I've tried most of the Vietnamese restaurants in Palo Alto, Mountain View, and Los Altos. Tamarine is in a class by itself with much more expensive fusioned food that can be fun, but is certainly not authentic. The other local restaurants are really sub-par compared to the more popular (and cheaper) Vietnamese restaurants in San Jose. This flavor difference is especially noticeable with the soups because the local versions use a thinner and far less tasty soup base. My advice is to take the drive down Hwy 101. San Jose is not very far, especially at lunch time.

If it's not 'authentic', is it 'faux pho' ?

Saba Cafe in RWC was always my favorite.
Oh why oh why did they have to close?

@WilliamR:

Yes, that's right. Or maybe it can be called a 'phraud.'

Maybe inauthentic ramen should be called 'wrong-men.'

;-)

Phở Vi Hoa is definitely a crowd favorite. Another tip is to go after 2 PM as there will be lot less people dining.

Disagree with the weekly journalist - I've tried all of those. The go-to pho place is Pho Avenue, located in Mountain View next to Subway sandwiches on the corner of El Camino/Showers Drive (across the street from Whole Foods). Check their Yelp reviews, rated 4/5 stars: Web Link

On Yelp, the journalist's restaurants are rated 3.5 stars; Tamarine is rated 4/5 stars, but probably for their other food - no one goes there for pho. And their pho is $15 while Pho Avenue is only $9.50 for a large bowl.

For those of you who have never eaten pho, its taste could be considered an acquired taste by some.

For those who enjoy Tamarine food, the owner also owns Vung Tao in downtown San Jose. If you're willing to drive, the prices are more reasonable and the food is actually better but also a very nice atmosphere like Tamarine.

Vung Tao does not have beef pho, however. They have seafood pho (which is not an acquired taste). Vung Tao's Yelp reviews are 4/5: Web Link