Viet Bistro on Devon

I just noticed this place with attractive awnings and nice looking tables on Devon ave. I don't even know if it is open yet. Does anyone know anything about it. I love Vietnamese food.

It's from the family that owned Pasteur. Here's a little more info from Metromix and Daily Candy:

Viet Bistro on Metromix

Viet Bistro on Daily Candy

I'm not sure if it's open yet.

Boy, I sure hope they get it right. The menu looks exciting and this area could surely use a few more choices.

According to TOC it opens this weekend. Drove by last night and it looked like it was already in business--maybe a test run?

I plan on checking it out for dinner tomorrow night. It would be great to have a good lounge just around the corner.

Anxiously awaiting here as well. Wasn't it "Opening Spring '06" originally? Been seeing poeple mulling about in there from time to time. The furniture and the tables have been set for weeks. Every time I walk the dog I hope I'll find it open so I can run home and get Mrs.Monkey!

It's open, and it's pretty good!

The interior is basically two storefronts. The first part is the lounge. They don't have their liquor liscence quite yet though--according to our server, they're in the final stages of application and expect it in 3-4 weeks tops. Walk through the lounge to get to the dining section "next door". It's very attractive, with dark hardwood floors, brick walls, white tablecloths, orange suede-ish booths, and dark brown leather chairs.

The menu is rather small at this point; I attribute that to it being the second day of operations. Our server explained to us that they're going for the small plates/sharing concept, so my dining partner and I split an appetizer, a soup, an entree, and dessert.

Started with the lobster roll. This is like a spring roll with lobster, and a salad on the side. Good sized chunks of lobster in our roll. The dressing had a sweet-soy taste to it and I really liked that aspect best of this plate. The soup we got, I can't recall the name, but it was a shrimp and crab noodle broth. Two pieces of shrimp and one crab claw. The broth was my favorite part here, reminded me of miso but less salty--more genuine flavor. For our entree, beef skewers w/bell pepper, tomato, bok choy, and onion. The sauce on this was a red wine-soy-peppercorn reduction and I liked this as well. The beef was kind of chewier than I'd have liked, but at the prices listed I really can't complain (the most expensive dishes were listed at $15). For dessert--an ice cream bombom coated in white chocolate. The fruity ice cream went well with the white chocolate.

All in all--nothing totally a knockout, but all quite nice. The service was great especially for only being the second night, and our total bill was $45 with tip included. I will definitely return, and am looking forward to the br being open. Even without their liscense, when we left around 8:30ish both the dining room and the bar were at around 80% capacity.

I dined at Viet Bistro the other night, and while I loved the decor and thought the service was very good, I found the food to be rather ordinary and lacking in excitement. The best way I can describe what they've done here is to Beniganize Vietnamese food. Many of the food items might sound familiar, but the fresh and exciting flavors have been stripped away. That's not to say that the food is tasteless, but this is certainly not Pasteur.

The one dish that I really looked forward to was the snapper in a sweet garlic-chile sauce. Whenever I order this dish (or similar versions at least) I compare it to my favorite one at Thai Aree. This did not measure up. The fish was fried perfectly, but the flavors were just ok and lacking any serious flavor (other than garlic). I wanted sweetness and spice, and received overly sweet and garlic.

The beef skewers sounded very appealing with a red wine, peppercorn and soy reduction. The beef was cooked perfectly, but the onions on the skewers were not cooked enough, thus dominating the flavor of the dish. And again, the sauce lacked the kick I expected. It was slightly sweet, slightly sour, but no discernible pepper.

The lemongrass chicken tasted ok, but again, lacking any real flavor and creativity. The shrimp fried rice was as dry as could be and had absolutely no flavor and should be removed from the menu -- I'd be surprised to find disagreement with this dish.

Appetizers presented the same issues as entrees -- boredom and lack of stimulation. Overall, it just seemed like my palate was being babied . . . something I have never experienced on Argyle Street or even Pasteur.

On the other hand, I really liked the passion fruit cheesecake -- not sure if they make it there -- but it was quite good. Of course, I'm not sure that I would ever dislike any passion fruit dessert

Right now, they're BYO but they believe they will have their liquor license in only a matter of weeks -- too bad about that. I would not likely return given my ho-hum reaction to the food, and especially once it's no longer BYO.

Right now, they're BYO but they believe they will have their liquor license in only a matter of weeks

They told me that nearly 2 months ago.

It seems really crowded now when I go by it, I'd return; but not if I have to wait for a seat.

BR wrote:I compare it to my favorite one at Thai Aree.

BR,

It's been ages since I've been, love to have some current info on Thai Aree

Speaking of not Pasteur, but in a good way, Chef Tran at Hoanh Long is a former Pasture employee.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:It's been ages since I've been, love to have some current info on Thai Aree

Makes two of us . . . and I really need to get back there one of these days. It's been so long that I'm probably not qualified to provide any updates.

I have tentative plans to go to Viet Bistro in Rogers Park tonight... Has anyone been or have any opinions on the food or atmosphere? Unfortunately, the reviews I have read have been mixed!

I noticed this place last week when we took a quick trip to Devon Market. It looks inviting and I plan to take a visit in the coming weeks when we move to that area.

Just got back from a long (45 minutes between apps and entrees) dinner at Viet Bistro tonight. A solid B+, but nothing to rave about. Let's see: appetizers were shrimp fried in wonton skins, beef skewers (bland, unmemorable) and vegetable tempura (lots of onion). Entrees, when they finally arrived, were some kind of spicy chicken, whole snapper in sweet chili sauce and curry beef. For dessert, we had the passionfruit cheesecake and some kind of dark chocolate ball.

I suppose for a neighborhood place, Viet Bistro is a welcome addition to the dining scene. But it certainly didn't impress me enough to want to leave my neighborhood to go back anytime soon.