La Petite Camille

When I hear Vietnamese cuisine a hot bowl of Pho is the first thing that comes to my mind. Rice rolls are next. That’s how little I know about Vietnamese food.

My friend Deb wanted me to try La Petite Camille located at Greenbelt 5 in Makati. This Vietnamese restaurant came all the way from Milbrae, California and opened its first international branch in Manila.

I can’t drink coffee at night but I just can’t resist cold Vietnamese coffee. This was the first time I’ve seen a thermos of hot water come with a cà phê phin (stainless steel coffee drip). There was already condensed milk in the cup and I was just had to pour hot water and patiently wait for the coffee to drip. Mix well and pour into the glass of ice. This was very strong! I had to ask for more ice and condensed milk.

Summer rolls are basically bland and needs good sauce to give it a strong kick. This bold peanut sauce did a good job of boosting the rice rolls filled with vermicelli, Thai basil, cucumber and prawns.

Sweet yet tangy, vibrant green papaya salad was a refreshing starter.

While my friends liked the green papaya salad I preferred the robust chicken salad mixed with cabbage, pickled carrots, Thai basil and ground peanuts. I specially liked the caramelized onions in the salad. I could eat this entire salad for my lunch.

I don’t eat eggplant but my friends loved this dish made with chicken, Chinese sausage, dried shrimp and eggplant.

The thinly sliced, well seasoned beef was good enough on its own or with white rice but when wrapped with lettuce and add in some pickled carrots and special sauce it was divine.

house special beef with lettuce wrap P450

The fish should have been good but there was way too much pepper and it overwhelmed everything else.

Look at this plate of noodles. It looks blah and quite unappetizing. I almost didn’t try it. Good thing I did since it was delicious!!! It’s one dish that I will definitely order again. I just wish they plated it more nicely. Maybe arrange the veggies on the rice noodles instead of just throwing it on a plate.

I saved the BEST for last. I don’t like white rice but when it’s topped with Chinese sausage, prawns, chicken, mushroom and all kinds of spices I LOVE it!!!

Chinese restaurants have their own version of this dish but La Petite Camille’s version was much more flavorful and there was so much toppings I had to add an extra bowl of plain rice to the pot. I’m thankful that the Chinese sausage wasn’t too fatty yet it was sweet and salty at the same time. This a MUST ORDER.

I was very, very happy with our dinner at La Petite Camille. The prices were very reasonable. I can’t wait to go back and have an entire order of that special rice in claypot.