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CanadianA's Posts
21 reviews or comments posted; 1 questions asked; 19 answers given.
Reviews / Comments (21) see all
Sorry, Cielo, but things are going downhill.
While the food continues to be good for the most part*, the service and atmosphere has taken a nose dive. Their prices have also gone up yet again -- for the third time in less than a year. While inflation in Hanoi is high, some of their price increases are a bit overboard.
On my last visit here, my partner and I waited for no less than 45 minutes to get our salad course. A large party of 10 at the center table seems to have been the distraction. I saw our salad come from the kitchen twice, and be placed on the large table twice, before I intervened with the manager and expressed my dissatisfaction.
When the mains finally appeared (two pizzas), one was the wrong pizza entirely, and the other was the wrong size (a small as opposed to a large). They both had to be sent back and another 20 minute wait ensued. The manager was apologetic, but this did not excuse YET AGAIN the fact that I saw my pizza (!!) arrive from the kitchen and be placed on the large party's table -- at least this time the large party told the server it was not theirs.
My partner had to walk to the bar himself twice to ask for more beer, as our requests for refills went into the abyss. While waiting for food and drink to arrive, not only were we distracted by the loud large party in the center of the room (there is another floor -- why would they put a party this big downstairs?), but about 30 minutes after our arrival, a construction crew showed up with giant lights and tools, getting ready to do some serious drilling in the south wall. It was about 8 p.m. on a Sunday -- surely this is not the opportune time for a restaurant to begin renovations?
The table next to us also had their orders mixed up, as I overheard them expressing their unhappiness and the manager again apologizing.
Still, after all of this, we finally ate and asked for the bill. After waiting 10 minutes we got up to leave (we had already been there 2 hours!). Staff appeared out of nowhere with our bill in hand. I expressed that I was disappointed and unhappy with the service and that I at least expected a discount on our bill. Staff did not oblige.
We paid, left no tip, and decided not to return until after the summer months, when we hope management has either changed completely or shaped up considerably.
*The food is the only redeeming quality of this restaurant. Their pastas and pizzas continue to be of good quality. However, having eaten here now several times (15+ times if you include deliveries), I can say that the quality of food is largely dependent on which chef is working that day. While quality is never terrible, not all dishes are the same all the time. Consistency of quality (and service) would improve Cielo's rating immensely.
| Was this review ... |
Have been here a few times now and enjoyed it every time. I have tried the dishes recommended here by previous reviewers, and have also gone off the beaten track a bit and tried a few other randoms (like grilled buffalo and fried pigeon pieces). All have been excellent! Portions are generous, and there are many vegetarian options if you have an "an chay" in your party. There are also plenty of meat dishes to satisfy even the hungriest carnivore. My personal favorite dish is the tofu in tomato sauce. YUM!
Prices are modest, service is good (except when busy; typical for Hanoi), and the beer is cold. Food is served fresh and quickly, and most of it is pretty healthy stuff. If you prefer steamed rice instead of sticky (the only kind on the menu) you might have a bit of negotiating to do.
This is definitely becoming one of my favorite Vietnamese restaurants in Hanoi!
| Was this review ... |
I have to agree with suddenpaws -- everything was bland! I visited here with 3 friends and all of us commented on the same thing -- our food seemed to have no flavour. We each tried each others' dishes, just to see if we were losing our minds. No, we were correct -- there was no flavour to anything. Wait - there was one exception. Our "Lovers Salad" (funny name) had some flavour, but only because it was basically salad drenched in Thousand Island dressing. Hmm. Not worth it, and *definitely* not Italian.
At the end of the meal, I was beginning to wonder if they used any spices or herbs in ANYTHING they create here. I mean, really. Do they?
And to Michal - I'm sorry about the lasagne. The lasagne I ordered here was absolutely terrible -- it tasted like cardboard.
My final rant of the day: I would really like restaurants in Hanoi that are clearly NOT Italian to stop advertising themselves as such. Please, please, please! It's misleading and only leads to disappointment. I realize Sonia's review below says that the owner is from Italy... but does he know how to cook? Or did he just leave town and trust that his staff would do it properly? Something is missing from the picture, if the owner is Italian. Any Italians I know (ahem, my family!) would not touch this food with a 10-foot pole.
| Was this review ... |
It should be noted that Cielo recently raised their prices (again -- this is the 3rd time). Dishes now cost approximately double what they did 11 months ago, when I posted my original review.
| Was this review ... |
I suppose it's not bad for a mall restaurant, but please do not be fooled, folks -- it's not real Italian food they serve here. Like so many "Italian" restaurants in Asia, it is simply some pasta tossed with some sauce. Why-oh-why do so many people think that this is Italian food? I have not tried the pizzas, but I am not tempted to try them, either. I'll head to Mediterraneo or Luna for that.
| Was this review ... |
Questions (1)
Ok, this might sound like a really silly question. But it's for real: where can I buy Dove soap in Ha Noi?
