I have talked to you several times about the Vietnamese restaurants I love on the Coast, but recently my friend, Mimsie Ladner, and I visited Henry’s Café and Bakery in D’Iberville., and I just have to tell you about the experience. Henry’s really is one of the local best, and as the name suggests, is a pretty good bakery as well. I love the baguettes they make, so crusty and delicious, and the meat-stuffed pastries are delicious as well. If you have never tried the bread here, it should be on your list.
But what Henry’s is really known for is the classic Vietnamese dishes that have become so popular in the USA. Everything here is made from scratch, and I have never had a dish at Henry’s that I didn’t think was delicious, and I have been coming here for years. Pho has to be at the top of the list, but there is a hand full of variations that you can choose from. I usually go for the brisket pho but ask for the addition of meatballs. There is also a chicken pho which is perhaps the best chicken and noodle soup I have ever had. This time I went for the beef stew, which is surely a dish with French influence. It is rich and aromatic and comes with the crusty baguette that Henry’s is famous for and that is perfect for dipping into the sauce. The beef is to tender, and delicious, and, yes, there are a few other cuts of beef involved, but just close your eyes and try it. You are going to be surprised at just how good this stew is.
My lunch guest had chicken and rice, a dish made famous in Singapore. It is more properly called chicken rice there and is stunningly good. It is supposed to be made with a special kind of chicken (which you can find whole in the frozen section of the Lee International Market in Biloxi), but it is the technique that makes this dish work. I know the recipe includes garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, but the trick is that the broth that the chicken is slowly simmered in is also used to make the rice. It often comes with a garlic dipping saucer as well. This is a dish that you can make at home and I heartily recommend it.
I am most sincere in saying everything I have ever had here has been exceptional, from the Vietnamese style sandwiches, banh mi, to the pork chops and noodle dishes, this is a wonderful restaurant. Finish it with a brightly colored Vietnamese dessert or the amazingly strong Vietnamese coffee served over ice with sweetened condensed milk.
