issue 49 - AsiaLIFE Magazine

Thai Express8A Le Thanh Ton, D1 Tel: 6299 1338www.thaiexpress.vnModern restaurant with a massive menuof Thai specialties served in moderateproportions. The menu inludes chef’srecommendations and background onThai cuisine. Warning: some dishes willtest your tongue’s threshold.VEGETARIANHoa Dang38 Huynh Khuong Ninh, D1Swish vegetarian restaurant on a quietstreet that serves up nutritious dishes,including meatless versions of bun bo,pho and steamboat. Cosy bar servingnon-alcoholic drinks, fruits and othersweets.Viet Chay339 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, D3Tel: 3526 5862Upscale vegetarian restaurant specializesin fake meat dishes. The attractivedining room is suffused with naturallight. Located within the walls of VinhNghiem Pagoda.VIETNAMESEBanian TreeRiver Garden, 170 Nguyen Van Huong,Thao Dien, D2Tel: 6683 5308 – 0903 669 252A fine dining Vietnamese restaurant thatserves authentic cuisine.Offers a set lunch from US $8 per person,set dinner from $15 perperson. International breakfast is servedfrom 6.30 am - 10.30 am.Cha Ca Viet NamRiver Garden, 170 Nguyen Van Huong,Thao Dien, D2Tel: 6683 5308 0903 669 252Serves Hanoi specialty Cha Ca—turmericgrilled fish with noodles and dill.Hoa Tuc74 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3825 1676This comfortable high-end restaurantserves traditional Vietnamese fare witha contemporary, classy twist. Expect tofind your local favourites as you’ve neverexperienced them before. Beautifullyplated, this is Vietnamese cuisine at itsbest.Lang Nuong Nam Bo285/C145 Cach Mang Thang Tam, D10Tel: 3862 2569Warehouse-sized quan well-regardedamong locals serves everything frombeef, chicken and fish to porcupine, weaseland field mouse. Great destination forintrepid gastronomes. Has standard hotpot, rice and noodle dishes too.Nam Phan34 Vo Van Tan, Q3 Tel: 3933 3636Well known at its previous cornerlocation on Le Thanh Ton, Nam Phancontinues to serve modern Asian cuisineincluding asparagus and crab meatsoup, stewed bellyfish in pineapple andgrilled duck breast in orange sauce. Setin a restored colonial villa, the interior isalive with reproductions of Cham-erabas-reliefs and is inspired by Euro-Zen.Quan Bui8 Nguyen Van Nguyen,D1 Tel: 3602 2241Well executed and delicious Vietnamesefood at almost criminally affordableprices. Tucked away at the top end ofDistrict one, this place is worth seekingout for five-star food in a casual settingthat will certainly not strain the budget.Temple Club29 – 31 Ton That Thiep, D1Tel: 3829 9244This high-end restaurant attached to anelegant lounge bar is a must-try for itsart deco atmosphere as much as for itsfood. Mains go from around VND80,000to VND150,000.Wrap & Roll62 Hai Ba Trung, D1 Tel: 3823 4030SA1–1, My Khanh 1,Nguyen Van Linh, D7Attractive downtown venue that bringsstreet-style food into air-conditionedand uncluttered comfort. Choose prewrappedappetisers such as the cha gio(spring rolls) or roll-it-yourself mains withingredients like pickled shrimps, beef onsugar cane, fish, grilled eel and pork. nightlifeBARS & LOUNGESSee bar restaurant listings for morepopular watering holes.Bar's bar47 Phan Chu Trinh, D1Tel: 3822 3352Small luxurious upstairs bar adjacent toBen Thanh Market, offers a welcomeretreat from the bustle of the city centre.Customers are served with relaxingmusic and a wide selection of cocktails,whiskies and Japanese Sake. Opennightly 6-late. Cloud 92bis Cong Truong Quoc Te, D3, HCMC(Corner of Turtle Lake Roundabout &Tran Cao Van), Tel: 0948 445544Recently opened with beautiful déco, thisrooftop lounge bar has its stunning viewsat night. Live DJ, great cocktails