Vien Cafe

We usually eat out on Tuesday nights.  We like to find places that are close to our house.  We're lucky to live in a neighborhood with many restaurant choices.  Since Thanksgiving is coming up tomorrow, we wanted to eat a light meal last night.  We'd never been to the Vien Cafe on Pico, just east of La Cienega.

We ordered the fresh spring rolls for our appetizer.  They were rolled up with steamed shrimp, vermicelli rice noodles, shredded lettuce, mint, cilantro, green onion and bean sprouts wrapped in Vietnamese rice paper. served with Vietnamese peanut sauce. Yummy.

Larry and I each ordered a bowl of pho for dinner.  The pho was accompanied by the customary mint, cilantro, green onion, lime slices and bean sprouts.  Larry's pho had beef meatballs and mine had shrimp.  The broth was flavorful and delicious, but not too rich.

The  interior of this place is very spare, modern and clean.  

I like it here.  We will return.  Next time I'd like to save room for desert and Thai iced tea.

Walking back to our car, we noticed this very ornate and over-painted time switch.  I'm sure it dates back to the late 1920s or early 1930s when this area was developed.  I wonder if it's a time switch for the street lights, signals?  I like the artistic leaf design.  I must go back during the day and take better photos.

Vien Cafe

6118 W. Pico Blvd.

between So. Alfred St. & So. La Jolla Ave.

(323) 651-2888