Pho Thu Do Riverside
Submitted by bfm on Tue, 2011-12-27 06:11
Tagged:
3987 Riverside Dr. unit 7
In the T&T Plaza
613-736-5678
Website
Map
(Note regarding the map link: Their address does not appear to show the correct spot. Instead I used the address of a nearby restaurant in the same plaza. I'm not trying to send you to a different place.)
Another new place. This one opened near the end of October, 2011. This has the same name as a restaurant downtown and the two are linked by the owners being in the same family.
Comments
A Classic Reinvented
When I moved to Ottawa about 15 years ago, the first Vietnamese restaurant I visited was Pho Thu Do. Back then, there weren't as many pho places as now. Luckily Pho Thu Do was a good place back then and has remained one of the better places ever since. In a competitive industry, surviving this long is remarkable. Staying on or near the top is even better. So I was looking forward to the next adventure that bore the name of such a place.
The first thing that struck me was the decor. A dark and classy theme throughout, nicely appointed, and art on the wall from local artists. Very nice.
The menu is similar to the Thu Do restaurant downtown but not exactly the same. Of course I had to try the spring rolls and the pho, being staples of places like this, and among my personal favourite foods.
There were three of us and we split an order of vegetarian spring rolls. They were served hot and crispy. The wrappers are of an unusual texture and they are similar to the other Thu Do.
My pho contained seafood. There were shrimp, fish balls and imitation crab. Nothing unusual or remarkable there. The quantity was what I expected and quality was good.
The broth was deelish. There wasn't as much anise as the other Thu Do, but it was still full flavoured. I detected some MSG, though not a lot. One person in my party, however, said there was a lot, and she was thirsty all afternoon.
Prices are extremely high, perhaps the highest in the city. I know I'm showing my age here, but you used to get a good-sized bowl of pho, enough for a meal, for $4. Here, our lunch cost $43 for three of us. That included an order of 4 spring rolls, one small and two medium bowls of pho and an order of tea. Yes, a pot of tea costs $2. Wow. The $43 total included tax but not the tip.
Regardless of the complaints, however, I was still satisfied with my meal. It's all about the broth for me, and this one works.
Rating: 8