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57 reviews or comments posted; 5 questions asked; 12 answers given.
Reviews / Comments (57) see all
This place is for young, hip, cool people, of which I am not. The music was insanely loud, and just interrupted conversation. The lights were insane. The shape of the bar makes it a little odd, too, being a funny 'L', and the over-inflated drink prices... well, let's not go there. I won't be rushing back to this place, but I can see how it fills a void for the hip, fab 'gorgeous' expat crowd in Hanoi.
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The staff here are lovely. Very friendly, very attentive. Excellent English and a wealth of patience with dumbos like me. I really like them.
Having said that, this place only gets three stars, for a few reasons. First, the menu is not easy to read. Sure, I like coffee, but I don't like the fact that the menu listings of coffee use a whole bunch of meaningless, yet trendy looking names for each beverage without actually describing what they are.
Second, the food portions are a bit on the meager side for the price you pay, though I have to admit the croissant and bruschetta here were very tasty.
Third, it has a useless breakfast menu. I drink coffee with my breakfast. More options would be appreciated.
Lastly, every time I have been there one of the managers, an Australian guy, has been there, and he must be one of the rudest, most obnoxious people in Hanoi. The staff here are just lovely, but this guy treats them like absolute dirt. I don't like coming here simply because it means I am putting money into his greedy little pocket.
The service has brought me back twice, and I may go back again, but there are plenty of other places where I have found good coffee and good service...
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I think Studio has an identity crisis. I went there recently with a few mates and we had a lovely meal there. The food was delicious, even if the wait staff are still getting the hang of how to take orders properly and the owner had to step in a few times. Everyone enjoyed their meals immensely. Only problem was this place doesn't feel like a restaurant, and doesn't work as one. The seating is completely inadequate for eating unless you are at one of those tables for two, but as a group of 4 it didn't work at all. The funny looking floor cushions seem like a nice idea, but are really uncomfortable. Maybe as a bar it would be better, but when we were there on a Friday night the place was empty. Literally. It was not cheap for drinks, so unless you really wanted the "Austin Powers" shagadelic look, I can't see why people would go there. Music was loud and "doof doof" one minute, chilled the next. I really couldn't get a vibe for this place, cause it doesn't really have one!
I think this place should decide what it is and stick with it. If it's a restaurant, great. Be a restaurant. Or a bar, if you prefer. But trying to straddle both fences really doesn't work here.
Sure, it's groovy, baby, but not groovy enough to make me want to go back in a hurry.
3 stars for the excellent food.
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OK, so this place is pricy. Very pricy. The buffet is, like, $25US per person, which is not for the faint hearted. However, having said that, it's nice. Very nice. The food can sometimes be a bit hit and miss, but on the majority of occasions I have been there I have always found plenty of dishes I like.
Start with the breads - a fine selection including a very tasty sundried tomato one that's always there when I go - and the accompanying cheeses. Lovely. Move onto the substantial salad bar. Not just a few tokens, but at least a dozen different salads, some quite obscure and interesting, as well as the standard banana flower and the like. Also here you can find some pretty good sushi and seafoods.
The hot dish area is nicely laid out and easy to access. A variety of dishes, all clearly labelled, with rice always available along with a choice of at least two soups. To the side is the BBQ, complete with chef, and you can get hold of some tasty seafood and meats with your choice of sauce, all cooked before your eyes. Also keep an eye out for the lasagne and potato gratin which is often here.
Theres also a cold meat and fruits area, and around in the entranceway, the desserts, complete with the obligatory chocolate fountain. I have found most of the desserts here to be ok, though some are not labelled very well, so maybe ask if there is something you are not sure of. The cheesecakes are very nice, and the mousse isn't bad.
If you are flush with cash, or you have guests you want to give the star western treatment with a few asian dishes thrown in, come here. Admittedly I have a special card to get a discount here, so it's a bit cheaper, but even without it I would probably come. It's nice. Enjoy!
