After years of welcoming guests to her charming, cheery modern Vietnamese restaurant in Richmond, Lan Do says she realized people were coming from all over Metro Vancouver to enjoy her food at Banh Mi Tres Bon.
Whether you're feasting on juicy chargrilled marinated lemongrass chicken piled high on house-made French bread as part of a traditional banh mi sandwich, or signature items like skillets with golden orbs of shrimp-studded called banh khot (sizzling savoury mini crepes), Banh Mi Tres Bon has been a popular draw since its 2016 debut.
Though it has been about three years in the making, earlier this month Do and her team opened up the second Banh Mi Tres Bon restaurant, located in a new development in White Rock.
Do says she was drawn to White Rock immediately, noting its strong sense of community. The chef-owner attests that in just their first couple of weeks, she is already getting to know a new group of regulars at the White Rock restaurant and she is excited to be able to welcome guests from the surrounding municipalities.
A firm believer that food brings people together - and that a restaurant can create a space that is about more than just food - Do has created a cozy, vibrant space in the new build in White Rock. The walls are adorned with vintage-styled touches and lots of artwork and photos depicting Vietnam and France; the two nations are often inextricable on the plate when it comes to the French influence on Vietnamese cuisine.
What's on the menu at the new Banh Mi Tres Bon location?
While the core Banh Mi Tres Bon menu remains the same at the new location, in White Rock diners will find a couple of exclusive dishes: A soft bao bun stuffed with shredded confit duck as well as a bowl of fried Brussels sprouts in a fish sauce caramel and thinly-sliced Chinese sausage.
Of course, the menu also includes an array of banh mi on the restaurant's own baguettes, loaded vermicelli bowls, salad rolls, green papaya salad in a tangy dressing, rice dishes, and plenty of noodle soups. There are smoothies, housemade fermented lemon soda, and Vietnamese tea and coffee as well as craft cocktails that strike a lovely balance against the sour, spicy, salty, and sweet notes of the dishes.
For dessert, the pastry case is loaded with baked treats like croissants and macarons. As a lovely bonus, the new restaurant has patio seating that faces the new development's courtyard, which features a fountain and engaging public art pieces.
Banh Mi Tres Bon is located at 1459 Johnston St in White Rock and is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Follow @banhmitresbon on Instagram for more info and updates.
Video: Checking out the new Banh Mi Tres Bon location in White Rock
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