Mot Hai Ba — Restaurant in Dallas

Please don't call yourself vietnamese restaurant, say South East Asian fusion so no one in particular will be offended like I was?

We got to 1 2 3 early Saturday night and was sat down right away, that was about the only good thing about it. The rest was kinda disappointing.

I am vietnamese, north Vietnam to be exact and my boyfriend was just visiting Hanoi a month ago. We were craving the food again so we gave 1 2 3 a try. If I read the review before I will not come here. Vietnamese food here is as vietnamese as general tso to Chinese, maybe even less? We started off with 2 appetizers, fish cheviche that they call chả cá, which is a weak cheviche and nothing resemble of any kind of chả cá we have. Using fish sauce and kim chi sauce but flavor was without a punch.

The bánh xèo which supposed to be crunch and light, came out as a thick pancake and lack of flavor. Fish sauce to dip was wrong in many levels, too sour, out of balance and lacking of umami taste from fish sauce. Well, they did provide a lot of herbs to make up for it.

At this time, I no longer want to order their entree anymore even though I was eyeing some before the appetizer came out. But remember the rave reviews about their pho, I told my boyfriend to order it and I will order another if it was good.

The pho reminded me of what my ex tried to impress me a long while ago, his recipe was based on the pho flavor cube throw in a gallon of water, top off with noodle and meat. The flavor was way off, no umami, lacking of some major seasonings while adding some other that I couldn't pin point. The meat seems to be cooked separately, not getting any flavor from the broth. It was also overcooked and sliced too thick.

I feel like the reviews were from people who didn't know vietnamese food and give it as exceptions to weak western food.

Please don't call yourself vietnamese restaurant, say South East Asian fusion so no one in particular will be...

If you're a foodie, who likes all types of cuisine and unique dining experiences, add this to your list! This is a hidden gem, no doubt. Also, Michelin awarded. While this place is small, but quaint, the atmosphere is welcoming and cozy. The bar only has 4 seats, so keep that in mind if you are bar people. We originally had reservation for the bar, but would have had to sit in between people so the host was nice enough to move us to a table. Also, side note - you will want to make a reservation as this place only has about 10 tables inside, and then probably another 10 or so on the outside covered patio. We started with a seared yellow fin tuna appetizer that had the inside of burrata with olive oil and a little salt. It literally melts in your mouth. Delicious! Next, we had Tempura Swiss Chard that was like an eggroll, lightly battered with pork. Delicious again! Next we had the black bass that has wax peppers and a spicy curry. As someone who doesn't necessarily LOVE spicy foods, it definitely had a bite to it, but was sooo good. The quality of the fish was phenomenal. We added a side of the famous garlic noodles, and just do yourself a favor and order those!!! Homemade, and fresh. Had to cut myself off from eating the entire bowl. I didn't want to stop eating, but had to! Lastly, we ordered the tiramisu which had a hint of orange which was really tasty. It was more of a mousse with a soft spongey cake at the bottom, but was okay. They are apparently famous for their chocolate cake, and after seeing it on another table will definitely have to try that next time. Our server was thorough in explaining the menu and attentive for the most part! We were doing dry Jan, I tried a mocktail which had cinnamon and pineapple, which is a different interesting combination but was something new to try! We will definitely be returning when we can enjoy cocktails and other items on the menu! Thanks for a great time...

What began as a modest Vietnamese eatery has blossomed into one of the city's most impressive culinary destinations. This remarkable transformation speaks volumes about the establishment's commitment to excellence and continuous evolution.

The first thing that strikes you is the atmosphere - a refreshing departure from the cacophony that plagues modern dining. Here, conversation flows naturally against a backdrop of thoughtfully modulated music, creating an environment where dining becomes a genuine pleasure rather than a shouting match.

The service staff deserves special mention. Unlike the perfunctory service often encountered elsewhere, the servers here display an impressive command of their craft. They navigate the menu with expertise, eloquently breaking down complex dishes and sharing insights into the cooking techniques that make each dish special.

The beverage program, while concise, demonstrates careful curation. The wine list, in particular, proves that quality trumps quantity - each selection feels purposeful and pairs beautifully with the menu offerings.

However, in an era where plant-based dining has moved from trend to lifestyle, the menu's limited vegetarian and vegan options stand out as the restaurant's sole shortcoming. While the existing dishes excel in execution, expanding these offerings would make this culinary haven more inclusive and align with contemporary dining preferences.

Despite this minor limitation, what truly sets this establishment apart is its clear dedication to the art of hospitality. This isn't a restaurant chasing quick profits; it's an institution built for longevity, following in the footsteps of the world's finest chef-driven restaurants. The attention to detail, from the thoughtful plating to the perfectly timed service, reflects a level of sophistication typically reserved for...