Basilic Vietnamese Grill

Pho, Vietnam's iconic soup, seems to captivate everyone who wanders into Basilic. Two women in business attire, all pencil skirts and reading glasses, load their pho with Thai basil and bean sprouts. Three dusty construction workers spice the soup with sriracha. An older gentleman takes a seat by himself and announces he'll have the same as the others. There are plenty of reasons why. There's the rich Earl Grey-hued broth, slick from roasted beef bones whose charred taste lingers in each spoonful. More smoke comes from roasted onions that also lend a touch of sweetness. Ginger and star anise give the brew a spicy, intoxicating aroma.