38 Dong Khoi Wine bar and restaurant opened its doors a year ago in the heart of Saigon where it has been making food a wine lovers happy ever since.
This French wine bar, that serves amazing food, focuses on the wines of Bordeaux (France) as reflected by its wine list where around 60% come from that region, most of which are exclusive and can’s be found anywhere else in Vietnam. In its dark cellar, one can find wines ranging from the inexpensive but delicious, to famous ones like Chateau Margaux 2002 or Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2007, that you can order at the bar or to take away (with a 25% discount on bar prices).
This wine bar restaurant spreads over two floors with different areas where you can enjoy your food and wine. If you are a smoker you will be delighted to know that they have a special lounge reserved only for smokers, where you can enjoy your own tobacco or get some exquisite cigars on sale at the second bar located within the lounge. A selection of spirits including single malt whiskeys, brandies, cognac and cocktails will make the experience even more memorable.
Marcelle, who runs the business and is originally from Bordeaux, believes in sharing her passion and knowledge about food and wine with her guests. That is why she offers a very large selection of wines by the glass, twelve of which are available from enomatic machines and changed regularly. Her view is that guests should be able to try her wines by the glass to see if they like them, instead of ordering a full bottle, only to discover it is not quite what they were looking for.
The atmosphere is very relaxing, with jazz music playing in the background, nouveau art on the walls and semi-dimmed lights help to chill out and enjoy food and wine whether you’re alone or with close friends.
The new food menu is quite varied and created to match with the wines offered, another example of their priority on sharing passion and knowledge of food and wine with customers.
We tried four different dishes; all had incredible presentation and were marvellous.
The chicken with asparagus was served in a creamy sauce, delicate and tasty. Even if you are not crazy about chicken (as in my case), you will surely enjoy this dish with a combination of delicacy and flavour.
The foie gras selection with onion confit followed, a great dish of homemade foie gras, rich, smooth and delicate. Matched with the perfect wine - in this case delicious red Bordeaux, what else?
The pan roasted duck breast was perfectly cooked and marinated with exquisite honey flavours, a making it difficult to forget.
Finally, we tried the roast beef fillet served with liver on top - great taste, great texture and matched with the right wine (we had a tempranillo cabernet sauvignon with it) made it something that just came from paradise - definitely my favourite.
Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner (Sundays from 4 to midnight only), 38 Dong Khoi is the perfect place for enjoying wine and food on a relaxing and sophisticated environment.
Wine Brandy Bar, 38 Dong Khoi, District 1, HCMC. T:08 3829 3968
