Dining alfresco by the sea in Nha Trang

Cookbook Cafe Restaurant is a great place to enjoy both Vietnamese and foreign cuisine in Nha Trang, Yến Vy reports.

The restaurant is in the Intercontinental Hotel in the coastal province of Nha Trang. It is located on the first floor beside the hotel lobby.

The elegant restaurant features a cozy atmosphere with lots of warm lighting.

Cookbook Cafe has an open-kitchen style, allowing diners to watch their food be prepared.

We decided to choose a table outside the balcony opposite the beach to enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful ocean-view.

The menu is diverse, featuring local and international favourites in Vietnamese and English.

There are more than 56 dishes in the main a la carte menu combined with one signature premium Wagyu beef menu and one Asian specialty menu, created by executive Australian chef Dennis Barton, who has experience in Australia, Thailand and the Maldives.

“I chose Nha Trang, Việt Nam because the country and this particular coastal region offer a wealth of ingredients for culinary discovery, an exhilarating attraction for a chef who wants his skills shiningly honed” he told Việt Nam News.

I ordered carpaccio of beef to start, while my two friends chose smokey cream of tomato soup served with garlic cheese bread.

Along with the nice atmosphere, the waiting staff was polite, friendly and attentive. There were both Vietnamese and foreigners, all with good English.

Bands also perform live at the restaurant at night, so diners can enjoy music while they eat.

Our starters came quickly and we weren’t disappointed. The beef carpaccio dish looked fresh and was presented beautifully. Thin slices of beef were spread on a white plate, topped with toasted pine nuts, rocket, parmesan and carper.

The meat was fresh and tender, while the pine nuts and parmesan were rich and buttery. An excellent starter, light and nourishing!

My friend’s tomato soup was also a great choice as nothing is more comforting than a bowl of tomato soup to warm up an empty stomach. The soup looked very attractive.

The bread with the soup were crispy and delicious, good when eaten individually or with the soup.

Main event: Salmon fillet.

The main course came as we finished our starters.

I chose a 250-gram salmon fillet. The fish was big and presented well, served with creamy mushroom sauce and a free side-dish of steamed fresh vegetables tossed with pesto butter. 

The fish was tender and juicy. I can say that the salmon at Cookbook Café was one of the best I’ve eaten.

Unlike other times I’ve eaten salmon, the fish was cooked just right and wasn’t dry.

The vegetables going with the fish were also fresh.

Finally, we chose chocolate tart with white chocolate sorbet for our desserts. This dessert was truly a gem that anyone can savour for a true gourmet moment. With its superbly rich chocolate layer, this simple cake turned into a stunning treat that was combined with white chocolate sorbet.

Imagine the satisfying emotion with each slice of cake you cut and a spoonful of sorbet combined melting together on your taste buds. What’s more, a sip of after meal cappuccino created a heavenly finish that defined a true gourmet indulgence.

Despite feeling full, I was able to finish the lovely dessert, an impressive ending for our first meal in Nha Trang. — VNS