asialife HCMC 1 - AsiaLIFE Magazine

imbibeDrink to Good HealthBy Beth YoungGrown originally in the southwest of France, Tannat—anespecially thick-skinned redgrape—has been keeping theregion’s population alive longer.That’s because the littleknownvariety contains severalunique natural compoundsthat are said to halt wrinkles,contribute to cardiovascularhealth and even protectagainst cancer.JB Baudron, sales andoperations manager atThe Warehouse, calls thisphenomenon the “FrenchParadox”. Though foiegras, creamy cheese andcassoulet—a local delicacythat mixes white beans, goosefat, pork and duck sausagewith tomato sauce—comprisethe food of choice, the area’sinhabitants are defying logicwith their good health.A bottle of Madiran,the most famous Tannatdrop—and the one mostwidely drunk in France—goesfor 594,000 VND at TheWarehouse. Very similar toMadiran is Saint Mont (whichranges in price from 235,000to 594,000 VND). Baudronsays both wines are darkcrimson in colour with a floralyet woody bouquet owed toa year spent aging in oak barrels.And because of the highlevel of tannin evident in allwines made from this supergrape,they have a crisp, freshand light texture.Interestingly, Tannat grapeshave also travelled fromFrance to Uruguay. There,a thriving Tannat industryspanning 200 years producesjuicier wine with fruity, berrynotes, spicy accents and alonger finish. The Warehousestocks Monte de Luz—asmoky variety best servedwith beef (309,000 VND).Regardless of where thewine hails from it is generally afull-bodied brew that Baudronsays improves enormouslywith age. When kept in thebottle for up to two decades,he says Tannat wines developserious complexity. The aromaticberry and wood flavourswill remain, but will be joinedby hints of leather, tobaccoand dried fruit. What’s more,the tannins will melt away,creating a smoother finish thatBaudron enthuses is “wellworth the wait”.Banh Chungstreet gourmetBanh chung is a traditionalVietnamese cake madefrom glutinous rice, greenbean and pork. It is an essentialelement of the familyaltar on Tet and making andeating banh chung duringthis time is a well-preservedCHINESEDragon Court11-13 Lam Son Square, D1Tel: 3827 2566Open until 2am, this vast, no-frills eaterygets packed with hungry locals whosavour generous portions of tasty dimsum. All the Chinese staples are here.Expect a good feed for under 100,000VND per person.Dynasty RestaurantNew World Hotel, 76 Le Lai, D1Tel: 3822 8888Fine Chinese dining in an opulent restaurantreminiscent of the Middle Kingdom’simperial days. Delicacies clockin at 500,000 VND, but most dishes fallbetween 80,000 to 180,000 VND.Huy Long Vien99 Nguyen Du, D1 Tel: 3823 7799www.huylongvien.comA magnificent Chinese restaurant witha leafy slate-tiled courtyard, Chineselanterns and a labyrinth of water works.Lunchtime dim sum is 120,000 VND,while the a la carte menu runs higherwith Chinese specialties such as Pekingduck for 400,000 VND.KabinRenaissance Riverside Hotel, 8-15 TonDuc Thang, D1 Tel: 3822 0033Elegant dining space with beautifuldecor and great views over the riveroffers extensive lunch and dinner menusfeaturing authentic gourmet Cantoneseand Szechuan dishes and an assortmentof dim sum at lunchtime.Li BaiSheraton Hotel, 88 Dong Khoi, D1Tel: 3827 2828Imperial-styled restaurant named aftera famous Chinese poet. Excellent lunchtime dim sum buffet for USD $17.00.tradition. Aside from Tet, itis eaten all year round andis one of the national dishesof Vietnam. It goes for20,000 to 100,000 VND,depending on its size.Hanh NguyenNightly à la carte menu with dishes goingfrom 100,000 VND.Lotus Court1st floor, Moevenpick Hotel Saigon253 Nguyen Van Troi, Phu NhuanTel: 3844 9222 ext. 168www.moevenpick-saigon.comDim Sum and exciting Cantonese cuisinein a unique and elegant setting.Ming Dynasty23 Nguyen Khac Vien, Phu My HungTel: 5411 5555Decorated in Ming Dynasty-style; offers100 dim sum varieties and 300 dishesprepared by a chef from Hong Kong.The restaurant’s Imperial Buffet costsUSD $39 per person and includes freeflow of wine.Ngan Dinh Chinese RestaurantWindsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An DuongVuong, D5 Tel: 3833 6688Beautiful wood paneling, colourfulhanging lanterns and a sparkling mineralgallery make for a relaxing dining experienceat the Windsor. Feast on roastedPi Pa duck, giant grouper and steamedking prawns. Be sure to check outmonthly specials.Ocean Palace2 Le Duan, D1 Tel: 3911 8822Both traditional and trendy Chinesedishes are prepared by chef from HongKong and served in an