It’s disappointing that when most people think about Vietnamese food they immediately think of phở. Well, I should clarify, I’ve disappointed myself in so strictly associating Vietnamese restaurants with phở (but, in my defense, most restaurants have it in their name). That’s where Dalat Restaurant comes into the mix. Located across from the firehouse on Park Avenue, this Vietnamese restaurant is tucked away in a small, unassuming storefront nestled between a barber shop and foot massage parlor. Admittedly, many Worcester diners would opt for more active spots like Pho Dakao where, on weekend nights, a young active crowd is found singing karaoke with tasty libations in hand. But this helps keep Dalat real.
Upon entering the restaurant, you find a large open space with a dozen or so tables sparsely decorated (table cloth, fork, chopsticks, and napkin). Towards the rear is a counter where you can place your to-go orders and also pay once you’ve completed your meal. Next to the counter is a table with small television set where you’ll typically find some of the restaurants family members sitting. The atmosphere is great.
The menu, which contains over 100 items (of which the charming waitress had numerically memorized) from the common Vietnamese items like phở to the exotic items like pigs feet and blood. For my dinner, I chose to stay safe with the Bo Xao Bong Cai Xanh (beef with broccoli, for those who speak American-Chinese food). The meal consisted of thinly sliced beef, broccoli, white onions, and a sauce that combined sweet with spicy (just a hint) with undertones of soy, vinegar, garlic, and spices that complimented the thin meat and vegetables. The sticky white rice was the perfect accompaniment to the meal by helping savor the flavors of the sauce and make a more formidable bite with the beef and broccoli.
Yes, I may have skipped out on the exotic options but, knowing the beef with broccoli satisfied my needs, my next visit I may have to venture beyond my comfort zone.
