Rooftop dining sets high standards

Unique decor: The Rooftop has a blend of new and traditional, a soothing backdrop, with colours matching, right down to the salt and pepper shakers and tablecloths. An Asian influence is evident in the wood and tile decorations and calligraphy on the walls. — VNS Photos Phong Van Something different: Frog congee is a speciality at the Rooftop. Well presented: King prawns braised with fried pork. Sweet tooth: Western cakes with chocolate are a favourite dessert for diners at the Rooftop. The Rooftop Restaurant and Bar Address: 83B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Ha Noi Tel: (04) 39461901 Hours: 9am-midnight Prince range: VND80,000-280,000 (US$4-14) Comment: Reasonably priced selection of high-quality Asian and European dishes in a romantic setting.

As we were sweating our way through the summer heat in the capital city, we decided we needed an escape. The Rooftop, located on the 19th floor of the Pacific Place building in downtown Ha Noi, is known for its open-air dining room and fresh salads so it beckoned as just the place for a lunch or dinner respite from the heat.

What we got was the dining equivalent of a spa: refreshing dishes, attentive service and a peaceful environment as well as a performance featuring different styles of music.

As soon as we walked in, we were impressed by the Rooftop's decor which was a unique blend of brand-new and traditional. The setting provided a soothing backdrop to our meal, with shades of blue dominating, right down to the salt and pepper shakers and tablecloths, and Asian influence evident in the wood and tile decorations and calligraphy adorning the walls and pillars.

In addition to enjoying the tasteful interior, customers at the Rooftop restaurant and bar can admire a panoramic view of Ha Noi including West Lake and the Hong (Red) River, especially captivating from the terrace at sunset.

Glancing over the drink menu, I noted a wide selection of international wines and beers, but opted instead for an ice-cold lemon juice, true Vietnamese-style refreshment.

After we ordered, we sampled tasty shrimp, squid and mussels with carrots, celery and leeks before our main courses arrived.

Next we moved on to the main attractions: first, grilled chicken with lemon leaves. Though we eat this dish at home often, we were impressed by the Rooftop's version, with its freshness and high-quality ingredients. Plus, the meat had been trimmed of all the unpleasant fatty bits that seem to be prized by hardened Vietnamese diners.

One of my friends ordered prawn salad which included lettuce, julienne cucumber and prawns served with lemon olive oil dressing which came as a relief after various traumatic experiences we'd had in traditional Vietnamese eateries involving cold tofu.

Then head chef Vu Tuan Don suggested we taste the Rooftop's speciality: frog congee.

"It is really delicious and tasty and I've never tried it before," my friend said, adding that she would invite her family to enjoy the food and musical performances by famous Vietnamese singers such as Hong Nhung and Quang Dung at the Rooftop.

Rooftop owner Pham Bich Hanh told us that many celebrities would soon gather to celebrate the restaurant's first birthday which falls next Monday (October 17).

"Furthermore, you are all invited to enjoy a live show by My Linh and Dam Vinh Hung on November 15," she said.

When it came time for dessert, a platter arrived heaped with fruit, including dragon fruit, papaya, rambuttan and watermelon, paired with western delicacies such as creamy tapioca pudding and sponge cake with chocolate sauce, which we were particularly impressed by considering how difficult it is to find tasty chocolate products of any description in Viet Nam.

We were given heaping dishes of condiments and our drinks were refilled 10 times over during our meal. All in all, the experience was soothing and pleasant, almost like an afternoon at a spa.

The Rooftop restaurant and bar is a great place to sample a variety of Asian and European dishes as it can cater to both Vietnamese and foreign tastes.

Though our limited appetites kept us from trying more items from the menu, the options were extensive, with flavours of the land and sea available in a variety of preparations.

For a first course, for only US$4.50 to $10.80 diners can enjoy genuine Vietnamese dishes such as abalone with mushroom soup, crab and asparagus soup, scallop salad, and jellyfish and chicken salad.

Many of the ingredients used at the Rooftop are imported from Thailand, Japan and European countries.

Those interested in salad, snacks and Asian noodles can try grilled scallops on a mixed green salad, served with honey balsamic dressing ($8), premium baked foie gras with French chestnuts ($15) and spicy Thai noodle soup with king prawn ($8.50).

During our visit, any culinary shortcomings were more than compensated for by the wide selection of menu options, the serene atmosphere and friendly, attentive staff.

