Mekong River blends classic Vietnamese cuisine with some Thai favorites and the result is almost always delightful. The Pho soup is always a great place to start. I like the Pho Tom which begins with a hearty beef stock and a wonderfully tasting broth. Add shrimp, bean sprouts, green chile peppers, coriander, and mint leaves along with rice noodles and you have a very compelling dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The small bowl, which is about the size of South Austin, is only $4.50. And the large bowl, for the humongous price of $5.10 is too big for most people to finish.

Another favorite is the Fried Shrimp Rolls. The taste is exquisite. Very light, tender, and extremely flavorful. The Vermicelli bowls, another staple of Vietnamese cuisine, are also wonderful. I like the grilled marinated shrimp bowl and the grilled pork. These monstrous bowls are loaded with rice vermicelli, bean sprouts, shredded lettuce, pickled carrots, crushed roasted peanuts and scallions. Tossed with either the mild fish sauce or the crackling hot chili sauce, the Vermicelli bowls are great for either lunch or dinner. And darn it, they're actually good for you.

I also enjoy the Thai influenced Pad Thai with Tofu. This dish features rice noodles tossed in a wok with bean sprouts, scallions, ground peanuts and sliced tofu. Lovely dish with high integrated flavors. And I love the Blessing Shower. This is chicken [beef also available] cooked in the wok with bell peppers, Asian cabbage, onions, bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, chili peppers, and lime juice in a oyster sauce. A wonderful dish.

I'm also delighted to inform you that Mekong River's sister restaurant, Thai Tara, will soon open in the former location of Lemongrass on W. 6th St. The new chef of Thai Tara has prepared a sampling of their cuisine so we can sneak a quick look.

You know, aside from being delicious, the food at Mekong River will make those two important people in your life, you doctor and your banker, happy as well. Come see Jeanne Nguyen and her crew at Mekong River this weekend at 215 E. 6th St.

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