966 North Dutton Ave, Santa Rosa CA 95401
(707) 566-8910
Parking: in parking lot
Hours: Mon to Sat 10am to 9pm, Sun 11am to 5pm
Last Visited: June 21, 2007
Food: 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Atmosphere: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
Formerly the home of Cam Ranh Bay, Simply Vietnam has added some finishing touches to the restaurant along with a fresh coat of paint. Although the fare remains the same, the fresh earthy colors, new furniture, and unique décor has made Simply Vietnam stand out from its predecessors. The rooms are painted with a color brighter than terra cotta, but not orange. There is a tree and other leafy metal sculptures decorating the facility that are unique and interesting to look at. The ceiling fan looks like large leaves.
During the three times I have visited, twice for lunch and once for dinner, the restaurant has been fairly busy. Twice there have been only two younger women on the wait staff, and once it appeared to be two brothers.
On each table is a black basket containing the usual pho seasonings (sricha chili sauce, fish sauce, soy sauce, regular chili sauce, and more) and a chrome container holding fork and knives as well as chopsticks. A napkin holder is also set on each table.
During the first visit, the place was bustling. Everything moved at a fast pace. During my second visit, the floors were rather dirty, and the table we were seated at was wet. I downgraded the rating for atmosphere from three stars to two to three stars. The third visit was a little slower in pace, and it seemed like they had finally found the groove in which they fit. Things ran smoothly without a rushed feeling and I upgraded them back to three stars for atmosphere.
- Egg rolls (3) – The egg rolls contain minced pork, prawns, and mixed vegetables. They were plated and cut before served. The egg rolls were served with a sweet vinaigrette sauce. I found them to be a little darker than I prefer, okay in flavor, but also lacking the juiciness I like. Okay. $4.25
- Combination Beef Noodle Soup – This noodle soup contains rare sliced steak, well done brisket, meatballs, and tripe. Each pho comes with a side dish of bean sprouts, Thai basil, jalapeno, and lime. The menu says mint comes with it also, but mine came with cilantro instead. During my first two visits, I found the pho to be very good. During my most recent visit, the well done brisket had some soft bones on them, and I found them difficult to eat. Overall, good, but the last time left a bad impression because of the brisket alone. Flavor was still good. Small $5.25, Large $5.75, Extra Large $6.75
- Coconut Juice – Refreshing, coconut juice is a standard. $2
Overall, I found that Simply Vietnam is a good stop for lunch or dinner, reasonably priced, and friendly. The presentation is nicer than some of the other Vietnamese restaurants, and the tables themselves are spaciously placed, offering more personal space. They offer typical Vietnamese dishes such as bun, pho, or rice dishes with grilled meat. The new décor has added sparkle to the place, and I would certainly return.
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