L'annam Vietnamese Cuisine

393 3rd Ave (btwn 27th St & 28th St)
New York, NY 10016
212.686.5168

10 pm on a Saturday night, a post movie grub search ensues. L'annam lights up the corner of East 28th and 3rd with neon signs dancing the fine line between trendy and tacky. A dozen guests peppered throughout the spacious restaurant are visible through large glass windows.

Foodnalysis:

Pho - Menu was a bit ambigious with its "one" vs "two" sizes (refers to the number of people the dish is intended to serve, though the adequacy of the "one" portion size is rather debatable). The "one" was sufficient for a late-night snack but would not have fared well with a pre-movie appetite... but for $4.25, grace is shown. Well flavored, traditional broth, a respectable serving of beef. Tasty rice noodles. Typical garnishes. A decent choice for the price.

Summer Rolls - For $1.50 or 35.3% more than the "one" pho, you can get 35.3% less food in your stomach and 135.3% more of a disappointment in taste. Perhaps I am spoiled by years of dining in California's Little Saigon, but this appetizer was a real disappointment. The summer rolls were stuffed with a disproportionate amount of lettuce, overwhelming the small pieces of shrimp. Peanut sauce on the side was somewhat flavorful -- a necessary addition given the state of the rolls.

Ginger Iced Tea - Stale ginger soaked in lukewarm water. 'Nuff said.


Salary and Wages:

Despite the clear Vietnamese theme, all employees are apparently Chinese. The location fortunately demands the service be a notch above Chinatown, a demand which L'annam meets, however don't expect your waitress to be your next BFF (or even crack a smile for that matter).

Property, Plant and Equipment:

The restaurant occupies a nice space in Murray Hill. Tasteful bamboo decorations, dim lighting and clean floors will provide you with a Manhattanified Little Saigon experience, yet doubts of true swankiness will linger.

Statement of Cash Flows:


The Bottom Line:

Kind on the wallet, below average on the tastebuds.