Lucky Lotus 97 — Restaurant in Centre Wellington

This is my honest review trying out lucky lotus for the first time.

I recently moved to a small town from Barrie - and I used to visit all the best spots for Vietnamese Beef Pho that were local to me and even all over GTA. I've had my fair share of bad, mediocre, alright, and amazing pho.

I was pretty bummed out moving to a small town that didn't have much of diverse restaurant's around but when I made a group posting asking the local's where the best Vietnamese places are to get pho a-lot of people recommended this location. I've been wanting to visit for awhile as it is an hour drive away but I finally was able to visit and try it out.

I ordered the Pad Thai, and the House Special Beef Pho.

I'll start with the Pad Thai - as a disclosure I'd like to mention that I've never really had much Pad Thai as I've had a negative experience in the past. However, I am starting to come around to eating it. I was very confused between the difference of the Pad Thai and the Peanut Pad Thai - I ended up ordering the Pad Thai and I think that was my first mistake as I should of ordered the Peanut one. While it was edible - it wasn't my preference but obviously other people like it so I may just not be a red sauce girl. I did order a side of the peanut sauce to try and I loved the peanut sauce! I would love to give the other dish a chance because had the sauces been swapped I think I would of thoroughly enjoyed it.

Now for the Pho - since I drove a long way for pho I was really hoping this would hit the spot and feed that craving.

For starters the price - in most Vietnamese restaurant's X-Large Beef pho (insane size bowl) will run you the same cost as this. I was disappointed in the lack of sizing (small, medium, large, x-large) that you'd typically find in most places. I was also disappointed that there wasn't a variety of the pho style ( rare beef only, tripe, etc ) I typically always get the rare beef, with extra rare beef added anywhere I've visited - but this was not an option here. The House Special is one size, and contains rare beef, brisket, and beef balls. I don't mind beef balls but I know some people prefer rare beef only.

As for the pho itself - it's okay. I will say the broth ABSOLUTELY needs more aromatics - you know it's a good bowl of pho when you can smell the aromatics in the restaurant as soon as you walk in - and especially when the bowl of pho is brought to you! Secondly... it needs more fat (flavour). Some of the best places I've visited have the very aromatic, but super flavourful beef broth that shimmers - usually when you take home left overs and put it in the fridge you will see the fat oils solidify. I noticed that my pho was lacking in those area's and when I took it home and put it in the fridge there was hardly any fat oils that had solidified. Everything else was good quality. I prefer the smaller flat noodles but that's just preference - the beef was good quality, and the sides were fresh. I believe it was missing some culantro/cilantro and thai chili. Overall this dish is okay and good for being surrounded by rural towns but it could be really great.

I'd love to try it again but this was my experience for those who are die...

We used to love this place but sadly the service and food has really plummeted. Last time we ordered, the food was dry and tasteless but we thought to give it another shot in hopes it was an off day. Clearly not! My husband called at 11:30 am on Vday to order dinner for pick up at 8:30pm knowing it would be a busy day. We had family coming over for a bday dinner. When he got there to pick up the order he wasn’t attended to for 15mins and was told that the order wasn’t ready because they were waiting for payment first. So what was the point of placing an order at 11:30am? Why didn’t you tell us in the morning? Then he waited 45mins for the order, just like many people that day. Came home and the portions were half of what they used to be. The drunken noodles were dry and felt like rubber. Pad Thai was bland. The chicken wings were just shy of giving us salmonella (pink and disgusting on the inside). And they offered a discount for next time? So you can return and spend more money? Won’t...

I’m told that Spring Rolls are still made with Love by Man’s Grandma. I think you can taste the quality. Honestly, Pad See Ew is one of the best in the world, ever, made by Chef Uncle. On point. You will crave it. Really a family place. Can’t wait until they finally get their liquor license and we all can enjoy a real Thai BEvERage, like Singha please. Sonia is the best server on earth. Period. Always so attentive. Man made me a dish that I have been searching for, for 7 years now, to duplicate one I had on the streets of Bangkok. It was a nearly perfect copy. Best approach I’ve tried outside of Bangkok (probably realistically tried it over 50 different times, in different Thai restaurants around the world), and nothing come close except what Man’s Uncle created. Pad Kee Mao. Over the top good. Noodle dishes and deep fried spring rolls are all you need to know about this place. One improvement could be to get some hot authentic Asian tea to enjoy too....