Green Lemongrass - Richmond, BC

So my coworker Godzilla keeps bugging me about how Green Lemongrass is SO much better than the other pho places we've reviewed.  The Two Hungry Piglets have been here several times about 1-2 years ago and it was meh.  The last time I went was with Yorkie and Shrimp and the vegetarian dish had a big hunk of meat in it and we hadn't returned since then.  But EVERYDAY, Godzilla comments at work and on facebook about how good it is, how the spring rolls are so good and blah blah blah...  I guess the Piglets will have to make a trip out to the Green Lemongrass then!

Of course their parking lot is messy...  *sigh*  Anyways, Lemongrass is located off of Westminster Hwy and occupies what previously was a Greek restaurant.  When you walk in, it's a mish mash of Greek, Tiki and Asian decor.  LOL.  Oh well, there's lots of tables and we're seated quickly - remember, we're here mostly for the food and not the ambiance.  There's an expansive menu with a lot of menu items to choose from but I gotta try what Godzilla has been raving about...

Spring Rolls - $5.50

They come to our table piping hot, crispy on the outside and full of noodles, pork and veggies.  A few pieces are a tad on the greasy side but it's deep fried so what do you expect?  I hate to admit it but Godzilla is right, these are quite good.  You win this round Godzilla!!

Pho ( rare beef and beef balls - small) - $6.75

Smaller small portions than other places we've been to and meat portions are smaller - I think I may have had 2 beef balls in total in my bowl and the rare beef is bundled up into clumps making it chewy.  The noodles were cooked perfectly and what the dish lacked in meat, they made up for in noodles.  Hm, I don't like this trade-off.  The broth is rich enough but on the salty side - with a healthy dose of hot sauce, hoisin sauce, basil leaves, bean sprouts and a splash of lime, it's pretty good but I gotta say I've had better.

Cold Drip Coffee - $3.95

A staple and must have at any Vietnamese restaurant - it's black coffee slow dripped into sweetened condensed milk and then you add ice, allow it to melt a bit and you've got yourself some of the best coffee around.  Sweet milk goodness...

 

Lemongrass Chicken on Rice - $8.50

It's their namesake so it must be good right?  Nice looking dish and the chicken moist but I thought it lacked lemongrass flavor and Mr. Piglet thought the skin could've been crispier - a little on the fatty side but still edible.  I liked the side salad it came with since it also had cucumbers, carrots, cabbage and tomatoes with a garlicky sauce on it.  Overall, it was an ok dish.  The soup it came with was a bit weird - the sweetness was very overpowering and strong for a clear broth.  We both passed on it.


Mr. Piglet and I had an ok meal here - nothing was amazing but nothing was awful either.  We both agree that the best thing we had for dinner hands down were the spring rolls.  The service was efficient, not super friendly but not rude either.  We'll stay away from the vegetarian dishes but I spotted a Papaya Salad and some pictures of banh mi that piqued my interest so we wouldn't mind coming back but we wouldn't make it priority to come back either.  Maybe we'll see you again sometime but maybe not!


Pros:

• Cheap to moderate prices
• Free parking
• Take out available
• One of the rare places in Richmond that isn't cash only

Cons:

• Food is mostly just ok (exception: spring rolls)
• Weird ambiance
• Free parking - can get messy on the weekends or during prime dining hours