Dalad

With all the new condos, restaurants and plazas spreading like weeds around BTS Ari, Dalad is something more modest and soulful. More reminiscent of the old spirit of the neighborhood, it is the hard to find blend of comforting, dependable, hygienic food at dirt-cheap prices. The café has just a handful of wooden tables and a wall-length mirror along one side. The understated, and lovely, touch is the faux old-fashioned, floral floor tiles in earth colors that off-set the monochromatic look of the rest of the space. It’s a nod to aesthetics that sets Dalad apart from other places of that size and price range. The compactness means you’re never left hanging without service—and even the owner lends a hand, but never intrusively. The food is homey Vietnamese, with all the vermicelli, grilled meat and leafy greens you might expect, but rather than being bored, we find ourselves delighted at the sound, no-frills execution of standard dishes. Moreover, a lot of the menu, can be ordered vegetarian—another plus, as it means we can dine with our vegetarian friends, instead of meeting them later. The vegetarian version of the round noodles in thick soup feels hearty with all the meaty, chopped mushrooms and savory, generously peppered broth. Be sure to use the lime provided as it lends a wonderful brightness to the otherwise stew-like dish. We especially love the grilled pork rolled in betel leaf, which is well-spiced, juicy and tender and comes on a bed of vermicelli noodles and with a lovely dipping sauce. And while the dipping sauce accompanying the stuffed crispy crepe was sweet and insipid, the dish overall is generously filled and comes in a crunchy shell. Really, there’s little that could put us off this adorable café. It is so unpretentious that your expectations are equally relaxed. So, while everyone is away at La Villa emptying their pockets, we suggest taking your friends or your long-time honey, to a cozy, low-key lunch or dinner at Dalad.  Corkage B100.