Located near Ha Noi's famous Quan Su Pagoda, the Rooftop restaurant and bar could be perfectly paired with a show. Alternatively, the restaurant would make the perfect venue for a party with as many as 300 guests. — VNS

Rooftop dining sets high standards

Unique decor: The Rooftop has a blend of new and traditional, a soothing backdrop, with colours matching, right down to the salt and pepper shakers and tablecloths. An Asian influence is evident in the wood and tile decorations and calligraphy on the walls. — VNS Photos Phong Van Something different: Frog congee is a speciality at the Rooftop. Well presented: King prawns braised with fried pork. Sweet tooth: Western cakes with chocolate are a favourite dessert for diners at the Rooftop. The Rooftop Restaurant and Bar Address: 83B Ly Thuong Kiet St, Ha Noi Tel: (04) 39461901 Hours: 9am-midnight Prince range: VND80,000-280,000 (US$4-14) Comment: Reasonably priced selection of high-quality Asian and European dishes in a romantic setting.

As we were sweating our way through the summer heat in the capital city, we decided we needed an escape. The Rooftop, located on the 19th floor of the Pacific Place building in downtown Ha Noi, is known for its open-air dining room and fresh salads so it beckoned as just the place for a lunch or dinner respite from the heat.

What we got was the dining equivalent of a spa: refreshing dishes, attentive service and a peaceful environment as well as a performance featuring different styles of music.

As soon as we walked in, we were impressed by the Rooftop's decor which was a unique blend of brand-new and traditional. The setting provided a soothing backdrop to our meal, with shades of blue dominating, right down to the salt and pepper shakers and tablecloths, and Asian influence evident in the wood and tile decorations and calligraphy adorning the walls and pillars.

In addition to enjoying the tasteful interior, customers at the Rooftop restaurant and bar can admire a panoramic view of Ha Noi including West Lake and the Hong (Red) River, especially captivating from the terrace at sunset.

Glancing over the drink menu, I noted a wide selection of international wines and beers, but opted instead for an ice-cold lemon juice, true Vietnamese-style refreshment.

After we ordered, we sampled tasty shrimp, squid and mussels with carrots, celery and leeks before our main courses arrived.

Next we moved on to the main attractions: first, grilled chicken with lemon leaves. Though we eat this dish at home often, we were impressed by the Rooftop's version, with its freshness and high-quality ingredients. Plus, the meat had been trimmed of all the unpleasant fatty bits that seem to be prized by hardened Vietnamese diners.

One of my friends ordered prawn salad which included lettuce, julienne cucumber and prawns served with lemon olive oil dressing which came as a relief after various traumatic experiences we'd had in traditional Vietnamese eateries involving cold tofu.

Then head chef Vu Tuan Don suggested we taste the Rooftop's speciality: frog congee.

"It is really delicious and tasty and I've never tried it before," my friend said, adding that she would invite her family to enjoy the food and musical performances by famous Vietnamese singers such as Hong Nhung and Quang Dung at the Rooftop.

Rooftop owner Pham Bich Hanh told us that many celebrities would soon gather to celebrate the restaurant's first birthday which falls next Monday (October 17).

"Furthermore, you are all invited to enjoy a live show by My Linh and Dam Vinh Hung on November 15," she said.

When it came time for dessert, a platter arrived heaped with fruit, including dragon fruit, papaya, rambuttan and watermelon, paired with western delicacies such as creamy tapioca pudding and sponge cake with chocolate sauce, which we were particularly impressed by considering how difficult it is to find tasty chocolate products of any description in Viet Nam.

We were given heaping dishes of condiments and our drinks were refilled 10 times over during our meal. All in all, the experience was soothing and pleasant, almost like an afternoon at a spa.

The Rooftop restaurant and bar is a great place to sample a variety of Asian and European dishes as it can cater to both Vietnamese and foreign tastes.

Though our limited appetites kept us from trying more items from the menu, the options were extensive, with flavours of the land and sea available in a variety of preparations.

For a first course, for only US$4.50 to $10.80 diners can enjoy genuine Vietnamese dishes such as abalone with mushroom soup, crab and asparagus soup, scallop salad, and jellyfish and chicken salad.

Many of the ingredients used at the Rooftop are imported from Thailand, Japan and European countries.

Those interested in salad, snacks and Asian noodles can try grilled scallops on a mixed green salad, served with honey balsamic dressing ($8), premium baked foie gras with French chestnuts ($15) and spicy Thai noodle soup with king prawn ($8.50).

During our visit, any culinary shortcomings were more than compensated for by the wide selection of menu options, the serene atmosphere and friendly, attentive staff.

Located near Ha Noi's famous Quan Su Pagoda, the Rooftop restaurant and bar could be perfectly paired with a show. Alternatively, the restaurant would make the perfect venue for a party with as many as 300 guests. — VNS