Vieng’s Asian Bistro @ Crocker Park
On my second visit to Vieng’s Asian Bistro, the elegant decor, amazing array of available foods, and the attentive service were just as impressive as on my first visit. Entering the door of the restaurant, the secret place within is hidden until one rounds the alcove’s corner, and the deep colors, dark wood, low lighting, and Eastern motif are revealed. It’s the most romantic Asian restaurant I have enjoyed, seconded by a Thai restaurant in Toronto near Yonge Street. Whether it’s the high booth seating, the wall waterfalls, or the grass-papered walls, the restaurant is cozy as sitting by a fire in a comfortable living room.
Those who like sushi should sit at the sushi bar and sip a drink while watching the sushi being made. The booths saddle right up to the gilded countertop topped with glass behind which the fresh seafood is tastefully displayed. Small white plates for soy sauce, fresh ginger, and wasabi are waiting for California rolls ordered while drinking a Mai Tai. Statues of The Buddha and active dragons, painted pottery in lighted alcoves, and tasteful hanging glass track lights and paper lanterns complete the gold-touched decor.
The first time we ate at Vieng’s last Fall, we sat at a table across from the open doors that lead to the outdoor patio, and we felt like we were in Europe or cosmopolitan Montreal where patrons dine al fresco even while wearing sweaters. We were comfortably inside with a delightful feel of outside breeze. The waiter was cheerful, engaging, and helpful and did not hesitate to recommend the Pad Thai. We thought the food was better here than at the Thai restaurant we enjoyed in Paris, or the Chinatown restaurants of New York or San Francisco. The spring rolls were freshly made, and both the Pad Thai and spicy peanut curry were flavorful and fresh.
We easily recommended Vieng’s to our daughters as a place to celebrate their birthdays. The five of us had a nice dinner, this time trying the sushi made with more rice than fish (a small disappointment) and fabulously crispy large egg rolls (for only $2 each). Two of us had the Pad Thai and were far from disappointed; the “oohs” and “aahs” were likely heard at neighboring tables. I chose the Thai cashew chicken, which was red sauce-spicy and flavorful. Daughter Allison tried a more subtle curry and our other birthday-girl daughter, Claire, gobbled up her General T’so Chicken. All the meals were served with either white or brown rice, and there was plenty leftover for lunches the next day. The waiter was attentive and responsive, and he even brought an unasked-for piece of birthday cake when he noticed the girls opening up presents. He also did a great job at packing up our leftovers.
Prices are generally in the $12-$18 range for meals and the menu offers many choices of starters, soups, salads, fried rice, noodle dishes, curries, traditional Chinese standards, and stir-fries. Vegetarian options like Siam Eggplant are available. Curries can be enhanced by a choice of chicken, pork, beef, duck, squid, shrimp, scallops, mussels, and crab. Chef’s specialties include Peking Duck, Korean sizzling steak, and Vietnamese Chard-Broil Pork Chop. The possibilities seem almost endless, but you may want to save room for coconut fried bananas or Shankaya for dessert.
Vieng’s Asian Bistro is located at 139 Crocker Park Boulevard in Westlake and is open Sun through Thu 11AM-10PM, and Fri and Sat 11AM-11PM. http://ViengsAsianBistro.com.
From Cool Cleveland contributor Claudia Taller, whose book Ohio’s Lake Erie Wineries will be published by Arcadia next spring. Her passion for words has led to creation of the Lakeside Word Lover’s Retreats, an outgrowth of her work with Skyline Writers. Her favorite foods are red wine, salmon, ice cream, and chocolate. She loves to read, write, tour wineries, ride her bike, ease into yoga, and cook gourmet meals for friends. Find her at http://www.ClaudiaTallerMusings.blogspot.com or at http://www.OhioLakeErieWineries.blogspot.com.