The simple and elegant Andy Nguyen's II, situated in Folsom Boulevard, Rancho Cordova, has been introducing customers to the delights of authentic Vietnamese cuisine since 1984. The straightforward interior, with pictures on the walls, and well laid out tables and chairs is bright and comfortable.

The focus is unmistakably on providing tasty food all created from fresh meat and vegetables brought in from the farmers' market. The menu offers a choice of dishes that range from traditional favourites to more modern interpretations.

There are imperial rolls stuffed with minced pork, chicken, shrimp, taro root and onion, and an interesting sugarcane shrimp where seasoned shrimp puree is moulded around the center of sugarcane and grilled, to start. A Saigon lemon beef salad could be had next, followed by house specials of salt baked crab, sautéed chicken with curry, or a steam pot of colourful seafood and vegetables. Other dishes that attract interest include catfish in a clay pot, and rice plates of say char-boiled pork chops.