Viet Thai Paradise's Crispy Duck and Tom Yum Soup
By Gilles and Kathy Syglowski
Viet Thai Paradise
2625 Riva Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 266-8222
www.vietthaiparadise.com
By Gilles and Kathy Syglowski
When to Enjoy : Sun.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Expect to Pay : Appetizers & Soup $3.50-11; Salads, Poultry & Pork dishes $5.50-13; Beef & Seafood dishes $15-19; Noodles, Fried Rice & Vegetarian dishes $9-15; Lunch Specials $7.50-12.50; Beverages $2-6
"We have dined at a variety of eastern specialty restaurants, but Viet Thai Paradise gave us a whole new perspective."- Gilles Syglowski
Review
We had just returned from France this past January and were saturated with holiday dinners. We desperately needed a refreshing dining experience and Viet Thai Paradise proved just the place to visit.
Open for two and a half years now, the restaurant is gaining a reputation for destination dining. On our visit, we were absolutely swept away by everything. First to make an impression, the décor: a clean, airy ambiance with tropical pale lemon-colored walls, cherry wood floors, dark wood modern furniture, and the gentle sight and sound of a beautiful water fountain, will make you feel not only comfortable, but somewhat open and ready to eat.
We, by coincidence, were greeted by chef/owner Henry Pham, and his hospitality was just pure, genuine, and unsurpassed. Pham is of Vietnamese descent. In addition to working in major hotel kitchens and earning a culinary degree 16 years ago, which strengthened his culinary fundamentals, he sought and absorbed secrets from his mother and two close friend chefs to further his dream of perfecting Vietnamese and Thai cuisines.
We believe he has succeeded and thanks to his knowledge, we were guided to the perfect dinner. He carefully and conscientiously assisted Kathy and me to choose our meal. The menu is well balanced, somewhat extensive, but built with variety, which can make it fun to pick and choose.
We were encouraged to start with a Viet Thai combo platter ($10.95) of chicken satay, beef skewers, coconut shrimp, and spring rolls, all served with respective dipping sauces. It was a banquet of wonderful starters. Our second starter was delicious Tom Yum Seafood soup ($6.50) with a mouthful of tender shrimp, mussels, and scallops, in a warm broth. Our third was the best duck pot sticker we've ever had ($5.50). Then, Pham persuaded us to try his Crispy Duck (complimentary). All we could say was, "Wow!"
The feasting did not stop. Kathy splurged on an out-of-this-world Viet Thai Pork Curry ($12.95) dish, in which you can dictate the level of "heat" to truly enjoy all the flavors. I went with another of Pham's recommendations: the Viet Thai Steak ($14.95), which was tender and juicy diced strip steak and potatoes, quickly stir fried, and finished in a traditional, very tasty sauce.
There were so many other tempting items to try but we were fully satisfied, so we ordered a couple to go: chicken fried rice ($10.95) and Tamarind fried chicken and rice noodles ($10.95). We shared them for dinner the next day and, again, they were fun to eat and an example of the careful preparation and quality ingredients of skilled chef Pham.
The wine menu is not pretentious but is attractive with many nice and fun wines that are moderately priced.
We have dined at a variety of Eastern specialty restaurants, but Viet Thai Paradise gave us a whole new perspective. In my 30-plus years in and around kitchens, I have always appreciated the flavor of ingredients in Oriental cooking. Too often, I have tasted dishes overpowered with strong sauces or spices, but Pham has perfected a proper balance. His attention to detail in the kitchen is exemplified in the beautiful dining room with Oriental chrysanthemums on the tables, porcelain matching sets of salt and pepper shakers and soy dispensers, and elegant tiny spotlights over the tables that offer just the right amount of light to enjoy a delectable experience.
We would also like to thank Michael, our server, who really followed up nicely to the kindness and gracious hospitality of his boss.
Gilles Syglowski is a chef, culinary instructor, and food service consultant. He is a graduate of the Lycee d'Enseignement Professional Hotelier in Metz, France. He currently works as the general manager of the Woman's National Democratic Club in Washington, D.C. He and his wife, Kathy, a member of the International Wine Society, have more than 50 years' experience in the restaurant industry.
Photography by Steve Buchanan