By Jessica Wang (That's Beijing)
Updated: 2008-01-29 17:57

Phodaiz certainly looks the part-with rattan chairs and an airy atmosphere-but its Vietnamese-style food won't be winning any Michelin stars. Still, it's a reasonably good option after a day of shopping in The Place.

The RMB 25 cumin-and-fish-sauce chicken wings (not really considered Vietnamese food) are better than the ones found at regular chuan'r stands, but the shrimp rolls (RMB 25) were bland and uninspiring. The large bowl of pho (RMB 56), which came with beef slices, seafood, meatballs and a large heap of bean sprouts, garnished with a rather sad sprig of basil, was filling enough, but we weren't blown away by the taste.

Phodaiz is a safe option, and inexpensive compared to some of the other restaurants in The Place. Just don't go expecting a culinary epiphany.

Phodaiz
Open: 10am-10pm.
Location：B128, The Place, 9 Guanghua Lu, Chaoyang District
Tel:010-65871435