164 Brighton Ave. Allston; (617) 782-6088 Part of the cluster of very good Vietnamese restaurants in Allston, V. Majestic offers excellent food at low prices. The surroundings are humble, but you won’t mind once the food comes out.
Seafood dishes come sauteed in ginger or caramelized, the preparation that brings out the natural sugars of the food. Mine loved the caramel fish ($6.55), delicate pieces of salmon in this slightly sweet sauce, garnished with chunks of cooked pineapple. It comes with a heap of steamed rice and a simple salad. For a variety of seafood, try the Sea of Vietnam, a combo platter of scallops, shrimp, squid, and vegetables sauteed with rice. The small portion is $5.50, but large is a real bargain at $6.75.
Other great deals are the soups, many of which again feature fish. Crabmeat soup is just $3 for a large bowl of crab, shrimp, tomato, onion, and vermicelli noodles. Of course, there are also meat dishes. Glowing beef ($4.55) is thinly sliced meat baked in special spices, served with vermicelli. Chicken lemon grass (small $4.55, large $6.95) is a tasty, mildly spiced dish flavored with a touch of honey. It comes with rice and salad.
Most entrees here range from $5 to $7, with good portions. The service is quick and attentive. V. Majestic is authentic Vietnamese food in a friendly, home-kitchen atmosphere. Closed Tuesdays.
