Vietnamese restaurant opens in Sonoma

Phó Ha Vietnamese Cuisine opened to the public Wednesday, Nov. 6, with a free egg roll for every customer, a deal that extends through Nov. 14.

Pho Ha opened earlier than anticipated; perhaps it helped that the whole kitchen was used for the Shanghai restaurant for many years, and some of the Ha brothers, whose family run the restaurant, said they converted the dining space so quickly because the whole family pitched in. (The restaurant was so overwhelmed with customers on its opening day, managers had to close early at 5:30 p.m. because they had run out of food.)

Offering a wide range of vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian and carnivore dishes, appetizers include egg and spring rolls, crispy chicken wings, salads with green papaya, mango or cabbage; followed by 18 Phó or beef noodle soups which come with sides of bean sprouts, basil, jalapeños, and lime.

Its vermicelli noodles include thin rice noodle bowls with shredded lettuce, bean sprouts, cucumber, and sprinkled with crushed roasted peanuts, with sides of Nuoc Mam, a sweet and sour vinaigrette. Lots of prawns, grilled pork, egg rolls, and lemongrass chicken buns.

Expect lots of stir fries with rice noodles, and pad Thai and pineapple fried rice. Also six seafood noodle soups, and a whole section of vegetarian dishes, including spring rolls, noodle buns, steamed rice plate with stir fry vegetables and tofu, mushrooms, and any combination or deletion one wants.

Rice plates galore, yellow, green and red curries; beer, sake, wine, and bubble tea smoothies, sides, and a whole kids’ menu are also available.

(Because some of the Vietnamese dishes may be new to Sonoma customers, we recommend ordering by the dish number listed on the menu for clarity’s sake.)

Most main dishes $7.95 to $11.95. Open Tuesday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday until 8 p.m. Closed Monday. 565 Fifth St. W., Sonoma. 938-7659. Phohasonoma.com.