Number 9 opened about a month ago in Hermosa Beach. I ate there during a Friday date night with Steve. P.S. Is date night a standard for me and Steve and an antiquated practice for the majority of couples today? In my relationship, we have time together that is just-us (dining out or cooking at home) at least two times a week. I like putting the iPhones down, turning off the DVR and talking about whatever comes to mind. It’s also reassuring to know that you and your partner interest each other enough to just hang out one-on-one. I digress…
- Vietnamese Spring Roll w/ chili & peanut dipping sauces
I ordered bún chả and he ordered phở. Since we were going to a concert later, I didn’t want to be weighed down by broth. My dish was layer upon layer of Vermicelli rice noodle, lettuce, cilantro, shrimp, bean sprouts, chicken, mini egg roll, crispy onion strings, shredded carrots and cucumber slices.
Bún chả w/ grilled shrimp & chicken
All in all, I liked the dish. Once I added a second dose of nước chấm, a spoon of Sriarcha, and swirled up the mish mash of ingredients, I had a dish of that satisfying but didn’t plunge me headfirst into a carb-coma.
- Up close and personal w/ the Bún chả
The Foodie Photographer 