The new ZanZBar relocated to 19 Dong Khoi, in the heart of district one, barely five months ago. Management and staff have a one thing in mind for this bar-restaurant: great customer service.
Two different floors, and a private room with capacity for 50 people, ensure that different atmospheres co-exist.
The bar on the ground floor offers a more cosmopolitan environment, great selection of cocktails, drinks and very sophisticated tapas.
The stairs lead you to the main restaurant, with 14 tables offering great international cuisine in a relaxed environment.
ZanZBar is ideal for those who want a proper sit down meal, as well as for those looking to share tapas-style foods with friends and colleagues while enjoying a nice bottle of wine. All the tapas we tried were fabulous: “Pigs in blankets” (VND110,000) delicious sausages wrapped in bacon with chimichurri sauce, a great combination! Great presentation and a clear flavour profile.
The Peking duck pancakes (VND140,000) were awesome - a duet of flavours with a bright, homemade sauce.
The spicy chicken tostadas (VND120,000) were definitely my favourite - an absolutely amazing explosion of flavours, with a touch of spice. The chicken was prepared so nicely that melts in your mouth, highlighted by tropical, exotic flavours.
For presentation the winner was the soy lime scallop tapas with leeks (VND110,000), another great combination of flavours and refined taste.
Already with a full tummy, we decided to over do it, and try two more tapas: the menu has 14 different with prices ranging from VND90,000 to VND165,000.
Soon the prawns in bacon (VND130,000) arrived - a wonderful fusion of sea and land; crispy and savoury.
Finally we tried the beef skewers (VND110,000) – juicy and full of taste.
In addition to the great flavours, beautiful presentation and reasonable prices, the restaurant offers an extensive wine list covering over 200 different wines, with prices starting at VND400,000 per bottle, and 17 available by the glass.
What could be better? Although prices are reasonable considering the quality, bigger portions would definitely make a considerable difference.
ZanZBar is open from 7am to 1 am, seven days a week. From a calm atmosphere at breakfast to sophisticated evenings, it is an ideal place to enjoy wine and tapas while listening to alternative music, or drinking one of the fantastic cocktails available.
ZanZBar. 19 Dong Khoi, District 1. HCMC. T: 08 6291 3686.
Note: The author of this review, Alfredo de la Casa, is a freelance reporter specialising in food, beverage and culture, who writes for several of the top lifestyle publications, and author of 9 books, including 4 related to Vietnam; he is a wine educator and runs www.wineinvietnam.com. He has written this review independently with no influence from the restaurant or third parties. Neither he nor the photographer nor Saigoneer get paid for the review which is done totally based on the personal experience of the writer.
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