Mai House
(212) 431-0606
186 Franklin St
New York,
NY
10013
40.7196
-74.0096
Neighborhoods: Downtown, Tribeca
What People Are Saying About Mai House
The Editor
Justin Hartung
Citysearch
The Scene
Nobu's owner partners with the chef from Bao 111 for a large, Tribeca-style take on Vietnamese chic. Mother-of-pearl lamps look like stars going into supernova, and the swanky bar area, lined by an intricate wood lattice, seems designed for celeb sightings (although low-key locals are well-tended to, as well). Wood-paneled tables and surprisingly comfy armless chairs contribute a funky '70s rec room vibe.
The Food
Haute Vietnamese fusion fuels the scene: Of the appetizers, juicy, fragrant lamb skewers shine brightest, while overly battered, underseasoned cuttlefish doesn't rise much above the average calamari plate. And though an undercooked duck meagerly represents its kaffir lime flavor, the deeply beefy pho and subtly sweet Dungeness crab, tossed with glass noodles and then scooped back in its shell, both make waves. The real star of the menu, however, is the sublime house-made ice cream, available in flavors like tart avocado and soothing black sesame.
User Reviews
oligray
October 10, 2008
I went here on a Friday night at 6.30pm at which time the place was very quiet but it didn't feel awkward and with our gracious waitress this meant that we had plenty of time to enjoy ourselves. The interior was stylish and certainly suited the well dressed, though it also succeeded in not being intimidating or stuffy. Following the suggestion of our server we ordered two mains and two side dishes to share between the three of us which was more than satisfying. The ribs were delectable, a successful fusion of tender BBQ pork with a coconut infusion and the claypot fish delicious. The large shrimp rice was full of tender meat and the mustard greens carried a tasty smoky flavour. Certainly a tad pricey but ultimately fulfilling if you're in the mood.
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tahitian11
September 06, 2008
My husband and dined at Mai House during Restaurant Week a while back and the food was wonderful. Very tasty, cooked really well, and the service was fast and courteous. The restaurant has great ambiance and is definitely romantic. One of the best Vietnamese restaurants I've been to in the city. It gets pretty packed and noisy by 7 PM, and reservations can be hard to get after this time. Other than that, it's a great place to go.
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akoti
July 26, 2008
After watching the show Top Chef, my recent craving for Vietnamese and restaurant week prefix gave me a good reason to go. I had my doubts about the chef, hate her on the show...... but let me tell you that I was blown away. Had the coconut lemon grass soup w/ shrimp it was amazing. Main course we had the ribs and wild bass which we're both cooked and seasoned perfect. We also got sides of the duck fried rice and shrimp fried rice that we're the perfect side dish. Just when we though it couldn't get better they brought out the chocolate ganache which was to die for. The ambiance was perfect and the neighborhood has plenty of drink spots for afterwards.
read full reviewThe Details on Mai House
What to Drink:
The drink list impresses on all fronts, especially the $10 Tiger Tail, a heady mix of Absolut Peppar, passion fruit puree, triple sec and Thai chile.
Dine at Bar:
Grab a seat at the bar on busier nights--it offers a prime people-watching spot.
The Extras:
Visit Bao 111 in the East Village.
What to Drink:
The drink list impresses on all fronts, especially the $11 Tiger Tail, a heady mix of Absolut Peppar, passion fruit puree, triple sec and Thai chile.
