Couch Company: June 2011

Reservation: recommended for lunch; otherwise, quiet after 2pm. Closed Sundays "cos we can't get workers to work".
Go if you want: authentic North Indian Punjabi food in casual airconditioned setting.
Parking: Basement carpark at Beach Centre at the corner of Seah Street [1/2 hourly parking] or park at Bras Basah Complex [per minute parking]. Scarce chance of finding parking along Seah Street itself, even for shop tenants.
Tel: 6336-1248 37 Seah Street

Vavavoom is reminiscent of the scooters and motorbikes that throng HCMC and Hanoi streets. I was there with some friends at 12:30pm on a weekday and lunch patrons had already started streaming in. By 1pm, the place was full with mainly executives: didn't hear any Chinese banter among office workers that is usually unavoidable at lunchtime. The owner later said that most of his patrons are those who know and appreciate Vietnamese food because of their travels there. Not too loud background music from the radio also made this a very lovely afternoon.

I called to make a reservation before arrival and chose to be seated at one of the two sofa areas that can accommodate up to six persons each. The table was of a good height for comfortable eating and chatting.

Only two male servers were seen on shift but they were sharp, friendly and efficient, although we waited about 20 minutes for our food to arrive. My Vietnamese friend, who came late, explained that perhaps they were waiting for our guests - that is, her - to arrive before serving the food. And sure enough, they came shortly after she ordered her food! Did I say they were sharp? But then, I was also hungry and wouldn't have minded starting my lunch first!

The pho were served in huge portions in bowls about 10 inch in diameter! So it was worth waiting for though it doesn't really take long to cook.

Had a good chat with Brian, the owner, who was one of the servers and who also happens to make very good Vietnamese drip coffee! We ordered only one lunch set [Dried Beef Pho that comes with the Plum Soda and Thai Iced Coffee ice-cream] as the drip coffees are not included in the set lunch. No GST and no service charge here.