food Promos style
CARAVELLE On the morning of Apr. 8 guests at Restaurant Nineteen can indulge in cooked-to-order seafood including fresh Nha Trang lobsters, barbequed and whole-roasted meats and fish, an array of local and international specialities and desserts. Unlimited margaritas, martinis and free flowing Spanish and Argentinean house wines. Priced at VND1,144,000++/ pax. Diners can enjoy bespoke famous Pavlova cake at Lobby Lounge from Apr. 18 to 24. A light meringue cake with a crisp outer crust, each Pavlova comes freshly baked with a choice of decadent toppings such as cream patisserie, caramelized bananas, toffee sauce, almonds, sliced kiwi, pistachio powder, white chocolate shavings and roasted hazelnuts. Each cake costs VND118,000++. Nha Trang lobsters star in a special a la carte menu at Reflections Restaurant from Apr. 20 to 26. Priced from VND720,000 for a half lobster to VND1,450,000 for a whole lobster; diners can have their crustaceans prepared eleven ways. A complimentary flute of Taittinger Champagne sets off this one-week lobster feast. On Apr. 30 and May 1, feast on Eastern delicacies along with international appetisers, salads and mains, cooked-to-order seafood and meats, and imported cheeses. Cap it off with a cup of premium coffee or tea and treats from the dessert corner. Priced at VND1,400,000++/ pax. For more info, visit www. caravellehotel.com EQUATORIAL HOTEL On Apr. 4 an award winning culinary team will present a buffet of traditional Easter dishes from around the world at Chit Chat @ the Café where you can relax in a contemporary and comfortable interior. The delicious Easter
Sunday Brunch buffet is available from 11.30am to 2.30pm for the price of VND690,000 ++/ pax and VND345,000++/ child aged 6-12 years old. The Easter Bunny will also be present to take kids on an egghunting mission. For more info, email dine@hcm. equatorial.com MEKONG MERCHANT AND MM BISTRO SAIGON Join them this Easter Sunday for children’s egg art day. The fun day starts with egg blowing and painting for kids while parents can enjoy a fabulous lunch and a cold glass of Chardonnay. This is followed by giving away gifts for boys and girls. Happy hour runs Monday to Friday from 4pm to 7pm. PARK HYATT As chefs across Australia hail it as “red meat royalty” and make it a permanent fixture on their menus, Square One pays homage to the Australian Mandagery Creek Venison in April. Its gamey goodness reads like a dieter’s dream, low in calorie and cholesterol, high in iron, as a superior quality protein. Oyster aficionados will be delighted with three different preparations served in Opera this month, from savouring the taste of the ocean to baked bliss. To be savoured slowly and with care, enjoy this delicacy and its distinct texture. Half dozen VND570,000++, full dozen VND1,100,000++. Cloudy Bay Chardonnay, New Zealand VND310,000++/glass. For more info, visit www.saigon. park.hyatt.com RENAISSANCE RIVERSIDE Freshly caught seafood, delectable broths and friendly service in a cozy place is the order at Kabin for hot pot. Priced at VND616,000++/pax. Every Thursday from 6pm to 10pm.
See more at wordhcmc.com Feast on an array of seafood from fresh oysters to mussels, Vietnamese snails and lobsters at Riverside Cafe. Combine this with an international selection of appetisers and irresistible desserts by executive chef Dan. Priced at VND640,000++/pax (food only) or VND840,000++/pax (including free flow of red or white wine, beer and soft drinks). Let your hair down; take your shoes off at the Poolside Terrace every Friday, from 6pm onwards. They throw a BBQ like no other. Spice it up, stretch out by the pool and enjoy your evening. Priced at VND740,000++/pax (including free flow of red or white wine, beer and soft drinks). Subject to weather conditions. SHERATON Celebrate Easter at Saigon Café with a selection that includes braided Easter bread, hot cross buns and roasted lamb leg. Reward your secretary with lunch during Secretary Week from Apr. 23 to 27. There will be a 25 percent discount on buffet lunch at Saigon Café and 25 percent discount on a la carte at Li Bai when you invite your secretary. Book in advance and mention “my wonderful secretary” to receive this offer. For more info, visit www. starwoodhotels.com/sheraton THE DECK For Easter Sunday Brunch and Jazz join them beside the Saigon River for a peaceful day with sumptuous food, comprising the freshest seafood from Phu Quoc and best wines. While you relax either inside or out in the garden, be entertained with one of Vietnam’s best jazz ensembles. Daily happy hour from 4pm to 7pm where all cocktails are 50 percent off. For more info, visit www. thedecksaigon.com
the menu at this friendly, authentic fivestorey Lion City eatery. Think the likes of nasi lemak, mee rebus, mee Siam, roti prata, awesome chicken curry as well as the specialities of the house — frog porridge, chilli crab and fish head curry. Does an efficient delivery service and has more restaurants at 701 Ba Thang Hai, Q10, 141 Nguyen Duc Canh, Q7 and 206 Cong Hoa, Tan Binh.
xeo joints in town. But don’t expect frills. The outdoor, covered bench seating is much as it was a decade ago and the fare is simple but amazingly tasty — the pork, beansprout and prawn pancake served up with roll-your-own salad leaves and fresh herbs. Also has a big range of Hue and pan-Vietnamese dishes.
