Brodard Chateau

As Vietnamese restaurants go, we’d quickly name Brodard as one of Orange County’s very best destinations – not just locally famous, actually worthwhile – and we’d even say Brodard Express is worth a one-time visit if you’re at John Wayne Airport. But Brodard Chateau? That one’s not quite as awesome.

Unlike Nep Cafe, which leveled up Vietnamese cuisine by upgrading the presentation and quality of common dishes to new heights, Brodard Chateau is more like Little Sister, offering the same culinary experience you could get elsewhere – just in a different setting, and with higher prices. Take Brodard’s famous nem nuong spring rolls: The only difference at Chateau is that you get 2 for $6 instead of 3 for $7.50. You can order Bo Kho beef soup with short ribs at Chateau for $30, or try a $36 garlic noodle variant with large shrimp and crab lumps. Brodard’s spicy seafood garlic noodles go for $20.

Since much of Brodard’s menu remains intact, we went with similar items to see what if anything had changed. The Vietnamese clams and rice, Ha Noi-style pork vermicelli, and banh khot moon cakes with shrimp, were all fine, not special or better than regular Brodard items. Satay, offered at Brodard with shrimp, is only chicken at Chateau, and as dull as could be.