The Pho Files: Chicken Pho at Phobulous

I had lunch at Phobulous this week before Passover began, and just as I was coming down with a cold that required some hot soup. But first, I had a craving for some vegetarian spring rolls. Phobulous has a flavourful take on them, with cellophane noodles and taro adding layers of texture.

What is a meal at a Vietnamese restaurant without green onion cakes? This was the veggie version (as opposed to the one with minced chicken in it). Crispy and chewy, it satisfied.

Pho ga (chicken pho) was my soup of choice because of the link between chicken soup and being sick. Tender, fresh pieces of chicken were plentiful in the broth - which was beef based. However, the flavours were complementary. It was hot and delicious, and had lots of noodles. I was very happy after, although still sick.

Breakfast for Lunch: Smoked Salmon Benny at Blue Chair Cafe

Around three years have passed since last I had brunch at Blue Chair Cafe. I had the opportunity to return this past weekend and enjoyed a smoked salmon eggs benedict. The eggs were like heaven: perfectly poached like two small clouds on the plate. The amount of smoked salmon was reasonble and of good quality. I found the Russian rye bread a little strong. The fruit was fresh, and added colour to the plate. I loved the hash browns and wish there were more of them. I counted maybe eight little cubes. At a price of close to $15, and with potatoes being so inexpensive, I thought this was way too small of a serving. That being said, I love the atmosphere of the place and hope to return soon.

Fiesta Chicken Soup at Zocalo

I tried one of the homemade soups offered at Zocalo last week. It was chicken fiesta, which consisted of a thick tomato sauce, corn, and shredded chicken. There was a spicy kick, it was piping hot, and the portion was deceptively filling. I missed having some crackers or a piece of bread, but otherwise this was a perfect mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Nachos at Naanolicious

I was in the mood for a light, crunchy snack while at Naanolicious last week, and tried the NaanOlicious Nachos. Multi-coloured tortilla chips were warmed and tossed with onions, cilantro, and a host of seasonings, then served with salsa and sour cream. The dish was colourful and fun, although many of the chips were broken into very little pieces, making getting everything up off of the plate a bit awkward. Also, at a price point of $8 (cheese and/or meat could be added for an extra couple of bucks), for an extra $2 I think I would rather go for the Craisin Paapri for a light, crunchy, flavourful snack that is a bit more original.