Saturday, February 11, 2012

Saigon Hotspots

Good morning Vietnam!

Actually good morning to you all wherever you are in the world!

I've been so incredibly slack on the blogging, mind you i do keep a travel journal so many stories to be told. I guess it will be a bit of a new year's resolution to do a post once a week at least :)

I'm currently in Saigon and just finished the Love Heart 2012 concert last night at the New World Hotel of which was a raving success so thank you to all those who came out . Of course, i've had fabulous friends take me around the past week i've been in town - a lot has changed in terms of hotspots and places to hang out but more importantly, places to EAT!

So here goes!

1. Blanchy's Tash

Address: 95 Hai Ba Trung, Q1 (the old Sandals)

Word: The saigon version of The Ivy minus the 'bros' and fights :) Spread over 3 levels, there's the Bar, restaurant and terrace. They have Hendricks so i'm pretty happy there ... however consistency of the cocktails/drinks is a bit touch and go. Music is tres loud and sometimes a little too loud for a muso like myself but overall, Thursday is way better than Friday or Saturday. Pricing is above average, more aimed at the ex-pats. Overall, i do like it though.

Pricing: Mid-High

2. Chill Skybar

Address: AB Tower, 76A Le Lai St, District 1, HCMC (rooftop)

Word: think Hangover 2 - that rooftop bar with the awesome 360 views, circular bar. Well you wouldn’t be surprised because the owners of that bar in Bang ,m kok are the ones who built Chill Skybar. Nice vibe, a fair few high-end locals hang out here more than ex-pats but go up there for the views. The DJs are pretty good, cranking the house music. Cocktails are priced fairly high (Western pricing) and pretty inconsistent unfortunately unless you get the Westerner bartender to make it for you J

Pricing: High

3. ID Café

Address: 34D Thu Khoa Huan St, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, HCMC

Word: walking up the stairs, you’ll see chalk drawings along the black walls and enter the hole in the wall on Level 1. You’ll find a quaint little bar, infused with retro décor, old-school vinyls and vintage cameras displayed. Just a really cool hangout, food and drinks sitting in the mid-range price bracket.

Pricing: Average.

4. La Fenetre Soleil

Address: Level 1, 44 Ly Tu Trong St, District 1, HCMC (corner of Pasteur St around the corner from Quan An Ngon Restaurant)

Word: another hole in the wall but once you walk in, you won’t think you’re in Saigon. Cocktails, café style food and fruit smoothies are a must! Chilled out and surrounded by the mismatched mirrors and sandstone walls, this place also gets striped bare for private parties. Tres cool! Reminds me of Melbourne a lot with its loungey couches and mismatched furniture.

Pricing: Average.

5. Temple Club

Address: 29-31 Ton That Thiep St, District 1, HCMC

Word: This place is tres tres cool. Next to Fanny’s, you walk along a stone corridor with spirally incense burners hanging from the ceiling and stone pots lining the walls to get up to Level 1. Old French-style tiles with burgundy and brown couches, lamps and a gramophone in the corner sets the understated mood. Start with drinks and appetizers on the couches – mustard leave rolls are a must. Dinner has typical Vietnamese dishes, great quality and a nice quiet setting where you can hear yourself. It offers all sorts of wines from Australian, NZ through to Chilean and French reds. One of the coolest places I’ve eaten at in Saigon for sure!

Pricing: Mid

6. Le Bouchon de Saigon

Address: 40 Thai Van Lung, DIstrict 1, HCMC

Word: A French restaurant with much of a trattoria-feel: wooden seats, low ceilings, cellar-style walls and red and white striped tablecloths. French waiters and chef greet you and bubbly upon arrival sets the tone just right. French onion soup is divine however their escargot can be given a miss … a little too oily for my liking and not enough butter. To make up for it though, their beef tartare is served on a wooden board shaped in a cow … superb punch and kick in it, make sure you ask for it to be spicy J Great French reds available.

Price: High

7. Pho Ha Trieu

Address: opposite Hogs Breath Café and the Bitexco Tower. Ha Trieu St, District 1, HCMC

Word: Simply the best Pho in town and open to the wee hours of the morning. Street-style plastic chairs and tables, there is only one thing to eat here and that is Pho Ga (Chicken Noodle Soup). Their spring roll vermicelli dish is good too but you come here for the Pho. Fabulous!

Pricing: Cheap!

8. Kita

Address: Nguyen Hue St, District 1,

Word: spread over 3 levels, it’s a French-style café with the awesome typical tiles, french windows and curtains. Food and drinks are well made, more western style food oriented and you can find a good coffee here. They make the best french-fries in town!

Pricing: Mid-High for café standards.

9. L’usine

Address: 15/1 Dong Khoi St, 1st floor, District 1, HCMC

Word: One of my favourite places. They make the red velvet cupcakes, a fab coffee, a very fashionable and hip place run by 2 Australians actually! French doors and floors once again but the place is attached to the L’usine Boutique as well making it a fabulous fusion of food, fashion and homeware style. You can find boutique clothing by local designers as well as quirky furniture, lamps, jewellery, handbags, sunglasses and novelty items like stylish toothbrushes.

Pricing: mid for the café. High for the boutique, but truly worthwhile especially with the one-off garments.

10. Ala Mezon

Address: 10 Chu Manh Trinh, District 1, HCMC

Word: a cool Japanese-inspired cocktail bar/lounge where you can have a quiet drink in a corner and hear yourself talk. Talk to Philippe Lucas, one of the owners and french bartender and he’ll make a bartender’s special. Spot on! With drinks called Very Ngot priced at $95,000VND, you’re rocking! Food is apparently great too (never got to that but my friends highly recommend it).

Pricing: cheap!

11. SquareOne, Park Hyatt Hotel

Address: Hai Ba Trung St, District 1, HCMC

Word: I was here for Saturday brunch and it has got to be one of the best brunches I’ve had. Free flowing food for $1,000,000VND and throw in another $500,000VND and you’ll have free flowing Moet & Chandon, reds and whites.

Pricing: High but so so worth it.

12. Cuc Gach Café

Address: 79 Phan Ke Binh, DaKao, District 1, HCMC


Word: Their original restaurant is nearby and recently, Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie ate there so there’s a lot of hype but this place is seriously the best Vietnamese food ever at a really good price too. Home style cooking, presentation is next to none, old-school Vietnamese bowls and chopsticks in tin cans. Fresh juices are served with a morning glory stem as a straw. You will feel like you’ve stepped into an old Vietnamese home. My favourite by far!

Pricing: Cheap – Mid.

13. Au Parc

Address: 23 Han Thuyen, District 1, HCMC

Great French style café/restaurant – I came here for breakfast and it had the whole works with fabulous energy juices, fresh smoothies, fresh juices, a relatively good coffee and nice ambience.

There are a few other favourite hotspots which I’ve failed to list here because I’m now in Hoi An and loving it, so til next time!

Adios and much love and grace,

Van-Anh

 

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