I've lived here over 18 months now, and have not had any troubles until about 2 months ago. My maid tells me it's not available in Viet Nam at all any more (!) but I'm not sure I believe that. I've checked Fivi Mart and several other shopping stores downtown, including at Trang Tien Plaza and my "trusty" toiletries shop across from Puku. Anyone else have any suggestions?
Answers (19)
Posted Sunday April 8th, 2007.
I've bought several tickets online with AirAsia and have never been asked to produce the credit card upon check-in. I have always used my own credit card, but something tells me this would be true even if it were someone else's. Have your friend sit with you while you make the reservation online; they can enter all their credit card info after you plug in all the flight info. It's worth a try to see if it will work online; if it does, I am fairly sure you won't be asked to produce your credit card at the airport. Good luck, A.
In response to the question: Does anyone know where to buy tickets from Hanoi to Bangkok using cash? The Air Asia outlet we went to said they didn't accept cash there (go figure ...
Posted Thursday August 30th, 2007.
The cheaper $50 DVD players (Qisheng brand, etc.) should play almost everything. If you buy higher end (Samsung, Panasonic, any other quality brand) then they will only play local region DVDs.
The workaround is that you can buy a good quality DVD player and then do a search online for the hacking code to make it play anything. Certain brands are more difficult than others; for example, JVC is not easy, but Samsung is.
And there are a handful of places on Hai Ba Trung where English is spoken. Two upper-end places I have visited both do -- one is on the corner of Hai Ba Trung that faces Trang Tien Plaza. The other is directly across the street from Trang Tien plaza, on Hai Ba Trung. It usually has a Sony display set up outside, with lots of action around it. I wish I could remember the name of these places -- sorry! But do keep in mind that they are mid-to-high-end shops, so you won't find the cheap Chinese DVD players in there that were mentioned by others.
In response to the question: Hi all. Can anyone recommend an electronics store where they speak english? I want to buy a DVD player and have tried to ask about zone-free machines ...
Posted Thursday August 30th, 2007.
I'd also recommend Tamarind Cafe on Ma May in the Old Quarter.
In response to the question: Where can I get the best American style pancakes in Hanoi?...
Posted Sunday October 28th, 2007.
Zenith Yoga is a great place to practice, but they do not do any Power Yoga. Theirs is more kundalini and hatha style. Highly recommended!
In response to the question: Does anyone know fitness club or class where I can learn Power Yoga in Hanoi? Thanks for your help in advance!...
Posted Friday January 25th, 2008.
Dr. Fred Abel gets the best reviews that I know of -- and I'm going to visit him again next month. He is very thorough. The phone number is (04) 715-2286 and he's located at 51 Nguyen Khac Hien, near Truc Bac lake and Sofitel Plaza hotel.
In response to the question: I need a dentist.One of my front teeth is a crown and came loose when eating and I swallowed it so now I have a gap. Need a recommendation for a denti...
Posted Friday January 25th, 2008.
Are you looking for live music for a particular event? or recorded?
In response to the question: I am looking for some kinds of music to play in an art gallery. Any recommendations will be highly appreciated. ...
Posted Friday January 25th, 2008.
What's been said about VNPT is correct (trust me, I've researched it). It only applies to VIEWING the blog... you can still edit it. You can always get around it, however, by using an http proxy server. Do a quick Google search and you'll find plenty that work.
In response to the question: Anyone know why I might not be able to log onto any blogs from my home internet site? I set up a blog form a cafe the otherday and now can't access i...
Posted Monday January 28th, 2008.
Thanks, dianab! I am going to check it out!
Why Dove? I knew someone was going to ask that. :-) It's one of few products that I can use to wash my face that doesn't either dry me up or make me break out. I have been using it for 10+ years. Women's beauty habits are hard to break, I guess!
In response to the question: Ok, this might sound like a really silly question. But it's for real: where can I buy Dove soap in Ha Noi? I've lived here over 18 months now, ...
Posted Tuesday January 29th, 2008.
How much is he willing to pay? And when does he want one? I have an iBook which I love dearly, but could possibly be convinced to part with it for the right amount of $, and if it coincided with a good time for me (ideally, after the summer).
In response to the question: Used laptop computer wanted! I am asking and looking for a Vietnamese friend that has an affinity for Macs. Anyone know anyone that wants to sell? ...
Posted Thursday February 28th, 2008.
