Inception

Fact File

Year Released: 2010

Genre: ???

Run Time: 148 minutes

Director: Christopher Nolan

Writer: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ken Watanabe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cotillard, Ellen Page, and Cillian Murphy

Synopsis: Dom Cobb (DiCaprio) is a thief who enters the dreams of others to steal secret information. But instead of stealing an idea, he is forced to plant one at the behest of a powerful businessman (Watanabe).

Review by Chris Dickens

Inception, by the end, feels like a really sexy girl you’ve taken on a lot of bad dates. You know you’ll sleep with her, but Jesus, when? And how much more is she gonna talk?*

The best way to see this movie is to note the time it begins, and at that moment, in the comfort of your home, begin reading a spoiler-alerted lengthy Internet explanation of it’s maze of sci-fi rules and exceptions to rules and rules within rules (ignoring where it contradicts and flat out breaks them at its own whims of convenience), and then, when you’re pretty sure you’ve got a handle on it, go catch the last half hour–which is fucking brilliant. You won’t miss much this way, and I would argue that you’ll enjoy the Good Part more.

You’ll have skipped the two hour onslaught of talking-head info, the scene-intrusive asides that halt the plot to explain, explain, explain. Nor will you be any less emotionally invested for not having witnessed the reasons for Cobb’s fuckedupedness (dear god, more complicated explanations, and ones that are meant to carry emotional weight to boot!) that the supposedly emotionally-withdrawn, info-withholding Cobb (DiCaprio) inexplicably doles out, with very little prodding, to a hip young architecture student, Ariadne (Ellen Page),whose profound interest in his fuckedupedness is also not really clear or convincing.

I’m all for intellectual, complicated movies. In fact, I kinda prefer them. It’s what drew me to Inception in the first place (OK, and the slow-motion shots of crazy shit goin’ down). But what this film gets wrong, and very surprisingly given that it was directed by Christopher Nolan (the director of Memento!), is precision, efficiency, and–dare I say it?–an artful approach to dispensing information (which is exactly what Memento got so right!). It just relies too heavily on the payoff of all this info, and expects the viewer to forgive that most of it is relayed in awkward, scene-stealing, show-stopping (in the bad way) bytes.

What’s worse is that it usually feels entirely insincere when it does so. We’re in a scene in which things are happening, but oops! They’re things that the viewer needs to understand; so we’ve got this newbie, Ariadne, along–someone who, by God, should have been caught up on this shit before she was brought along on a complicated and dangerous mission–but let’s just ignore that little bit–after all, it’s clearly the only reason her character exists. She’s basically Doc Watson**. She’s there for one reason: to have shit explained to her, so that we, inadvertently, get it too. It’s a classic move, a necessary one at times, and it can be put to good use if it’s not done to death. These constant interruptions often feel like a bad TV show, in which the writers have worked in constant reminders of the plot, just in case you forgot while going for another Ding Dong during the commercial break. Except here, it’s always New Info, and you begin to feel like the ding dong (sorry). There’s a barrage of the stuff. An avalanche of Shit You Need To Know.

I happened to have watched Memento again just days before I saw Inception, just a coincidence. In Memento, Nolan is also dealing with a complex plot and with a man who is emotionally unstable. The emotional element is tied, just as it is in Inception, to the complex plot. But in Memento, they unravel together beautifully, efficiently, artfully. Is the audience at moments confused? Undoubtedly. Does it effect their enjoyment or the eventual payoff? I would argue that it doesn’t (but that it does in Inception). The two elements (complex plot and reasons for emotional fuckedupedness) bloom and unfold like delicate origami. But in Inception?

Just give me the fucking manual already.

At least George Lucas*** had the foresight to open his films with text that no one needed to actually read to feel involved. You thought, as the long history of the universe was scrolling away from you, I should probably read that, but eh. Why? Because it was clearly not crucial to your enjoyment of the story. That’s why it was moving away from you so fast.

Remember Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? Complicated, dreamworldy, sci-fi stuff: dispensed efficiently and tastily, like Pez candy.