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Poor old BBQ Chicken seems to get a bit of a bum rap here. OK, so its not KFC. I seem to recall the same thing being said about Lotteria not being Maccas. That's the first point, ok? It's not KFC! Though, unlike Maccas, if you want KFC, you CAN go and eat it here in Hanoi! Also, like Lotteria, there are some things about this place that make it distinctively NOT KFC. Their menu is different, and has a variety of stuff that, if you don't like the battered rubbish, can actually serve more as a reasonable food option. Their prices are ok, and their food, whilst not the elite level, passes as food when you are skint and hungry. (though don't get me started on their fries... yuck!)
I have been to three different BBQ chicken stores, all of which seem to have popped up out of nowhere recently. They appear to be clean, the staff friendly, and the food, though not flash, is predictable. For a store that's apparently so bad, they seem to be doing extremely well.
I say about BBQ Chicken the same as Lotteria: don't go in there expecting the same as your patent Seppo brand that's conquered the universe. It's different. Except it for what it is, and if you can't, go back to KFC and eat with Chicky.
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Questions (5)
Hi all! I like to make jewellery but finding supplies here in Hanoi is proving difficult. I need sterling silver supplies of things like earring hooks, chains, clips, jump rings, etc. Everywhere I have been sent to has nothing but premade jewellery. Does anyone know where I can get this kind of thing? Cheers!
Hi! I love to design stuff, and now have a bunch of bags I have designed and would love to get made. Since its so easy to get clothes made here, how about bags? I haven't been able to find anyone who can make handbags and purses competently. Does anyone know somebody out there who can make my creations by just looking at my designs? Thanks!
I want to buy my own sewing machine. Anyone know a good place to get a nice new one? Is there a sewing machine street somewhere in this town? Thanks!
Does anybody know when the Mosque on Hang Luoc is open? I went there at sunset today (Friday) but it was closed. There must be some other Muslims in this town, but where? Any info about the Mosque hours or about Islamic community contacts or events in Hanoi (if there are any) would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and Salaam!
Hi! I am looking to pick up a simple massage table, like those used in the spas and salons around Hanoi. Does anybody know where I can get beauty and massage supplies in this town? Thanks, all!
Answers (12)
Posted Tuesday October 30th, 2007.
It's a bit late, but you could try Chip, just around the corner from Hanoi Towers. The addy is 60 Ly Thuong Kiet. They have costumes galore, though they are a bit pricy.
In response to the question: Where can I buy masks or wigs? Need some props to spread that Halloween cheer in my classes....
Posted Tuesday March 11th, 2008.
I have been looking at this issue for the past few weeks. I wanted to try Western Union, and yes, you can send from Hanoi, but only at VP Bank, and then not at all branches (ones that do are on Hoan Kiem and also on Ba Trieu). They told me in very broken English that you need to have a letter from your employer to prove where the money has come from (if you are like me and work here), and to tell them exactly where it is going and why, so an invoice, too. A lot of effort just to pay my credit card back in Oz. Yes Mike from Indochine, probably easier for you, but you are registered Vietnamese company, yeah?! I will try the SWIFT idea at the ANZ, I think. Most banks will probably have their SWIFT number/code on their websites...I know mine (Westpac) does. Will post with any other info I find out about it.
In response to the question: Does anyone have information on international bank transfers? I don't have an account in Hanoi and I'd like to send money overseas. Any suggestions o...
Posted Wednesday June 11th, 2008.
Ciputra is a strange beast. I think you either like it or hate it. Its almost surreal, with its houses all "little boxes made of ticky tacky" if you remember the old song, all looking very cold and very sterile, like an overpriced monosyllabic housing estate. Its appeal I think is those wonderful gates on the roads, complete with security guards, to keep the "riff raff" out... mind you, they have never stopped me from entering the place...
Its a soul draining, lifeless mass of bricks and mortar. And those horses, whilst being anatomically correct (I have this on good authority), are really freaky, especially at night.
