Gossip

Gossip

1.)    Quality of broth:  2.5

2.)    Quality of meats: 3.5

3.)    Server : Courteous

4.)    Freshness of garnishes: 5

5.)    Size of bowl: 4

6.)    Restaurant cleanliness: 4

7.)    Overall dining experience: 4

8.)    Frequency of visit to restaurant: once every few weeks.

9.)    Plan on returning to restaurant:  yes

10). Would I recommend this place to friend:  Yes.

11.) White to Asian: 6 white, 22 asian  (Dinner time)

12.)    Dish ordered:  Pho Dac Biet

13.)    Price :$7+

14.)    Time it took to receive food once ordered: 8 min

15.)    Menu selection: great

Most of the Pho restaurants in the Salt Lake Valley and in most of the world are very old school.   Most of these places have the typical Viet owners with the Viet music and the Vietnamese themed murals on the wall.  Enter Gossip, a different introduction and atmosphere into the Pho world.   Gossip started out with its focus on “boba” tapioca drinks and a limited menu of Vietnamese cuisine.   A couple of years later, they took over the struggling Quizno’s next door, did some construction, and introduced a very competitive Pho eatery combined with boba drinks drawing in a great crowd.  I have visited this place numerous times and a couple of years ago, I felt that this place had the best Pho in the state, PERIOD.  Then two years ago… something changed.  Flavors changed.  Bluntly put, they became bland.  I was ready to give them another chance.

I walked in on a Friday at 6:00pm.  First thing I noticed was the music.  100.7FM was blaring and for a pop music lover like me, it was quite a change from the normal traditional Viet music.  As I was being seated, I took a quick scan around the room and noticed a very mixed crowd.  A younger crowd, but definitely mixed with Asians and Caucasians seemingly enjoying their time there.  The waiters/waitresses were very accommodating to those unfamiliar with the menu, taking the time to explain and suggest certain dishes.

The decor was different here.  Very simple dark sleek black tables, contemporary looking dishes.  They had a nice arrangement of all the hot sauces and condiments ready for the daring.   My bowl came in about 8 minutes after the order was put in.  The garnishes were plentiful and the soup was large enough for my liking.   The first sip made my taste buds realize there was something missing.   I reached for the fish sauce, and things became a little more appealing once a couple drips were mixed in.   This seems to be the dilemma I run into most when trying to critique these dish.  I again encounter what I consider a broth that is “watered down”.  My dinner party did not have any pho, but they did try other dishes, such as the grilled chicken and rice, vermicelli and spring rolls, and chicken flat noodle dishes.  They had no complaints on flavor, other than the flat noodles did have a little too much oil.    I think I am a little more harsh on this critique because I know of Gossip’s potential.  I have seen and tasted what was once a great pho bowl here.  I wish they could just bring that back.

Overall, this is a hip pho place.  The decor is very contemporary, the young staff are very cordial and have great customer service.   If you like a clubbing feel while having your bowl of pho, then Gossip is where you want to be.  The pho is average, but the music is great.  Not too many places offers a “boba drink” menu.   I would recommended this place to any new comer to the Vietnamese cuisine.  They have a large selection of different foods and a great flavor selection of boba drinks.  If you want to focus on better pho, go next door to Pho Cali.  The owner, “Lee” will be waiting.

Rating:  **3 bowls of pho out of 5. **