Luxury Lunches

The perfect excuse to skip work and while away a Saigon afternoon

For any foodies in Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll definitely want to check out Saigon Kitchen located in the beautiful Hôtel des Arts Saigon (76-78 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, D3; www.hoteldesartssaigon.com). Saigon Kitchen focuses on serving authentic, high quality dishes in an upscale, yet cozy atmosphere. Shortly after arriving I realized that this was not going to be just a meal, this was going to be a gastronomic experience.

Fried rice in Lotus leaf

The lunch buffet has a diverse selection of cuisine, from sushi and sashimi to customizable stir-fry to order, to roasted pork and mashed potatoes. For each course, be it a salad or an entrée, there are dishes from Asian culinary cultures like Korea, Japan or Vietnam, to some of the finest European cuisine from France, Spain and Italy. I tried the papaya salad and the fresh spring rolls as appetizers, which were fresh and delicious. However, it was the European cured meats and cheeses, and the arugula salad with fresh strawberries, raspberries and grated cheese that really shined. For the first main course I had freshly prepared squid and prawns, which were so tender that a second helping was ordered. There’s also the option of marinated pork or chicken that can be cooked to order as well.

_MG_5695

After that, I split my plate between baked sea bass with young vegetables and a lemon hollandaise sauce, and roasted pork with sour cream and mashed potatoes. Both were succulent choices. The house specialty is a unique salmon pho with tender pieces of cooked salmon in a traditional broth that should not be missed. While I was already pretty full, I managed a small bowl and was glad I made room. For dessert I tried a chocolate mousse and banana pastry that were both rich and creamy. I finished the meal by cleansing my palate with a bowl of chocolate ice cream with a touch of caramel sauce and white chocolate chips. It was a fantastic lunch.

Beef Pho

Take the elevator up to the penthouse level to the Social Club Restaurant & Rooftop Bar where diners can have a cocktail and watch the chefs prepare the dishes in an open kitchen. The panoramic view is especially stunning during sunset. There’s a nightly happy hour from 5pm-8pm when cocktails and glasses of wine are 50 percent off. Tuesday through Saturday, after happy hour stay for live jazz from 8pm-10pm.

Saigon Kitchen 1

 

The Hôtel des Arts Saigon’s soothing décor has touches of Saigon’s past, from French colonial architectural features to the feel of a traditional street food market, replete with tailormadelight installations and a great view of the surrounding trees and cityscape.

The lunch buffet is VND588,000++ person and VND888,000++ with free flow of house wines. From 6am to 10:30am (11am at the weekends), Saigon Kitchen also has a breakfast buffet, which is set up like a traditional Vietnamese food market. The pastries, breads and desserts are made in-house by trained pastry chefs, which are baked fresh daily. For any breakfast connoisseurs, this is one of the best breakfasts being served in Ho Chi Minh City. I know I’ll be going back to try it. The breakfast buffet is VND 525,000++ per person. For seafood lovers, Thursday through Saturday, you can indulge in lobster, crab, oysters and much more during their Extravaganza Seafood Buffet. This is available for VND1,088,000++ per guest (for food only).

Images provided by Hotel des Arts Saigon

Share this story, choose your platform!

About the author:

Leave a Comment

Wine & Dine Jackpot Nights: Hosting a Casino-themed Dinner Party

Throwing a memorable dinner party is an art form, and what better way to elevate the experience than by adding a dash of excitement with a casino-themed twist? Imagine the thrill of a night filled with high-stakes games, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. If you’re ready to take your hosting skills to the next

Read More »

October 2023: Kita Food Festival in Singapore and KL

KITA FOOD FESTIVAL TO HOST KITA CONVERSATIONS WITH WORLD RENOWNED FOOD THOUGHT LEADERSSingapore 23 Oct & Kuala Lumpur 30 Oct September 27,2023, Singapore & Malaysia: Kita Food Festival is bringing a host of world-renowned chefs and food thought leaders together for Kita Conversations as part of the overall food festival which will be held in

Read More »

Does Coffee Cause Inflammation? Myths and Misconceptions

This delicious morning brew is a must part of our daily routine. The beverage is hard to say no to because of its luscious taste and aroma.  Plus, it gives you the energy boost you need to start your day! While drinking a cup of rich, creamy coffee may give you a shot of stamina,

Read More »

Authentic Italian wines

ALL COOL MADE EASY Thiên nhiên đã dạy cho chúng tôi Thời gian là kim chỉ nam của chúng tôi: chậm và không ngừng trôi, thời gian đã dạy cho chúng tôi phải hành động đúng lúc, quan sát sự thay đổi của mùa màng, của những ngày nắng và mưa. Thiên nhiên đã ban

Read More »