Order Up: Basilic Vietnamese Grill

Vietnamese is fun food. Playing with the various condiments available -- fish sauce (nuoc cham), chili paste, soy, lemongrass and garlic spread, hoisin, sriracha, and more -- requires a bit of lightheartedness coupled with a willingness to experiment. But the results are very exciting, especially at Basilic Vietnamese Grill, a...

By John Linn

September 8, 2009

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Vietnamese is fun food. Playing with the various condiments available -- fish sauce (nuoc cham), chili paste, soy, lemongrass and garlic spread, hoisin, sriracha, and more -- requires a bit of lightheartedness coupled with a willingness to experiment. But the results are very exciting, especially at Basilic Vietnamese Grill, a new restaurant in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. We previewed Basilic a few weeks ago on the blog, and we loved the fragrant bowls of pho and the light, healthy flavor shared by everything we tried. Even if some of the dishes feel just a touch Anglo-fied -- like the banh mi, which eschews pate and cold cuts for grilled chicken and steak -- they seem to work just fine. And there's plenty to love for those who are looking for something authentic. Not to mention the hip dining room with tall windows that look out over Commercial Boulevard, the cheap wine list, and the free flowing draft beer.

Check out our full review of Basilic when it debuts Wednesday in Dish.

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