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hinotori's Posts
19 reviews or comments posted; 3 questions posées; 17 réponses donées.
Commentaires (19) see all
I was craving for Mexican or whatever it is that passed for Mexican in Hanoi and thought of Havana Club after reading a couple of reviews here. Sure, the last two reviews didn't exactly rave about the place but that didn't deter me from paying them a visit.
I booked a table for 7 and we were shown to the best table in the house, one that was overlooking Hang Bac. I found it nice that the the staff seemed very pleased to see me and my friends and Ha, the guy who took my reservation, even shook my hand when we came in. My friends were suitably impressed and thought I was a regular (har har).
We thought the decor was quite nice. We all took note of the photo of Nong Duc Manh and Fidel Castro in a very chummy hug (It was facing our table so it was hard to miss). A very fitting symbol of Vietnam-Cuba relations, we thought. The rest of the decor fits in with the Spanish/Latin American concept of the restaurant.
On to the food and drinks. They said they had diet coke on the menu so we ordered that. They gave us pepsi max instead. We also ordered the cuban coffee, which turned out to be Vietnamese drip coffee that you pour on a glass of rum. Hmmm....
We ordered nachos, quesadillas, fajitas, a burrito, mexican spareribs, and a salad. I agree that the salad was more asian than mexican and the nachos weren't crunchy and looked a bit too oily. The burrito came with melted cheese on the outside and black bean rice on the side (I must say I'm used to seeing a burrito that has everything packed in so that it looks like a sausage rather than a crepe). We thought that the guacamole was another type of salsa until we tasted the avocados. But the food did taste good and we were generally happy with the experience.
Since we were first-time diners, Ha gave our group a round of cocktails for free(I think it was Sex On The Beach).
Note: I was writing this review when I saw the TNH newsletter and found out I won a prize to dine in Havana club. Now that's quite a coincidence! So, Ha and company, I hope you are prepared to improve on my experience.
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I normally have dinner in a Japanese restaurant with lots of friends just so we can take our time with the food and order as much as we want without minding the hours. But I was in Ren for lunch to catch up with a Japanese friend so I ordered the katsudon, an uncomplicated meal that is a speciality of Ren, according to my friend.
I have to say my expectations about the quality of the food were met. The pork was tender, the sauce salty-sweet on a bed of steaming rice and the scallions gave it a little oomph. Made me remember other katsudon meals shared with friends in years past.
I couldn't linger since I had to go back to the office but will definitely return to try their other selections now that I've had a taste of what they had to offer.
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My partner and I dined here one rainy evening and we agreed on three things: the meats were of good quality and quite flavourful, the a la carte menu sparse and the price exorbitant.
We ordered the meat buffet. Unlike the earlier reviewers, there was no problem with the quantity of the meats. When we liked one in particular (the roast beef cooked medium well), the chef returned and gave us bigger portions. But we also noted that some of the trimmings on the menu were not available. We only did two rounds of the meats and trimmings before we surrendered and pronounced ourselves too full to eat one more bite.
A day after our meal there, we still felt quite full. And we still couldn't get over the fact that we paid the equivalent of a month's wage for some of the locals for our meal.
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I am quite fond of Japanese food (and culture, thus the nickname) and last Saturday night, I had the good fortune of discovering a new Japanese food place with three of my friends.
The kimono and yukata-clad staff burst into a chorus of "irrashaimase" when we entered. We sat ourselves at the sushi-kaizen and started ordering as if we were death row convicts enjoying our last meal. This amused the staff to no end for we kept calling them to our table to refresh our pot of tea, take away empty plates or to take down additional orders. I'm sure they wondered how four women could eat that much food.
We ordered the following: 5 plates from the sushikaizen (with the price depending on the plate's colour), a couple of grilled items (mostly fish), 3 orders of different types of maki (8 pieces per order), mixed tempura, a salad, chawan mushi, yakisoba, pork ribs, okonomiyaki and 2 other items .
With all the food we ate (with leftovers we were more than glad to take home), we paid only $17.50 each for something that left us very full and happy until the following morning.
The restaurant itself is quite spacious, with the sushikaizen on the ground floor, a teppanyaki section on the second floor for those who like to watch their food being prepared with flourish, and private rooms on the third floor should you wish to dine (and drink yourself to oblivion) in privacy, esp for big groups. The place itself has been open for about 10 months now but the sushikaizen is a recent addition. The head chef is Thai but he worked as a chef in Tokyo for a couple of years before working in Poland and Vietnam (the advantage of being seated in a booth by the sushikaizen is you get to interrogate the chef, made easier by the fact that 2 of my friends are Thai).
