Arrogant it may be. But Pearl’s (631-633 Church St, Richmond, Vic 3121 03 9421 4599) reputation is deserved at breakfast or supper – or at the bar for a simple snack. Asahi on tap in those wonderful frosted glasses that we’ve already discussed.
The crisp vietnamese rice paper rolls are just that and not too expensive. Three lettuce leaves come with a spicy rare beef salad. Each is a mouthful in size (I have a big gob) and is washed down well by the beer.
The star for me, however, is the stir fried rice noodles with blackbean, shitake and snowpeas. The exact mix of ingredients changes with availability. The noodles are tightly rolled and contract to the fibrous texture of the betel leaves, said to have health giving properties.
The thing about all the food here is that it is very good. Be daring. Come for whatever meal you want and try something different.
