In the cold, downcast evenings of February, the low-yet-vibrant lights of Pho-losophy provide for the perfect escape. In the heart of Narberth, on Haverford Avenue, the bright neon-green sign draws customers into the family-owned restaurant, which serves up Vietnamese classics in a modern environment. 

From sandwiches to coffee to the classic noodle soup, pho, this Narberth treasure serves everything expected out of a Vietnamese restaurant in a relaxed atmosphere. The service is exceptional and the food is fantastic.

We had to start with a classic: the summer roll. This roll contains vegetables and noodles wrapped in a sticky rice paper, but, in this case, with the addition of sliced mango. While adding a kick of slight sweetness, the mango made little difference to the chewy texture and refreshing coolness. This was served with a sweet peanut sauce that provided a balanced flavor to the rolls. 

But the real treat came in sandwich form. This bánh mì, as it’s called, was filled to the brim with pork, lathered in silky Vietnamese mayo and topped with a diverse assortment of vegetables. The crunchy cucumber served as a marker of texture while the peppers added an almost overpowering kick of spice to the last few bites of the sandwich. Pickled daikon radish and carrots also adorned the sandwich, adding vinegary freshness.

We also tried the chicken fried rice. It was a reliable staple—diced veggies and pan-fried chicken, tossed in crispy rice. It was slightly salty, but still quite delicious.

Of course, we couldn’t ignore the main dish—the witty namesake of the restaurant. The pho dish comes in all different flavors, including beef and tofu. The restaurant has their fair share of vegetarian options, so we tried tofu vegan pho first, which was excellent. Clear rice noodles and tender, crisp vegetables swam in a savory, caramel-colored broth. Green onions and tiny droplets of glistening oil floated on top of the soup, promising a flavorful experience. Within the pho, the tofu was crisp and chewy, and the broth was flavored with hoisin sauce and Thai basil. The beef flavor, referred to as Pho Tai Dac Biet, came with a multitude of toppings and inclusions, including mouthwatering strips of beef, hearty clumps of tendon, and bean sprouts with basil which floated around the thin noodles.

We finally washed it all down with drinks. Throughout the meal, we’d been drinking Pho-losophy’s simplistic green tea, creating an overall comforting and soothing effect. But towards the end, the Vietnamese coffee was starting to look appealing. With an orange tint, the coffee was sweet and strong, the perfect pick-me-up at the end of a relaxing night. 

With its moderation in price, diversity of options, and ambient atmosphere, Pho-losophy provides the perfect place for a calm meal out on the Main Line.