Present Restaurant — Restaurant in Falls Church

We had chả giò rế (hand-made rice thread wrapper filled with marinated prawn & pork, fried until crispy and served with fish sauce), bánh bèo chén (steamed rice cake in shallow cup topped with dried shrimp, served with sweet fish sauce), bánh xèo (Saigon-style crepe with pork, shrimp, bean sprouts & green onions, served with fresh lettuce, herbs & fish sauce), cá kho tộ (caramelised fish fillets cooked in a clay pot) and bún riêu (gumbo soup with crab paste shrimp patty & thin rice noodle with fried tofu & tomato wedges).

If I go back to Present, it will be for their chả giò rế, which was my favourite dish. I could have eaten 10 on my own.

Everything was good but the fish used for the cá kho tộ had that fresh water, somewhat chemical taste I'm not a fan of and was way too sweet for my liking. The bún riêu's soup which I was so looking forward to tasted more like a bland tomato soup than a crab and pork based tomato soup which was disappointing. Its saving grace was its ingredients which were delicious. Back at Present because I'm obsessed with their springrolls. Outside of Vietnam, Present really has the best Vietnamese springrolls I've eaten.

This time around I also ordered Chả Giò Tôm Cua (shrimp, crabmeat, pork and vegetables in a thin rice wrapper, fried until crispy and served with fish sauce) - actually more delicious than the Chả Giò Rế I'd previously fallen in love with.

I really wanted Chả cá Lã Vọng (Hanoi-style marinated fish fillet, served with vermicelli, basil leaves, mint, peanut, dill, Hanoi shrimp paste, and sesame rice cracker), but the fish used for this dish was tilapia and I would never eat tilapia. I ordered the Mì Xào Giòn Dồ Biển (jumbo lump crabmeat, tiger shrimp, scallop and calamari sautéed with fresh vegetables, served over crunchy egg noodles) instead. It was a monster of a serving and omgoodness it was hella tasty! The two issues with this dish were that the calamari used was of the frozen variety and absolutely tasteless, and there was very little jumbo lump crabmeat.

I was told the Phở Tái "Filet Mignon" Nạm Bò Viên (sliced filet mignon and beef meatballs, with rice noodle in a delicate beef broth) was rather meh. We did a takeaway of Bún bò Huế (spicy beef noodle soup with rice noodle, sliced beef shank and pork pastries) and the feedback given was that it was punchier and tasted better than the Phở Tái "Fillet Mignon" Nạm Bò Viên.

My conclusion after dining twice at Present is to order anything aside from soupy noodles.

I NEED more Present...

I really love how the place "Present" is described in the About Us section.

"These are all the PRESENTS that life has offered us. Whether we can receive them or not depends entirely on our ability to be PRESENT in the moment to enjoy them. May we always be grateful for moments when we can dwell in the PRESENT, so we can truly enjoy life and the things it has to offer to the fullest." ​

This is my go to place for family style Vietnamese food. Been going here for many many years and they don't disappoint. :)

The service is wonderful, the staff is attentive but not over bearing, knows exactly what's in the dishes you are ordering so don't be shy to ask lots of questions if your new to the Vietnamese dining experience. :)

I've enjoyed so many of their carefully prepared food and love the cute way they call it in English. ;) I've tried quite a few items here that I really enjoy! Hope I have enough characters to fit in the review. Here goes: CHẢ GIÒ RẾ (2) - SILKEN SHAWL IMPERIAL AUTUMN ROLL (so good, it's a must try! other places have try to copy but this place is still the BEST! CHẢ GIÒ TÔM CUA (2) - BLUE PARADISE SUMMER ROLL GỎI NGÓ SEN - LOTUS FLOWER GARDEN GỎI CUỐN (2) - GREEN PARADISE SPRING ROLL BÁNH XÈO - RICH FOLKS GOLDEN CREPES THỊT HEO KHO TIÊU - WARM HEART PIGLET Caramelized slices of pork cooked in a clay pot. BÒ LÚC LẮC - COW ON THE OPEN FIELD BÒ "FILET MIGNON" SỐT TIÊU ĐEN - BEEF "FILET MIGNON" BLACK PEPPER SAUCE TÔM RANG TRỨNG MUỐI - SHRIMP IN THE GOLDEN BASIN - different take on the TÔM RANG MUỐI - SHRIMP IN THE FRESH OCEAN but very addictive once you try the TRỨNG MUỐI version. CÁ KHO TỘ - FISH IN A SHALLOW WATER CANH CÁ THÌ LÀ - ON THE WAY HOME SOUP (family size) good with fish or clams. CANH CHUA CÁ (TÔM) - OPEN FIELD IN THE SUNSET SOUP CHẢ CÁ LÃ VỌNG - LA VONG VERMICELLI - one of my Favorite Hanoi dishes. CƠM BÌ, SƯỜN, CHẢ, TRỨNG - LIFE ON THE BEACH MIẾN XÀO CUA - MOSAIC PATHWAY MÌ XÀO MỀM ĐỒ BIỂN - GIFT FROM THE SEA ON A FRESH HAYSTACK MÌ XÀO GIÒN ĐỒ BIỂN - GIFT FROM THE SEA ON A HAYSTACK

Order any of these you won't be disappointed. Off to your culinary journey. ENJOY...

A Hidden Gem of Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Present Restaurant in Falls Church, and I must say it exceeded my expectations in every way. This delightful Vietnamese eatery has quickly become one of my favorite spots in the Northern Virginia area.

From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a warm and friendly atmosphere. The staff's hospitality and genuine smiles made me feel instantly welcome. Their commitment to providing exceptional service is truly commendable.

Now, let's talk about the food. Every dish I tried at Present Restaurant was a mouthwatering explosion of flavors. The Vietnamese cuisine served here is an absolute delight for the taste buds. From the fragrant pho to the crispy spring rolls, each dish showcased the chefs' culinary expertise and attention to detail. The ingredients were fresh, and the presentation was visually appealing.

One standout aspect of Present Restaurant is their dedication to authenticity. The flavors and aromas transported me back to the streets of Vietnam, capturing the essence of the cuisine in its truest form. It's evident that the chefs take great pride in maintaining the traditional recipes and techniques.

Another highlight was the attentive and friendly service. The staff members went above and beyond to ensure a memorable dining experience. They were knowledgeable about the menu, ready to offer recommendations, and always ensured that my dining needs were met promptly.

In addition to the outstanding food and service, the ambiance of Present Restaurant is both inviting and cozy. Whether you're dining with friends, family, or even on your own, the comfortable seating and tasteful decor create a pleasant environment to enjoy your meal.

Overall, I highly recommend Present Restaurant to anyone in search of exceptional Vietnamese cuisine in the Northern Virginia area. Their delicious dishes, friendly service, and commitment to authenticity make it a true gem. I can't wait to visit again soon and explore more of their enticing...