Their sushis and chawan mushi aren't as great as the ones we've had at Hanayuki and Ky Y so I'm only giving them 4 stars. But we will definitely pay them a visit again.
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They are currently doing a David Lean tribute and the boyfriend and I watched 'Oliver Twist' last week. Their seats aren't really the most comfy in Hanoi (especially if you plan to watch Lean's bum-numbing selections, such as 'Lawrence of Arabia' or 'Dr. Zhivago'-bring a seat cushion!), but, as the other posters have said before, it is a real treat to be able to watch high quality films in Hanoi.
And sipping drinks at the courtyard bar certainly adds to the feeling of anticipation as you wait for the movie to start. Their quesadillas are to die for and the gin and tonic is refreshing! Good food/drink + lovely company + great movie. Now that is the formula for a wonderful time.
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Questions (3)
Need help in setting up my wireless network at home. I'm using a linksys wireless-g router and my internet provider (EVN) is using a d-link adsl2 + router. I've set up my router and network according to the manual and my mac is able to detect and connect to the network but still can't connect to the net. thanks in advance for the advice.
Anybody know where I can find blu-tack in Hanoi?
Would like to know if there is a place here that sells cinnamon rolls? I miss Cinnabon!
Réponses (17)
Posted Tuesday May 27th, 2008.
Would like to join the group if it is set up. I'm a new Mac user, my mac book is about a year old now. I bought mine in HK and if there are no authorized resellers or service centre here, I think I'd rather take it back there for servicing (especially since I still have 2 years on the international warranty, i think).
en réponse à la question: Is there any any apple mac community in Hanoi ? Been looking for info on where mac enthusiasts get their hardware from and at a reasonable price....
Posted Friday May 30th, 2008.
A hike sounds great. Count me in!
en réponse à la question: Does anyone out there know any nice hiking or mountain biking trails? I am also looking for people whom enjoy these things as well. Let me know....
Posted Sunday June 1st, 2008.
Thanks for your help. Tried it but I seem to be doing something wrong. I'm getting a bit frustrated and tired of lugging my macbook around the apartment with a very long cable connected to the modem. I'll have a crack at it again later.
en réponse à la question: Need help in setting up my wireless network at home. I'm using a linksys wireless-g router and my internet provider (EVN) is using a d-link adsl2 + ro...
Posted Monday June 2nd, 2008.
Thanks, Finnmaccool, and thanks again to LOFThanoi for helping me out. My wireless network at home is up and running.
en réponse à la question: Need help in setting up my wireless network at home. I'm using a linksys wireless-g router and my internet provider (EVN) is using a d-link adsl2 + ro...
Posted Monday June 9th, 2008.
I used Trans-Link Express when I moved here from Hong Kong and a colleague used the same company to move from Dong Da to Hai Ba Trung district today. I've posted their details in the business directory. Look for Mr. Linh, who speaks excellent English.
en réponse à la question: Was wondering if anyone here has used a Vietnamese removal company? I have had a look at Crown and JVK, but the prices way too high for us modest earn...
Posted Saturday July 5th, 2008.
Bought a copy of that series and a few others (Fawlty Towers, a compilation of Pedro Almodovar movies and a couple of current and old movies titles) in Hang Gai (no. 48, I think) about two months ago. The store sells the usual Vietnamese handicrafts and they will have only a few dvds displayed outside but you will have to enter the premises and ask the store staff to show you to the innermost portion of the store where they have shelves and stacks of dvds. Not sure now about how much we paid but my friends and I bought a lot so we managed to negotiate a good price. The store is next to a street stall selling cold drinks (the smell of the jackfruit was sort of my landmark for getting there).
en réponse à la question: Does anyone know a DVD sthop where it's possible to purchase the complete either a complete set of Monty Python's Flying Circus, or each of the series...
Posted Monday July 7th, 2008.
If your employer invites you to move to another country then definitely ask for more than what you're currently getting in HK, especially since you've mentioned that you'll be given more responsibilities. And yes, take note of Steve's suggestion.
Main things to consider when moving here: housing and transportation.
Renting a house or an apartment in Hanoi is similar to how it's done in HK. If you want an apartment or house all to yourself, you deal with agents or deal directly with the owner (if you can speak the language or the owner speaks english, which is highly unlikely). Or, as many here usually do, you find yourself some roommates and split the cost. Be prepared to negotiate as the rental market here has gone crazy and prices just keep going up. You usually need to make a deposit in order to "hold" the space. Again, make sure that the terms of the lease is quite clear to you and the landlord. You can also do a search on A.N.H. about previous questions on housing matters that may also be helpful.