opulent 280-seatdining room in this restaurant oppositethe zoo. Intimate private rooms andlarger party rooms available for booking.Shang Palace RestaurantNorfolk Mansion, 17-19-21 Ly Tu Trong,D1 Tel: 3823 2221www.shangpalace.com.vnAn upscale Chinese restaurant with aspacious and welcoming atmosphere.The menu boasts a wide range of HongKong Cantonese cuisine, including bothdim sum, a la carte and set menus,regularly changed by the creative chefs.Thao Li RestaurantGrand View C, Nguyen Duc Canh, PhuMy Hung Tel: 5412 5999Daily Dim Sum Buffet costs USD $9.90per person, starting from 11 am. Thedaily A La Carte Dinner Buffet costs$14.90 per person; includes more than55 dishes.Truyen Ky261B Dao Duy Tu, D10Small homestyle Chinese restaurantspecializing in the salty Hakka cuisine ofsoutheastern China, including tofu andchilis stuffed with fish paste.Yu ChuInterContinental Asiana Saigon, cornerof Hai Ba Trung and Le Duan, D1Tel: 3520 9099dine@icasianasaigon.comSpecializing in authentic Cantoneseand Peking cuisine. Award-winning chefprepares dishes including handmadenoodles, dim sum and wok-fried items.Wide selection of live seafood. Fiveinteractive kitchens.DESSERT PARLOURSBo Gia (The Godfather)29 Ngo Duc Ke, D120 Ho Huan Nghiep, D1299 Nguyen Van Troi, Tan BinhDoes brisk lunchtime trade with itsselection of more than 25 ice creamfavours and Vietnamese noodle and ricedishes.Ciao Cafe40 Ngo Duc Ke, D1With a number of branches downtown(21 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and 26 TranCao Van, among others), this popularcafe offers a mixture of food, drinksand books. Boasts about 20 ice creamspecials and serves crepes, sodas andshakes.Fanny Ice Cream29-31 Ton That Thiep, D1Tel: 3821 1633Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1www.fanny.com.vnTranquil open-terraced heaven for icecreamlovers. Menu contains fresh fruit,ice cream, sherbets and sorbets (coconut,caramel and Bailey’s ice-cream andmango sorbet are standouts). All youcan eat first Friday of the month. Ministry of Food30 Le Loi, D1 Tel: 3827 7898Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Two-floor dessert house specializing inItalian and Japanese treats serving awide array of ice cream flavours usingmilk from Japan’s dairy capital. Alsoserves sandwiches and bento boxes.New Zealand Natural3rd Floor, Parkson Department Store39-45 Le Thanh Ton, D14th Floor, Diamond Plaza, 34 Le Duan1st Floor, Saigon Superbowl, 843Truong Son, Tan Binhwww.newzealandnatural.comServes flavours ranging from chocolateecstasy, fruits of the forest and boysenberrydream by the scoop.Yogen Fruz118 Pasteur, D1106 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D1Vincom Center, 70/72 Le Thanh Ton,D1Panorama Apartments, Ton Dat Tien,Phu My Hung, D7www.yogenfruz.comFrozen yoghurt parlour is decked inmod-meets-IKEA decor and serves nofat,and low-fat fro-yo blended with freshfruits, soft serve and smoothies.FRENCHAnnamite French Restaurant21 Tu Xuong, Ward 7 D3Tel: 6277 8332annamite-restaurant.comThe new VN restaurant area of D3 opensa classic French dinning option, led byex Caprice chef. Snug atmosphere witha classic touch . French favourites suchas escargot in garlic butter, Pan friedgoose froie gras, duck in port wine,poached river sole with saffron sauceand classic flambé crepes.Au Manoir de Khai251 Dien Bien Phu, Q3 Tel: 3930 3394This top-end contemporary Frenchrestaurant is set in a picturesque colonialvilla with a lush courtyard and a lavishinterior. Full of private rooms and opulentlounge areas, this unique eatery is thebrainchild of Vietnamese fashion guruHoang Khai of Khai Silk fame. Offers updishes such as lobster consomme, panfriedduck liver, salmon medallions withMoet and escalope de foie gras.Cote D'Azur12T3 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Da Kao.D1 Tel: 3911 5473www.cotedazur.vnAuthentic French cuisine in delightfulsurroundings, the brasserie's menuoffers delectable dishes. Cote d'Azur'sambience gives it a homely feel and italso offers catering services.La BordeauxF7-F8, D2 Road, P25, Binh ThanhTel: 3899 9831www.restaurant-lebordeaux.com.vnFrench fine dining in an elegant, intimate12 T3 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai St. Dist.1, Ho Chi Minh CityT/F: 08 39 11 54 73 E: brasserie@cotedazur.vnwww.cotedazur.vnWhere the game’s always on!NFL, College Football, NHL, Football, Rugby and More.Takeout and Free Delivery.28/4 Bui Vien Str. Pham Ngu Lao Ward, Dist 1.Phone: (08) 665 663 38 - (08) 665 663 28OPEN24/766 asialife HCMC asialife HCMC 67