Petaluma, a beacon of high-quality Vietnamese restaurants, is well-known for the popular restaurant nestled in the Plaza North Shopping Center: Simmer. The family-owned restaurant was established by brothers Nhat and Sonny Le back in 2013. Since then, the business has been flourishing and Simmer has been locally regarded as one of Petaluma’s top Vietnamese restaurants.

Walking in, the warm ambiance was immediately evident. The calm atmosphere was comfortable enough for conversations over food, and the waiters were visibly not overbearing upon customers. The placement of the decorations, representing the Vietnam culture, wasn’t overwhelming, unlike restaurants that greet you with big statues as soon as you walk in.

The service was excellent and the close attentiveness stands out from other restaurants. You’re seated right away and attended to with menus and drinks instantly. With a refreshment first, it’s recommended to order an item from the “small plates” menu, seeing that an appetizer is favorable to start with. The pot stickers ($6), which came rather quickly, were presented neatly on a white plate. Biting into the pleasantly grease-free pot sticker, there’s a satisfying bold burst of flavor from the pork and vegetables. The combination was well-balanced and makes you want to reach for one more.

Compared to usual family-owned restaurants, the service was quick and attentive. The waiters check up on the customers at appropriate times, asking if they need more water and making sure everything is going alright at the table. The Chicken Noodle Pho ($10 for regular and $13 for large) was flavorful and was served in a generous amount. The chicken lacked some flavor, but the broth was very rich and full of flavor. The noodles were solid and complemented the broth very well. Even for picky eaters, you’ll be able to finish the bowl and want seconds.

Overall, the dining experience was effusively agreeable. The whole meal was under $20; altogether, it was an affordable dinner and an enjoyable place to eat at. Simmer is perfect for those looking for a filling, delightful, and reasonably priced meal.