By Franz Scheurer
They’ve won more awards over the last 5 years than you can poke a stick at, from Best Specialty Restaurant to Asian/Pacific Restaurant of the Year, and they deserve it.
Tran’s is a small suburban restaurant in Mosman specialising in Vietnamese fare. The interior is warm and cosy with a series of wonderful topical framed photographs on the wall, comfortable chairs, good table ware and very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff in traditional dress. You immediately feel relaxed and the wonderful aromas wafting by as food is carried to other tables inspires you to read all of the menu and the specials on the blackboard.
Apart from the well-known “Transparent Spring Rolls” and “Stuffed Chicken Wings” you find many less familiar dishes. It’s hard to chose as everything sounds delicious so the easy way out is to order the six course $ 60.00 degustation menu, which changes daily, depending on availability of ingredients. Vietnamese cuisine relies very much on “fresh is best” and the old Vietnamese proverb “A meal without greens is like a fight without an argument” says it all.
The “Vietnamese Crisp Rice Pan Cakes” filled with prawns, pork, sprouts and served with mixed fresh leaves, herbs and ‘nuoc cham’ sauce is a must. A great combination of flavours and textures, it lingers on the palate like a fine old wine. The “Chicken stuffed with Crab” is sensational and life is enriched by the “Crispy Boneless Duck” served on a bed of Bok Choy and other daily vegetables.
The dishes are surprisingly complex and layered. Although relying more on the sweet and salty and less on the hot and sour, I can’t help drawing a comparison to the balance of a great Thai meal. True, the flavours are less in your face and the dishes are less work intensive, but the balance is there as are the textures and layered tastes.
The French influence comes to the fore with the desserts. A “Mocha Bavarois” served with paw paw and fresh mint leaves is good and presents well. The restaurant is BYO and value for money is excellent.
I’m impressed and I will be back… tomorrow and the day after!
Score: 8/10 Best Vietnamese
For more information or bookings:
Tran’s
523 Military Road
Spit Junction, Mosman
02 9969 9275