We didn’t go see The Matrix to understand the effing rules of its universe, and when it had a thing to explain, it did so in ways we wanted to watch. To be fair, Inception did so too, at times. The coffee shop scene with Ariadne, for instance, in which Cobb points out to her that they are in fact in a dream, which he proves to her by showing the city folding in on itself and fruit exploding in slow motion, mid-air, like something that might happen in outer space. Beautiful, efficient, entertaining; and informative! If only there weren’t so much else to explain! Every scene requires a new explanation of a new or old or bent rule. So much so that when we get to the Good Part, we cannot help but find holes in it–to look for them. That’s just what happens when you burden a sci-fi plot with explanations. We no longer buy it, man!

And if a movie has to spend it’s bulk building the boat, then you know what? Maybe the boat is too damn big.

But for all of my complaints, I still cannot say that you should skip this one. The payoff comes late and it’s hard-won, but it has Nolan’s signature awesomeness all over it. It’s beautiful and, well, it’s just really, really neat. It’s fun to talk about afterward, and to lie in bed thinking about (just don’t expect it all to add up, really. The more you think about it, the more holes there are.). Unfortunately, Nolan seems to have fallen for its neatness–his really cool idea (and it is really cool)–a bit too hard. And he clearly expects us to ignore how much his sexy idea talks and talks and talks.

*Forgive the crass metaphor; I’m really nothing like this hypothetical playa I have evoked, folks. I’m a very sweet man.

**I’m actually not all that familiar with Sherlock Holmes stories, and this is probably not fair to poor Watson. Sorry.

***Forgive me for invoking his name after the recent shit he’s put out.

7/10

El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant

Fact File

336-834-2200

Type: Mexican

Location: 4623 High Point Road #E, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Most menu items under $15, many under $10

Hours: ???

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: El Mariachi offers a wide variety of Mexican fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is a full-service bar, daily specials, late-night karaoke and a live mariachi band on weekends.

Review by Zac Goldstein

Greensboro is home to many Mexican restaurants, but few distinguish themselves the way El Mariachi does. The menu, for instance, is far more expansive than you’ll find elsewhere and features all-day breakfast and lengua (beef tongue) as a taco filling. The quality varies – a generous portion of huevos con chorizo hit the spot, but authentic-style tongue tacos were surprisingly bland and one diner compared her meatball soup to a canned Campbell’s offering – though the variety is commendable. Go here enough times and you’re bound to find something you like.

For those who like theatricality with their food, the namesake band delivers with professionalism and poise. The mariachi combo takes requests and rotates from table to table, ensuring you won’t go deaf from an evening of sitting directly in front of the music.

Servers at El Mariachi are affable and knowledgeable about food and song alike and service on the whole is swift. One diner endured a short wait after part of her order was forgotten, but we were a large group. Pricing is plenty reasonable: a filling meal can be had for under $10, though seafood dishes and house specialties run higher.

With its festive atmosphere, good value and multitude of options, El Mariachi may offer the best all-around Mexican dining experience in Greensboro. El Azteca keeps the crown for best tacos in town, but if you’re looking for more than food, the High Point Road establishment is well worth your while.

7.75/10

Print Works Bistro

Fact File

336-379-0699

Type: Fine Dining

Location: 702 Green Valley Road, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Brunch/lunch entrees $10-$15, lunch entrees, dinner entrees $17-$30

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Located next to the Proximity Hotel, Print Works Bistro offers European-influenced fine dining. The bistro is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and a brunch runs through 4 p.m. on weekends. Amenities include a full-service bar, outdoor seating and a private dining room. A buffet and live music are offered during special events.

Review by Zac Goldstein

Both Print Works and the adjacent Proximity pride themselves on being green and it shows. The inside of the restaurant is bright and airy thanks to light hues and abundant natural lighting. Hanging balls of foliage and a view of the gardens round out the earthy facade, but the real marvel is in what you don’t see – both the restaurant and hotel are powered by 100 rooftop solar panels and utilize energy saving technologies.

