Mekong closed?

slopehead

Just walked by Mekong on 5th Ave last night and noticed is was all papered up and closed. Anyone know if they are closed or just remodeling? I got completely addicted to their fried seitan with lemongrass, even though the rest of their stuff was so-so and the service often lousy.

nitcomb

It was not the best Vietnamese, but a welcomed change once-in-a-while...maybe a Sushi or Thai place will take it's place. That would be new.

veets

Hey I lived in the D.C area in the late 70's when there was a great Vietnamese influx and many wonderful restaurants opened Well.. It was an education!! Those few years where I frequented those places I learned all I neeeded to know about this cuisine. I have never had the need to explore it since.. Just would no longer be close to the source..
If anyone has recommendation of great vietnamese place bring it forth!!!

armchair_warrior

goto 8 ave between 50 and 60th st or goto 86st some where in bensonhurst in brooklyn or ave u near the q train in brooklyn.

alot of vietnamese.

8thandprez

Yea, noticed the same thing.... too bad, their garlic seitan was deeeelicious. But I kind of suspected something might be up...t he last few times we ordered from them, the portion size got smaller and smaller. We finally gave up and switched to Hunan Delight.

innocent x

Their Manhattan restaurant closed a while back.

It was okay. I went when they first opened a few times.

muggle

There are at least 4 great (& cheap) Vietnamese restaurants in Manhattan Chinatown - several on Baxter St. & some on Mulberry, south of Canal. From the Slope - Q train to Canal St. stop is very quick. We go all the time. Mekong was too pricey.

veets

Muggle.. You are absolutely right.. What is the name of the place opposite the park.. top of the small bunch.. we do eat there afew times a year.. Great for big group.. 8 or more who want to eat cheap, enjoy and talk to each other,

muggle

Our favorite is called Pho, on west side of Mulberry just above the park. I don't know the names of the ones on Baxter, but there about 3 in a row, all good to great.

rachmouse

There is a great veggie (vegan, I believe) Vietnamese place called Lan Cafe on 6th street between 1st and second aves in the East Village. It was great to finally have some yummy pho again. Their hours are a bit weird and sporadic though, so either call first, or be willing to go around the corner to Pukk, the veggie thai place on 1st ave and 5th. ;-)

torisoaw

My husband said he'd seen somewhere that a Balucci's (I think it's called -- it's that Indian chain) is going in that space.

veets

Yeah Pho..That is the one I had in mind!

the chipster

Baluccis would be better than most of the Indian rest. we have. (Except Joya on flatbush) but for Vietnamese sandwiches--nothing beats Nicky's. And they opened one on Atlantic.

lucky11

I was in Joy on Flatbush one day and a gentleman working there recognized me from when I was dining at Amin on 7th Ave. He said that Joy is part of the Amin chain, which includes Bombay Grill. Joy is better, but there's no escaping this chain of Indian restaurants.

jamzer

torisoaw wrote: My husband said he'd seen somewhere that a Balucci's (I think it's called -- it's that Indian chain) is going in that space.

According to the Gowanus Lounge, Baluchi's is going in where Lu Lu's Cuts and Toys was on 5th Ave between 2nd and 3rd. I guess the mystery of what is replacing Mekong continues.

ilovecarbs

i have to say, baluchi's is one of the better indian places around so i'm happy. It doesn't use those generic "pour on everything" sauces which so many indian and other asian takeout places use (kinda disturbing considering yoghurt is a major ingredient in so many of those dishes too).

Goodbye amin and joy!

8thandprez

I beg to differ. Baluchi's is terrible. Flavorless. Joy (even if it is related to the repulsive Amin) and Kinara are world's better.

ilovecarbs

i guess its hit or miss..i frequent the baluchi's in the west village and find them more authentic than many of the indian spots (although banana leaf in murray hill is amazing if you like southern indian food). joy's actually decent, but it's definitely not authentic indian. and amin..let's not go there.

jamzer

OK - so it looks like it reopened this weekend. The Mekong flag is still flying, but it looks like it is a new restaurant. Does anyone have the scoop?

muggle

French. That's all I know - I popped my head in last week while they were still doing renovations, & asked what it would be. A guy with a French accent said "French".

belzjm

it's french but still called mekong?

8thandprez

muggle wrote: French. That's all I know - I popped my head in last week while they were still doing renovations, & asked what it would be. A guy with a French accent said "French".

That is hilarious, although I'd rather have a good Vietnamese place than another French bistro. :pukel:

doldrums

belzjm wrote: it's french but still called mekong?

no, it's called a.o.c. bistro