ICONIC VENUE: The dim light of the Spice Garden, toned down ambience and attentive service brings life to the legendary hotel where Graham Greene used to pen his books. VNS Photos Mỹ Hà

 By Nguyễn Mỹ Hà 

When you need to get away from daily routine but cannot travel far, a day or two escape to some of the city’s widely available hotels can be a good choice. Hotels offer great promotions to domestic guests, and surely it’s time to spoil your family after nine months of studying online and working from home.

We’re very lucky that Việt Nam has a long coast and even during winter you can escape to sunny beaches of any kind from Đà Nẵng southward. This Tết (Lunar New Year) holiday, my guess is that Hanoians filled the beaches of Phú Quốc island.

EXQUISITE: Pan-fried foie gras with sweet turnips is listed as a starter, but can work as a main.

We could not get away to the sunny island, so went to the Metropole for dinner. And it did not disappoint.

On our last trip here to another restaurant, Le Beaulieu, we were sad to see the usual beautiful mini buns of bread had changed their shape. I always loved the slender mini baguettes the pre-COVID baker used to make. This time, though, I still couldn't find my little favourite fellows, the bread and butter were generally good. But you can never rewind the past.

So we decided to spoon our sorrows away with a fish soup, Provencal style (VNĐ300,000). The size was large enough for two of us to share.

My dining companions chose Black Cod (VNĐ1,100,000), Beef Rossini (VNĐ1,600,000) and Lamb chops (VNĐ880,000). All were delighted with their choices.

The fish person said it melted on her palate, while the beef eater said it tasted like heaven and loved the baked potatoes that came as side dish. The lamb chops of the Metropole have always been delicious, pre- or post-COVID. 

I picked Pan-seared Foie Gras (VNĐ720,000), which was actually listed as a starter but I had it for my main course. After eating it, I felt closer to heaven, if such a place exists.

For desert, we chose ice cream (VNĐ100,000 a scoop) and crème brulée (VNĐ230,000). The coffee scoop we chose turned out to be bitter, too bitter for an ice-cream. It surprised us, and got on our nerves up for a few moments. 

The crème brulée, on the contrary, was superbly smooth and delicately sweet enough not to shock us with a sugar overdose. It's likely the best crème brulée you can get in town. 

PERFECTLY CRISP: The crème brulée at the Spice Garden is among the best in the city

This feast has actually been a treat for our child who's been working hard during online-learning. When others found time to chit chat, she delved herself in her books and worked hard alone. The end of term tests ended in excellent results and we awarded her with the trip. 

Speaking of academic excellence, don't get me wrong. You have probably heard too much about Asian parents pressuring their kids for the best grades and to do extracurricular activities. Well, pre-COVID, her schedule was full of school work and dance rehearsals, cafe time with friends and a mental health project to work on with her classmates. On top of that she loves books and drawing, but just for fun. No art classes or homework! 

Over tea and dessert, we talked of the future, which can and should be challenging, but that's what the youthful years are for: to work hard so that you can live your future life to the fullest.

It may be cliché, but there’s a line that is often quoted by parents steering their children into their future.

Pavel Corsaghin in Nikolai Ostrovsky's novel How Steel Was Tempered says, and I paraphrase: "You only live once, make sure your life is full of the meaningful work you started during your youthful years."  VNS

Spice Garden in Sofitel Legend

Address: 15 Ngô Quyền St. Hà Nội

Tel: 024 38266919

Comment: Fine dining in historic venue