The emphasis on sustainability may put your conscience at ease, but it will do little to placate your stomach. Fortunately, the food is up to the task. A Spring brunch menu featured both dressed-up classics (Eggs Benedict with Black Forest Ham, Croque Madame on challah) and less traditional fare (black rice with leeks and Portobello mushrooms, confit duck hash with potatoes, poached eggs and hollandaise). The duck hash was a revelation – the meat was succulent without being overly fatty and the eggs were neither rubbery nor runny. The quiches (both Lorraine and a shrimp/crab combo were listed on the menu) drew plaudits for their buttery crust, while the Eggs Norweigan (poached over smoked salmon with hollandaise) was described, without excessive hyperbole, as “the best thing I’ve ever had.” One diner thought the breakfast sandwich would have been better-paired with a salad than potatoes, but none of the food missed the mark. Neither did a round of peppery, garnish-laden Bloody Marys, for that matter.

Of course, food of this quality doesn’t come cheap. Brunch entrees run from $10 to $15, which seems like a bargain until you realize that portions don’t run large and you may have just shelled out $10 for a cheeseburger or an order of French toast. On the other hand, Print Works is the kind of place you go to savor, not to fill up.

Service at Print Works was brisk and our server was affable. Though far from empty, the restaurant did not feel crowded – there was plenty of space between tables. Reservations are not required, but they are probably a wise bet if you are bringing a group.

Print Works may not be quite as inventive as its nearby sister restaurant (the similarly priced and similarly excellent Green Valley Grill), but it’s more inviting and a palate-pleaser through and through.

8.75/10

Don

Fact File

336-370-9677

Type: Japanese/Noodle House

Location: 423 Tate Street, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: All menu items under $10

Hours: ???

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Yet another player in the Tate Street dining scene, Don serves Japanese appetizers, rice and noodle dishes. Several kinds of tea and a limited selection of alcoholic beverages are available.

Review by Zac Goldstein

With the popularization of sushi in recent years, Japanese restaurants that don’t serve it are easy to overlook. However, Don convincingly makes the case that there’s more to savor than sashimi and specialty rolls.

Food at Don comes in a few different categories. In addition to the familiar ramen, there’s ishiyaki (sizzling rice bowls), yakisoba (thin fried noodles) and udon (thicker noodles in a stir fry or soup), each with different combinations of toppings. I’ve had the best luck with the ishiyaki, my favorites being shrimp, red snapper and katsu pork. Each is served sizzling hot, meaning you’ll have to do some stirring if you don’t want anything to burn. A selection of optional sauces allows you to season each dish to your liking and the complimentary miso is flavorful and not too salty.

Other dishes are hit-and-miss. Steamed gyoza are decent, but you can get better down the street. The chicken yakisoba is satisfactorily crunchy and has a good balance of flavors, though the serving size is small. Shoyu (soy) ramen was salty but otherwise bland.

Don’s interior is comfortable, modern and clean. Colorful paper lamps and decorative Japanese wall accent an otherwise dark space. There’s bar seating, though you shouldn’t have any problem getting a table here. Don is rarely ever crowded and service doesn’t lag.

Prices at Don are very reasonable. All entrees run under $10 and appetizers are generally in the $3 to $6 range. You can easily get a filling meal here without breaking the bank.

Don is no Sushi Republic – neither the caliber of cuisine nor the expense are comparable – but it’s a great option for diners who don’t need an expansive menu to enjoy a satisfying meal.

7.75/10

Zoe’s Kitchen

Fact File

336-632-9080

Type: Deli/Greek

Location: 3352 West Friendly Avenue Suite 15, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Most menu items under $10

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Located in the Shops at Friendly, Zoe’s Kitchen offers Greek influenced soups, sandwiches, salads, kabobs and more. Takeout dinners for four are available, side items can be purchased by the tub and there is a limited selection of alcoholic beverages.

Review by Zac Goldstein

A Greek-deli hybrid with a health-conscious spin, Zoe’s Kitchen sounds great on paper, but fails to live up to the promise of its concept. To its credit, the Birmingham-based chain shows some innovation with its menu. Sides include braised white beans and mayo-free marinated slaw and hibiscus green tea is available as a fountain drink. Several dishes can be prepared to accommodate vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free diners.