However, it is an excellent option if you need somewhere to park your 4WD.
In response to the question: Is anyone currently living in Ciputra villa (not apartment). Im just wondering how is the house condition, maintenance service, surrounding space and ...
Posted Saturday June 14th, 2008.
I don't know about specific nationalities being there, but I know they are playing the games at Jaspas, and there always seems to be a turnout of some kind there, so it may be worth a try. They have some kind of promotion on at the moment to coincide with it as well.
In response to the question: If I want to watch matches with, say Spanish people, or French, or Russian, instead of staying at home where should I go ?...
Posted Saturday June 28th, 2008.
There is a gym in the Melia Hotel, on Ly Thuong Kiet st, near Hanoi Towers. I am not sure what it is like or the price, but it would be an OK location for you near the lake.
In response to the question: Hi guys, Im looking for a good gym which has enough equipments that do not actually fall off during your work out :(! Im considering Horison and Sh...
Posted Tuesday July 1st, 2008.
Pony Bob, where are some of these outlets? I would like to find some, too!
In response to the question: does anyone know if it's possible to get protein powder in hanoi for use after a gym session?...
Posted Sunday August 3rd, 2008.
Yeah, I know the Mosque on Hang Luoc is the only one, hence my question. Nobody seems to be able to tell me anything about when it opens. Now hearing Thousand Nights has closed means nobody is there, either! :o(
In response to the question: Does anybody know when the Mosque on Hang Luoc is open? I went there at sunset today (Friday) but it was closed. There must be some other Muslims in t...
Posted Tuesday August 5th, 2008.
I have seen face paints at the specialist art supplies shop on Yet Kieu, right next to the University entrance (I think no. 41). They sell little boxes of face paint, though they are from China, and I really don't know what kind of quality they are or what chemicals may be in them. Still, they are very cheap and always seem to be there if you are desperate.
In response to the question: Does anyone know where to get Face paint? We are putting on a play at my school and no one knows where to buy it. (They don't have it on toy street) ...
Posted Wednesday August 6th, 2008.
I'd buy them.
In response to the question: I had a business back in the UK selling all kinds of sports supplements (protein,creatine etc)when i come to move to Hanoi at the end of the month do ...
Posted Thursday August 7th, 2008.
I think maybe Dragonfly is showing some. I was there the other evening and a friend mentioned he had seen a poster on the wall about it, though I don't know any more than that, sorry. :o(
In response to the question: Hi everyone! Does anyone know of a bar that will be good to watch the Olympics at? What about a place that has CCTV5? [CCTV is the Chinese sports c...
Posted Saturday August 9th, 2008.
Try the far end of Hoang Hoa Tham St, on the way out to Ciputra. In amongst the plant and garden supplies shops you will find a number of pet stores which sell the more elite puppy breeds. A quick note: If you are a dog lover, prepare yourself first. Don't expect the conditions the puppies are in to be anything resembling humane.
In response to the question: Anyone know where I can buy a Rottweiler puppy? About 3 month old male. Thanks...
Posted Monday August 11th, 2008.
A lot of this actually has to do with the relationship you have with your housekeeper (or your "woman", as NickinNam so delicately puts it!). Try sitting down with her and talking about what she does and what she perceives as fair pay, and why. If she doesn't speak English well, get a bilingual mate to help you out. Actually go to a little effort to find out about her, and you may be surprised at the response.
I just gave my maid a 200thou increase to her monthly pay, which was originally 1 million per month for two mornings a week (I live alone and am pretty neat to start with). She told me it wasn't necessary, but I thought it was, and insisted. She is awesome. I trust her, she does much more than I ever expected, and I am so happy she is with me. I thought it was more than worth it for me to have folded underwear.
Besides, an increase to keep up with inflation every 12 months is fair, isn't it? That's what unions negotiate for in the west, after all...
In response to the question: THis may be a question more for older hanoians than younger hanoians... Or at least ones who have been here longer. When I first arrived i hired a...
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