Lemongrass Cafe now Hanoi Cafe?

I was driving down Shelbyville Road and glanced at the Lemongrass on Fairfax, but the sign now says "Hanoi Cafe." Anyone know what's up?

I wish them well . . . we always liked the food more than the atmosphere, but seldom went as we didn't like to eat "alone" (only people there most times).

This place has changed its name again, to Saigon Cafe. The server I spoke to said the Hanoi name wasn't very popular. The menu is still very similar to what Lemongrass offered, but it looks like they may have added a couple of Vietnamese dishes, and eliminated a few Thai dishes.

[Robin Garr]

This place has changed its name again, to Saigon Cafe. The server I spoke to said the Hanoi name wasn't very popular.

I'm pretty sure that the new name of Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, wouldn't fly.

I ate there for lunch today! The $5,95 lunch specials looked good enough (entree and soup) but I decided to try one of the clay pot dishes ($7.95) to see how it compared to Vietnam Kitchen. I had the tilapia, which came with choice of rice, an ample portion of fish, and a variety of vegetables- carrot, cabbage, water chestnuts, mushrooms, and baby corn. I thought it was quite tasty, though not nearly as good as VK. It made a great lunch, though I'd probably wish for a larger serving at dinner *same for the VK portion lately).

I have eaten there recently & think since the change they have raised prices slightly & reduced the portion size. VK is the best, but with their recent "B" on the front door, I won't be going for quite a while. Does anyone know what the story is with the VK "B" rating?

I have eaten there recently & think since the change they have raised prices slightly & reduced the portion size. VK is the best, but with their recent "B" on the front door, I won't be going for quite a while. Does anyone know what the story is with the VK "B" rating?

Chris- Here is a link to the health department...just type in the name of the establishment. It doesn't get into specific violations, but it appears VK has earned a couple of C ratings lately. The page also has a link to learn more about the ratings. Note that VK did earn a 100 on its most recent inspection.
http://www.louisvilleky.gov/Health/Rest ... Scores.htm
BP

General cleanliness is one of the reasons I don't eat at Vietnam Kitchen anymore. The tables, menus, sauce bottles and jars are always sticky, tables will sit un-bused for an inordinate length of time, and overall dingy dustiness of the place leads me to believe things aren't any better in the back of the house.
Instead, I eat at both Pho Binh Mihn and Annie's Cafe with regular frequency; and both appear to be cleaner(I've seen the kitchens of both). I've found the service to be much better and the food cheap and delicious.

Dan,

I'll agree with you about Pho Binh Minh. I took a group of friends there on Saturday around 9PM. The food and service was excellent. I also loved the atmosphere of the place. I felt like we were dining at someone's home. The owner seemed like he had almost as much fun as we did; he handled our group of boisterous twenty-somethings with a deft hand.

I liked it so much that I took five banh mi's home.

Pho Binh Minh rocks, and I feel good about spending money with such nice people. I also go to Annie's, and really enjoy their food as well. The banh mi sandwiches are Pho Binh Minh are better than the one's at Annie's, but Annie's has a better pork chop dinner, it's all good in the end.

These are two excellent alternatives to VK, but there a few things on the menu at VK that the others don't have.