We felt like some noodle soup for lunch, so the wife and I packed little bub in the car and off we went. The destination was Chow at the Waterfront, the newest dining establishment over there and another member to add to the Hanna empire (Deck Bar, Nirvana, Archies et al) Now that I think of it, I've eaten at every restaurant/cafe at the Waterfront now... I'm gonna give myself a high five for that.

Anyways, on to the review. Chow has a predominately Vietnamese menu with the usual suspects: beef pho (and a vegetarian option ironically), noodle salads, Asian salads, and Vietnamese crepes. There's also pad Thai, laksa and lamb korma just because it's Darwin. I get the beef noodle soup, aka the bowl of pho-king Vietnamese goodness. A good bowl of pho poops all over any other beef broth soup in Asia in my humble opinion (absolutely no patriotic sentiment in that statement at all - I swear!). The pho here is good, probably  not as good the offering at Saigon Star or Ruby but it's still early days, I think it could do with more meaty punch in the broth.

Wifey has "Rice noodle soup", apparently the recipe is from the My Tho Province in Vietnam and it comes with prawns, minced pork, herbs and quail eggs. Looks quite pretty with the vibrant colours too.The menu says one egg, but we found two, I guess the quail was feeling rather generous today. The clear broth is excellent with delicate sophisticated aromas and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy while slurping away at it. It's $14, but the bowl seemed rather devoid of ingredients in general compared to my cheaper pho.

The missus wasn't quiet yet sated, so we get a banh mi as well. Oh yes, did I not mention that before? The national sanga of Vietnam can be had here for $9 and it's a real beauty (this being my second one from here). Mr Chow understands the importance of a proper Vietnamese baguette, so they have the fellas over at Brumbies to whip up a special batch just for them. About as close to a proper one as you'll find in Darwin I reckon. The banh mi itself is choc a block full of goodness and represents great value, makes me laugh comparing it to the prices for a bagel over at Four Birds.

On the drinks menu you'll find Vietnamese coffee in both hot, cold, black and condensed milk varieties. All are beautifully refreshing on a warm Darwin day. For the sweet tooth there's an array of bubble tea drinks which are pretty cool just for the giant straw you get with it which you then use to stab through the plastic cover of the cup. Oddly therapeutic in a Dexter kind of way. With funky decor, relaxing location and a good value menu, Chow is another great addition to the Waterfront Dining family. P.S. Does anyone else think that the better eats are furthest away from the ocean end of the Waterfront - Chow, Fiddlers, Coffee Club, The Precinct?