Went to Tô Dînette Viet with Vietnamese friends. So the standards were high. We ordered Bún Riêu, Cánh Gà, Gỏi Gà, Bò Né and Bánh Cuốn. The Bánh Cuốn. Problematic. We were negotiating the last pieces like family inheritance. Voices were raised. Alliances were formed. I lost. I asked if they could make a big batch for a future family takeover. They said no because everything is made fresh and it takes time. Respect. You can taste it. Soft, delicate, perfectly balanced. The kind of dish that makes you quiet for a second. Which is rare in a Vietnamese group. The Bò Né with egg and pâté was also serious business. That plate came out hot and left empty. If you want something quick and industrial, this is not it. If you want fresh, handmade, actually done with care, this is it. Would go back. Would fight again.
