Relish: Sampling the menu at Mai's Vietnamese

By Tim Pawul & Mimi Arnold     2/4/10 6:00pm

Houston's incredibly diverse population is complemented by its array of ethnic restaurants, especially Asian-themed ones. We have always enjoyed chowing down on various cultural cuisines, so it was about time we paid a visit to Mai's Vietnamese Restaurant, located off the METRORail's Ensemble/HCC stop. If you love Asian food and are prone to a case of the midnight munchies, but lack a car to help you curb your cravings, Mai's Vietnamese Restaurant is the place for you. If you're not a fan of the light rail, Mai's delivers until 3 a.m.

Ambiance

Although the restaurant was bustling with people of various ages and ethnicities, the non-Western atmosphere made us feel like we could very well be dining in Hanoi. The mood was light and very casual with no particular dress code to be noticed.

---

---

Food

If you're fortunate enough to go to Mai's, be sure to bring friends. We dined with a few acquaintances and got to sample several dishes from the restaurant's extensive menu, which features not only Vietnamese cuisine but Chinese food as well.

We ordered chicken spring rolls, General Tso's chicken, lettuce wraps with chicken, Pho Tai Nam, spicy beef and some bread pudding for dessert. The food was served family style with large, easily shared portions.The dishes were unique and full of authentic flavor, though the quality of the meats left something to be desired. The spring rolls were bland, but were paired with a peanut dipping sauce that complemented the flavors well.

We found the General Tso's Chicken, which combines fried chicken with a sweet and spicy sauce, among our favorite dishes. The chicken lettuce wraps were a nice, light dish the diner assembles himself, containing sprouts, peanut sauce, parsley, noodles, chicken and carrots in a leaf of lettuce. The ingredients blended better than we expected, though the chicken was slightly overcooked.

The Pho Tai Nam - a beef noodle soup that came with various sauces to up the ante of spiciness - impressed us with its texture and succulent offerings. The spicy beef is a safe option, offering stir-fried vegetables and sliced beef in a predictable fashion. And while the bread pudding may sound incredibly appealing on the menu, it looks and tastes disappointing and spongy.

Service

The service was fair. The waiters delivered the meals quickly, but every dish came all at once, which made the dining experience a bit overwhelming.

Price

Mai's provides a great bang for your buck in terms of quantity. The prices vary from $7 to $15 per entree, so one can remain within a student budget or venture for more extravagant fare.

Tim's Recommendation

The General Tso's Chicken. This chicken was incredibly moist and practically melted in my mouth, and its fantastic sauce featured hints of sweetness and spiciness. All in all, if you are looking for a reliable Chinese dish, this will not disappoint.

Mimi's Recommendation

Pho Tai Nam. Although I know too little about Vietnamese food to say if this soup differs from other pho offerings around the city, the flavor is a welcome respite from servery food. Though the beef had several fatty portions, they could be easily removed, and the soft noodles, crunchy sprouts, tender beef and spicy flavor render the dish a complex culinary experience.

---