This local hot spot is housed in the Mall of Fortune, which is a suiably lofty name for such a local  yet  ornate treasure. Expect to be  greeted by a line out the door; insinde, find a giant sparkling chadelier as well as  a clipboard with several names ahead of the free space to jot down your own. Dont't worry- that queue moves quickly and you'll be slurping up glass noodles in no time. Go with a group and order a feast, as prices are reasonable and the menu has much more to offer than one or two people can possibly explore. Fresh, clean flavors are at the forefront of grilled pork spring rolls full herbs, vermicelli and fried garnishes for irresistible crunch. Unsurprisingly, the soft  tofu with garlic and chives is a hearty, well-loved signature dish. - Michelin Guide

JONATHAN GOLD'S 10 BEST DISHES OF 2015 POMELO SALAD

"Garlic and chives may be something like a modern small-plate restaurant, but it also very Vietnamese, from the sweetness of Kristin Nguyen's crisply fried salmon belly to the platters of grilled blood clams in their shells, from the julienne of sweet beef jerky in the green papaya salad to the chewy curls of skin in the goat curry and its accompanying hot baguete..." - Jonathan Gold, Food Critic

BEST OF FOOD & DRINK BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

"About the only  predictable constant at Garlic & Chives is the garlic, which it uses prodigiously. The amount and variety of it that Garlic & Chives incorporates into its dishes makes LA's the Stinking Rose seem Nosferatuan by comparison. And in the case of the golden- fried bits found in nearly everything cooked here (especcially the house-special roasted whole crab), the kitchen regards the substance as thought it were magic dust. And it is. Order the hot-pot dish called lau which comes with an array of raw seafood, meat and vegetables for you to cook tableside in a simmering broth and the server might offer you some more garlic to dump into an already flavor packed soup." -Edwin Goei, Food Critic

2015 BEST OF ORANGE COUNTRY WINNER

REGISTER PICKS: VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

"A massive chandelier sparkles like a million fireflies above  the 40-seat dining room of Garlic & Chives. As the name suggests, the house specialty is wok-fried crab with handfuls of garlic or visa along with fresh jalapenos and dried chilies. You will reek of garlic for days, but you'll wear it with pride. And while you're getting your hands dirty, go ahead and get the sloppy messy, spicy, amazing chicken wings.

The young chef/owner frequently pops out of the kitchen to mingle with customers. And if she's too busy, her sister or cousin someone from the family will most likely be on hand to make sure everything is under control." - Brad A.Johnson, Restaurant Critic