Life in July '17

WHAT TO EAT

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE

As a cheese lover, I got to recommend the brand new menu at my favourite trattoria-style restaurant, Basilico featuring Mozzarella for the softest, moist texture coupled with super creamy flavor twist, promises to turn every meal into a stunning dining journey.

Highlights:

• Pearl mozzarella, beef skewer, roasted tomato, arugula and balsamic vinaigrette
• Angus Chuck eye with Borlotti beans and Burrata soup
• Slowly cooked beef shank with vegetable & red wine served with baked gnocchi & mozzarella

Homemade bread with asparagus, buffalo mozzarella cheese, pistachio pesto

Pearl mozzarella, beef skewer, roasted tomato, arugula and balsamic vinaigrette

Marsala walnut cake

Strawberry tiramisu

The menu is available in both set lunch and a la carte, every dinner and weekend lunch during July.

Set menu prices:

VND 358,000++ for 2-course

VND 398,000++ for 3-course 

VND 422,000++ for 4-course

(*) For any choice of course, enjoy soft drinks at VND 50,000++

BASILICO Restaurant

Lobby Level - InterContinental Residences Saigon

Corner Nguyen Du St. and Le Van Huu St., District 1, HCMC

Tel: +84 28 3520 9099 (Reservation is recommended)

>>

JAPANESE HOTPOT & GRILL

I'm always surprised by how Hotpot and Grill became my infinite interests. Especially Japanese cuisine, which had been genuinely indulged in most of the Vietnamese food lovers. Hotpot and Grill restaurant everywhere with diverse price ranges created a constantly competitive market.

As a huge fan of Uraetei BBQ, I would always choose the restaurant for its irreplaceable charcoal grilled beef and pork. Try Bara and Harami beef steeped in the special sauce and Japanese rice if you get here. Wagyu beef will be a great option if you could afford.

Bara, Harami, Sukiyaki beef options

URAETEI JAPANESE BBQ

Reservation is a Must!

To be honest, I have not really found a truly authentic Japanese Hotpot restaurant. My biggest concern: the broth. Most of the restaurants in town provide just a few broth options such as meat, regular seafood, veggie or miso/ shabu. The only thing customer enjoy is thin slices of qualified beef and pork. I would say it's good, but not enough.

Until my hubby took me to Akabeko.

This restaurant is newly opened for a few months, running by Japanese boss and chefs. The warmly welcoming atmosphere, authentic décor, informal ambiance and casual yet attentive bistro-style service make it the perfect place to meet colleagues, friends, and business partners at any time of the day.

It is highly featured for premium Hotpot with 8 kinds of soup originally cooked by Chefs. I tried Japanese Dashi and Kimuchi flavour and totally amazed. Dashi fish broth contains the balance of salty and sweetness from kombu and slightly smoky twist from katsuobushi, create such perfect umami taste.

Another dish to recommend is Wagyu Niku sushi. If you haven't got a chance to try Wagyu at other restaurants, then this is your place. A dish with 3 pieces of sushi, covered by a thin Wagyu beef blanket cost for VND 150,000++. Absolutely worth trying.

Signature Wagyu Beef Sushi

Dashi and Kimuchi broth

Hotpot Menu

Boss and staffs are friendly and fully supportive. For every Facebook check-in, you will get 10% discount. Simply show the waitress or manager your post.

AKABEKO JAPANESE ULTIMATE HOTPOT & CHARCOAL GRILL

13 Pasteur, Nguyen Thai Binh St., District 1, HCMC

Tel: +84 91 858 48 84 (Reservation is recommended)

>>

WHERE TO GO

THE HELIPAD - Top level of my workplace

I know it is awkward to introduce such a place, as my life is no bigger than a work-rest circle, yet the scene is truly breathtaking.

Take this as a complimentary Saigon view.

Stunning place to catch Saigon sunset

HOME - The greatest nest

The one and only place I feel accepted and eased

Where I serve myself a hundred glasses of homemade fruity & lemongrass tea

Where I calmly soothed to sleep and insomnia completely stopped

Thank you for your reading time.

Hopefully, the next one would be a travel entry (since I'm always in vacation mood) =)