Urban Picnic

I ordered the Kale and Quinoa salad. Apparently it is the most popular dish. I was not what I was expecting. It was good, but there was definitely a bitter taste and some odd flavors. I don't think the flavors complimented each other. All in all, the service was great, though! The food was good. I might go back and try something else.

Far from authentic... Broth was flavorful and tasty. However, the noodles weren't the right kind (resembled Japanese somen rather than pho noodles) and were a bit over cooked. Beef was really overcooked and seems to be fried. Not a lot of meat. No meatballs, tripe, tendon, fatty flank and no ability to add on. Clean restaurant and friendly staff. Was really busy during weekday lunch but tables turn over quickly so you'll probably be able to get a seat.

It's true, I've seen reviews that say that this place isn't "authentic pho" well, which is true, but also not the reason I went here. Most of the time I have to pass up pho because I can't guarantee it's gluten free or vegetarian, and by the same token it's usually harder to find healthy, delicious, fast made food I can eat on the go. This place satisfied exactly what I was looking for on a cold day. Would recommend if you're in a similar boat to me and looking for lunch in the area.

I love this place for a (much) better-than-average lunch in the Financial District. Instead of the same old thing, Urban Picnic offers healthy and inventive sandwich, soup, and salad options. The café has a number of California-influenced Vietnamese choices such as pho, banh mi, and a 5-spice vegetarian protein sandwich. They have apparently won awards for their kale salad, and have plenty of juices to keep you healthy and hydrated. While there are definitely meat dishes on the menu, this place is a stand out for vegetarian choices. I try to hit this place up every time I'm in the area.

The kale and quinoa salad is my fav. This place is efficient and quick, but not exactly service-oriented or patient when it comes to ordering. There are always people hovering at lunch waiting for tables to open up, and the take out line can stretch out the door. Be a pro and phone your order in ahead for a smooth experience.