NamNam open in St. Matthews

[Robin Garr]

sm_namnam.jpg

Mary and a friend went out to lunch while I was off playing student and then thespian today, and they ended up at NamNam Cafe, which is now open in the old Simply Thai location, the tiny building around the corner from Rainbow Blossom. They came home with a menu, which looks authentic, and glowing reports on the style, food quality and service. They also brought me a pork banh mi ($6.50) that was just outstanding, and some leftover veggie noodle dish that was also extremely good. The menu is rather short, but the quality of these two dishes makes me think we've got a real contender with the South End favorites, now serving in St. Matthews.

NamNam Cafe
318 Wallace Ave.
891-8859
http://www.namnamcafe.com

OMG Vietnamese Taco with Tofu. Gotta get me that!!

Are these the same people who own Simply Thai? I always just assumed they were, but I really know nothing.

[Robin Garr]

OMG Vietnamese Taco with Tofu. Gotta get me that!!

Are these the same people who own Simply Thai? I always just assumed they were, but I really know nothing.

No, just new tenants in the old building as far as I know. The Simply Thai owners are a Burmese and Thai couple, I believe.

Great food and great people.

That picture does things to me.

That picture does things to me.

The phrase "food porn" comes to mind.

Every time I see this name , I think it reads "NomNom".

Every time I see this name , I think it reads "NomNom".

NamNam looks NomNom.

In a conversation with my young cousin (the lovely Alison Greer - she the coolest teenager I know, bar none) who works for Nam Nam, I realized who the owner is, David Truong... A former bartender of August Moon! Hats off, David! Very cool guy. Strong best wishes, and please, ALWAYS support your loved ones.

Well, we got carryout tonight and I wasn't impressed. The Vietnamese crepe was good, but the pork was dry and very chewy. The shrimp was good. The other fillings were very bland- mostly just onions . The herbs were entire sprigs of mint and large leafs of basil. Rather hard to eat without chopping and blending, IMO. The sauce that came with it was good, but uninspired. The same tasting sauce was with the tofu vermicilli as well- I think it is Nuoc Mam. Same with the Vermicilli bowl, the tofu was a nice texture, but the toppings were raw shredded carrot , large greens and large leaves of basil. How are you supposed to eat this? It was also cold, not mentioned on the menu. The biggest disappointment was the Vegetarian Noodle soup. It had a bit of kick to it, but there was no flavor at all to the broth. My daughter loves this dish at other places, but gave this a huge thumbs down. Daughter #2 had the claypot catfish. You don't get the claypot with carryout (DUH) but usually the cooking produces delicious flavors and aromas. Not so with this dish. I went back twice to taste my daughter's helping.three times. The catfish was good and cooked perfectly. However, the broth though hinting of a nice sweet taste, was swimming in oil and the overwhelming saltiness killed any other flavors. There were 3 of us trying these dishes and the reviews were the same across the board. I love this cuisine, but the first meal here was bad enough to make me hesitant to return. I have plenty of leftovers and my girls just went to get some ice cream to fill them up. I expected this to be a nice compliment to Simply Thai across the street, but they can't hold a candle to them.

[Robin Garr]

Well, we got carryout tonight and I wasn't impressed.

I'm sorry you weren't happy, Linda. The banh mi and Saigon noodles that Mary brought home after lunch were great.

In general, I would never rate a restaurant on the basis of carryout. I hope you'll give them another chance with an eat-in dinner before forming a final conclusion.

That's pretty funny, Robin, as we have been huge fans of Simply Thai since they opened. We have never sat in the restaurant. We may sit in the new place, but will never choose to sit in the cramped space of Nam Nam. Beside the tasteless broth, I wonder how many people will appreciate their herbs provided in large leaves, branches, etc. I have NEVER seen that presentation before.

I wonder how many people will appreciate their herbs provided in large leaves, branches, etc. I have NEVER seen that presentation before.

Every Vietnamese place I've ever been serves their herbs whole. Often times there is more flavor in the stems than the leaves. To each their own.

We loved Nam Nam. Clay pot eggplant was delicious, and banhmi best ever. I think the space would be more attractive with more red painted walls. A touch sterile with off white on 3 of 4 walls in the dining room. For those of you who don't like it-- good on you, there will be more room for the rest of us in that truly tiny space.

by Joan J » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:49 pm
For those of you who don't like it-- good on you, there will be more room for the rest of us in that truly tiny space.