Greetings from The New Hanoian. I trust everyone is finding their own way around, through, or above the flood waters that gather just about every evening these last couple weeks. Despite the nightly deluge, things around here continue to hum right along. The last half of July will be no exception. Shall we have a peek at what's in store?

Free Beer, Cocktails, and Live Music at The Loft

Tomorrow (Friday the 18th), the New Hanoian Meet Up makes its way to The Loft (143 Ba Trieu) for its monthly gathering of site users. The Loft is generously opening their two storey space for us and all that comes with our big nights out on the town. While they have a full bar with a live band from the Philippines downstairs, the meet up will be centered on their second floor billiards room. From 8pm until 11pm, there will be both free beer and an assortment of cocktails to keep us all in good spirits. Attendees should also expect there to be finger food on hand, though those looking for a more substantial meal may want to arrive early and browse their menu of Malaysian dishes and hearty pub fare. Although the free beer, cocktails, and finger food is only guaranteed until 11pm, don't be surprised if the generosity of Loft owner's Kay and Ishmael get the better of them. They're eager to show off the recent changes to their space, and things might go late. Get all your friends and colleagues signed up with New Hanoian accounts and head out to The Loft. Head upstairs when you arrive, as all the free goodies for the Meet Up will only be available on the second floor. We'll be upstairs waiting for you.

The always growing number of contributors to The New Hanoian also have plenty to look forward to for the rest of July. If you've already been writing your way to some prominence over the first couple weeks of this month, or if you're at your computer now, sitting on a couple dozen reviews you've been thinking about taking a few moments to write, the time may have come. A couple site contributors are going to be heading off to two recently opened businesses that have made quite the splash on the site of late. It's rare to see two newcomers to the Hanoi scene jump to the top of our charts so quickly, and then give all the signs of staying there. You could be about to get a free ticket to see what all the talk is about.

Six Courses and a Bottle of Wine at Matchbox

July's first User Contribution Prize comes compliments of Hanoi's hottest new eatery. Since arriving on the site a couple months ago, Matchbox has shot up to the top of the Restaurant charts. Their clean and bright, yet cozy spot just off of Nui Truc has been drawing rave reviews for its wholesome menu of Western dishes and well executed drinks. When the crowds gather, the only consistent complaint had been that their air conditioner hadn't been up to the task, but with a pair of new ACs roaring to life in the past week, the interior is now as chill as the Hanoi days are hot. One of our lucky prize winners and three friends are going to get a chance to put its full ambiance and menu to the test. They'll be sitting down to a six course tasting menu and a bottle of wine that will take them all over Matchbox's culinary map. Their special evening will include: 1) Tomato Fondue in Poached Tomato Cup with Basil Oil, 2) Fried Haloumi Cheese with Roasted Eggplant, Courgette, and Pumpkin on Cous Cous, 3) Sliced Duck Breast Salad with Frisee, Orange Segments, Red Radish and Oriental Dressing, 4) Seared Garlic Tiger Prawn on Capellini Tossed though Chili and Lemongrass-Infused Olive Oil, 5) Beef Fillet Mignon with Mushroom and Blue Cheese Gratin, Baby Crabs and Bok Choy, 6) Spiced Baklava with Rose Water Jelly and Cardamom Cream. Top that off with your choice of red or white wine, and I don't see how you could go wrong.

Getting your Chocolate Fix and Much More at Love Chocolate Cafe

Our second prize is also for one of our outstanding site contributors and three friends. They'll be heading to a spot that is coming to be known as quite the "occasion." Not simply a place that one goes occasionally, mind you, but the sort of place one wouldn't dare trivialize with casual attendance. From the food, to the drinks, to the decor, the Love Chocolate Cafe experience is a rich one. But let us be clear: the Love Chocolate Cafe isn't for everyone. The singular, most essential requirement is that one must absolutely - love - CHOCOLATE. If your devotion to this pillar of all that they do is in any way in doubt, you may find yourself overwhelmed upon arrival. The decor is also not to everyone's taste, but can inspire a sense of decadent leisure one needs to enjoy food this rich. It is a shrine to not only chocolate, but to the art of enjoying it...slowly. Our winner and three fellow chocolate fanatics will be heading to Love Chocolate Cafe's To Ngoc Van location to be pampered within its retro-salon stylings complete with painted reproductions of women donning mid-20th century vintage dresses, a waitstaff in period attire, and an open invitation to lounge one's way through chocolate concoctions too rich to eat on the run. Our lucky four will be getting their choice of gourmet coffee and chocolate drinks, first crack at Love Chocolate Cafe's new Banana Flambe (which they will be making available come August), and an assortment of their renowned cookies that have expanded from the critically acclaimed Chocolate Chip, to also include Cappuccino Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chocolate Chip, and Cappuccino Chocolate Chocolate Chip. Our lucky four's credentials as chocoholics shall be tested.

Finally, let us give you a heads up about a Hanoi International Theatre Society event just on the horizon. On Sunday, July 27th, H.I.T.S. will be offering a free adult acting workshop at Green Mango. It will be an afternoon of games, improvisation, and script work. Head out, have some fun, and see if you've got what it takes got get involved in one of their upcoming productions. The next one is scheduled for December, with auditions in August. For more information contact the Hanoi International Threatre Society at hits.hanoi@gmail.com.

See you all tomorrow night,
The Staff of The New Hanoian