Southeast Asian Cuisine Comes to South Central Avenue

Armed with a gift certificate purchased at the Gourmet Galaxy we made our way over to Central Avenue to try Saigonese Restaurant which bills itself as "The Very First Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine in Westchester." What exactly is Vietnamese food? And is it worth a visit?

We found the restaurant in a barn style building next to the newly opened Rudy's Sports Bar on South Central Park Avenue. It was Saturday night around 8 o'clock and the restaurant was full so the accommodating hostess agreed to call us on our cell phones when a table opened up. We headed next door to Rudy's Sports Bar to start the night with a drink and settled into our bar stools to enjoy beers on tap and the five large flat screen TV's. Almost too soon we got a call that our table was ready next door.

Saigonese décor is basic but inviting and we sat at a table by the window to peruse the rather complex menu of appetizers, grilled options, "Pho" – which is rice or egg noodle soup, hot pots, Bun (vermicelli stir fry) and Com (rice dishes and vegetables. Almost all of the entrees are available with your choice of beef, chicken, pork, shrimp or salmon and include tasty and healthy vegetables and herbs such as mint and basil leaves, scallions, cilantro, mushrooms, bean sprouts, taro root, cabbage and tofu. For anyone concerned with diet or health, these entrees look like they must be good for you!

To start, the waiter recommended we try the Vietnamese crepe, a fried crepe with shrimp, pork, onion, scallion, bean sprouts, and green beans that arrived with a lettuce, mint leaves and fish sauce. The overstuffed pancake was large enough for four of us to each enjoy a healthy portion and was flavorful and filling. We also went for the spring rolls and exotic mango salad with carrots, herbs, shrimp, roasted peanuts and special sauce. The sweet shredded mango was complimented by the acidic lime dressing and salted peanuts and this raw offering was a standout.

Though the appetizers might have been dinner in themselves, we each ordered our own entrée and everyone was pleased with their selection. I had the Ca Kho To, a.k.a Fish in a Clay Pot which was a steamy mixture of salmon, scallions and "special sauce" cooked and served in a clay pot. I can only call it "Vietnamese comfort food," the equivalent of my mother's chicken soup with a cultural twist. My companion tried the Bun, Sai-Gon Ca Biet, which was grilled pork, grilled shrimp, and a spring roll served with vermicelli noodles, chopped lettuce and mint leaves, shredded cucumber, and bean sprouts topped with roasted peanut and fish sauce. Another friend went for the famous Pho or noodle soup and enjoyed hers with shredded chicken, noodles, bean sprouts, lime and basil leaves in a "special" chicken broth. From the grilled options, a friend tried the Bun Ga Nuong which is grilled chicken and lemon grass with vermicelli noodle, chopped lettuce and mint leaves, bean sprouts, and shredded cucumber topped with roasted peanut and fish sauce. All were fresh, plentiful and satisfying.

Many of the dishes on the menu are combinations of similar ingredients – but each dish did have a unique balance of textures and flavors that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else on Central Park Avenue or even in lower Westchester. Also, since so many of the dishes are packed with herbs and green vegetables, we felt like we were doing our bodies a favor dining there.

Even better - Saigonese does have a liquor license so it's not necessary to BYOB.

So if you're tired of the usual, give the unusual a try. You'll find an exotic mix of flavors and a healthy choice of ingredients at a very reasonable price tab. With appetizers at $6 - $12 and entrees from $8 to $13 you'd be hard-pressed to eat for less at home. Southeast Asian cuisine on South Central Avenue? You got it at:

Saigonese
158 South Central Park Avenue
Hartsdale, NY 10530
914-288-9088

Open:
Tuesday through Thursday 11 am to 9 pm
Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 10 pm
Sunday 12 noon – 9 pm
Closed Monday