Banana Blossom Bistro serves comfort Vietnamese food in a fast and casual atmosphere.

After opening in early 2019, the family-owned Riverdale Park eatery had to adapt in its first year of business to the coronavirus pandemic, switching to mostly pickup and delivery when in-person dining was put on hold.

It also joined an effort called Greater Riverdale Cares, which has raised more than $96,000 to distribute meals from local restaurants to families in need.

Earlier this year, it added outdoor picnic tables, umbrellas and patio lights to its sidewalk where customers can pull up a menu on their smartphone using a QR code.

Banana Blossom Bistro’s menu covers a wide range of Vietnamese dishes, including bahn mi sandwiches, phở, vermicelli bowls and curry. Inspired by French cooking, bahn mi are a popular lunch item that is not available at other Vietnamese restaurants on the Route 1 corridor.

The restaurant, which helped kick off the current revitalization of historic Riverdale Park, is also one of 10 eateries being highlighted as part of a self-guided restaurant tour in the city.

Other participating restaurants include 2Fifty Texas BBQ, Taqueria Tres Reyes and Queensway Restaurant. As part of the Taste of Greater Riverdale, customers at Banana Blossom Bistro who post a photo on social media with the hashtag #tasteofGR will be entered to win a $200 Target gift card.

The winner will be announced on Sept. 18 at the Thrives Day Community Event at Tanglewood Park in Riverdale.

Support the Wire and Community Journalism
Make a one-time donation or become a regular supporter here.