Chopsticks Vietnamese Restaurant
Chopsticks is a new restaurant in West Chester, about a half an hour’s drive from downtown Cincinnati. It’s about 6 months old, located in West Chester’s commercial strip on Tylersville, off of I-75. Tastefully appointed and quiet inside, the walls a cheerful mustard, and seating for about 75. There’s an empty space right when you walk in from the “lobby” area that needs a little something to bridge the space from doorway to table, but it also contributes to the fresh and uncluttered atmosphere.
The first time we tried their food (take-out) was when we had just moved and the kitchen at home wasn’t completely operational yet. We enjoyed it so much we decided to eat at the restaurant itself. Our major complaint? Twice now we’ve tried to order stuff and were asked if we had tried it before. Since the answer is “no”, we’ve been gently told to try something else. So now my hubby’s asking, if we don’t ever order it, how will we know we like it?
We’re not newcomers to Vietnamese food, having had many meals at St. Louis’ Pho Grand which was, at the time we lived there, one of the best Vietnamese restaurants in the area. At one time it was the ONLY Vietnamese place, until Mei Li opened up on Delmar. Being Asian, Vietnamese food isn’t difficult for us to like. The only thing (so far) I haven’t really taken to are the raw pork sausages served to us once at a dinner by some Vietnamese friends.
The hot tea we ordered was served in large cappucino-type cups, which didn’t get refilled until we were almost ready to leave. Apologies were offered by the gracious hostess, though. I was also put off by the not-so-fresh lettuce and bean sprouts that came with our appetizers. Other than that we were happy with the menu selections — somewhat repetitive but with enough variety to please everyone — and the service. We didn’t order banh mi (a personal favorite) this time but when our daughter ordered it in February it got the thumbs up from the whole family. For the price and value, this is a nice introduction to the world of Vietnamese food. Apparently Vietnamese customers seem to think so as well, as there were at least 3 tables occupied by them that evening.
this review is not good
we go there all the time
they don’t serve lettuce with their bean sprouts
it is either fresh basil or parsley
the parsley doesn’t always look fresh but it tastes all the same.
This is a very decent place to eat.
It is decorated tastefully. For a ’strip mall’ restaurant- this has a very unique design and appeal!
We ordered veggie spring rolls – a bit pricey- but they were excellent! The Vietnamese coffee is great; but there is nothing to write about the hot tea (Chinese green tea bag).
We ordered the seafood soup, some noodles and fried rice. I would rate the three entrees as 10, 6 and 4 on a scale of 1 to 10. The seafood soup is excellent! The noodle dish was okay! No doubt- the fried rice is lousy.
Think well before you order. The entrees dont have any sides! The fried rice is just that- a plate full of rice!
There were supposedly two waitresses- one did not show up (sunday evening). The service was slow – understandably.
The waitress, however, was noticeably very pleasant and attentive in contrast to most Asians.
Over all this is decent place.
The owners changed and the pho tastes different everytime I go and not for the good.
The sushi section are good, but the soup and salad are additional price unlike other Japanese Restaurant.
Maybe give them few more months to get everything right.
Feb. 2009
Can you tell me this restaurant an address and a telephone number?
Mariko
the restaurant has changed hands — it is now Vietnamese, Thai and Sushi — and out of those I’d say it only does sushi fairly well. The soups are now tasteless and bland, though they did stick to large servings. Quantity does not = quality. What a shame — Chopsticks used to be our default Asian restaurant to satisfy last-minute cravings.