Hanoi House, East Village

One of the great perks of living downtown is discovering restaurants that have been hiding in plain sight. Ralph and I tried Hanoi House on St. Marks Place for the first time last night - just a 15-minute walk from our apartment - and we're already looking forward to going back.

The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it an easy (and not expensive) choice for a casual night out. We started with the Papaya & Pig Ear Salad, which delivered the perfect balance of crunch and brightness, along with the Crispy Summer Rolls, a house favorite. The Spicy Cauliflower was another standout, with just enough heat to keep things interesting.

The main event, however, was the House Special, Dac Biet. This signature pho features a deeply flavorful 24-hour broth loaded with filet mignon, brisket, oxtail, bone marrow, and a crispy breadstick on the side. We loaded ours up with the pickled garlic and chili sauce offered on the side for some heat and pungency. It's hearty, comforting, and worth the trip all by itself.

Service was spot on too, which you don't always experience in a place like this. If you're looking to add a new downtown favorite to your rotation, Hanoi House is well worth a visit.

Hanoi House, 119 St. Marks Place, East Village. Click here for their website.