L’OLIVIER RESTAURANT - SOFITEL
A French restaurant in Vietnam is always going to be an expensive treat but we had something to celebrate and felt that the price tag would be worth it. Our final choice, after researching two other French restaurants, was Olivier at the Sofitel.
We had booked for 6.30 pm, an early start, but it was a weekday, with work looming tomorrow. I arrived early and from the lobby I could hear the sounds of a singer and band emanating from the adjacent ‘Boudoir Lounge’ bar so decided to adjourn there and enjoy the delights of a gin and tonic while relaxing to the music of the live band. Half an hour later and my dining partner arrived and enjoyed a glass of cold Chablis before we climbed the stairway to the mezzanine level where Olivier is located on the opposite side to the Sofitel’s other restaurant Café Rivoli.
Corporate publicity blurb states that ‘Refinement can be found at l'Olivier restaurant where our French Chef serves you creative and authentic Provence cuisine in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere.’ Our summation of entering the restaurant differed slightly to the above, it was modern, elegant and sleek, certainly not cosy but there again I don’t think you want ‘cosy’ in a silver service restaurant.
The menu descriptions were typically traditional French, incorporating a modern twist and mix of Vietnamese, and also offering a three course set menu. The wine menu also was very much French based, but we were extremely disappointed to discover that our first choice of a Pouilly Fume was not to be when our waitress returned saying it was not available. This was not something we expected in this class of restaurant but we returned to the ‘carte de vin’ and this time chose a Pouilly Fusse (Bouchard Pere et Fils) VND1,600. Unfortunately our waitress had been unable to help us when we asked for help with our wine selection and the wine waitress offered little better.
Our fresh bread basket was accompanied by a small ‘amuse bouche’ of pastrami with vegetable croutons which was well received before we made our final meal selections. Again, unfortunately, my dinner companion’s main course choice of guinea fowl was not available and we therefore decided to order our entrée and leave the main course until later. We both chose ‘ravioli of crab and arugula with crispy vegetables and mixed herbs with basil sorbet’ VND270,000. This was a fairly large serving, well presented, tasty and fresh and the basil sorbet was pleasant, although we wrestled somewhat with the silver cutlery which looked smart but had rounded handles that were difficult to hold.
We then ploughed straight into dessert not willing to risk another disappointment in our choices. Our chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream and almond nougatine VND170,000 was a delightful ending to the evening.
On the whole this restaurant was disappointing for the enormous prices charged; expectations are that service in top class restaurants should be exemplary with information at staffs’ finger- tips regarding every aspect of the food and wine. Items included on the menu should be deleted if not available, it highlights a lack of respect for guests, and at the very least, a disunity between catering and service personnel. Come on Sofitel, lift your game, you are advertised as a refined 5 star establishment!
Olivier Restaurant, Sofitel, 17 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1 HCMC. Telephone: +84 (8) 3824 1555
A French restaurant in Vietnam is always going to be an expensive treat but we had something to celebrate and felt that the price tag would be worth it. Our final choice, after researching two other French restaurants, was Olivier at the Sofitel.
We had booked for 6.30 pm, an early start, but it was a weekday, with work looming tomorrow. I arrived early and from the lobby I could hear the sounds of a singer and band emanating from the adjacent ‘Boudoir Lounge’ bar so decided to adjourn there and enjoy the delights of a gin and tonic while relaxing to the music of the live band. Half an hour later and my dining partner arrived and enjoyed a glass of cold Chablis before we climbed the stairway to the mezzanine level where Olivier is located on the opposite side to the Sofitel’s other restaurant Café Rivoli.
Corporate publicity blurb states that ‘Refinement can be found at l'Olivier restaurant where our French Chef serves you creative and authentic Provence cuisine in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere.’ Our summation of entering the restaurant differed slightly to the above, it was modern, elegant and sleek, certainly not cosy but there again I don’t think you want ‘cosy’ in a silver service restaurant.
The menu descriptions were typically traditional French, incorporating a modern twist and mix of Vietnamese, and also offering a three course set menu. The wine menu also was very much French based, but we were extremely disappointed to discover that our first choice of a Pouilly Fume was not to be when our waitress returned saying it was not available. This was not something we expected in this class of restaurant but we returned to the ‘carte de vin’ and this time chose a Pouilly Fusse (Bouchard Pere et Fils) VND1,600. Unfortunately our waitress had been unable to help us when we asked for help with our wine selection and the wine waitress offered little better.
Our fresh bread basket was accompanied by a small ‘amuse bouche’ of pastrami with vegetable croutons which was well received before we made our final meal selections. Again, unfortunately, my dinner companion’s main course choice of guinea fowl was not available and we therefore decided to order our entrée and leave the main course until later. We both chose ‘ravioli of crab and arugula with crispy vegetables and mixed herbs with basil sorbet’ VND270,000. This was a fairly large serving, well presented, tasty and fresh and the basil sorbet was pleasant, although we wrestled somewhat with the silver cutlery which looked smart but had rounded handles that were difficult to hold.
We then ploughed straight into dessert not willing to risk another disappointment in our choices. Our chocolate soufflé with vanilla ice cream and almond nougatine VND170,000 was a delightful ending to the evening.
On the whole this restaurant was disappointing for the enormous prices charged; expectations are that service in top class restaurants should be exemplary with information at staffs’ finger- tips regarding every aspect of the food and wine. Items included on the menu should be deleted if not available, it highlights a lack of respect for guests, and at the very least, a disunity between catering and service personnel. Come on Sofitel, lift your game, you are advertised as a refined 5 star establishment!
Olivier Restaurant, Sofitel, 17 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1 HCMC. Telephone: +84 (8) 3824 1555