TABLE TALK: Pho 54 is the place to go for pho tai gan

The first thing to arrive at your table after placing an order for pho tai gan at Pho 54, 1371 N. Academy Blvd., is a platter of bean sprouts topped with handfuls of mint, basil and Vietnamese saw-leaf herb (a type of cilantro). Also on the platter will be several slices of jalapeño and a few wedges of fresh lime.

Next up will be the bowl of pho, a traditional Vietnamese noodle dish. It consists of meat and ban pho, (rice noodles) ffoating in a ffavorful broth seasoned with star anise, ginger and onions. The idea is to pile as many of the fresh veggies into the hot soup as you want. Then, you use some of the condiments on the table - fish sauce, hoisin or chili sauce - to season and spice the soup to your liking.

There are several choices of pho available at Pho 54 that come in large ($6.95), medium ($6.25) and small ($5.25) sizes. We settled on a small bowl of pho tai gan, which meant there were several thin slices of eye of round steak in the steaming broth that was served. The meat cooks, like the veggies, in the broth. It was delicious and more than enough for two people. There are some rice dishes, Vietnamese egg rolls, Asian puddings and boba (an icy fruit drink with tapicoa pearls).

Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Eat for a cause

Bolo Bistro's (287 E. Fountain Blvd., in the Prestwick Village) mission statement says it all: to build Bolo Bistros around the world employing women in crisis.

Owner Larry Lafferty, who has worked with women in crisis and has owned sandwich shops in Wisconsin, wants to help women in crisis make a decent income to help themselves and their children.

"We want to help women in crisis and believe that by doing this we can help their children who are in crisis, too," he said. "It's been shown that 70 percent of our gangs, homeless children and abused children come from single-parent homes, 95 percent of those children come from single-mom homes."

The restaurant, which has been open only a few weeks, was built from donated work, equipment and furnishings. The hope is to give women in crisis jobs so they can make a decent salary for themselves and their children. This is the flagship store, and there are plans to open more across the country.

The menu has a handful of breakfast items, such as breakfast sandwiches ($3.95) and sandwiches, soups and salads at lunch and dinner. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

'Cue on the way

Randal Price, owner of Slayton's Barbeque, Sonterra Grill and Salsa Brava Fresh Mexican Grill, has started construction on the second shop for his barbecue at 28 S. Tejon St. (next door to Sonterra Grill).

An August opening is planned.

Meanwhile, at Sonterra Grill, 28-B S. Tejon St., there were some menu changes. Favorites including fajitas, queso and fish tacos were taken off the menu and new items added.

"While customers thought the new menu items were great, they missed the old favorites," Price said. "The result - we have brought back the old favorites and are keeping all the great new menu items."

Also coming back is Sonterra Grill's original happy hour: $3 drinks and $5 appetizers.

New eatery

It took some time, but Metropolis Food & Spirits, 1201 W. Colorado Ave., has finally opened. In addition to eating in the dining room, you can enjoy food on the terrace. It has a bar and disco-style lounge, too.

We hear the prime rib at dinner is especially good. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Bar and lounge is open 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Call 227-9888 for reservations.

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CONTACT US: Send tips about restaurant openings, closings, menu changes and food specials to Teresa.farney@gazette.com or call 636-0271. Do you manage a restaurant? Send us your e-mail address so we can keep in touch.