ADDRESS:
AYRES HOTEL (1ST FLOOR)
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
THIS PLACE IS REALLY NEAR AFTERS ICE CREAM (ONE PLAZA AWAY) SO IF YOU NEED DESSERT, AFTERS ICE CREAM IS PRETTY CONVENIENT!
THE FAMOUS PHO SLIDERS (THESE WERE AIIGHT...I'D RATHER ORDER MORE HAMACHI BITES)
I LOVED THE SEA URCHIN (UNI) PASTA! THIS IS JAPANESE STYLE PASTA (POPULAR IN JAPAN) AND I ACTUALLY REAAALLY LIKED IT! I COULD REALLY TASTE THE FISHINESS FROM IT AND THE SEA URCHIN FLAVOR AS WELL! MY FRIENDS DISLIKED THIS THOUGH (SCORE... I GOT TO EAT MOST OF IT!) BECAUSE THEY THOUGHT IT WAS WAY TOO FISHY TASTING TO THEM. BUT IF YOU'RE INTO UNI, THEN THIS IS THE PASTA FOR YOU!
THEIR FRIES WERE FAT AND YUMMY ^_^
TUNA TARTARE
HAMACHI BITES (THESE WERE MY FAVORITE, VERY FRESH TASTING AND DELICIOUS)
My friends and I came here because we wanted to try those PHO SLIDERS. Looking at the menu, it seems like many of the food served here is ASIAN FUSION. Hence, the creatively made PHO SLIDERS.
We basically wanted to order a lot to try a good amount of the menu. The waitress informed us that everything they serve is meant to be shared (but I'm so hungry and the food is expensive....). We ordered the french fries, hamachi bites, uni pasta (sea urchin pasta), tuna tartare, and the pho sliders. The portions that came out were a bit disappointing but I guess that should have been expected with the expensive pricing and the fact that this restaurant is INSIDE a hotel.
The food:
- Pho Sliders might be disappointing, especially if you love pho. I don't recommend these especially for the price. It is interestingly created though, with steamed buns (banh bao buns) but I feel like it could have tasted better or more like "pho". It is not dry as I've heard others say, but it is not WHOA THAT'S GREAT I NEED MORE. Instead of Pho Sliders, I'd rather head over to East Borough at THE CAMP to get the PHO BAGUETTE for about $12 but at least it's huuuge and will definitely fill up your belly (and actually tastes like pho).
- Hamachi Bites were something I would TOTALLY order more of. In fact, I really wanted it all for myself because they were thaaat good. They tasted super fresh and it was the perfect bite-sized snack.
- Sea Urchin Pasta was incredibly delicious. It had the kind of taste that I expected (since I've had it before in Japan). However, it is not for those who might not like the idea of having fishy creamy sauce with their pasta.
- Tuna Tartare was worth trying as well. I especially liked how they provided those crunchy rice (chips?!...I don't know what to call it...the one with the black sesame seeds inside) "nachos" to add that extra Asian flare.
- The French Fries, although it seems simple (and how could they mess this up right?...) were actually one of my faves. They tasted full (as in packed with potato goodness) because they weren't the crunchy thin kind. I just wish they gave us a bigger portion!
Overall, this place is a place I would frequent IF I WAS RICH. I know quality should be better than quantity but I feel like because I'm a poor college (recent grad but not employed full-time) I would prefer bigger portions. This is the kind of place you would go to if you want APPETIZERS before going somewhere else for the REAL DINNER because (unless you don't eat that much) I did not get full sharing 5 plates with 2 other people. If you're into the hype, try the PHO SLIDER but don't blame me if you are disappointed. (I warned you)
P.S. There is also seating available outside which is actually quite beautiful!
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