I so wanted to like this place. I've seen drool inducing pic of their Hanoi style spring rolls on Instagram which led to me to drag P and Kiddo Tien Dat in Box Hill with the promise of a good feed.
It all started going pear shaped from the get go. The waitress taking our orders got several key things wrong. Firstly I got the standard prawn spring rolls ($12.50) after specifically ordering the Hanoi style ones.
Kiddo was unable to finish her crispy chicken and rice noodle soup ($12.80) and we inquired as to whether we can take the left overs home. We were quoted an extra $1 for the privilege of taking home our left overs. It was not so much the cost of $1 but the way the dictum was delivered. Out of principle, I declined to take the left overs home with us.
P ordered the special broken rice ($12.50) which should come with a bowl of broth as evidenced by the same dish being eaten by other patrons. However his was missing. P also deliberated as to whether to bring this to Tien Dat's attention but it was such an unenjoyable dining experience, we thought it would be best to just let it slide and get out of there as soon as possible.
Then my vegetarian banh xeo (pancake stuffed with salad and seafood) was stuffed with pork mince ($15.80). *sigh*. I deliberated as to whether I should send my food back but the service took so long, I just ate what was given.
Tea was charged at $1 per person.
It all started going pear shaped from the get go. The waitress taking our orders got several key things wrong. Firstly I got the standard prawn spring rolls ($12.50) after specifically ordering the Hanoi style ones.
Kiddo was unable to finish her crispy chicken and rice noodle soup ($12.80) and we inquired as to whether we can take the left overs home. We were quoted an extra $1 for the privilege of taking home our left overs. It was not so much the cost of $1 but the way the dictum was delivered. Out of principle, I declined to take the left overs home with us.
P ordered the special broken rice ($12.50) which should come with a bowl of broth as evidenced by the same dish being eaten by other patrons. However his was missing. P also deliberated as to whether to bring this to Tien Dat's attention but it was such an unenjoyable dining experience, we thought it would be best to just let it slide and get out of there as soon as possible.
Then my vegetarian banh xeo (pancake stuffed with salad and seafood) was stuffed with pork mince ($15.80). *sigh*. I deliberated as to whether I should send my food back but the service took so long, I just ate what was given.
Tea was charged at $1 per person.
Verdict
We would not return.Overall
Tien Dat falls short on expectations. The food was ordinary at best but I could not get past the service which varied between muddled to apathetic. The prices of Tien Dat are a few dollars more expensive than other Vietnamese places and they charge per person for tea which is also unusual practice compared to other Vietnamese pho places. I would take my patronage elsewhere. Also have a gander at Bureaucrat's review of Tien Dat.Find it at
Tien Dat
3 Carrington Road
Box Hill 3128
Phone: 9890 9699
Sigh, how disappointing! I've had a really bad run lately with restaurants bringing me the wrong food- worse still when their offering accidentally contains meat. I'll give this place a miss!
ReplyDeleteYeah it's a real bummer. Hope the new year brings a good run of top eats for you :)
DeleteSorry to hear - having been wanting to try this place for the last 8-10 years, but have always dismissed it as Anglo. I guess I wont waste my time. Thx for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Nean. Your vibes were right. Thanks for checking out our post :)
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