Restaurant features Vietnamese, Chinese, Thai and Indian cuisines
Lemongrass is truly a hidden gem. It’s tucked away in the Centre of Tallahassee mall, across from a space where I saw Willie Nelson and Dwight Yoakam several years ago.
A lucky break
The original dream of the outdoor mall didn’t last long, but a few places have survived, including Barnes & Noble, Guitar Center and Lemongrass.
A server told us that the customers are either regulars who know about Lemongrass or people who get lost in the shopping center and come across them.
Coming across Lemongrass is a lucky break. The food is good, there’s a huge selection and prices are reasonable.
Trying to decide between Vietnamese pho or Chinese pepper steak? Chicken curry or tandoori chicken? Lemongrass has it all. The menu is so extensive it’s tough to make a decision.
My husband and I had dinner there with friends and all vowed to come back.
Lemongrass is located in the Centre of Tallahassee mall. Photo / Tallahassee Table
We ordered cocktails while studying the extensive menu. We were happy with our drinks – the Saigon Cocktail (with Bacardi Superior Rum, Triple Sec, simple syrup and lime juice), a gimlet and an Old Fashioned. You can also get Boba Thai Tea at Lemongrass.
On a roll
We decided to share two summer rolls, a traditional Vietnamese dish with ingredients stuffed into a cylinder made of rice paper. You have options for the filling: shrimp, tofu, grilled pork or seitan (meat substitute). We chose the shrimp, prepared with chives, mint and vermicelli (veggies) and hand-rolled in rice paper, with peanut sauce for dipping.
These were delicious, light, fresh and plump. We could have stopped there for starters, but I can never resist spring rolls and these were worth the splurge.
You’ll find spring rolls on menus in Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese restaurants, with some differences. The deep-fried spring rolls at Lemongrass were light and crisp, not greasy. We chose vegetable spring rolls but you can also get them with chicken.
It’s hard to pass up Indian bread and we shared a basket of aromatic garlic naan topped with a bit of cilantro and butter. I could eat a basket myself right now.
The menu features specialties such as a roasted half duck, whole crispy red snapper and Sriracha seafood. There are also weekend specials.
Items from the Vietnamese menu include a banh mi sandwich; several renditions of the beloved soup, pho; clay pot dishes and beef stew; Thai stir-fries, curries and noodle dishes; and Chinese favorites.
Chicken panang curry is among the Thai dishes on the menu at Lemongrass. Photo / Tallahassee Table
My husband is a fan of the Thai favorite, chicken panang curry, and he was pleased with the Lemongrass version. It was brimming with green beans, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, basil and chicken, dusted with crushed peanuts, served with white rice.
Go for dosas
Lemongrass offers a separate Indian menu with appetizers, soups, and several traditional entrees, such as tandoori, vindaloo, butter masala and rice dishes and intriguing choices such as the Hyderabadi Goat Dum Biryani (a dish from Hyderabad in India). I’ll have to come back for this though I’d get the vegetarian version.
Our paneer dosa was another highlight at Lemongrass. Photo / Tallahassee Table
Dosas are one of my go-to dishes and my friends Mary Ellen and John decided to take that route as well. We ordered the chicken tikka masala dosa, served in a light, crisp crepe-like shell. The dosas are served elegantly with several sauces. We also liked the paneer dosa, this one sliced into three wedges, like a crepe wrap.
The dosas are served with sauces or dips that include a mild peanut chutney and spices mixed with oil.
Bottom line: This is a restaurant that should be hidden no more. For four people, we spent $75.07 for three drinks, two appetizers, four main dishes and tax and tip. I hope more diners find their way to Lemongrass for lunch or dinner.
WHEN YOU GO …
Lemongrass is at the Centre of Tallahassee, 2415 N. Monroe St., lemongrasstally.com, 850-605-3355, Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 Wednesday to Monday. Closed on Tuesday.W
