At the Library in May
May 1, 2013
Andrew J. Cantrelle
May 2, 2013
When White Bowl, a Vietnamese restaurant, opened in mid-April, I was excited to see a new type of cuisine added to Houma’s food roster.
Supposedly one of the healthiest types of fare available, Vietnamese food is known for its fresh ingredients and minimal use of oils – a little different from our normal, greasy fodder.
Before actually eating at an establishment, I try to check out the restaurant’s website and Facebook page, so I hopped online to examine the menu, peruse through brief reviews and scope out the entrée pictures.
White Bowl’s Web material is well designed and has a cool, clean, contemporary look. All the Facebook posts are extremely positive and the food photography makes me want to lick my computer screen (I have resisted thus far).
The au courant style carries over into the restaurant itself. The fun, bright red light fixtures contrast nicely with the white and black everything else in this small eatery. The paper table covers denote casual dining.
While a house packed with patrons gab away as many use chopsticks to spoon thick noodles out of, what else, big white bowls, my comrades and I are seated.
We are quickly greeted by a friendly server, who takes our drink and appetizer orders. We opt for Potstickers ($5) and Goi Cuon ($4.50).
The potstickers are delicious and are served with a delightful dipping sauce made of soy sauce, water, sugar and some other secret ingredients that would not be divulged. The six pork-filled tidbits are gone in a flash.
The goi cuon, a type of spring roll, arrives and one of my guest is surprised to see a non-fried spring roll wrapped in rice paper. She is even more surprised to bite into the roll and discover cooked rice and noodles, cucumbers and a sprig of mint mixed in with the grilled pork.
The taste of the roll is fresh and crisp and the accompanying peanut sauce pairs with it perfectly.
On this particular trip I order the Grilled Shrimp Banh Mi ($5) because it looked amazing on their Facebook page. When my sandwich arrives, I am disappointed by the visual comparison because the Web promised big, succulent shrimp, and I receive tiny grilled morsels. One bite and all is forgiven. The fresh baguette topped with crisp cucumbers, raw jalapenos, sliced carrots, a mayo-based sauce and yes, tiny shrimp, taste wonderful. Bonus … I didn’t feel super heavy or tired afterward because of the lightness of the meal and the price is great. (I’ve since heard the Pork Bahn Mi is a favorite.)
My guests order the Special Fried Rice ($8.50) and Grilled Jumbo Shrimp Com ($8.50). When asked what is special about the fried rice, the server said you get to choose the meats that go in it and it’s jasmine rice. As far as fried rice goes, my company says it is pretty good, especially with hoisin sauce.
Companion No. 2 enjoys her com (rice) dish, which consists of jumbo shrimp, a pile of jasmine rice, some fresh veggies and a flavorful sauce. The shrimp are a good size, but my guest wishes they were warmer.
We didn’t find any desserts on the menu, so we opt for bubble tea – one strawberry, one honeydew and one mango. All are fabulous and you can tell the fruit purée is fresh and made in house. There was something missing, however … the bubbles. Traditional bubble tea has little balls, or “bubbles,” of tapioca. We were informed that they are ordered and will be available very soon.
Upon a return trip, I brave the Pho Chicken ($7.50). Different and delicious, the broth of this soup cooks for hours and has a unique blend of herbs and spices. The white bowl is full of thick noodles and chicken and a plate of mint, bean sprouts, jalapeños and limes is served on the side. The flavors are light … fresh … beautifully balanced.
White Bowl still has some kinks to work out – the affable servers are still learning, the lunch hour may need an extra 10 minutes and the bubbles are coming – but for only being open for a couple of weeks, the restaurant is on its way to becoming one of my favorite places to eat.
I look forward to trying something new again soon.
White Bowl offers fresh ingredients and, just opened, offers another casual option to the local dining scene.
$5
$8.50
$8.50
