Lac Viet Bistro   

Restaurants serving Vietnamese specialties, such as the ubiquitous noodle dish called pho, are not in short supply on the busy stretch of Colonial Drive known as Orlando's Chinatown/Little Vietnam. But Lac Viet Bistro -- a 2005 newcomer that moved into the building where Lemon Grass Bistro used to be -- brings something new to the scene. While most Vietnamese restaurants focus on the food of Ho Chi Minh City (the former Saigon), where most immigrants hail from, Lac Viet tributes taste sensations from Vietnam's northern city, Hanoi, with equal finesse. Pho, Vietnam's national soup dish, eaten in both the north and south, comes in all the usual varieties here -- from thinly sliced beef and meatball pho to more obscure tendon and tripe preparations. For something different, opt for the Bahn Cuon rice crepes, a northern specialty made from rice flour and steamed in a cloth. The crepes come filled with your choice of meat along with a big platter of bean sprouts, fresh basil and fish sauce so you can embellish your meal at will. Another typical dish from the north of the country is the Bun Cha Ha Noi, a vermicelli noodle dish with grilled pork seasoned with fish sauce, lemon juice and garlic. Finish your meal in true Viet style with a glass of Ca Phe Sua Da -- iced coffee sweetened with condensed milk.