Lâu Vietnamese — Restaurant in Town of Smithtown

We were looking for soup, and decided on Pho. We usually go to Saigon Casa in Port Jeff, but we were coming from some massage therapy in Melville and we wanted it sooner than later.

A quick google search led to Lâu, whose location seemed familiar. I had been to Soul Brew next door, but never to the Hibachi place that used to occupy that space. Nevertheless, it was pho that we were after, and this was the closest and highest-rated.

There's lots of parking, and it was quite spacious and clean inside. There's a full bar and table seating, as well as booths along the wall.

We saw a sign upon entering that mentioned membership, and I wanted to know what that was about. We were greeted right away, and were given our choice of seating. We chose a comfy booth.

I noticed that there were 2 prices on the menu, a regular price and a VIP price. It was explained to me later that the VIP price reflected a discount if you paid with their reloadable gift card which gave you a bonus right off the bat. I sprang for membership and the discount would be available to use right away.

The summer rolls were big, and they were served with a very nice peanut sauce. Pineapple shrimp fried rice needs no explanation except that the shrimp needs an honorable mention. This wasn't just shrimp that was thrown in the rice, this was cooked and seasoned separately and served on top. It was fantastic. A little side note, the summer rolls and fried rice had slivers of mango. Yum.

Now the pho. I love the pho at Saigon Casa. I think it's perfect as-is. Lâu's beef bone broth isn't as flavor-packed from the get-go, but is easily elevated with the hoisin, chili sauce, sriracha, and fish sauce provided. The noodles are as great, the provided sprouts, jalapeños, and basil were fresh and fragrant, as you would expect. I had the pho with beef eye round and beef tendon, and it was loaded with big pieces of it. More than at any other pho restaurant I've been to, and I enjoyed every bit of it. My girlfriend had the pho with marinated ribeye steak that came on the side. I would come back just to have that steak as a meal (good thing I got the membership card).

We took home a pandan and coconut drink for the road, I think some coconut rum would make it amazing 😃

11/10/2024

Back again for a birthday brunch this time, and Lâu did not disappoint. I wanted to come back and bring my family here, and they thoroughly enjoyed everything. Service was great, the food was great, lots of space even though it started filling up around 12:30PM. We'll be back...

Craving a delicious and inclusive Vietnamese dining experience? Look no further than Lau's Vietnamese Pho! This restaurant offers a delightful escape, catering to both vegan and non-vegan preferences with equal flair. From the friendly welcome at the door, the attentive staff guides you through their vibrant menu, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Lau's appetizers are a fantastic way to kick off your meal. Don't miss out on the crispy tofu! These golden pillows of perfection are a textural delight, offering a satisfying crunch with each bite. The light coating allows the natural flavor of the tofu to shine through, while a touch of seasoning adds a delightful savory punch. They're the perfect way to whet your appetite for the main course. But the true star of the show is undoubtedly their banh mi. The bread itself is a masterpiece - a perfect balance of crispy exterior and soft, pillowy interior. This delicious vessel cradles a symphony of fresh ingredients, whether you choose the classic pate and pork filling or their creative vegan option. Lau's proves that deliciousness can come in all forms.

And Lau's culinary journey doesn't stop at savory dishes. Their fresh juices are bursting with flavor, the perfect complement to any meal. We particularly enjoyed the refreshing passionfruit juice - a tart and tangy explosion that perfectly complements the richness of the food.

The best part? You won't feel like you're missing out if you're vegan. Lau's commitment to inclusivity shines through their menu, offering equally delicious options for plant-based eaters.

In short, Lau's Vietnamese Pho is a must-visit for anyone seeking a flavorful and satisfying Vietnamese dining experience. With friendly service, top-notch crispy tofu appetizer, mouthwatering banh mi in both vegan and non-vegan varieties, and refreshing passionfruit juice, it's a place that will leave you wanting to come...

This was our first time here and we enjoyed the food immensely. The service was fast, the staff were friendly and attentive, and the blood orange margarita was delicious. We ordered the summer rolls to start and they were fresh and tasty. My wife ordered the pork chop and u ordered the Pho beef soup with the pork chop with extra noodles. We were not disappointed with the quality of the food at all. It was hot, well seasoned and delicious. My wife asked the manager what he would recommend we try that we wouldn’t find elsewhere and he suggested the bone marrow appetizer. We ordered it and it was interesting to say the least. It was about an 8 inch beef bone split in two lengthwise and hot, toasted bread was the side with it and the manager suggested we spoon some marrow on the bread and add some hoisin sauce for flavor. The taste is fantastic. Smooth, a little fatty and extremely satisfying. The second bite we also added their chili sauce and that was a better taste experience for us because we like spicy food. We even ordered the same appetizer to go to my dad could enjoy it as well. They have a well stocked bar, and a decent cocktail menu. I thought the cocktails were a bit pricy, but not over the top. This place is worth the visit for sure. We hope you enjoy its fare as much as we did. We will be back when we’re in the St....