We went for a quick meal before a movie. We had the banquet the food was pretty good and was far too much for 2 people.
Paul J.
Place rating: 4 New York, NY
I have to agree with Anthony Bourdain, who claimed that Vietnamese food is among the greatest cuisines in the world. Fresh local ingredients and French influences are what make Vietnamese food special. I was very happy to find Haiphong Harbour on Glebe Point Road. A mere glance at the menu in the front window led me inside for dinner. The restaurant staff was very friendly and eager to help me decide what to order. Ultimately, I chose the most labour intensive selection on the menu, the ‘campfire beef’. This meal consists of a bowl of lemongrass beef(or chicken, or pork) that is placed on a plate filled with some sort of flammable liquid. It is subsequently set ablaze the waiter, hence the dish’s namesake. However, the entire purpose of this dish is self-assembly; I was given eight small plates with rice paper, and another large plate of fish sauce, cabbage and cilantro, and rice noodles with peanuts and crispy garlic. My waiter even insisted on showing me the proper technique to roll. The secret is not to overstuff! After my third roll, I managed to do an expert job, with the approval of my waiter. I highly recommend this dish($ 17.50), as it is quite literally, a hands-on dining experience. And it was thoroughly delectable.