Located on the third floor of Caravelle Hotel, Reflections restaurant provides some of the best views of the city centre, especially considering that it’s not on a roof top. Seated by one of the many large windows, I was surrounded by the beautifully-lit Opera House and pleasant colonial buildings, transporting me back in time to what has always been the most charming area of Saigon.
We started the evening by visiting the attached Martini bar, a treat for those of us who high cocktail standards, which are prepared tableside.
The menu at Reflections focuses on fine dining and was created by Chef Le Xuan Tam who you may recognise as the winner of Iron Chef Vietnam. With over 18 years of experience, the chef’s passion for food is evident when chatting with him for a few minutes.
The menu offers a great selection of international food with a smaller selection of Asian dishes. However, having the balance of yin and yang in mind, each dish is well balanced: not even the American lobster is prepared in a 100% American style, as they add the freshness of local ingredients and a personal touch in order to create something different and well-balanced.
Reflections bakes its own bread, a selection of which is be served on your table with some homemade delicious dips. While you wait, expect a gift of a culinary canapé, designed daily by the chef, a nice snack to hold you over until the main dishes arrive!
We started the meal with pressed duck liver and duck confit with Szechuan glazed jelly, pineapple chutney and cashew nuts offering a great presentation and an even better taste. Accompanied by a beautifully decorated array of square cakes, whose light sweetness perfectly balances the intensity of the liver and the duck. A glass of Chablis, from the extensive wine list which is available both by the glass or full bottle, was the perfect match for such a succulent dish.
You may be surprised to see a Caesar salad on a fine dining menu, but you will be even more surprised when you see how it’s prepared. The restaurant offers the choice to have your salad prepared in front of you by their staff, tailor made for your taste. The salad includes a large portion of top-quality smoked salmon, and savoury bacon shavings. It was very distinct, lovely taste. I’ll be ordering this again in the future.
The Nha Trang lobster American style was the first main course to arrive. With outstanding presentation and served with homemade black pasta, the dish was fresh, juicy and flavourful.
The butter poached lamb was our second main dish. Expect a rather large portion, beautifully presented with a rich taste. The lamb was delicate, while intense when paired with a 2008 Rioja wine - an incredible experience.
Reflections offers a large selection of desserts, including a large variety of ice cream dishes. Unfortunately, we were really full by then, so we will have to go another time to experience the desserts that are likely to be great.
Amazing food, service and views, pared with a relaxing atmosphere makes Reflections the perfect place to treat yourself to an unforgettable culinary experience.
Reflections. Caravelle Hotel. 19 Lam Son Square, District 1. HCMC. T: 08 3823 4999
No comments:
Post a Comment