Like Monsieur Vuong, Sian is a trend-right, healthy Vietnamese restaurant that demands a loyal following—though decidedly several notches lower on the scene front. It does yield minimal wooden tables and bright bursts of color like bamboo curls or silk red cushions, but the Mitte ‘tude and music has been thankfully left at home.

The focus is on the flavors instead of the turnover. Menus, packaged in aubergine fabric like little presents, offer excellent seasonal dishes like an organic chicken in peanut sauce tossed with loads of fresh vegetables and cilantro over basmati rice. Homemade teas, a mean punch and the “Sian Summer Salute” (limes, mint leaves, strawberries and basil sesame studding ice cream) are also a must.