MONSOON RESTAURANT & BAR SAIGON
VIETNAMESE STEAKHOUSE 188 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Q3 Tel: 3930 3917 6am to 10pm Set down an alleyway in an outdoor courtyard with an additional indoor dining space, this well-known eatery specialises in tasty Vietnamese or Australian steak. Served sizzling on a griddle with thick–cut fries, bread and salad, you can add pate or an egg, all for well under VND100,000. Has a second restaurant at 200 Bis Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Q3. English menu available.
PAN-SOUTHEAST ASIAN 1 Cao Ba Nha, Q1 Tel: 6290 8899 10am to 11pm Located minutes away from the backpacker area in a beautifully restored French colonial-era villa, Monsoon Restaurant & Bar Saigon specialises in pan-Southeast Asian cuisine from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. Reasonably priced, with a great selection of health-conscious smoothies and juices, expect traditional favourites served in a boldly contemporary and visually arresting setting.
NATHALIE'S PAN-THAI S9 Hung Vuong 3, Phu My Hung, Q7 Tel: 5410 0822 www.nathaliesrestaurant.com 7am to 10pm Both a cafe and a restaurant, its corner location on the opposite side of the highway from KFC has gained Nathalies's a reputation among Vietnamese, Asian expats and more. Claiming to serve up 'Thai Fine Cuisine', all cooked without MSG, and with a particular focus on seafood, mains on the pan-Thai menu go for between VND100,000 and VND200,000. Also has an outdoor Thai noodle stand.
MID-TO-TOP KOH THAI RESTAURANT & COCKTAIL LOUNGE CONTEMPORARY THAI FUSION Level 1, Kumho Link, 39 Le Duan, Q1 Tel: 3823 4423, www.kohthai.vn 11am to 12am daily A modern Thai fusion restaurant that merges traditional Thai flavours with contemporary European presentation and cooking styles, Koh Thai serves a range of Thai classics alongside the likes of tom yam cappuccino, pad thai in a rice paper sushi roll and more. Lunchtimes focus on set menus while the evening fare concentrates on a la carte. An extensive wine list and creative cocktails merge Thai flavours and ingredients with local seasonal fruits and herbs.
VICKI’S TEPPANYAKI & BBQ 42 Le Anh Xuan, Q1 Tel: 3823 3232 www.vickis.com.vn 11am to 11pm Offering teppanyaki-style live cooking over seven floors, this completely non-smoking restaurant is fun for all the family. Headed up by Thailand’s No. 1 teppanyaki chef, the all-Thai cheffing team possess an arsenal of entertaining cooking skills, with each chef preparing the food in front of guests on a traditional teppanyaki-style grill. Offering fresh local and imported meats and seafood at market prices, customers can also choose from an extensive set menu ranging from around VND500,000 to VND1.2 million per person.
RESTAURANTS – VIETNAMESE BUDGET BANH XEO 46A BANH XEO / HUE CUISINE 46A Dinh Cong Trang, Q1. Tel: 3824 1110 10am to 9pm Set down a side street around the back of Tan Dinh Market, this sterling testament to tasty Vietnamese cuisine continues to stake its claim as one of the best banh
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BEEFSTEAK NAM SON
BO NE LE HONG STEAK / BANH CUON 489/27/39 Huynh Van Banh, Phu Nhuan Tel: 3990 5106 11.30am to 22.30pm Stuffed down an alleyway close to the intersection of Huynh Van Banh and Le Van Sy, the bo ne offering at this fancooled, plastic stool eatery is one of the best in town. Served up sizzling with pate, fried egg, onions, chips and of course local beef, price-wise Le Hong remains very much a budget option. Is also known for its excellent banh cuon.
COM TAM THUAN KIEU COM TAM (BITTY RICE) 26 Ton That Tung, Q1 TEL: 3925 0935 www.comtamthuankieu.com.vn The multi-storey, downtown branch of the famous budget Thuan Kieu eatery close to Cho Ray Hospital. Swathed in yellow and
green and packed all day long, the fare here is everything com tam (bitty rice) think suon nuong (barbecued pork), xiu mai (meatballs), thit heo quay (roasted pork), canh kho qua (bitter gourd broth) and muc don thit (squid stuffed with pork). Prices are cheap, too with the standard meal going for around VND30,000. Has an English menu.
NAM GIAO HUE CUISINE 136/15 Le Thanh Ton, Q1 Tel: 3825 0261 www.namgiao.com 7.30am to 10pm Set down an alleyway opposite Ben Thanh market and surrounded by a bizarre plethora of hole-in-the-wall beauty salons, this pleasantly attired, long-running Huestyle eatery is known for its excellent bun bo-style soups and central Vietnamese cuisine. Think banh beo, bun thit nuong, com hen and much more. All the mains go for under VND50,000. Has a second eatery on Suong Nguyet Anh.
PAPAYA RESTAURANT PAN-VIETNAMESE 68 Pham Viet Chanh, Binh Thanh Tel: 6258 1508 10am to 10pm The work of the eponymous owner and head chef Chi Nghia, Papaya is one of the city's unsung gems. Tucked down a tangle of streets near the canal on the edge of District 1, the cuisine here is presented simply but beautifully with an emphasis on top quality ingredients. Prices are cheap, too, with mains going for well under VND100,000, and portions are also on the large side. Well worth a visit
PHAP HOA VEGETARIAN 200 Nguyen Trai, Q1, Tel: 3839 5893 6am to 9pm If you desire service with a smile, avoid