Ben Thanh — Restaurant in Cambridge

I'm really not the kind of person who leaves a place waiting to do a review - whether it's positive or negative. But in cases as being EXTREMELY positive I do. And when EXTREMELY negative, I do it too. And in this case I need to notify: because I had a bad experience in this place tonight! The food was pleasant to my taste buds. But the guy hostess me in the door and a old woman who serves the table are extremely unpleasant. This same woman who serves the tables had the audacity not to want to change my coke that was already watery and there was less than a finger left. And look, I only had 2 glasses. Her seemed uncomfortable with my presence. I'm visiting the city and I confess that I've been to this restaurant before. I believe the woman is the same, but over time she is getting worse. The guy has never seen it before (Maybe he’s the owner’s son to treat people so bad like that). Or it must be the case of getting together and taking a vacation, maybe they are overloaded - and in this case I have empathy in understanding. But when we leave home to fulfill a job we must exercise it in an integral and excellent way! Even more so with the service to the public. I've had dinner in this same place with two friends; alone; I didn't go countless times… but when I pass through the city I visit. So to make it clear that, this review is coming today because I felt like I was asking them for a favor. Or that it was a homeless person. And even if it was a homeless person that I'm not; I'm an elegant, kind, traveled person - you don't treat ANYONE this way! I'm passionate about Asian culture, and the funny thing is that I never have bad experiences with them. I think people are cheerful, smiling, very receptive. Culturally they are wonderful and the food is a unique delicacy! But that was not the case last night. Of course 2 bad people will not make me think differently, but it is important to record my disappointment. In the end the guy even sighed deeply when I was paying as if to say: "Get out of here soon!" I really don't know why this happened, I just wanted to have dinner alone, calm and happy. I’m leaves sad and more than sad - disappointed! Maybe one day I'll come back, maybe not. There are great Asian restaurant options next to them too. Suddenly it's my time to change. Asian religion teaches us to smile even with our hearts, I think these people lack that! Smile with your heart. After all, we are all passing through here. And life is short for so...

Ben Thanh Viet Thai Restaurant A Review by Hassan Hawash

A Great Tasty Flavourful Meal

We were initiated to this fine family dining establishment by way of tucking into my missus’ luncheon leftover takeaway of Tom Yom Soup, red shrimp curry and a salad not too too long ago and were pretty well hooked from that time.

We finally decided on a time to experience this establishment’s culinary delights in a dine in setting. Upon stepping through the reception, where we were greeted by our Vietnamese host, there was that evocative aroma, the ever so reminiscent trademark scent, with strong aromatic components wafting from the kitchen oh so typical of Thai restaurants I found myself at in the land of smiles.

Soon after being seen to our table, we were presented with our menus and order forms. Our young son, 10, enjoyed the activity of filling in the order form taking stock of the choices we made after a very thorough look at all the tempting offerings on the menu. Nice little feature to fill in our own menu, but at this dine in experience the prices were listed.

One order of Tom Yom Soup, a pretty close match to dining in Asia, was good for the three of us. We also shared the papya salad which was a little spicy, but just enough to tingle your lips. Shrimp Pad Thai and a vegetable tofu dish rounded out our choices.

On all accounts, our choices did not disappoint, left us raving about our deliciously tasty mini buffet and again reminded us of our visits to Thailand. The serving sizes are so generous we had takeaway for a meal...

My first visit to Ben Thanh. Clean and bright, friendly atmosphere, huge portions. The shared platter where we made our own rice paper wraps was absolutely delicious.

I'm fairly forgiving when it comes to food; if I order something and dont end up liking it, then I chalk it up to a new experience, maybe even order a different dish.

However when my mixed seafood soup arrived, it had a very rubbery shrimp on top, which I pointed out to our server right away. She said "oh it's overcooked" and took it away. Since the bowl only came with 2 shrimp, I thought maybe a replacement would be offered, but no.

I had begun to eat my soup (hoping another shrimp may come), the noodles were nice, and the scallop was perfectly cooked. But the 3 pieces of calamari were again very rubbery & inedible. Considering it was a seafood dish, I was very disappointed and didnt eat much.

When the hostess returned, I mentioned again that the seafood pieces were overcooked, to which she apologized, but no replacement was offered. Then the bill came and we were charged full price for the inedible soup! I was stunned but as I was on a date, didnt want to kick up more of a fuss than complaining twice about the same entree.

Needless to say, if I every return, I will not be ordering any seafood from the menu. Without the rubbery seafood & lack of offering anything as a replacement, would have been 5 star review, as the rest of the food...