We were in full blown recovery mode, so opted to enlist the help of roving reporter "J". J dropped his girl the nite before and came to look for some strange..... He found it. We knew we had arrived when we went in and found ourselves to be the only ones speaking English, plus Taylor Swift was rockin out on the speakers; a positive sign in any ethnic joint.
The Sunday family-style spread.
Crepes came with live instructions that we failed to understand, resulting in Nat biting off her tongue.
Crispiness.
Most impressive selection of fresh herbs. "I think that one's a houseplant."
Special Banh Mi: 3$, liver pate, headcheese, the usual suspects as well. Bun was a 10.0
We ordered Pho Dac Biet but got something else. Probably because my mumbled English sounded like Vietnamese. Anyways, sliced pork hock with a gang of tender connective tissue, liver pate, and congealed blood with a fish sauce/lime juice broth goin on. Only request: Less noodles, more broth.
Bitter Melon stuffed with pork parts. So bitter I nearly starfished. Probably the most challenging vegetable I have ever faced.
Braised pork belly with hard boiled eggs in a caramel sauce.
OMFG!!
Whole steamed fish with cellophane noodles, mushrooms, ginger, garlic fish sauce, and much more. Sunday special. This was good, but, frozen whole fish tends to be aromatic... And this was a little.
Overall: Our expectations were met head on thanks to the iron fist of authenticity, an onslaught of non-western ideals, and this "ray of light" in Pat and Nat's further explorations of alternative dining in STL. Here's to more variety meats, and less bitter melon, at Phuc Loi.
