Somehow when you hear the tranquil Green Sleeves playing
while perched on the high top table, you know Pho Vistro does things
differently. The dining room is a step up from the no-frills sparse tables
where the condiments are centerpieces. Their menu to the point; there’s no
spiraling notebook where the combination of proteins and offal is dizzying.
Pho Vistro focuses on pho – chicken, beef or vegan – either served
in soup or dried form. There are also a few appetizers: the Vietnamese-style ribs
($6) arrives in singular form - a huge hunk of beef glazed with sweet hoisin
that's tender with a bit of bite. It's just difficult to share so get one for
yourself.
Their lunch special ($12) is a decent portion, consisting of
a bowl of pho and spring roll (or and imperial roll for a healthier non-fried
version). Unlike other restaurants that relies heavily on mung bean noodles or
yellow beans, Pho Vistro’s roll contains plenty of finely slivered vegetables
so you taste more than just crisp dough and starch.
Their soup contains no MSG and instead relies on boiling
bones and herbs for over a day to develop its flavour. On the first sip, I
could taste the difference – the broth seemed bland, but the flavours slowly
built on the tongue. It’s atypical since the soup relies more on spices than salt.
Without the MSG, many reviewers claim they weren’t thirsty afterwards; maybe
it's the hoisin or sriracha, but I still downed a full bottle.
The noodles are cooked well, but the portion really skimpy.
Typically, I order a small bowl at other restaurants and even I was left
wanting more (extra noodles is definitely required). Their beef arrives in large
thin slices and was really lean and healthy. However, the organic bean sprouts
takes some getting used to as they’re rather shriveled and the concentrated
flavour tastes similar to alfalfa sprout.
I appreciate the healthy spin of Pho Vistro, but admittedly
miss the fulsome rich salty beefiness of traditional pho. It’s good, just
different. Let the evolution begin.
How To Find Them
Location: Toronto, Canada
Address: 259 King Street West
Address: 259 King Street West
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Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
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