Now on to transportation. Like me, I'm sure you have taken for granted HK's efficient transport system. You're going to definitely miss using your octopus card as well as the mtr, buses and ferries once you're here. Your options for transport in Hanoi are as follows: live close to your place of work so you can just walk to work (which is what i do now), take the bus (cheap at a flat rate of 3000VND but crowded), use the reliable taxis (the cost of doing that every day adds up and it becomes an expensive option), rent a "xe om" (motorbike taxis-much cheaper than regular taxis), get a bicycle or rent a motorbike. For the last two options (and even when you go the "xe om" way), be prepared to take on the average Vietnamese motorbike rider and the average Vietnamese driver. The former will come at you from different directions and will signal with a turn of the head to the left or right. The latter still thinks that he's handling a motorbike, will also come at you from different directions and will try to overtake every chance they get. I guess the thing to remember is to be alert. And drive slowly. And get a regulation motorbike helmet before you move to Vietnam.
They have a thriving nightlife here, as I am sure you have read about in this website. Much cheaper than LKF/Soho/Noho/Wanchai too.
Your patience will be tested here many, many times but getting annoyed will get you nowhere (as I have discovered). The Vietnamese are a lovely people. You'll just have to get used to their pace.
It's also a good thing to check this website time and again for other helpful tips from people who have been here longer.
en réponse à la question: hi there, I live and work in HK at the moment as a urban designer (28y.o. male/single). The company I work for will be opening a new office in Hanoi...
Posted Thursday July 10th, 2008.
I was browsing online a few days back for flights to the U.S. (HAN-LAX-HAN) and stumbled upon the website of a local travel agent: tftravel.com.vn. However, most, if not all, of the flights I saw there has stops in the major Asian capitals you mentioned but there was an Air France flight that stops at Paris for the route I mentioned (flying time, though, is a bum-numbing 36 hours). The website said they accept both cash and credit card payments (with surcharge). I think you need to sign up before you can book online. Have made a booking online for another flight but since I haven't finalized my plans yet, I can't say anything yet about their service quality. Hope this info helps though.
en réponse à la question: Does anyone know if any airliner is offering *direct* flights from the US to Hanoi? I know you can fly direct San Francisco to HCMC as of 2005, bu...
Posted Wednesday September 24th, 2008.
Citimart in Vincom and Hanoi Towers. I think I also saw them in a Fivimart.
en réponse à la question: Anybody know where I can get Melita-style paper coffee filters?...
Posted Monday September 29th, 2008.
I just bought a mini oven for VND 1,099.000 from this appliance shop on the 2/F of Syrena shopping centre in Frasier Place. The brand I got is from Poland (sorry, the name eludes me now) but there was a slightly smaller and cheaper one at VND799K.
en réponse à la question: i want to bake myself at home. but i can't find any shops selling all the stuff i need. either they have this or don't have that. so please anyon...
Posted Tuesday September 30th, 2008.
Thanks. Where do I find Veggies?
en réponse à la question: Would like to know if there is a place here that sells cinnamon rolls? I miss Cinnabon! ...
Posted Thursday October 2nd, 2008.
Thanks. I struck out at Veggy's. On to The Kitchen!
en réponse à la question: Would like to know if there is a place here that sells cinnamon rolls? I miss Cinnabon! ...
Posted Monday October 6th, 2008.
This guys did a great job when I moved here:
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/venue/show/2051/Trans-Link-Express-Pte-Ltd
en réponse à la question: Hi there, Does anyone know a reliable and reasonably priced shipping an forwarding agent ? it is to send used furniture etc, from Hanoi to the Fren...
Posted Monday October 20th, 2008.
Try 38317755, that's the embassy trunkline. Look for either the Consular or Cultural Section.
en réponse à la question: Hi all, I'm studying with Open University (Australia) and have to sit an exam on the 1st of december. I desperately need someone to invigilate (sup...
Posted Friday October 31st, 2008.
You should have a look at TNH's listing for dental clinics first:
http://newhanoian.xemzi.com/en/entity/search?ssquery=dental+clinic&subents[]=venue#1
Hope this helps :)
en réponse à la question: Anybody know where is the best Orthodontist in Hanoi please let me know ! Many thanks Tina...
Posted Monday November 3rd, 2008.
I was in Citimart Vincom last Saturday and I saw hoisin sauce sold there.
en réponse à la question: Okay, I'm used to eating Pho with Hoisin Sauce and I can't find any here. The strangest thing is that i can't remember any restaurant I've eaten at i...
Posted Tuesday November 11th, 2008.
Have a look at the 2/F of Trang Tien Plaza, the ubiquitous Pierre Cardin shops or the May 10 shops.
en réponse à la question: Where can i buy (a bit) classy not flashy cuff link and the associated shirt? I went to parkson and it's a bit expensive and a bit too flashy, the ...
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