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Mike on a Bike
Seven Moons is less a pho shop and more like a high-class Asian eatery.
As its name implies they serve seven different types of cuisine (Chinese, Thai, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Laotian, & Japanese). They have a full wet bar and sushi bar as well. The service is excellent and served fast, fresh and hot. The setting is great, especially at the traditional low tables surrounding the sushi bar.
The pho - called "Jumbo Soup" on their menu - is by no means traditional but is delicious none the less. The Seven Moons interpretation of pho is a large bowl containing either rice or wheat noodles in a light chicken broth seasoned with scallions, garlic and Thai basil. You have a choice of proteins including beef (thinly sliced steak), pork, chicken, duck, shrimp, vegetable, bean curd or combination (a seafood medley). There is also a "low-carb" variation with veggies and meats instead of noodles. The pho is accompanied by a plate of bean sprouts with a thick slice of lime.
Now you know why I said it is not traditional! Although a purist pho lover would balk at this menu it is versatile and offers a lot of comfort to some new to the dish (including an easy to pronounce name).
The beef is very high quality and cooked traditionally as it arrives still a bit pink. The chicken is good, but a bit overcooked usually (probably purposely, for safety's sake). The rice noodles come soft and not sticky. The wheat noodles are a bit firmer and offer a wonderful heartiness to the dish. The all vegetable version and low-carb versions are great too.
The broth is a bit under seasoned for my tastes: I usually add a dash of Chinese soy sauce, a spoonful of chili paste and the lime. You can also request hot sauce, Hoisin sauce and sliced chili's.
The traditionalist would rate this pho low, but for its "new style" simplicity and versatility (in a great setting with very friendly staff) I think it deserves relatively high marks.
