You know how some locations just can't seem to keep a business in them for very long? Well, there’s a spot in the White Street Plaza that’s seen its fair share of restaurants come and go. In just the three years we’ve had our office downtown, three different eateries have called the spot home. Needless to say, we were excited when Lemongrass opened last fall. We could just tell they'd stick around.
The newly renovated space looked inviting, with earth tones and a large Buddha painting against the back wall. The menu, consisting of Southeast Asian cuisine, seemed interesting, with noodle, rice, soup and meat dishes. With our first visit, we were sold, and we have been back multiple times.
In fact, we recently met up with a group of friends for lunch at Lemongrass and decided it was about time we wrote about it.
For an appetizer, we normally order the Beef Sticks, which consist of beef marinated in a special seasoning, grilled on a skewer and served with pickled vegetables. Whatever the secret Lemongrass seasoning is, we like it a lot. This time, we ordered the spring rolls with just vegetables. They were light and refreshing.
Alicia ordered the kathiew, a Cambodian-style noodle soup with rice noodles, bean sprouts, cilantro and scallions in a house-made broth. She decided to get it with shrimp, but you can also get it with beef, beef ball, tripe or a combination of meats. This soup is made for a gray day. After adding a touch of sriracha and some fresh sliced jalapenos, this soup was warm, spicy and delicious. The serving was hearty, but she had no problem finishing it all.
Now, I will let you in on a little secret. There is an item that, while not on the menu, is usually available. You just have to ask for it – Drunken Noodles. This is fried, wide-cut rice noodles sautéed with vegetables and meat. It is incredibly good. This was my first time ordering it and I have to tell you that I think it’s my new favorite.
We enjoy the food and the atmosphere. Plus, the price is reasonable too. We certainly are doing our part to make sure they stick around. Lemongrass is a keeper.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, Lemongrass is located at 35 White Street in the White Street Plaza. For more information, check them out online at lemongrassdanbury.com.
A version of this post was published in the Hat City centric column in the Tribuna.
