Miss Mai, Adelaide by Bureaucrat

A few weeks ago, an unexpected turn of events at work saw me boarding a plane to Adelaide.  The last (and only) time that I was in Adelaide was when I was a wee little one.  The only memory I have of the place is that the water tasted funny and I got travel sick on the way there from Melbourne.

Anyhoo, after I discharged my work duties, I headed into the CBD for some lunch.  I was kinda curious of what the foodie scene would be like.  The little laneways is reminiscent of Melbourne, which made me happy (I'm one of those people that travel to other parts of the world expecting those cities to look and be the same as Melbourne).

After a quick wander, I joined the queue for lunch at Miss Mai.  MM is a tiny little shop that sells a limited range of Vietnamese food.  But as the owner/cook at my favourite takeaway place (Danny of Danny's Kopitiam) says, you do a few dishes, but you do them well.  MM had a near constant queue throughout the lunch hour (which moved very quickly).  What I couldn't get over the fact that everything was SO cheap! Fresh, healthy lunch under a tenner!


On offer were vermicelli salads, buns, rice paper rolls and pho.  After umming and ahhing, I went for the lemongrass chicken vermicelli salad. The salad base is pre-made, and you pick a range of meats and/or vegs, with optional fried onions and roasted peanuts. I was lucky enough to grab a seat at a table to eat my salad.


Upon lifting up the lid, there was a very generous amount of chicken, salad and noodles.  The chicken was panfried (but not greasy) and had a faint taste of lemongrass.  The salad (julienned carrots, cucumbers and shredded lettuce) was fresh and the noodles were plentiful.  The nuoc cham was spot on.  There was so much that I could only finish about 95% of it.

If I was so full, I would have ordered some rice paper rolls.  Also, had it been a cold day, I would have gone with the pho.  If I ever find myself in Adelaide again, I know what I'll be having for lunch!

Overall
Great, healthy and cheap lunch!  Happy staff who love their food and clientele.  Top marks.  Love this place.  I can't think of a place in Melbourne CBD that comes anywhere near this quality or price.  If MM was in Melbourne, it'd definitely be a regular place for me... Miss Mai, please come to Melbourne?

Verdict
Food – 8.5
Service - 8
Ambience – 7
Price - 10

Address
Miss Mai
73 Gawler Place
Adelaide 5000