What to Eat

What to Eat at Nightingale 9’s New Vietnamese Brunch

The bánh xeo waffle with shrimp, bacon, and fish-sauce caramel.
The bánh xeo waffle with shrimp, bacon, and fish-sauce caramel. Photo: Melissa Hom

It isn’t easy being a miserable old anti-brunch grump these days. First Upland’s Justin Smillie unveils a lavish weekend spread, and now comes Nightingale 9’s Robert Newton ladling out the breakfast pho and the bacon-and-egg congee. Those are two of the dishes on offer at brunch, a meal that’s been on hiatus since Newton relocated the Vietnamese restaurant last summer. The new menu launches on Sunday to coincide with this week’s celebration of Vietnamese New Year, and will henceforth be served Saturday and Sunday from 11 to 3. Some brand new additions to look for: The rice-flour pancake bánh xeo reimagined as a waffle topped with shrimp and bacon. And bun cha — the street food of charcoal-grilled pork with rice noodles, herbs, and spring rolls — somehow translated into the form of a burger. Plus, as a holiday special, Tiger beers will go for $2 all day. Here’s the menu and a look at some of the food.

Bun cha burger: grilled pork patty, bacon, perilla, cucumbers, crispy pig skins.
Bun cha burger: grilled pork patty, bacon, perilla, cucumbers, crispy pig skins. Photo: Melissa Hom
Hanoi-style omelette: warm baguette, grilled maitakes, garlic chives.
Hanoi-style omelette: warm baguette, grilled maitakes, garlic chives. Photo: Melissa Hom
And another look at the waffle.
And another look at the waffle. Photo: Melissa Hom
Ni9 Brunch Menu
• toasted sesame croissant - ham, laughing cow cheese, pickled okra, chili jam -11
• cashew-ginger granola - soft house tofu, apple, dragonfruit, tea infused honey - 8
• bacon and egg congee - house five spice bacon, marinated egg, toast -12
• grilled lemongrass pork chop - rice, fried egg, pickled vegetable salad -16
• eggs benedict - maggi hollandaise, bao, country ham floss, mustard greens - 14
• vietnamese jambalaya - smoked pork sausage, shrimp, crab paste, jasmine rice -16
• hanoi style omelette - warm baquette, grilled maitakes, garlic chives - 12
• vietnamese tartine - maine lobster,basil, salted duck egg, black pepper aioli celery - 18
• bun cha burger - grilled pork patty, bacon, perilla, cucumbers, crispy pig skins - 12
• banh xeo waffle - shrimp, bacon, sprouts, scallions, herbs, fish sauce caramel -14
• pho - beef, chicken or mushroom with garnishes - 14, 12, 11
• wok seared steak - eggs, potato chips, basil - 16

dishes for the table:
doughnut holes with coconut curd -6
jasmine rice -3
fried rice with eggs -6
What to Eat at Nightingale 9’s New Vietnamese Brunch