Pho & Rolls (by Cai Gac-Mang-Re) — Restaurant in Vaughan

Cái Gạc-Măng-Rê is an experience unto itself. Beautifully decorated with an eclectic music playlist of oldies and a few Italian love songs; you're already transported into another world.

Unfortunately I do not recall the names of the dishes, and I can't go back to see them because the menu rotates quite often. As Trinh (the co-owner with her husband) explained: why give patrons an entire book to read when they can curate a few choices each week, specialize in them, and keep their overhead low as a new restaurant. It also forces you to get different things each time you visit, because your past favourites may not be there.

Talking more about Trinh, she was absolutely lovely and sweet as pie. Talking to her about her passion and love of food feels like mother's embrace. I can scarcely remember the last time that I felt more welcomed in a restaurant.

Then comes the food. The appetizer was some sort of rice dish that had a combination of textures that was incredible. The mouth-feel was incredible, and the flavours were perfect. For mains we had a hand-pulled chicken dish, and Bun Rieu. The pulled chicken dish was almost ineffable. The rice was perfectly spiced and incredibly aromatic, and the mix of fried onions and crunchy peanuts added to the flavours and textures in a way that almost made it the star of the show. Almost, but not quite. The chicken reigned supreme, and it was well deserved. Perfectly cooked, and with a sauce that you could heap on top, and then pile on even more (both because of the delicious flavour, and also the absorption of the chicken/rise).

The Bun Rieu was a tricky dish for me. While the broth was absolutely incredible (Trinh explained that it was made with 2 different varieties of crabs), some of the flavours from the toppings were strong, and not in cultural experiences that I was accustomed to. We laughed about it, and she mentioned her surprise when we ordered it. The coagulated blood cube was not for me, and what I think was Cha Lua also had a flavour that was very distinctive. I know what I signed up for, and was not dismayed in the slightest at the presence of these items - this is the Vietnamese food I was looking for!

The desert was a rice pudding, and it was delicious. Warm, not too heavy, and not overly sweet, this was the perfect ending (along with Vietnamese Coffee) to a wonderful night at Cái Gạc-Măng-Rê. Having gone twice and trying the coffee both ways, I preferred it cold. The ice cubes diluted the sweetness of it, and also helped retain some of the toasted flavours from the coffee.

The only reason that I gave it 4* for service is that it is a new place, and they are still sorting out their wait staff and the required number of people working at once. The table next to me was served water and given their menus, but before the staff had a chance to talk to them again the patrons ended up leaving (understandably so - they had waited about 15 minutes).

If you're willing to put up with a few kinks as they iron out the details, you're in for a treat. The food is delicious, atmosphere is serene, and Trinh emanates...

This place has been pinned for a few months and I finally stopped by on a cold winter day during the tax break.

It's located just outside of north York and has plenty of parking spaces.

The interior of the place is what caught my attention. Everything is antique and shipped from Vietnam. Visited the place with my family and it was very nostalgic for them. They have an antiques like motorbike and food cabinet etc.

Moving on the food, the menu is different than your regular Vietnamese spot. Their style is focused on Vietnamese home cooking. You can find the typical pho, and broken rice dishes here but they have many non mainstream items like banh duc, mi go and canh bun.

Bo lui and thit nuong was very fragrant from the grilled which is what I prefer; I would come back and is worth the visit alone. The vermicelli bowl was also very generous with a ton of noodles.

The banh duc is completely new to me, and I've never seen it at any Toronto Vietnamese restaurant. It is very similar to banh cuon because of the meat and wood ear mixture. But also similar to banh gio because of the rice flour used, but banh duc is more soft and contains mung bean. This is also a Hanoi specialty so it’s hard to find in Saigon.

The mi go is very homey and taste like something my parents would make. This contains pork fat and makes the bowl very fragrant like how vendors in Vietnam sells it. At first I thought it's a vegetarian dish, but it came with veggies and pork slices.

The bun Bo hue isn't very spicy which is great for me, and comes with shredded banana blossom.

The canh bun is another item not found at other Toronto Vietnamese restaurant. It's very similar to bun rieu. The soup was amazing because I love the flavour of shrimp paste. Another dish I would come back for and highly recommend.

The betel leaf wraps are always good, a dish that never disappoints.

They also have home meals that rotates daily and a tasting menu which requires reservations.

Chatted with the owner and she mentioned each broth is made for each dish. Some restaurants would cut corner. So this is very authentic!

Also tried their kumquat and tamarind drink. Both was refreshing and delicious but my pick would be the tamarind.

Food came out pretty fast and the owner and staff was very friendly. The owner chatted with most tables and shared a lot about her menu items and the interior.

Definitely would recommend everyone to make the trip to try the more low key dishes and travel back in time.

By far the best dining experience I've ever had and a great way to start 2025.

🥩Bò Lụi (BBQ Beef Stick - 3 pcs) 🥣Bánh Đúc Chén Nóng Hà Nội (Rice Pudding with Mungbean and Ground Pork) 🍜Mì Gõ (Vietnamese Egg Noodle Soup) 🦀Canh Bún Rau Muống Luộc (Vermicelli in Crab Soup Base) 🥬Bánh Hỏi Bò Lá Lốt / Bò Lụi (Vermicelli with Beef wrapped in Betel Leaf) 🥢Bún Bò Huế (Spicy Beef Noodle Soup) 🥢Bún Thịt Nướng Xiên Que + Chả Giò (Vermicelli w/ BBQ Pork and...

A Journey Through Time: Dining at Cái Gạc-Măng-Re

Nestled humbly amidst the ever-rushing pulse of the modern world, Cái Gạc-Măng-Re is not just a restaurant—it is a gentle time machine, a quiet ode to a Vietnam that once was. Here, the past is not merely remembered—it is lovingly revived and brought to life in every detail.

As you step inside, you are greeted by a whimsical tableau from a bygone era: a vintage food stall adorned with age-worn utensils and enamel teapots, a traditional mì gõ cart standing as if paused mid-evening on a Saigon street, and even a classic xích lô parked proudly as a relic of a slower, simpler time. The soul of the space, however, lies in the humble gạc-măng-rê—a traditional Southern Vietnamese dish rack—nestled quietly in a corner, evoking kitchens filled with warmth, laughter, and the gentle clatter of home.

The decor is not merely decorative—it is deeply evocative. Every item is a thread in a tapestry of memory, conjuring vivid images of Vietnam in the 80s and 90s, wrapped in the soft hues of nostalgia.

The cuisine here is nothing short of enchanting. Each dish is a masterstroke—carefully crafted, rich in flavor, and served with a quiet pride that can only come from deep cultural roots. The flavors do not shout; they sing—gently, soulfully—inviting you into their story, one bite at a time.

The atmosphere is serene, almost sacred. There is a peace here, a hush that falls upon the heart. It is a place where time slows, where laughter feels warmer, and where even the air seems seasoned with memory.

Dining at Cái Gạc-Măng-Re is not merely a meal—it is an experience, a beautiful interlude in the chaos of life. One leaves not only nourished, but somehow more whole, as if reminded of something deeply cherished but...