John Gilchrist: Watercress takes Vietnamese dining upscale - what are the vietnamese dishes at restaurants

There are Vietnamese restaurants all over the town.
For a bowl of reasonably priced fast food or bread, this is a popular choice for lunchfood chains.
So, if you want to open a new Vietnamese restaurant, how do you make it stand out from all the other "you sell at low prices and oversell"
Lam Pham by Douban Express is at 1322-17 Avenue S. W. (403-455-6222).
"You use high quality ingredients to enhance the presentation.
So when you walk into Douban, you might expect another run --of-the-
Noodle shop.
But you might be surprised.
Douban is a small place in 32 seats, but bamboo wall covering, new tables and chairs and South
Facing the Windows brings bright and fresh to the place.
You order at the counter from the menu on the overhead TV.
A variety of packages, Vietnamese submarines, fan dishes and Vietnamese river powder are placed on the four screens.
There are photos, ingredient lists and prices for each dish.
For example, the tamarind beef bag is made up of tamarind nuoc cham beef, fans, parsley, cucumbers, herbs and fried green onions for $7. 75.
Lemon grass chicken fans (bun)
Peanut, scallions, bean sprouts and kimchi mixed salad for $10.
These photos show a unique style of presentation.
The package is usually a whole piece, sliced like a sushi roll, presented in a long queue on a rectangular white plate.
Again, in a large, light white bowl, bread is also a great display.
This is a contemporary look.
Pham through training at SAIT and then with John Michael McNeil of Teatro (
Black Pig now)
Darren MacLean of Downton cuisine and Duncan Leigh of hotel art.
Ly, who has a common Vietnamese background with Pham, said the young chef is very talented and has found a way to "spin a little on traditional dishes.
"It's a spin that includes making all his meat and keeping the taste clear in his dishes.
Like Ly, Pham called his food Vietnam.
But his style is simpler than Ly's and closer to traditional dishes. (
Both are great. )
Fan called himself "only a cook.
His mother, Ngoc Vo, partnered with her husband, Linh Trinh, general manager of David Lam, to own Douban.
Pham said he just wanted to cook and develop the chef's specials and tasting menus. (A four-
Of course, the $25 wine tasting fee and liquor license are also in production. )
Meanwhile, Trinh and Lam focus on the operation of the restaurant.
Pham said they chose the name "parsley" because the herb is like starting a business.
"It was a bit bitter at first, but it became delicious and sweet over time.
"Douban is open every day from 11: 00. m.
Until at least ten pence. m.
Have been to kaffeeklatsch, sit and chew fat, talk about people and events, Jessica McCarrell wants you to have a cup of coffee with her Kaffeeklatsch and you can chat in the smallest cafe in Calgary.
Kaffeeklatsch used to be a storage room in the Community Resource Center --the 1910-built YWCA —at 223 —12 Avenue S. W. (403-919-4479).
She has been working in this building, where there are hundreds of non-
Very few people found good coffee nearby.
With the help of some Kickstarter funding, mccaerere built a portable espresso car, loaded with an Elektra T1 espresso machine, stored coffee beans from Caffe Rosso, and
There is not much space in the closet cafe.
Kaffeeklatsch has little room for mccarell, but customers can use the eight seats adjacent to the common room for coffee.
Kaffeeklatsch may be a bit tricky when first discovered as it is in a closet near the southern end of the main building.
But look for Kaffeeklatsch sandwiches and unique pairs
The K logo is printed on the floor and around the building.
Go find that lighting sculpture.
11 hanging bulbs
Created by Kaffeeklatsch and Wayne Garrett, it illuminates the entrance to Kaffeeklatsch. (
Brown and Garrett created it.
Light cloud of Calgary 2013 Nuit Blanche. )
Note: mccarell himself is an artist.
Today is her last day to show the wax figure in the small gallery, an outdoor gallery with three sites in Bridgeland.
Look at tinygallery.
For more information, visit ca.
John Gilcrist can be reached at escurial @ telus. net or at 403-235-