Hungry locals are spoiled for choice along Fountain Street, Alexandria, and Nguyen Brothers definitely has the hearty Vietnamese offering down pat. The team behind former Marrickville eatery Yen for Viet are responsible for this eatery.
Nguyen Brothers is a fresh take on this much-loved southeast Asian fare. The menu has all the usual suspects and is sure to satisfy no matter the weather. Balmy summer nights can be spent enjoying a vermicelli bowl with sugar cane prawn or grilled chicken salad. In winter, a belly-warming cooked brisket pho is the way to go.
The modern approach carries through to the fit-out: unlike the dimly lit and slightly cramped qualities that normally distinguish a Vietnamese eatery, the space is bright, spacious and airy. Wood heavily features in the design (chairs, tables, the ceiling and wall panelling) and is contrasted by flourishes of copper and the colourful rooster paintings that line the walls.
Other menu highlights include Vietnamese crispy pancakes and grilled pork belly for an entree, while the salt and pepper squid is especially flavoursome. For mains, try the wok-fried wagyu beef cubes with snow peas and onions or the deep fried whole barramundi (sometimes snapper) served piping hot with a side of tamarind fish sauce.
Drop by during lunch for a banh mi with grilled meats and pickles or try one of its zesty salads. It's the perfect place to swing by for a casual lunch or an easy dinner with a new or old friend.
Images: Kitti Gould.