Unfortunately, not all of these innovations are successful. Zoe’s signature sandwich, the “Gruben” (turkey, Swiss, slaw and mustard on rye) lacks zest and will leave you craving the real thing. Though feta is an oft-utilized ingredient, Greek staples such as gyros and spanikopita are notably absent here.

Zoe’s pricing isn’t unreasonable. Sandwiches are an even $7 with one side included and the sides are generously portioned. Salads and entrees (with the exception of salmon kabobs) are all under $10.

Lunchtime at Zoe’s can be a mob scene. Show up between noon and 1 p.m. and you should expect at least a five-minute line wait. That, coupled with the garishly bright interior design and less-than-comfortable chairs, severely diminishes its appeal as a dining option.

All and all, Zoe’s Kitchen is well-intentioned and offers a few novel selections, but the food has a long way to go.

5.75/10

Sushi Republic

Fact File

336-274-6684

Type: Japanese/Sushi

Location: 329 Tate Street, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Entrees $16 and under, sushi rolls $4 and up

Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday, dinner only on Saturdays

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: A staple of the Tate Street dining scene, Sushi Republic offers appetizers, Japanese entrees, and, of course, sushi. Wine,beer and saki are available, as are bento box lunches and outdoor seating during warmer weather.

Review by Zac Goldstein

Sushi is by its very nature an acquired taste. Nobody thinks they will like raw fish until they actually do. For that reason, it’s encouraging when a sushi restaurant continues to challenge our notions of what is and is not delectable.

In that regard, Sushi Republic rises magnificently to the occasion. You can get familiar sushi and sashimi here (tuna, salmon, shrimp and the like), but the real stars are the specialty rolls. Not content to experiment with mere avocado and cream cheese, Sushi Republic utilizes such ingredients as mango, mozzarella, BBQ eel and asparagus. My personal favorite, the Tate Street Roll, is a katsu-coated cornucopia of salmon, red snapper, crab, avocado, asparagus and cucumber, all topped with eel sauce. If that combination can’t tantalize your taste buds, nothing will.

For the sushi-skeptical, the menu offers no shortage of alternatives. Appetizers are grouped into Garden (edamame, vegetable gyoza), Farm (pork gyoza, chicken yakitori) and Sea (crab tempura, shrimp shumai). Any of the dumplings are safe bets. Entrees include teriyaki chicken, ribeye steak, seared tuna and panko breaded tilapia. Asparagus is a favorite here and accompanies many of the dishes.

Pricing at the Republic is reasonable for the quality of the food, meaning you’ll spend a lot to fill up, but you’ll feel that it’s worth it. Appetizers are mostly in the $4 to $9 range, entrees run from $13 to $16 and sushi varies considerably depending on the ingredients and quantity. Many of the specialty rolls can be had for under $10.

Seating isn’t a problem if you come for lunch or show up when the courtyard is open. Dinner during the winter months, on the other hand, is a gamble. It’s a small establishment and it fills quickly. Service when crowded can be sluggish, though servers are knowledgeable and polite, and a pencil and paper ordering system greatly cuts down on confusion. Don’t tempt fate by trying to bring a large group and don’t plan on eating a quick meal.

Both the expense and the scarcity of space prevent Sushi Republic from becoming a regular option, but for special occasions with time to spare, it will deliver new ways to please your palate.

8/10

Lindley Park Filling Station

Fact File

336-274-2144

Type: Deli/Bar/Grille

Location: 2201 Walker Avenue, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Almost all menu items under $10

Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday-Saturday

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Located at the corner of Walker and Elam Avenues, Lindley Park Filling Station offers burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. There’s a full bar, limited outdoor seating, and brunch is available on Sundays.

Review by Zac Goldstein

As the name suggests, the Filling Station once catered to gasoline rather than gastronomy. Don’t go looking for license plates and Shell stickers on the walls, though — the interior is elegantly minimalistic. Televisions are available if you want to watch a game, but the ever-present music may make paying attention difficult.

