Gao Viet Kitchen in San Mateo

Review №1

2023-07-14 03:11:38

Quite the experience. It lives up to the hype! For lunch on Friday, arrive well before 11:30. If theres a line at 11:30, get in it and youll probably still get in on the first seating. More seating across the 2 levels than youd expect from the storefront. Youll spend more time deliberating the menu, because theres SO MANY great choices. Try a signature cocktail or non-alcoholic drink. Both times weve been here weve left with leftovers. Our new favorite (non-cheap) Vietnamese restaurant!

Review №2

2023-10-22 23:15:26

My visit to Gao Viet was prompted by the considerable hype surrounding it. Upon arrival, we were informed of a waitlist, and l we found ourselves waiting for about 45 minutes. This was on a bustling Saturday morning at 11:30, so we anticipated some level of crowding.Once seated on the second floor, I couldn’t help but notice that the service seemed a bit sluggish. It’s quite possible that they were understaffed on that busy day, as we had to proactively seek out our waiter to place our order.Our choice for this visit was the highly talked-about $100 Phozilla. I was genuinely excited, but, to be honest, I cannot recommend it. Despite its photogenic appearance, it didn’t live up to the buzz. The dish, in essence, seemed like more of a hype than an extraordinary culinary experience. The lobster and meat in the pho were rather overcooked, and the overall taste was somewhat underwhelming. It looked great in pictures, but the flavor didn’t match the presentation.On a more positive note, the appetizers we tried, as shown in the pictures below, were a highlight of the meal. They were genuinely solid and showcased some delightful flavors.In the grand scheme of things, I don’t foresee a return visit to Gao Viet. It appeared to lean more toward being a gimmicky destination than a place offering exceptional value. I believe there are better and more reasonably priced pho options available elsewhere that align better with my preferences.

Review №3

2023-11-04 21:39:11

As a Vietnamese, I usually do not have high expectations for Viet food in the US in general. However, this one is better than expected. Pho is good with southern Vietnamese taste. The other dishes such as Bun Cha are quite decent too. I would recommend this place for people who want to try authentic Viet food in the US.

Review №4

2023-09-04 17:05:43

Expected a long lineup for dinner and we arrived 15mins before their opening… Luckily, we got table for the first batch. Total lineup 20 mins (okay)Egg cream coffee - very smooth & strong coffeeGrilled Prawns - delicious!The Big Pho with Beef and Lobster - I am expecting more as it costs $100!! I will skip this if I revisit the restaurant againWill give it a try next time for other dishesDon’t expect superb service - we need to chase for drinks & by then, we were informed those drinks were actually not available (sold out)!

Review №5

2023-10-18 01:47:05

Really liked the layout of restaurant with the tiles that’s very old school Vietnamese. However the food were only so so, a bit heavy on the sweet side of fish sauce. The marinated mussels were especially not good. The only thing I liked were the abundance of herbs. The whole place was not well ventilated where we were at the bar upstairs and the smell was pretty strong and a bit off putting. I was quite exciting to try this place but after one visit I’m not sure I would return :(

Review №6

2023-11-29 19:30:14

I dont understand why this restaurant doesnt have over 4.5 stars. Bun Cha is my favourite, but I would love to try everything on the menu. Food is exceptional, service is fantastic, and the atmosphere is great. Such a fun hipster place. I have tried so many Vietnamese foods in different countries including Vietnam and this place is one of the best.

Review №7

2023-07-24 07:07:19

In town for a couple days from New Mexico and this was one spot we had to try. Did not disappoint at ALL!!!!!! The Phozilla was worth every single penny, lobster was absolutely perfect the broth was so rich and hit every note just right. The rib was just sticky fall off the bone mastery but still had a nice bite so you got all of the flavors and spices on the crust, with parts that just melted in your mouth. Chef sent over bone marrow shots for my wife’s birthday…. These things were massive and the boba size straws basically allowed me to main line the elegant, super rich, nutty nector. If you’re in the Bay Area I’d 100% recommend a visit. I think we’re going to swing by again before we leave to try the mamas clay pot. Ashley and the staff were amazing and made the end of our first day in San Fran perfect.

Review №8

2023-10-08 04:39:52

My husband and our friends went to Gao viet kitchen at 313 S San Mateo drive. This place is crowded. The food is really great, we are all love it. We definitely will come again. The service is ok but we understand they are busy.I suggest to get there early to avoid waiting.

Review №9

2023-08-13 23:19:30

This isnt your run of the mill Vietnamese joint. Its decorated like a hole in the wall in Vietnam, but the chef puts an elevated spin on Vietnamese favorites. I really enjoyed their pho and starters. Its even good when taking it to go. The service is very efficient and friendly. They kind of have to be to make sure the line outside goes down fast enough. We arrived 10 mins before opening and still had to wait 20 mins to be seated. Ultimately its worth the wait and you have to eat here at least once!

Review №10

2023-09-01 21:03:26

Started out with pork belly appetizers - delicious and satisfying- but the star of the show was the Pork Ribs I ordered. So succulent and rich with flavor. The dish was accompanied with a larger serving of deep-fried sticky rice which was slightly sweet and crispy. All together it was a stellar meal and the restaurant deserves further exploration.