In the FoodEEs series, El Estoque staff members take on different food establishments, reviewing the menu items based on taste, price and authenticity.
Combining Vietnamese food and drinks with cafe culture, Phin Cafe showcases its heritage through a large selection of menu items such as Banh Mi sandwiches, Vietnamese egg coffee and pandan flavored food and drinks. Similarly, choices in interior decorations fuse timeless tradition with modernity, as crimson lanterns and lucky knot tassel decorations are placed among neutrally toned furniture. Phin’s cozy atmosphere appeals to all the senses, as the room is enveloped by ambient music, dim lighting, and the warm fragrance of roasting coffee. With abundant seating, available outlets and complimentary wifi, Phin Cafe presents a more than ideal environment for work and studying. Additionally, menu items are prepared quickly without sacrifices in quality.
Grilled Chicken Banh Mi ($8.50)
The Banh Mi is a Vietnamese sandwich, quick to prepare and versatile with fillings. At Phin Cafe, customers are given a choice to have their Banh Mi cut in half for easier consumption. The bread is warmed and toasted to golden brown, initially crispy, but hardens over time as it cools. Enveloped inside are the fillings — marinated chicken, jalapeños, cucumber, cilantro, pickled carrots and daikon by default, but ingredients can be removed on request. While the jalapeños do bring on the heat, they are milder than expected and should not be of concern for those with low spice tolerance. The vegetables are fresh and cucumber, thinly shredded carrots and daikon provide an extra crunch factor. For the price, there is a decent amount of chicken, grilled flavorfully and bursting with savory sweet marinade. Although it was meant to compliment the savory flavors, the marinade’s sweetness was slightly overwhelming and overtakes the other flavors, rendering the Banh Mi’s flavor palette somewhat one dimensional. Despite the small imperfections, the Grilled Chicken Banh Mi is a solid choice as both a snack or a light meal.
RATING: 3.5/5
Sesame Rose Matcha ($6.90)
Phin Cafe offers a wide selection of coffee and matcha flavors, ranging from everyday blends like ube to bizarre concoctions involving corn. The Sesame Rose Matcha resides on the latter end of the spectrum, a novel choice, but sometimes there’s a reason the unconventional stays unconventional. With such a complex mix of flavors, the Sesame Rose Matcha struggles to strike a balance. Colored green and grey then garnished with dried rose petals, the Sesame Rose Matcha couldn’t deviate farther from its visual expectations that promise a dominant sesame and matcha flavor. With a sesame base only present in nutty undertones and diluted matcha running rather thin — it’s hard to notice anything but the sharp rose fragrance. Despite providing a pleasant floral aroma, the rose flavoring stands out amongst the flavors and distracts from the rest of the drink. There’s nothing remarkable about the texture except for the fact that the drink’s thin, watery consistency only further accentuates the grittiness brought on by the sesame base. Although the Sesame Rose Matcha stands out for its daring flavor combination, the blend is hindered by the conflicting flavors that still need fine-tuning.
RATING: 2/5
Pandan Waffle ($5.50)
The Pandan Waffle is a Vietnamese-style waffle known for its slightly chewy texture, made with rice flour and coconut cream. Pandan, a tropical plant known for its bright green hue, is often used in South Asian cuisines and adds a special fragrance akin to that of vanilla, coconut and grass. This version makes a strong first impression with its generous portion size and its shareable quarters — thinner at the cross sections for a cleaner divide. Its texture has a pleasant contrast, with a soft, fluffy interior surrounded by a lightly crisp exterior. The waffle also has a pleasant sweetness that isn’t overpowering, making it enjoyable as a light dessert. However, the pandan flavor is quite subtle and leads more heavily toward notes of egg, causing the signature flavor to be a letdown. On top of this, it has a dense, chewy structure typical of this style, though in this case it can feel somewhat heavy. Ultimately, while the waffle offers appealing texture and portion size, the lack of strong pandan flavor and heavier structure keep it from standing out.
RATING: 3/5
Coconut Coffee ($6.90)
The coconut coffee immediately stands out with an eye-catching look composed of neat layers of milk, coffee, a light foam and a finishing touch of coconut flakes. The flakes not only add to the visual appeal but also create a subtle crunch factor that contrasts nicely with the drink’s creamy texture. The flavors come together in a unique way, with rich espresso notes serving as the drink’s main flavor and complementing the overall nuttiness of the coconut. Milk blends smoothly with the coffee, adding a creamy, velvety texture that helps round out the drink. At the same time, the drink remains well-balanced with the coffee remaining prominent while the natural sweetness of the coconut helps mellow its bitterness. However, the lack of the coconut flavor is disappointing given the expectations set by the name of the drink. Although it blended smoothly with the coffee, the flavor didn’t offer the distinct coconut taste it promised. The drink also initially appears full due to its layered presentation, but once it settles, its volume seems noticeably smaller. This makes the portion feel a bit limited, especially considering the price. Despite these flaws, the drink’s appealing presentation, balanced flavor and creamy texture still make it worth trying.
RATING: 3.5/5
Onion Mushroom and Cheese Pâté Chaud ($3.75)
The pâté chaud is a traditional Vietnamese puff pastry that is offered in seven flavors at the cafe and doesn’t fail to impress with its well-balanced ratio of pastry and filling. Each bite offers a flavorful combination of onion, mushroom, and warm melted cheese — deeply savory with a hint of umami attributed to the mushroom, adding depth to the flavor profile. The pastry itself has a rich, slightly buttery flavor that complements the savory filling. Texture-wise, on the outside, the pastry has a crispy, golden-brown crust that adds a light crunch. This contrasts nicely with the inside, which is soft and almost spongy in texture. Despite its small portion, the item remains fluffy and filling for its richness. The pâté chaud’s only flaw is that it can be a bit messy to eat, as the delicate pastry tends to break apart easily, leaving crumbs scattered everywhere. Overall, despite its messiness, the onion mushroom and cheese pâté chaud is a delicious pastry that offers flaky texture, well seasoned flavor and a rich savory filling.
RATING: 4.5/5
Phin Cafe’s smaller portion sizes are justified by the reduced price and shorter prep times, which is ideal for those who crave a light snack instead of a full meal. The menu items are tailored for cafe and Viet cuisine aficionados alike, seamlessly blending both aspects into the catalog without imbalance. Even for those who are just seeking to get some work done, Phin Cafe’s cozy and tranquil atmosphere makes it a perfect stop to grab a snack and knock out a few tasks. With relaxing beats and a sleek interior, Phin Cafe’s environment is undistracting yet still warmly inviting. While their menu items are somewhat hit-or-miss, with varying quality between the items, it’s still a worthwhile visit if not for the ambiance itself.
OVERALL RATING: 3.5/5
OVERALL PRICE: $$/$$$
