I've tweeted about it, but 140 characters doesn't quite allow one to do it justice. Ngon Bistro, on University and Avon in the heart of Frogtown, is a mere four blocks from my house, and I couldn't ask for a better restaurant/beer bar so close to home.
They offer standard--well actually above standard--Vietnamese fare. Their pho soup and bun salads are top notch, and they also offer higher end entrees ($16 - $20) that are fantastic. But my favorite menu items are the small plates, offered for $5 during happy hour: a walleye sandwich with amazing sweet potato fries, chicken skewers in lemongrass sauce, elk noodle salad, pork belly with wasabi pureed Brussel sprouts and potatoes, chicken pate on baguette and ginger beet salad. Plus, being the cheap-ass that I am, I appreciate that all their beers are $1 off and Minnesota wines are $2 off.
Oh, and the beers. Only Minnesota beers, with seasonal and cask offerings. Owner Hai Truong is a true beer advocate and has his own firkins, which local breweries fill with special offerings. They just finished a cask of Surly oak-aged Cynic, and up next is some lovely Summit Winter. Surly Smoke is still on tap from New Year's Eve, when they also finished a keg of Surly Darkness.
My only complaint is the hours. On weeknights they close at 9pm, and at 10pm on the weekend. Of course, there are only one maybe two tables with customers when I've been there at closing, so it's probably just me being selfish. But still, I'd like to think that they could sustain being open an hour longer.
So next time you're in the mood for a fantastic Vietnamese meal with a finely-crafted Minnesota beer, head over to Ngon Vietnamese Bistro in St. Paul.
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4 comments:
I hope you got a deal with Ngon for the free advertisement :)
I'm so jealous you live that close! I have to make plans, and drive, to get there but when I do it is SO worth it.
Dear Capitol Brew-haha,
My name is Barbara O’Brien and I am a political blogger. Just had a question about your blog and couldn’t find an email—please get back to me as soon as you can (barbaraobrien(at)maacenter.org)
Thanks,
Barbara
Julie Bunn's opponent for the Stillwater State Senate seat:
Register of Actions
Case No. 82-T2-96-014119
The State of Minnesota vs. Karin Locke Housley §
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Case Type: Driving Intoxicated
Date Filed: 08/07/1996
Location: - Washington-Stillwater
Party Information
Lead Attorneys
Defendant HOUSLEY, KARIN LOCKE
DOB: 01/20/1964 RICHARD D CLOUGH
Retained
612-441-5728(W)
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Jurisdiction State of Minnesota OAKDALE PROSECUTOR
651-730-2826(W)
Charge Information
Charges: HOUSLEY, KARIN LOCKE Statute Level Date
1. Careless Driving 169.13 Converted: Offense Level Not Available 07/11/1996
Events & Orders of the Court
DISPOSITIONS
10/14/1996
Disposition (Judicial Officer: Judge, Presiding)
1. Careless Driving
Guilty
10/14/1996
Plea (Judicial Officer: Judge, Presiding)
1. Careless Driving
Guilty
10/14/1996
Converted TCIS Criminal Sentence (Judicial Officer: Eggleston, Smith F.)
1. Careless Driving
07/11/1996 (CNVLEVEL) 169.13 (CNVOFFENSE)
Converted Disposition:
Fined: $500.00
Surcharge: $75.00
Costs: $5.00
Alcohol Assess: $0.00; Date Waived: 10/14/1996
OTHER EVENTS AND HEARINGS
08/07/1996 FLD-Case Filed (Judicial Officer: Judge, Presiding )
10/10/1996 Hearing (8:35 AM) (Judicial Officer Albertson,Howard R. ,)
Result: Converted Activity Status Flag Occurred
10/10/1996 CANCELED Pre-trial (1:00 PM) (Judicial Officer Albertson,Howard R. ,)
Other
10/14/1996 Sentencing (11:57 PM) (Judicial Officer Eggleston, Smith F.)
Result: Converted Activity Status Flag Occurred
10/15/1996 PTN-Petition (Judicial Officer: Judge, Presiding )
11/14/1996 ARC-Archive (Judicial Officer: Judge, Presiding )
02/01/2007 Converted Pending Activity (Judicial Officer: Judge, Presiding )
Financial Information
Defendant HOUSLEY, KARIN LOCKE
Total Financial Assessment 580.00
Total Payments and Credits 580.00
Balance Due as of 07/26/2012 0.00
10/14/1996 Transaction Assessment 580.00
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