Great dining concept .....
Fusion is not an easy challenge to balance and accomplished.
The first impression "always" counts ... smartly set up.
Mama said, if you go to a Chinese restaurant and there ain't any Chinese looking people inside, just don't go in, move on until you find one :-)
So it was "out of character" for me to stop by a place like Hochi Mama, however, I was glad that Mandy invited us to dine in.
Second impression, this medium small venue was crowded, vibrant, very tight inside and a bit cramped, just like any other popular Chinese restaurants around :-) the table that we were seated at first, next to a dividing wall I can't even slide my legs inside under the table, there was no gap as there was another patron's chair behind me. Thank God the waitress was kind enough to move us to another table, a little bit roomier.
Third impression, Asian looking staff in the kitchen and Caucasian staff at the front is a great fusion, assurance of a good Asian inspired food and pleasant hospitality, we were so looking forward to this Vietnamese/Asian fusion food experience.
Fourth impression, looking at the menu, what great dining concept, for just under $60 for two you'll get two Entrees, two Mains & one side. Yes, drinks aren't included, so pick your poison, it will determines your final bill. Adequate Drink List, happy to report their Wine by the Glass is good complement for their food.
Food wise .....
Smaller (entree); .... got to start with those fresh, tangy, Tamarind, acidic taste .....
Trio of Mekong Delta Oysters
Trio of Scallops with Red Curry
They are just "SPOT ON" .... what a great start, here we go!
Larger (mains);
Lemongrass Beef short ribs were spot on, it did not take long to come to our table, generous portion, soft, tender and all the right "authentic" flavours of Asia .... would be fair to say that it was pre-prepared in advance to get it to that "good".
Garlic Prawns with Crispy Kale; Prawns were overcooked, Kale was good, great Garlic sauce, comes with crispy "squarish" Garlic according to one of the waitresses (which I thought it was a crispy Pork fat - which I love), the only downside it was salty, but wait ..... there's a Coconut rice that we've ordered.
Sides;
Coconut Rice, first impression, what is that? Smothered with Coconut cream, a great balancing act with the "saltiness" of the saltiness from the Garlic Prawns sauce.
Steam Rice, we did order the quintessential staple food of Asia to go along with these yummy mains/larger.
The highlight of the evening was their Pandan Pannacotta dessert, looks beautiful, vibrant contrasting colours, inviting, it has all the elements that you want on a plate, balanced and even prettier with those edible contrasting flowers, more importantly, tasted great too.
Last impression, just like their "catchy" name HoChi Mama, which I suspect a fusion of Ho Chi Minh City (a city in South Vietnam) their Vietnamese/Asian fusion food weren't perfectly cooked but "catchy" enough for us to enjoy, it has all bases covered to be Vietnamese/Asian "authentic" enough for us to enjoy long into the future.
What great dining concept, one of the successful fusion establishment, thank you very much for hosting us, Mandy.
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