The Filling Station’s menu is geared toward lighter eats. Entrees are occasionally available on special, but you’re usually looking at something in the soup/salad/sandwich range. Whatever you order will likely bear the name of a local street or landmark, an added bonus for neighborhood folk.

The fare here is served with flair. Nut crusted goat cheese with marinated portabella mushrooms, a salmon salad with walnuts, goat cheese and lemon poppyseed dressing over a bed of baby spinach and a fried green tomato/herbed mayo/cheddar on Texas toast sandwich all show creativity and refinement. Even more conventional options are given a dash of the upscale: pita and hummus comes with both the black bean and red pepper varieties, while burgers include touches like basil aioli and caramelized onions. The Scott Avenue (a crab cake/bacon/baby spinach salad, paired with a tasty buttermilk-chive dressing) is a personal favorite, but you really can’t go wrong with anything here. Just be sure you save room for dessert — the banana fried cheesecake is tantalizingly sweet.

If there’s one drawback to the Filling Station, it’s that it is easily, well, filled. A scarcity of space and seating means you’re most likely headed for a chair at the bar. Show up on a Friday night with a group, however, and you’ll be lucky to find room to squeeze inside, let alone sit down. The congestion can cause service to suffer considerably, though the staff are friendly enough.

The satisfyingly quirky menu and hip location make the Filling Station an ideal destination to grab a drink or a quick bite to eat, but this is not the place to be if you plan on lingering long.

7.75/10

Mexico Restaurant

Fact File

336-292-6044 (Market), 336-333-2514 (Battleground), 336-665-5170 (Fleming), 336-286-9040 (Elm)

Type: Mexican

Location: 4800 West Market Street, 1007 Battleground Avenue, 2307 Fleming Road, or 3606 North Elm Street, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Many entrees under $10

Hours: ???

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: A local family-owned operation, Mexico Restaurants can be found at four locations across Greensboro (this review covers the Battleground location). Mexico offers a wide variety of tortilla-based dishes (tacos, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas), chicken and steak selections, salads, margaritas, imported beers and more. Food and drink specials change daily and lunch specials are offered from 11-2:30. Catering is available.

Review by Zac Goldstein

A Mexican restaurant called Mexico Restaurant sets the bar low for originality. Accordingly, the most innovative thing you’ll find here is the décor. Brightly colored tables, chairs and walls give the establishment a distinct identity – think Alice in Wonderland with a Southwestern flair.

Unfortunately, the cuisine is pedestrian by comparison. Grilled chicken served inside half a pineapple is as exotic a dish as you’ll find here. That means no mole sauce or puerco al pastor and the tacos are Tex-Mex rather than authentic-style. Though the menu spans an impressive 5-plus pages, many of the selections incorporate beef, chicken and some kind of tortilla.

Familiar as it may be, the food here isn’t bad. Camarones (shrimp) come full-size and carnitas (seasoned pork) is just flavorful enough and not too dry. As most dishes come with lettuce and a side of rice (at minimum), you get a good deal of bang for your buck. Entrees run from $7-$8 for chicken and quesadilla dishes up to around $13 for steak and seafood. For those seeking lighter fare, tacos and sides are also available a la carte for a few dollars each.

Service at Mexico is prompt. Order a refillable beverage and your glass won’t stay empty very long. The wait staff is also able to provide separate checks for large groups without any difficulty. Just be clear about what you’re ordering or you could end up with something you never intended.

On the whole, Mexico offers standard Tex-Mex fare at reasonable prices. It’s hardly the worst in town, but it’s not a fiesta for your taste buds either.

6.25/10

JP Looney’s Sports Bar & Grille

Fact File

336-852-1331

Type: Sports Bar

Location: 3021 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Entrees under $15, sandwiches under $10

Hours: Open 7 days a week

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card.

