RICE FIELD
75 Hồ Tùng Mậu
District 1
090 693 86 36
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It’s Hai’s Birthday! Or actually, it was earlier this week. A special and fun opportunity for us to celebrate it together here in Saigon.
Hai made the final decision about exactly where we should enjoy his birthday dinner celebration and more importantly what kinds of food would be involved. A major complexity involved, however, was that more than 90% of Saigon’s restaurants were still closed for the extended Tet Lunar New Year holiday. Appealing choices were few.
Based on a friend’s suggestion, however, all was to be just fine!
The Rice Field street entrance was a bit hidden by the glaring lights of tourist-oriented gift shops and eateries. But, we quickly noticed that this just might be a more unique setting than most in this neighborhood as we strolled down the warmly-lighted brick tunnel entrance adorned with classic Vietnamese images.
… and then, a stairwell that might be suitable in an Asian art gallery.
We were immediately seated at a table on Rice Field’s second floor. Our initial reaction – What a lovely, atmospheric setting! (I snapped a few quick photos, of course).
But, shortly thereafter, birthday-boy Hai struck up a conversation, and apparently an immediate personal bond with our hostess, Vân. She turned out to be the Rice Field owner’s mother, who quickly insisted we should be relocated to the roof-top for an even more lovely setting. Well, okay!
Wow – so charming!! From our small roof-top table, we could gaze at classic Vietnamese images, along with pocket-views of “today’s” Saigon in every direction! Tasteful ancient depictions of Vietnamese rice field workers, bamboo fences, weathered wooden floors, antique Vietnamese motorbikes, jaw-dropping views of Saigon’s Bitexco Financial Tower, and neighbors’ working kitchens, laundry and roof-top water tanks. All while listening to traditional HaNoi music.
A fascinating variety of images and hidden views into today’s Saigon. A true sensory feast!
And then there was the food! Again, a full variety of Vietnam. Certainly, not the finest “high-end” cuisine available in town, but a great and tasty sampling of the great variety of classic Vietnamese dishes from across the country – North, Central, and South – and at reasonable prices.
Deep-fried squid, stuffed squid with a sweet sauce, stir-fried bitter melon with egg, and grilled anchovies in a spicy caramelized sauce. Yum!
Actually, our food options were limited due to the recent Tet holiday re-opening that very day, as well as the late hour of our arrival. In spite of that, a series of delicious dishes completed Hai’s birthday night!
RICE FIELD
75 Hồ Tùng Mậu
District 1
090 693 86 36