Thursday, May 11, 2006
Brace yourself
Ella, are you sitting down? I have some shocking news. The couple that owns Vientiane decided to retire a year early. If you feel faint, just put a cool cloth on your wrists and temples. The good news is that it's not closing, their cousin is taking it over. The bad news is that the chef is training them in the next three weeks before she leaves. Somehow I doubt that cooking at that level can be mastered in the next three weeks. I felt sick at the news, so smiller and I ate there last night, and will probably eat there every night for the next three weeks. The asian sausage once again blew my mind, but it is so strongly spiced and rich that I figured out the way to go with it is to only eat about one quarter of the dish at a time even though you will be tempted to scarf it all down. We also got the beef laap, and figured out that laap must be the Lao word for larb, because they're the same, but whatever you call it it's fucking good. Then we ordered some asparagus, which was just so-so. We should have known better than to order a veggie dish. They are the meat masters.
I guess I better try it out in the next 3 weeks.
ReplyDeletei think the article says they'll start training the new person in three weeks (i.e., around June 1st), with the new folks taking over on July 1st. so go often during June & order all your favorite stuff so the new chef learns how to make it.
ReplyDeleteoh, and they do make good veggie dishes, too, in my very limited experience there.
oh yeah, and more bad news for ella, lisa d. said that she saw a sign on rolle that says it's closing down.
ReplyDeleteOK, I''ve never been and obviously need to go asap. What do I need to order, aside from the sausage and the chicken wings? Which specific chicken wings were the ones everyone was going on and on about?
ReplyDeleteThanks!
One more thing: why is it, when I search for directions on Google to this restaurant, I get an add for Sac's best blowjob contest. I know, I know, it's been discussed before, but it just um, blows my mind.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Rolle closing is voluntary? He seemed to do a pretty good business.
ReplyDeletemiller
shit, i erased my last comment accidentally. ok, so get the stuffed chicken wings, the green curry with any meat (spicy!), the garlic pork and garlic quail are both awesome, the laap with beef, the squid salad.
ReplyDeleteooh! ooh!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the green papaya salad - as featured in Saveur magazine - and the eggplant with tofu, basil, and jalapenos.
This brings me great sadness in my heart.
Liv
To Vientiane: From downtown take 50/80 west, exit at Harbor and go left. Turn right on West Capitol and the restaurant is on the left side of the road. I am pretty sure the sign is written in comic sans.
ReplyDeleteAhh, my stomach is growling like crazy now. Thanks for the recommendations. Anyone else who wants to go for lunch there Sat., maybe hit me up on my email: danikando@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI've been sick Becks! That sucks about Vientiane! And about William's shop! I wonder if he is finally going to move to SF like he's been wanting to? He is one of the funniest people I know. Also, everyone should be beating themselves up for not going there to buy foie gras and smoked lox from him, because not only is it like WAY cheaper than anywhere else, it is really fucking good.
ReplyDeleteI'm on Cipro, which I think is what they give you if you get Anthrax. Viva Antibiotics!
Ella