Xanh Restaurant Review, Mountain View

Reviewer: Foodnut.com

Xanh Restaurant

185 Castro Street

Mountain View, CA 94041

650-964-1888

Xanh Restaurant Website

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Exterior

Xanh Restaurant is an Vietnamese Asian fusion restaurant in Silicon Valley on Castro street in Mountain View. They – “fuse the culinary traditions of Vietnam with modern aesthetics and complexities” To survive on this street packed with tons of place, you have to have good food. They used to be located across the street in a smaller location. Their Lunch menu has more moderately priced items.

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Interior

Decor, Vibe – Clean, fun, stylish modern decor with a big beautiful bar and lounge area up front. Sidewalk dining for warmer days. Decor you expect in San Francisco! Busy on a Sunday night with big parties, couples, some families, and many nearby locals were dining.

Menu Pictures

Website Menu

Picks:

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Misift roll

Misfit Roll ($12) soft-shelled crab, sliced mango, fresh lettuce, cilantro, mint, and crispy shallots served with fresh cracked pepper and spicy vinaigrette looked and tasted great. Crunchy deep fried crab with the various ingredients fused together.

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Pho you pho me

“PHO YOU, PHO ME” ($10) XANH’s spin on a Vietnamese classic braised filet mignon and rice noodles in a fragrant beef broth served with fresh bean sprouts, thai basil, lime, and jalapeno peppers was excellent. The beef flavored broth was awesome. One of the better renditions we’ve had. The presentaion on a platform was very nice.

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Banana leaf sea bass

Xanh Banana Leaf Sea Bass ($22) chilean sea bass, shiitake mushrooms, ginger, onions, and glass noodles was steamed in banana leaves, but was actually overdone. It was still juicy and flavorful but could have been even better. Straits Cafe’s version in parchment paper is better.

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Pineapple beef shortribs

Pineapple Beef Shortribs (SUON NUONG) ($14) korean-style barbecue short ribs, pineapple served with a mix slaw of bean sprouts, chives, and red bell peppers. Large dish full of well spiced short ribs. Lots of bean sprouts on top.

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Split personality sorbet

Split Personality Sorbet ($8) with a mix of mango and passion fruit sorbetto with a heart of raspberry enrobbed in white chocolate and finished with chocolate drizzle was excellent. The sorbet was flavorful, the presentation gorgeous. The touch of chocolate was a fine accent.

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Menage a Trios

Menage a Trios ($8) a XANH interpretation of a Vietnamese classic. DIY with miniature tapioca ‘seed’, sweet yellow mung bean and coconut milk was meant to be mixed up but was very good independently. Not too sweet and a nice warm ball of tapioca and mung bean.

OK:

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View PAPAYA SALAD

Papaya Salad ($10) poached shrimp, green papaya, carrots, cu cai trang, sliced mango, cilantro, mint, caramelized shallots served with roasted peanuts and nuoc cham vinaigrette was an average version of this dish. Large quantities but not a lot of flavor.

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Chicken satay

Chicken Satay ($9) was 3 pieces of skewered chicken with cool looking candle warming base. Decent chicken and a zesty peanut sauce dip.

Pans:

Xanh Restaurant Mountain View Grass Hopper cocktail

Grass Hopper ($9) was their interpretation of a Vodka Mojito. Too much lime and not very balanced.

Xanh Restaurant had above average service with friendly servers. The food was very good, presentation was awesome, and the surroundings outstanding, making for a rare combination on the Peninsula.

This restaurant reminds us of Tamarine and even Slanted Door. The prices are more affordable and portions far larger here. You could easy just order an entree per person and get a darn good and reasonable meal. Wine by the glass from $8, bottles from $30, $15 corkage fee.

Xanh on Urbanspoon

Restaurant Map:


Xanh Restaurant Overall Rating: (Very Good 2.5)

Come Back?

Food Rating: (Very Good)
Service Rating: (Good)
Atmosphere Rating: (Excellent)
Value Rating: (Very Good)

Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary

Alcohol:Full Bar
Attire:Casual
Hours:Mon - Fri 1130am - 2pm, Daily 5pm - Close
Parking:Street
Reservations:Yes
Prices:$9 - $27

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2 Comments

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    […] Sakoon, Tokyo Go Go, Tommaso’s (They finally see the tourist trap!), TWO, Universal Cafe, Xahn, zazu $25 Dining Certificate for $5 Share and […]

  • Tamarine, Palo Alto | Foodnut.com
    October 7, 2011 at 9:28 am

    […] but flavor-intensive culinary delicacies of Vietnam. This place is similar to Slanted Door or Xanh in Mountain View. We find the food pretty accessible with many items for mainstream palates. Our […]

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