08-15-06 - 3

We ate at "Tao Cafe" a little while ago; it's a semi-upscale Vietnamese "bistro" type place, which is natural since Vietnam has such a French influence. It's like half a block from our house, and it's supposed to be really good according to the web, but I found it rather "meh". It's got that "trying to be fancy" vibe that makes me uncomfortable. The servers just come off as cold; a good fine dining waiter feels friendly but invisible, not at all invasive; these were obviously people trying to be something they're not. The food is tasty, good quality, but the spicing and flavoring is a lot milder than a divey ethnic Vietnamese