Welcome to the family Little NNQ

Little Nghi Ngan Quan is an extension of the popular Vietnamese restaurant in Ferryden Park. When Little NNQ opened up we expected pho dinners closer to our home.  The restaurant is owned by the daughter of the original NNQ bosses and while most would expect the same restaurant in a different area, we were in for a surprise with this new addition to the family. 

Little NNQ is not as little as it sounds. The restaurant seats a decent number of guests, has a decent bar, and a wall of wine! They have their own signature cocktail list based on the names and characterisitcs of their their family pets.

Good Old Charles

Feeling a bit adventurous I gave this fish sauce, chilli, palm sugar, dry ginger, white rum and lemongrass cocktail a go. I love white rum so why not? No.

I thought Good Old Charles might be similar to the Tom Yum Siam at Gin Long but it has really missed the mark. I love each and every ingredient of this cocktail but altogether it has really missed it's mark. It's way too salty (because it wasn't even stirred) but even then it's an odd mix of salty, sweet, spicy and bitter. I dub thee, King's Game drink. 

Madison's Mischief Potion

Madison's Mischief Potions features jack fruit, vodka, lime, and Frangelico. It looks super citrus-y but it's not. It's fairly light in flavour, vanilla-y and good enough as a cocktail. It doesn't really have that kick I'm looking for in a cocktail but it's not bad for a light drinker.

To avoid starvation, unfortunately I chose not to take photos of the first few dishes. We had Pork broth, Salt and Pepper squid, Duck and Banana Blossom salad, Stewed pork with egg, Tamarind soft shell crab, plus others.

The duck and banana blossom salad was definitely one of my favorites. It had the right balance of sweet, sour, and salty in the dressing. It was a good choice because everything else was so rich and flavourful and balanced all the dishes out. A must try.

Stewed pork with egg is a popular home dish in Vietnamese cooking and Chinese cooking. I wouldn't call the flavour 'authentic' but this is something I will order at a restaurant.  Soft shell crabs are amazing on its own but I would've liked more tamarind, tamarind lovers out there would agree. I've had better.

Chicken Curry

What I enjoyed the most was how all the food was presented. It's a great mix of Asian flavours and Western presentation. The curry was demolished very quickly and an all round favourite of the night. This version isn't as spicy as the traditional Viet curry which I very much appreciated.

The roast pork was tender and flavoursome with hints of star anise and pepper which was complimented by the soy and chilli dipping sauce. The cold, pickled vegetables which accompanied the dish were perfectly crunchy and refreshing and serve to cleanse the palate. Overall, much better than your average roast pork.

Roast Pork Belly

Scotch Fillet Stir Fry

Even though a simple stir fry, the scotch fillet was so tender and soft. As a rare beef lover, this dish was cooked perfectly. If you can't handle pink beef then this isn't for you.

Here is the wall of wine!

What I love the most about Little NNQ is that it's completely different from NNQ Ferryden Park. The decor is so unique and modern. It's a bit rustic but somehow it just worked despite serving Asian cuisine.

It really seems like the creators have put every little thought and detail into building the landscape of Little NNQ. Even when you walk in, you think you're smelling lemongrass cooking in the kitchen but it's really just a bunch of Glasshouse candles burning at the unlit fireplace. It smells amazing, makes you hungry, and creates a great ambiance.

Overall, there are some things I wouldn't order again but this is definitely a place I'd like to see again. The restaurant is amazingly pretty, smells great, and there's just this great vibe. The pictures just didn't do it justice and you'll have to meet Little NNQ for yourself. 

-C