CHIReview
Included In
Kittens. Betty White. A good ballpoint pen. All of these things are easy to like. Thanks to its enjoyable space and well-executed food, HaiSous falls into this category, too.
You might already be familiar with this place’s background, and even some of the dishes on the menu - the chef used to work at Embeya, a popular Asian fusion restaurant that closed rather abruptly in 2016. But while the papaya salad here might be the same, HaiSous is definitely a different place, with a Vietnamese focus and a more casual feel.
Everything here is meant to be shared, because that’s the way the world works now. The good news is that even if you’re tired of paying to go out and politely stare at the last uneaten bite of steak, at least you can count on everything tasting good. There are prawn summer rolls that come with a delicious hoisin sauce. The grilled ribeye, with a lime juice dipping sauce on the side and charred lemongrass on top, is tender and buttery. The mussels are fantastic - they’re in a rich, sweet coconut broth that should be soaked up with a side order of rice.
The less good news is that while everything tastes great, it’s unlikely you’ll leave here thinking about any particular thing that blew your mind. Many of the dishes seem slightly underseasoned, even with the addition of their sauces. Take the fried tofu, for example, or the whole roasted fish - while both are very well prepared in a technical sense, neither is particularly flavorful. So if you’re looking for an innovative and boundary-pushing meal, you might be bored. But you certainly won’t be upset with anything you have.
The space itself is big and comfortable, with tables large enough to fit all the plates you’ll want to order, and exposed brick giving it a trendy, modern feel. HaiSous works well for date night, catching up with friends, or a group dinner. And the prices are reasonable for a nice night out, too - just another reason to like an already likeable spot.
While you might not wake up in the middle of the night plotting your next trip back to eat the fried tofu here, a meal at HaiSous is going to be good. You’ll have pleasant service and tasty food, and anyone you bring will be happy with the experience, too. Like Betty White signing her kitten adoption papers with a nice smooth ballpoint, it has a whole lot going for it.
Food Rundown
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Summer Rolls
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Papaya Salad
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Chicken Wings
photo credit: Sandy Noto
Grilled Ribeye
photo credit: Sandy Noto