Hey there -
Our band needs a drummer! We play mostly original stuff and it's difficult to categorize, but lots of blues, jazz, and funky stuff, with the occasional love song tossed in for fun. Mostly, we like to make people dance. We've been MIA since our drummer and bass player left, but lots of people around Hanoi know us... our name is Lemongrass. Interested?
In response to the question: Fellow musicians out there! I brought my drums all the way from Europe hoping there would be someone to play with - jazz, big-band, rock & roll, blues...
Posted Thursday February 28th, 2008.
Contact the ComEd office at UNIS Hanoi. They might have some recommendations. 04 758 1551.
In response to the question: Hi all, does anyone know where to take piano lessons? thank you!...
Posted Thursday February 28th, 2008.
...or always have a pen and paper handy! Write it down, show the driver...
Even better -- start collecting cards for the places you go to regularly. Many of them have maps on the back, and a phone number if the driver is really lost. (He can call for directions!)
In the meantime, work on the VN pronunciation.. :-) It does get better with practice!
In response to the question: When I was in Poland, the taxi companies had a service where you text the company with the address you're at and they send a taxi there. Do they ...
Posted Thursday February 28th, 2008.
Mission accomplished. Thanks bobthebob... I did find some at L's place. I had looked there before and not found any, but seems now they have some...? So I bought lots of it!
In response to the question: Ok, this might sound like a really silly question. But it's for real: where can I buy Dove soap in Ha Noi? I've lived here over 18 months now, ...
Posted Saturday June 21st, 2008.
Absolutely agree with previous posters about CatSan litter -- it is actually the best I've found anywhere.
I bring my kittens to the French vet on To Ngoc Van. Not sure where you live but it's the most convenient for me and the care is very good. The address is 98 To Ngoc Van, near Sedona Suites. Phone: 04. 718. 2779 or mobile 0912 754 305 (good for emergencies).
They will also make house calls but it is more expensive. However, good to know that option is available when you have a super sick pet (as I did last summer).
They are part of a larger company called Asian Veterinary and Livestock services: http://www.asvelis.com. I have met both Mai and Patrice and they are lovely. And, they do sell the Royal Canine brand. :-)
In response to the question: I am looking for a veterinarian who is good to my cats. Can you give me a recommendation? As well I am looking for places selling cat food, especial...
Posted Saturday June 21st, 2008.
I doubt you will need one. My kittens here (Vietnamese kittens) did not get their rabies jabs because they are not outdoor cats -- they are indoor only. If you plan on letting your cat go outdoors, then you will probably want to get rabies jabs, but you can easily get that done here.
Happy travels!
A
In response to the question: Im off to Kl next week with my cat. He has not had a rabies shot becase the vet said it was not needed from the UK.We will however be moving from KL t...
Posted Saturday June 21st, 2008.
@zzipp,
"I have heard from a couple of sources already that the government has also locked out the withdrawal of dollars from any VND account, no matter where in the world you are taking out the money."
Does this include telex transfers and / or bank drafts? So you cannot transfer the money out of the country? That's what I was going to suggest but perhaps you can't do that either.
Hmm. Feeling very fortunate that my salary here in VN is paid in USD and not VND.
In response to the question: (See my "Short" history lesson if you don't know about the current currency situation in VN - it's after my question) My question: In September,...
Posted Friday August 22nd, 2008.
I have to go with what Finnmaccool said -- would recommend not getting it shipped here. It can be a nightmare getting it through customs and the like. (Yes, I speak from experience, and it was not pretty.) If you do end up deciding to ship it anyway, make sure that when it arrives you bring someone with you who speaks fluent Vietnamese (preferably, someone who IS Vietnamese) because there will be a lot of paperwork and other general procedures, and they won't speak much English.
Good luck!
In response to the question: Hi there. I'm looking at getting a new laptop shipped in from America. Dooes anybody know what the latest is on the taxes if I do this? I know a simi...
Posted Friday August 22nd, 2008.
Have to agree with everything said here already. Sometimes, sadly, things never arrive....
In response to the question: Hello there, I had some family members send me a box of books over 3 weeks ago using US priority mail. Still no word of the package... Anybody...
Posted Monday September 29th, 2008.
I have not seen resistance bands in Hanoi, but the people at Zenith Yoga might be able to help you, as they teach Pilates classes at their studio as well as yoga. Marzena is the main pilates teacher there. You can e-mail her at zenithyoga@yahoo.com or stop by the studio at 111 Xuan Dieu (on the 4th floor). Good luck! If you can't get any here, I'm sure they can be picked up the next time you're in Bangkok, if that's an option.
In response to the question: Does anyone know where to buy pilates and/or yoga equipment? I'm specifically looking for resistance bands. For those of you who don't know what on ea...
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In Hanoi SinceThursday August 10th, 2006
Here UntilTuesday June 30th, 2009
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