Feelin’ Right at Home

Our parents never took us to TGI Friday’s or Houlihan’s or whatever else was around when we were kids. Never had fast food. They did, however, expose us to everything from green-tea noodles with raw duck egg to hot-as-Hades Indian food and Pad See Ew before we could even hold chopsticks.

So when we met a friend downtown for lunch at the shabbily glamorous Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen, it felt like old-home week. We’ll get to the food, but let’s start with the bar—it’s prominently placed in the center of the restaurant and staffed by exceptional bartenders. You can grab a seat there, in a row of red-leather booths that line three walls, or do takeout. We suggest sitting. There’s a huge mural on one side, damask wallpaper on the other, and a steaming open kitchen in between.

The food? It’s so tasty that we almost don’t need to say it (though the Papaya Salad, Meatball Pho and Pork Vermicelli were standouts). Go for happy hour when appetizers are $2 each and try them all! You’ll feel right at home.

Luc Lac Vietnamese Kitchen
835 Southwest 2nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97204
503.222.0047
www.luclackitchen.com