Overview: Located at the corner of Spring Garden and Holden, JP Looney’s offers appetizers, wings, burgers sandwiches and entrees. Amenities include a full bar with daily drink specials, over a dozen televisions, karaoke and games. Catering is available and there are additional locations in High Point and Oak Ridge.

Review by Zac Goldstein

Sometimes, there’s something to be said for the comfort of familiarity. JP Looney’s embodies just about every sports bar cliché imaginable, but in the end, it still manages to satisfy. The menu, for instance, is steeped in sports jargon. Appetizers are “The Starting Lineup,” salads are “Spring Training,” and so on. And if that doesn’t fulfill your quota for corniness, look no further than Looney’s chicken wing motto: “We pluck ‘em, you suck ‘em.”

In spite of the questionable marketing, the wings rate among the best in the Triad. They come in more than a dozen different flavors, bone-in or boneless. Try the latter in sweet teriyaki and you won’t regret it – those succulent suckers go by quick. BBQ-style, in either medium or hot, rate a distant second.

The rest of the menu varies in quality. Burgers, mozzarella sticks and ribs are done right, but a chicken sandwich was tough and bone-dry. Despite all the sports verbiage, nothing here is actually a steal: burgers and sandwiches run in the $6 to $9 range (choice of side included), while 10 boneless wings go for $9 an order (bone-in are only 30 cents less).

Finding seating at Looney’s is a gamble. Show up when there’s a popular game going on and you’re looking at a wait for a decent table. If you are able to get in, you may find yourself in the middle of “Dick Cheney’s hidden bunker,” as one friend put it – a room covered wall-to-wall with television screens. As with any sports bar, you can bet on sporadic earfuls of cheering and hollering. Servers are friendly and will gladly change TV channels for you, but don’t count on promptness if there’s a sizeable crowd.

As a dining experience, Looney’s leaves a bit to be desired, particularly if you aren’t in the mood for wings. But if all you’re looking for is a spot to get some food and watch a game, this is as good as it gets, bar none.

7/10

Pho Hien Vuong

Fact File

336-294-5551

Type: Vietnamese/Thai

Location: 4109 Spring Garden Street #A, Greensboro, N.C.

Price Range: Many menu items under $10, most under $15

Hours: 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday

Payment accepted: Cash, credit card

Overview: Pho Hien Vuong serves up Vietnamese and Thai cuisine including pho (noodle soup), rice, noodle and vegetarian dishes. A $4.95 lunch special changes daily. Take-out, catering, and gift certificates are available.

Review by Zac Goldstein

The measure of a bad Asian restaurant is that everything tastes the same. At Pho Hien Vuong, everything is good, but nothing tastes the same. Several pages worth of menu options ensure there’s plenty of variety to be found. In the mood for something light? Try a spring roll. They come fresh (steamed) or fried, vegetarian or with shrimp, with peanut sauce. Want something heavier? Dig into a bowl of pho. The soups come with your choice of noodle (egg, clear or rice) and filling and enough accouterments (cilantro, sauces, bean sprouts, etc.) to allow you to season to your liking.

Thai dishes, such as curries and pad thai, have enough seasoning to please those familiar with the cuisine without overwhelming the palates of newcomers. Other authentic staples include Tom soups, lemon grass dishes and Vietnamese-style ribs.

Prices at Pho Hien Vuong are more than reasonable. The lunch specials, which include rice and a spring roll, are a bargain, and many of the regular entrees run $8 or less. Seafood dishes are less economical, but even the $13 shrimp pad thai isn’t an outrage. Service is satisfactory – the wait staff is prompt, but they don’t rush you — and the atmosphere (plenty of booths, gentle music, a large fish tank) is comfortably elegant. The only real downside to Pho Hien Vuong is its lack of parking. The lot is tiny and fills up quickly, rendering the restaurant virtually inaccessible during the lunch rush.

Like a Swiss army knife, Pho Hien Vuong’s versatility comes in handy in a variety of situations. Whether you have a craving for a particular dish or no clue what you want; whether you’re well-versed with Vietnamese or Thai cuisine or are just starting out, Pho Hien Vuong has you covered.

8.5/10