Restaurant Review: Da Nang Restaurant, Clawson, Michigan

Da Nang Vietnamese Restaurant
One South Main Street
Clawson, Michigan 48017
248.577.5130
Da Nang Web Site

Situated at the corner of Main Street and Fourteen Mile Road in Clawson, the Da Nang Vietnamese restaurant joins a small cluster of other unique eateries that are popping up in Clawson.

Really. Whodathunkit? Great places to dine in middle class, working-man Clawson? Oh, yeah, baby. Clawson, the step-child neighbor north of Royal Oak and south of Troy is all grown up. It's not all titans of fast food and Chinese take-out anymore.

I'd heard and seen the rave reviews, but being creatures of habit, it's not often we venture away from the downtown area of Royal Oak, known for decades for a variety of dining options. One night a few weeks ago, I twisted my husband's arm and we headed into the unknown.

Da Nang's is located in a refurbished 1924 bank building, and its entry dining room is very small and cozy, reminding me of the tiny hole-in-the-wall establishments in San Francisco, the kind that are not much bigger than a garage but offer gastronomical delights. Closer inspection found that there is more seating in an adjacent room. Once table side, we asked for and was given many menu choices for novice diners such as ourselves.

The food of Vietnam is indescribably delicious, with the resident Asian flavors tempered with the tastes of China and France (the French were long-time occupiers). There is liberal use of cilantro, lemongrass, noodles and hot chili sauces.

The Vietnamese national dish is soup, and at Da Nang, there are many varieties to choose from. Before you turn up your nose, these bowls of soup are huge and satisfying, more than enough for dinner. There are choices among beef, chicken and seafood, even beef, pork hocks and pork blood for the adventurous. All soup dishes are $14 or under.

The appetizers include spring rolls (cold) and imperial rolls (deep fried), pot stickers and chicken wings, all with a distinctive flavor. The rice bowls are amply satisfying. A diner with a voracious appetite will still bring leftovers home.

But wait! Don't just stick to the menu items. Ask for the specials, which can vary from a pork bowl (very tasty!) or other whims of the chef's desire.

Da Nang has a full bar and is open most days, with reservations suggested for Friday and Saturday. Owners Kim Dao Waldis and sister Lan Dao will make certain your dining experience is out of this world.