You found it! The hippest little restaurant between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. Owner and chef Duc spent his formative years in Texas before earning his stripes in hotels and fine-dining establishments. He brings to Hoi An his own blend of cuisines, putting words like salsa and Vietnamese nuoc mam (fish sauce) in jarring juxtaposition, and serving up cool combinations of California cuisine, down-home barbecue, and Pacific Rim -- all stylishly presented in a fashion that would make the grade among the finest bistros of New York or San Francisco (he calls it "Vietnamese with a twist served California-style"). Duc runs the show from an open central kitchen and greets guests with a flamboyant, "Oh man, we're rockin' tonight!" as he steps out from behind the grill to see if he can help you find a seat and tempt you with some new idea. Try the likes of La Tropicana, a chicken breast with lemon grass and garlic, the "Asian Sins" of rice noodles pan-fried with vegetables, garlic, onion, and sweet basil, or seared tuna in rice paper. There are fresh-fish specials daily. The drink list is long, and you can't stump the Italian barman. Try the delicious sticky rice with mango for dessert. Address: 111 Nguyen Thai Hoc |
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