Pho 91 — Restaurant in Amsterdam

The food here is good, but sadly not good enough to make up for the service received today. Been here one time before, when the service was good. Hence inviting a friend to visit the place together.

It was pretty busy when we arrived, so the server asked us to wait outside for 10 minutes. It was pretty cold, but the place is not that large so we understood that (we were a group of 3). While waiting outside for about 6/7 minutes, other people arrived and are waiting inside for a table. We thought it was weird that we had to wait outside while people after us were left waiting inside. Then we notice that the group of 2 (that arrived after us) were already seated before us. This was odd, as 2 tables for 2 people just opened up, it would’ve made more sense to let us sit there. Also seats at the counter opened up (where the couple could’ve sat together). Another group of 3 was also waiting inside after us, they claimed the counter spot. We went back inside as 10 minutes had passed a bit confused to why we are not helped yet. The server told us we could sit with the three of us at a 2 person table. The bigger table where more people could sit had already opened up, but that option was not offered to us.

We tried to give the smaller table a chance. This one was not wiped yet, there was some liquid spilled over the table. The server just threw the menus over the dirty table for us to read. We decided to wipe the table ourselves. The group of 3 that first claimed the counter moved to the bigger table while this happened. Then the server went to the bigger table to clean up there.

We kept waiting to order, but this just took too long to get proper service. We decided to leave at one point.

This was a bad experience, which I did want to share today. Luckily we found another good Vietnamese spot nearby, with very good service.

(Still giving three stars as I did receive good service the first time, but will not be...

I got caught in the great fire of Heathrow on March 21st and found my flight diverted to Amsterdam. I guess there are worse places to get dumped in! And there are worse restaurants that Pho 91 to take your evening meal in.

I'm a self-confessed Pho connoisseur ever since the early 1990s when I sampled the finest that Pho 75 had to offer in Arlington, Virginia (and I understand it is still serving bowls of delicious after all these years). The number after the Pho usually signifies a key date (for example (19) 75 being the year of the fall of Saigon). The 91 ? I have no idea what it means - perhaps the year of opening or emigration of the family? Perhaps someone can enlighten me....

Anyway, being by yourself isn't great but I was soon cuddling up to a bowl of Pho Bo - beef and brisket (honestly, brisket they do so well). I got chatting to the couple on the next table and they had time to discuss their favourite Pho as well - and both thought this place was the best of the Pho restaurants they had visited.

Anyway, I decided to splurge (the expense claim with BA will hopefully cover things....) and have the soft rolls as well. I'm picky about these little charmers, and my honest opinion was that while they were generous in diameter, they were rather heavy on the rice noodles and overly light on the good stuff (proteins, salad and sauces).....still good but could be so much better.

Feeling flush, I celebrated with a cup of Vietnamese coffee - if you've never had it, go and grab one, they are special. However, this was solely because this place isn't licensed to serve, or doesn't serve, alcoholic drinks and, truth be told, a nice bottle of Saigon, 333, or even Tiger would have elevated the experience to even greater heights. I won't deduct any stars, as the Pho was so good, but it is a blemish...

I'm from New York City and eat pho at least once a month in various neighborhoods. But even the New York City pho places don't match the pho from this hole in the wall in Bridgeport, CT (where? I know... practically unheard of).

That being said, the pho is just ok for the price. It's so far the best pho I've had in Amsterdam, but on the scale of phos I've had worldwide, it's nowhere near as good as New York, Montreal, or Connecticut's phos.

The broth is lacking a lot of depth and flavor to it. I really want to taste the various meats stewed for hours in my broth with tons of spices but I don't taste all that. It's pretty shallow in taste. The broth is THE most important part of pho. Without a solid base, the rest of the meal loses itself.

Also, when you have pho, you usually are served bean sprouts, basil, and jalapenos. There was basil but we had to ask for bean sprouts, which is a staple for pho. You drop in raw bean sprouts in the beginning of your meal, and throughout the meal, they soften and become a part of the dish.

The meat is of really good quality, and the noodles are good. It's funny how many pho places can mess up simple noodles so they got that right.

I really liked their summer rolls. They make it like I do at home.

They overcharged us by accident. Good thing we read our bill!

I might go back to get my pho fix until I get back to New York but probably won't go out of my way to go back. They really...