Review #11: Sparrow Restaurant

Hello folks, it's Stephen here again after a long while. Surprisingly, I've been busy, yet I also am not the most interested in food right now. However, I still enjoy it immensely, so with a little help of my friend Catherine Kim I've decided to retry. Well, this time it is a review of Sparrow (Vietnamese) Restaurant in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. This joint recently opened up replacing the unpleasant food that WAS known as the Brown Bag Grill. Everytime I pass by, this place seems to be crowed. The story is, I was having dinner with my friends, Hannah Hulbert, Haruka Hiyoshi, Winnie Liu, and Alex Liu at Red Brick Pizza. I notice this place across the walkway, and never bothered to try it until today. I've actually been itching to try it after my friends gave it the thumbs up.
NOTE: Personally, I haven't been inside the restaurant, as my dad picked a Banh Mi (Vietnamese Sandwich) for me for lunch today.

The Goods:
Pork Banh Mi (w/ Cucumbers, Carrots, Cilantro, and Jalapenos)
House-made Lemonade

At first, I was not optimistic to try this, as my friends also gave me a tip-off that their Pho (Rice Noodle Soup) was only decent (I have high standards for pho). However, they did give me a tip-off that the banh mi are the bomb. My friends were absolutely correct. How Sparrow does it is they layer warm slices of (natural) juicy pork on top of super-freshly baked baguette, then add on the other toppings. Personally jalapenos are not my favorite, so I opted to leave them out. What it leaves you with is one of the most satisfying sandwiches in the HISTORY of SANDWICHES. The subtle, meaty flavor comes out after a few bites. With the cucumber, it has a fresh aftertaste that cleanses your mouth. BUT, in terms of banh mi, theirs is good, but not very good. (I've had banh mi in Garden Grove (a.k.a. Little Saigon)). Lee's Sandwiches and Mr. Baguette's are still better. However (lol, I say that a lot), it is immensely satisfying (there's a difference). The warm, toastyness is the best. Now, onto the lemonade. This lemonade is some of the best I've had. Screw Country Time or Minute Maid, this stuff is the s**t. Excuse my foul language. The Vietnamese are lemonade-making pros. The cool, refreshing liquid slides down your throat in a flavor landslide. They know how to make it not too sour, yet not too sweet. Just perfect. Another thing to try is their iced coffee- according to my friend, the coffee-aficionado.

All in all, this was a great meal, very affordable, $7.00 for a footlong sandwich and a modest lemonade that packs a punch. I'd give this a 4.05 stars out of 5. (4.05/5).

Sparrow's Information:
http://www.sparrowpalosverdes.com/
550 Deep Valley Drive, Space 147
Rolling Hill Estates, CA 90274
(Located Inside the Promenade next to iBerries and Frascati Ristorante)
Tel: 1-(310)-377-6400

P.S. Sorry for the short post.

Once again, I bid you farewell.

-Stephen