Elbo and I went to fill our Noise Pop prescription Friday night, but per doctor's orders we had to take our medicine on a full stomach.
(Here's a full review of the show.)
To comply, I suggested something from the Viet offerings down Larkin Street. Pagolac, where I have supped before, had a line nearly out the door, and Turtle Tower was closed for what looked like a thorough disinfecting. That left Mangosteen, on the corner of Larkin and Eddy with a view of the rockstar-friendly Phoenix Hotel and the crackhead-friendly purveyors of mirth who scuttled back and forth on the sidewalk.
The interior was encouraging: mild tropical colors and materials -- Elbo particularly liked the lazy bamboo wall fan -- made me think these folks had all the right ideas. Then the food came. It wasn't bad, per se. Limp perhaps is a better word.
A mango salad had less-than-fresh lettuce and extremely bland dressing, not to mention too few mango slices. My pho ga was also dull even when plied with green chili slices and basil leaves. Elbo's tofu curry was pleasant but not very interesting.
All this was confirmed the next day, underscored even, when The Fanch said, "Oh, Mangosteen. I've been there before. It was terrible." Now she tells me.
With so many other Viet options in Little Saigon, there's no need to give them a second chance.
