Reviews by Atomic
I actually like this McDonald's erm Highlands branch best of all for a couple reasons:
*The staff is usually on the ball and quite helpful with everything from coffee questions to wifi issues.
*The ventilation system seems better than the others and I don't need to don my activated charcoal mask to avoid sounding like Brenda Vacarro after smoking 42 packs.
*The seating arrangements are well thought out and offer more privacy and intimacy for you and your beloved laptop. The Hoan Kiem location sucks on this front.
*The hoity-toity location gives me special insight into the lives of the upwardly mobile Vietnamese. Who knew pink comes in so many shades for men?
Yeah, the prices are higher than your local Trung Nguyen, and you might quickly grow weary of listening to Becky and Brenda behind you say "like" when describing their holiday in Cambodia, but this Highlands will always be my number one.
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posted about 3 days ago by Atomic
about the venue: Monument to Triumphant Frolicking Stallions - Gateway to Ciputra
You didn't really give this monstrosity 3 stars, did you?!
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I've had quite a few bowls of pho and while I'm far from an expert, I do know the good from the suck. Dami's version tastes like a complex blend of chemical and ass and is not recommended for small children or anyone with taste buds.
Service was great, though it did little to counter the horrible food.
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Asahi's food is decent but their prices are high. 2 of us spent over $60 for beers and sushi. The problem with the staff was easy to spot - they all hate their jobs. It was also obvious they (were told to?) favor locals who look like they've got coin while most white folk were just tolerated.
I have to disagree with Selena's review below. Assembly line sushi whizzing by on a conveyor belt is anything but "elegant".
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Travel agents abound in Hanoi and it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff, especially as a visitor or new arrival. Their great attitude and good response time keep me going back to I-Travel for train tickets, hotels, visas for visiting friends, and plane tickets out.
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There are a lot of things to like about Quan - their low prices, open and airy space, good food, easily accessible location, and attentive service from the chipper staff. The Route 66 paraphernalia made me do a double take in a Scooby Doo kinda way, but ok.
They have overstaffing issues which will most likely resolve themselves in the coming months, but in the meantime enjoy the 16 people ready to wipe and flush.
Quan oi - Chang beer would be a great addition to your current selection.
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A visiting friend and I hit the lunch boofay at the Nikko on a recent afternoon. $23 gets you a relatively small selection of the standard hotel offerings: sushi and sashimi, cold cuts with mustard and gherkins, manned grill with fillet and fish, fried rice, cauliflower with cheesy sauce, chicken ala king (wtf), and free flowing beer and soft drinks. Cakes and ice cream were also included in the deal.
I don't think it was anything special and won't be going back. Surely there must be better options in Hanoi.
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I think hanoimonkey nailed it.
I like KOTO and respect their contribution to the community. I think it's a great place to bring visiting friends and family to fill them with warm fuzzies after dining on mediocre and overpriced food and drink.
A note to future diners - get to Koto at off-peak hours as it fills up quickly. Also, head to the top floor. The terrace is by far the most comfortable room in the building, and is an ace breakfast/brunch spot for groups under 15 as it can be reserved solely for your use.
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Quán Hải Sản Ngon came highly recommended and I was eager to check it out from the reviews here alone. The setting is great and as has already been stated, is a much quieter and urbane version of its citified cousin.
Maybe my biggest beef was that they were out of so much stuff, or maybe I just wasn't that hungry, or maybe I didn't really care for my dinner partner. I dunno. I just really didn't love it so much.
I think 3 stars is more than generous.
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I'm not one who expects a specific standard nor demands a certain level of service when traveling. If I did, Sofitel would be a good place for me to hang my hat in cities around the world and know what to expect in each: the rooms are tastefully furnished, the service is outstanding, and the location usually central. The Sofitel Hanoi is no exception.
The Summit Lounge on the 19th floor is worth a visit even if you're not staying at the hotel. The drinks menu is thorough and the sunset views are spectacular, possibly the best in the city. The Lounge features a large terrace with rattan seating and that outstanding Sofitel service.
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