and desserts.Open 6pm till late. Level 2323rd Floor, Sheraton Hotel88 Dong Khoi, D1 Tel: 3827 2828One of the best views of the city fromthis upmarket terrace bar and lounge.Excellent cocktails don’t come cheap butthe atmosphere is great with live musicthroughout the week and a live DJ everyMonday.The LibraryInterContinental Asiana Saigon, cornerof Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1Tel: 3520 9099dine@icasianasaigon.comUnwind with a glass of wine or a cup oftea. The Library provides a welcomingatmosphere for those in search of calm,comfort and personalized service.Purple JadeInterContinental Asiana Saigon, cornerof Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1Tel: 3520 9099Chic lounge blends the stylistic influencesof contemporary design and opium dens.Hosts live music and serves specialdrinks, including Shaoxing and Maotairice wines and an exclusive selection ofluxury spirits.BREWHOUSESAlderbrau98 Nguyen Du, D1Small brewhouse decorated with antiquebrewing miscellanea, with an enclosedgarden for outdoor swilling the smallrange of house brews and bottledimports. The kitchen dishes up sausages,German fare, and Vietnamese dishes.Lion Brewery11C Lam Son Square, D1Tel: 3823 8514Microbrewery featuring traditional Germanbrew technology and German farelike pork knuckle and wurst. Good spotto meet friends and enjoy a hearty mealand a whole lot of beer.NIGHTCLUBSFuse Bar3A Ton Duc Thang, D1A popular bar that plays primarily hiphopmusic. Every Tuesday Fuse hosts aladies night where women drink for free.Lush2 Ly Tu Trong, D1 Tel: 3824 2496A large and lavishly decorated bar andclub popular on weekends. Good DJsplaying the latest in beat-based musicand the city’s beautiful people add tothe sights and sounds. It’s on-par withWestern clubs in both ambience anddrinks prices.at homeBAKERIESHarvest Baking30 Lam Son, Tan Binh Tel: 3547 0577harvestbaking@yahoo.comThis authentic bakery offers a rangeof specialty baked goods for delivery.Offering bagels, scones, breads,desserts,cakes, tarts and more. Chocolatefudge cake and cinnamon rolls withcream cheese icing highly recommended.Pat A Chou65 Hai Ba Trung, D125 Thao Dien, D2The home of the long and crustybaguette. Supplies many restaurantsbut also sells wholesale. The miniaturepatisseries such as crème brulée andcheesecake are worth a taste. Opens at6.30 am.Tous Les Jours180 Hai Ba Trung, D3Part of the Korean bakery chain, Tous LeJours stocks a superb range of freshlybaked good from sugary treats like painau chocolat to superior quality baguettesand loafs.Voelker17 A7 Le Thanh Ton, D1Tel: 7303 879939 Thao Dien, An Phu, D2Tel: 6296 0066Small bakery turns out sweet and saltedpies and mousses in addition to baguettesand a range of Western sweets.CATERINGAu Parc Catering Services23 Han Thuyen, D1 Tel: 3829 2772Catering services available every day of theyear for birthday cakes, dinner parties, winetastings and corporate events.For a custom-made quotation e-mailauparc@hcm.vnn.vn or call Quynh on 0908196261.Saigon Catering84 Xuan Thuy, D2 Tel: 6281 8388Provide services of catering, banquets,event planning, BBQ’s, daily deliveries andcocktail parties. For a custom-made quotatione-mail SaigonGG@gmail.com or callHuong on 0913 981128.COOKERY CLASSESCaravelle Hotel Cooking ClassesCaravelle Hotel, 19 Lam Son Square, D1Tel: 3823 4999Full-day Vietnamese cooking classes forgroups of up to 20 people. The classesinclude a visit to the market with the souschef.Saigon Cooking Class by Hoa TucThe Courtyard, 74/7 Hai Ba Trung, D1Tel: 3825 8485i.briosca@saigoncookingclass.comcontact@saigoncookingclass.comCooking classes available from Tuesday60 asialife HCMC