good. I don’t think there was much of a difference between our bowls except that I got more broth than she did.
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Service: Polite and friendly
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Atmosphere: The interior has a comfortable, soothing feel.
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Attire: Casual
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Price: $$
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Overall:If you live in the area, you can get them deliver (call 703-524-0800). The menu can be found here (Menu Side A and Menu Side B – click on the photo icon on the bottom right hand to make the menu screen bigger). This restaurant is owned by the same folks who own Asia Bistro and ZEN. Since I have a tendency to go to Pentagon City for DSW, I’d definitely come back for a quick bowl of pho. It’s not the greatest (that’s the place where they serve the raw beef on the side and it cooks in the broth — anyone know where that is?), but it’s decent. It works you know?
Details:
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Hours: Serving lunch and dinner daily
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Address: 1101 South Joyce Street; Arlington, VA 22202
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Ph: 703-412-0822
February 11, 2008 at 11:52 pm
To answer your question about places that serve the raw beef on the side, any pho restaurant should be able to do that for you on request. i always ask for it on the side to ensure that it’s fresh.
as far as decent pho places in the DC metro area, i’d say pho 75 is where I’d go. pho should never cost more than 5-6 dollars for a large bowl. being vietnamese and a california native, pho 75 is the only place i’ve found here with some what decent pho
February 13, 2008 at 8:09 am
Mike — Good tip and I’ll start asking for it on the side from now on. I haven’t been to Pho 75 yet but have heard great things so I’m looking forward to trying it out soon.
Thanks!
March 3, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Just thought I’d let you know that I tried Pho Hiep Hoa on Ellsworth Drive in the downtown Silver Spring shopping plaza (across the street from DSW). It was actually very good! They give you lots of options on the side for meat, including rare beef and you get plenty of herbs on the side which I love!