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Co’m Dunwoody offers Vietnamese fare and more - Dunwoody Crier: Our Columnists

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Crier Connections Co’m Dunwoody offers Vietnamese fare and more

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Posted: Tuesday, August 9, 2016 8:00 am

My husband and I may have been the last folks in Dunwoody to discover Co’m, a Vietnamese restaurant with French and Thai influences, but we’re fast becoming regulars. I’d noticed their sign in the Shops of Dunwoody on Chamblee-Dunwoody Road but just never thought to try them.

We first visited last New Year’s Eve. The atmosphere is charming and cozy and the service outstanding. It was difficult to make a decision that first evening, but I settled on their Indochine Lamb Bourguignon−an excellent choice. Since then, I honestly can’t begin to list the menu items I’ve tried, but I’ve yet to be disappointed.

I can, however, describe our most recent meal. I started out with a Mango Mojito rather than my usual white wine, and I had to summon up all my willpower to refrain from ordering a second one. It was both refreshing and tasty and filled with plenty of fresh mint. We shared an appetizer of spring rolls, similar to Thai basil rolls but without the basil, and for my entrée, I chose Bun, thin rice noodles over a fresh Vietnamese salad with peanuts and crispy onions, and I ordered it topped with shrimp. This selection was the perfect choice for a stifling summer evening.

When it comes to desserts, I tend to lean toward Crème Brulee and Flan, but my chocoholic husband was taken with the description of the Millionaire Cake−three layers of chocolate brownie, cheesecake, and chocolate mousse−so we went with that. Once again, we made the right choice. Honestly, I could return right this minute and order the same meal and be thrilled.

From the moment you walk in the door for lunch or dinner, whether you choose to dine inside or al fresco beneath a colorful umbrella, you’ll enjoy a wondrous experience. After the always friendly greeting and perhaps after you’ve ordered a beverage, be sure to take a moment to read the fascinating menu introduction. The opening line sets the stage: “Vietnam is rich with diverse peoples, cultures, and cuisines.” From there, the short descriptions outline who brought what to Vietnamese cuisine down through the centuries−from the Mongols to the French.

What’s not to like? It’s true that a Vietnamese menu can be difficult for newbies to understand, but not at Co’m. The descriptions are clear, and the servers are knowledgeable and always ready with answers to your questions and recommendations.

I’ve met both Nadj and Nicole, husband and wife owners of this Dunwoody gem. In 2009, along with Nicole’s mom Amy, they took over Co’m Dunwoody from the original owners of Co’m on Buford Highway. Nadje, originally from Paris, and Nicole, born in Vietnam and raised in Stone Mountain, met in NYC and have lived in Dunwoody since 2002. Together with their two sons, ages 2 ½ and 1, they can be found most weekends at the Dunwoody Nature Center, Brook Run or enjoying a meal at one of Dunwoody’s other local restaurants.

I always prefer to eat at a locally owned restaurant and feel fortunate to have discovered yet another one here in Dunwoody. I recommend reservations for the sometimes crowded weekend evenings, a thought that makes me smile and recall the Yogi Berra quote: “Nobody goes there anymore; they’re too crowded.” The good news? The service and food are consistently splendid no matter the crowd.

Kathy Manos Penn is a Sandy Springs resident now happily retired from a corporate career in communications. Please send comments and questions to kathymanospenn@gmail.com and enjoy more of her musings at TheInkPenn.blogspot.com.

© 2018 Dunwoody Crier. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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