Thái Bảo Vietnamese Review

By: Madelynn Loring, staff writer

Upon entering Thái Bảo Vietnamese, the ambiance prepares you for one of the best meals of your life. Paris by Night, a long-running Vietnamese musical production, plays on a box television underneath small mirror displays covered in flowers. Young children and college students alike stare in awe at the aquarium display beneath the register. The staff offer a warm welcome and are truly passionate about their work. 

But the heart and soul of any restaurant is the food, and Thái Bảo Vietnamese never fails. Offering everything from cultural staples to specials piled with various decadent meats and vegetables, Thái Bảo Vietnamese packs a flavourful, authentic punch in every bite. If you’re looking for a first taste of Vietnamese culture, go for the phở. Phở (pronounced fuh, as in pho-ck you) is a traditional noodle soup dish. Blending spices and herbs, phở broth is a delicious blend of sour and savory, and can be accompanied by red meats and vegetables alongside classic rice noodles. Additionally, phở from Thái Bảo Vietnamese are accompanied by a platter of possible add-ons. A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro, and a few bean sprouts can add even greater depth to this delicious meal.

This is the place to eat where the locals do. Sandra Vo, fellow staff writer at the Highlander says that the authentic flavors and offerings reminds her of home and how much she’d “taken [her] mother’s cooking for granted” after moving away from home. But, located just east of the Regis Bookstore, Thái Bảo offers a journey into Vietnamese cuisine for those longing for a taste of home and for those just discovering it. The dozens of menu options mean that there is something for everyone at this restaurant, including vegetarians. From phở to rice bowls, stir fry to lo mien, and even Vietnamese hot pot, the possibilities are all but endless. With this culinary magic just a ten minute walk from campus, heading to Thái Bảo Vietnamese is a no-brainer.

photos by: Madelynn Loring

Connections Retreat 2021 - A Moment of Peace

By: Vivian Pham, Staff Writer

7 A.M in the morning. Alarm went off. Birds chirping like a choir. The morning in La Foret Retreat Center was nothing like the hustle and bustle Monday morning on Regis campus. I walked outside of the cabin, took in a deep breath the fresh air of the mountains, feeling a slight breeze gliding on my skin. This was the first time I got away from campus and actually explored the beauty and amazeness of Colorado’s nature since I came here a month ago. 

We started our journey on a Friday afternoon with exhaustion from school but also eagerness for the trip. Everybody seemed to have the same energy and looked forward to finding some peace and reflection. As for me, I ended my last class of the week thirty minutes before the bus departed, so I passed out immediately after the bus set off and only woke up when we arrived at the Retreat Center. Welcoming us was an old wooden house in the middle of the forest that strongly resembled those settings in scary movies (I was not kidding when I meant that, there were absolutely no lights or street lamps at all!). That night, we spent time talking and getting to know each other not just by names and ID numbers in the system, but also by what makes us ourselves today. 

The night sky was absolutely gorgeous and glowing since there is no streetlamp or bright light in the Retreat Center at night. Me and a few girls in our cabin decided to take a walk and watch the stars, something that is almost impossible to observe in the city. At that moment, I stopped thinking about all the worries, all the due assignments or anything else in my life and actually immersing myself into the dreamy scenery under the stars. 

We spent most of our trip meditating and reflecting ourselves through stories of our upperclassman leaders. Their stories made us realize that they had once been in our spot, they had once been a freshman, and they had once had the same struggles and concerns as we are right now. They know what we’re going through and we’re welcomed to share our stories with them whenever and wherever we want. After the trip, I felt so much more relaxed and relieved that I’m not struggling alone.

So, in conclusion? Go to the Retreats! (This one’s for all my incoming freshmen, if you have a chance to read this). I would totally give this experience a ten out of ten. I’ve opened up to people that I don’t think I would have ever talked to if I haven’t gone to this retreat. I’ve heard so many stories and perspectives from people with different backgrounds which really open up my mind about them and their life. And hopefully, I can go on the trip in the upcoming years as one of the leaders to share my experience and my stories with other people and help them with whatever struggle they’re going through, just like how the leaders have helped me this year.