08/15/08

Awesome munchies! Awesome Pho! Several must haves

by jasinthebean

I have been to Pho Republique many times...How could I have not written a review until now? I <heart> this place. It is one of the few places my friends and I can all decide on with no problem. If you are a PR newbie, worry not...this review is for you. Drinks here are great, the bartenders can make anything you like including vodka bits and margaritas. But the food is what it's all about! A few things you have to have here- the fried tofu appetizer- so good! Crunchy on the outside, and smooth in the center. Also, the rangoon spring rolls are amazing. My 2 fave things are the candied spare ribs- they are so good they will freak you out. Try them with a dollop of hot sauce...Heaven! And of course, the pho! The beef pho is the best around-better than chinatown or 'little Saigon' on Dot ave by a mile! Great place to start a night out, cool environment and always have had friendly service here. Gets packed on the weekends, so be smart and make a reservation.

• Pros: food, friendly service, nice bathrooms
• Cons: gets packed on weekends, but is that really a con?

11/12/07

Awful service - stay away

by scoozeme

Went here with a large group (10 people). We had made a reservation well in advance and arrived on time. We were not seated for 30 minutes, then were told that another large party was coming 2 hours later and that they would need the table. We disregarded the comment as a bad host who clearly did not know what he was doing. The food was fine, nothing special, but acceptable. You will do better at Union bar and grill just next door. As we were paying the bill, the host came back and essentially told us to hurry up because he needed the table. This is completely unacceptable. We had a reservation, we spent a lot of money and don't want to be rushed. I asked to speak to the manager and he did not care either. I would go elsewhere. Pho is a place for average food, terrible service and poor manners. STAY AWAY.

• Pros: Ambiance
• Cons: Food, service

10/05/07

love it!

by henna1970

Had a great experience at Pho Republique last night. The shrimp shu mai, pho noodle soup and roast duck wraps were out of this world. Nice, pleasant staff. All around a very nice neighborhood restaurant.

09/10/07

what's with the bartender?????????

by jake3000

I use to come here a lot before moving away. I just moved back and went there on sat night. sat at the bar to have dinner with my girl. the food was great. atmosphere definatly still the same but WHAT"S THE DEAL WITH THE BARTENDER??????? Not only was she more interested in talking with her friends and fellow servers than making sure we had everything we needed but the things she was talking about made me almost hurl my tuna. My girlfriend was also very offended and encouraged me to write this review. I've use to work in the industry for many years and realize this bar is a more relax bar but damn! We sat there without silverware when the food came out. We needed water and it took forever to get her attention. I've never been to a bar where the bartenders are allowed to sit on a cooler and chat with friends like that and ignore PAYING customers. Maybe next time I should put a fake tat on my arm and a couple of fake percings in my nose just to get her attention.

• Pros: atmosphere, food
• Cons: service

05/21/07

Turned us away

by skydiving2007

Last Saturday night the hostess turned us away because they were "filled to capacity." She proceeded to tell us that another restaurant called to tell them that the police were checking area restaurants for capacity compliance. The two of us looked around the restaurant a bit confused because the restaurant was clearly NOT filled to capacity. We tried to reason with the hostess, but she wouldn't budge. Even when we told her that we were there to meet three people who were already at the bar. I was so disgusted with the way the hostess handled the situation that the two of us left and met up with our friends at another establishment. What a waste of time!

04/04/07

Can't believe i haven't reviewd Pho yet

by mpendrell

Pho just saying the name makes me crave the tuna rolls. And now I will have to go tonight and get some. Pho is a great neighbourhood hang out with great drinks and great food. I've never had a bad experaince there but there are soem drawbacks long waits for tables and crappy service, btu the food always brings me back. I reccommend goign if you want a great diinner and have a lot of time to wait....

• Pros: great food and drinks
• Cons: crowded okay service

03/13/07

always fun and great food

by anine

Pho has a fun and upbeat atmosphere, serving great cocktails, and tasty food. The appetizers are excellent, as well as the entrees, however, I did try the pho one time, which was a disappointment- but everything else on the menu is great. I have been to Pho around 7 times, with different crowds, and everyone have been extremely pleased, with service, decor, food, cocktails and prizes. It is not a quiet place, so if you want that, you need to go somewhere else. Pho is great for groups, they accommodate very well a large group who wants to have fun and eat a lot. The wait can be very long during the weekends, so if you are going more than 6, you can and should make a reservation.

• Pros: Tasty food, fun atmosphere
• Cons: can be a looooong wait

01/18/07

Glowing from all angles with Asian-kitsch overload, one of South End's hippest hangouts serves trendy Asian platters and lethal exotic cocktails.

by Contributor

Pho Republique's clubby, low-lit room is a study in Eastern chic. From the giant, graffiti-style Asian characters that line the walls to the scattered lanterns and elephant statues, everything about the place seamlessly tweaks traditional Vietnamese culture with an edge. The bar's specialty concoctions (lychee martinis, tropical fruit scorpion bowls) serve as magnets for neighborhood scenesters. After a round of sociable appetizers (sashimi tuna spring rolls, diced chicken lettuce cups), many diners delve into a steaming bowl of signature pho (duck in aromatic beef broth, infused with star anise, ginger and cinnamon). Among desserts, crispy banana and brown sugar spring rolls with ginger ice cream are hard to pass up.

Photo courtesy of Pho Republique

01/16/07

insulted by the manager - not a good sign

by jennysue7

Went here with a group, my first time at Pho. Food was good, a little over priced. Service was fine. Interior is a little Epcot. When we got the bill, the Scorpion Bowls we ordered were $25 each, when they are listed as $22 on the menu (they are $18 at the bar). Not a huge amount of money, but the server should mention when you order that the price is not as listed on the menu (which I think is illegal actually). We questioned our server, the manager came over and said they are indeed $25, and announced that "if we can't afford it" she can adjust the check. The WRONG way for her to handle that situation. I was not going to make a scene for $6, but I will most def not be returning to Pho Republique.

• Pros: Food was good, great for a large group
• Cons: Bait and switch scorpion bowls.

11/19/06

Great Atmosphere, Fabulous cocktails, Friendly service and Awesome Food

by shleee98

Myself and two girlfriends had dinner here on a Friday evening and everything about it was perfect!

We went before it got really busy?around 6:30?and we first sat at the bar for cocktails. The bartender

was funny, friendly and made good drinks. When we sat, we were promptly waited on by a waitress with a great personality. We ordered the pu-pu platter to share and everything on it was hot and delicious. Our dinners were equally good and our drinks were regularly refreshed.

• Pros: Customer Service, Cocktails, Food, Ambience