Every week the hubby and I go on date night. One of our favorite places to dine, Pho 14, is less than 5 minutes away from our apartment in the 13th arrondissement and probably the one restaurant we go to the most for date night. The staff know us and when they see us come in they seat us at our favorite table (if available) and serve us up with our regular jus de coco and Pho Tai Chin.
Pho Tai Chin is a Vietnamese soup chock full of rice noodles and cooked beef brisket marinated in a rich beef broth, seasoned with soja and chinese basil. One of many delights you'll find on the Avenue de Choisy that runs south of the Place d'Italie and into the heart of Paris' China town.
This is the first restaurant we ate at together after we moved to the 13th and one that we'll keep coming to for years to come. How did we know that it was so good? When you walk by you can't help smell the Pho Chin and if that doesn't get your attention the large crowd of people waiting to be seated surely will. Morning, noon and night there is a line to be seated at Pho 14. Trust me, it's well worth the wait.
Fabulous tradition! We used to have a Japanese restaurant in the 9th and would go there once every couple weeks. Now, with a child in tow, we have changed that to Chinese night once a week, but it's something we look forward to and that you'll keep looking forward to in years to come.
Posted by: Andie | September 16, 2005 at 15:35
Pho is one of my absolute favorite meals! I had a couple of places in the 14th and 5th where I went for Pho, so I will have to keep this one in mind too.
Despite all of the good stuff that goes into the bowl, I like the broth the best. Just so full of flavor.
Posted by: DDJ | September 16, 2005 at 16:08
DDJ- you'll love the broth at this place then. Its like a drug, everyone I've taken there has mentioned that the broth is so gooooood. Please try it next time you're in Paris, let me know what you think!
Posted by: Flare | September 16, 2005 at 16:10
Yum. I intrduced Mark to Pho this summer and he's totally into it now. It's So yum!
Posted by: Loonachic | September 16, 2005 at 19:01
I've been there, too! My French Vietnamese friend says that it is the real deal, and cheap too.
Posted by: Stefanie | September 16, 2005 at 19:12
Nothing like Pho. And how sweet that you have date night.
Posted by: Dagny | September 17, 2005 at 10:25
I've only been near china town in Paris once... of course, the next time I'm in town, I'll try this place out.
Posted by: mike | September 19, 2005 at 16:20
Wow... if me and my roommate ever get around to making the "I <3 Pho" puttons that we keep talking about, I'll send you one!!! :D
Posted by: joygoddess | September 20, 2005 at 22:21
The Pho has crack in it here. Flare is right... When I visited her last, I ate there like 12 times in one week.
MMMMMMMmmmmmm crack.
Posted by: Matt | September 21, 2005 at 03:42
The noodle soup there is the BEST in the world. I've tried Vietnamese beef noodle soup in many places all over the world, incl. Vancouver & Calgary in Canada, San Francisco in US, London in UK, and HOng Kong as well - Pho 14 is the best. Its soup has a magic flavour inside. The soup is so clear but rich in taste. It should be without MSG as you never feel too thirsty after eating the soup. My wife and I just love it.
Posted by: Hong Kong's OO & Bigears | August 20, 2006 at 13:24