CRACKING: Classic crème brûlée is a perfect choice to finish your meal. VNS Photo Minh Phi.
BY MỸ DUYÊN
A friend called me recently, insisting that we go out for a barbeque. A good idea, I thought, as I had not eaten out for a long time because of the extended social distancing.
So, I acquiesced. As soon as I stepped out of the lift to reach the Top of the Town Bar and Restaurant, I knew why the place was so unique and popular in District 5, formerly known as Saigon’s China Town.
Located on the 25th floor of the Windsor Plaza Hotel, Top of the Town is an ideal spot for a weekend gathering with a cosy and private ambience. With spectacular 360-degree views over the country’s most cosmopolitan city, Top of the Town is the perfect destination for any celebration, romantic dinner or evening out.
The restaurant has been delighting diners for nearly 20 years with authentic Vietnamese fare alongside favourite international entrees set in an elegant atmosphere overlooking the spectacular panorama of bustling Hồ Chí Minh City.
TOP TIER: The restaurant is an ideal destination for any celebration, romantic dinner or evening out. VNS Photo Minh Phi.
Since last November, Top of the Town has presented an authentic steakhouse experience every evening, while the outdoor BBQ feast is available every Friday and Saturday.
Grilled over an open fire on the outdoor terrace, diners can select imported steaks, chicken or seafood mains alongside a host of sides and sauces from the encompassing a la carte menu.
Top of the Town is an unsurpassable venue for fine contemporary dining. The bar on the rooftop terrace is an ideal destination to enjoy the city’s spacious atmosphere and vibrant life.
After a long time staying in due to the pandemic, diners can finally feast outside their homes.
Apart from the fine food, especially the beef, the cosy atmosphere of the indoor area and the airy environment of the outdoor terrace have stunning views that keep the crowds coming.
“We dine here with our family to enjoy our favourites while we unwind high above the city,” said a woman who works downtown.
DONE WELL: The highlight of our dinner was the juicy and fresh beef steak. VNS Photo MinhPhi.
“We’re crazy for the BBQ and its special homemade sauce and the exceptional view. We can enjoy our amazing food with a brilliant view from our seats -- the city skyline and the evening’s glistening, colourful neon lights.”
Featuring imported USDA, Australian and wagyu beef, diners pick their favourite cut from marbled tenderloins and T-bones to the must-try bone-in barbecued beef short ribs.
You also can elevate your experience with an optional add-on of foie gras and a selection of complimentary sauces, including mushroom, red wine, green peppercorn, blue cheese or Béarnaise.
Alternatively, guests can savour imported lamb chops, marinated chicken or barbecued pork ribs grilled over the fire.
And for seafood lovers, Top of the Town offers an extensive menu of ocean fish, squid, oysters, abalone, salmon and even lobster, and grilled mixed vegetables.
For a starter, I ordered the Thai green mango salad with deep-fried fluffy, crispy fish (VNĐ168,000), while my friend had the chilli chicken (VNĐ98,000). As usual, we shared the two dishes to try as many different tastes as we could.
The crispy and spicy chicken had garnishes of fried red onions, crisp red chilli and mint leaves, while the fish was finely matched with a sweet and sour fish sauce, mango, fried red onions and herbs.
The sour green mango was paired with a sweet-sour sauce that helped balance the richness of the deep-fried crispy fish.
I love Thai food, and green mango fish salad is among my favourites, which was also a highlight of my meal, and I enjoyed the salad immensely. It was the best fish salad I had ever eaten.
The spicy chicken was another standout at Top of The Town. It was so delicious. We loved both starters.
My next try was a hot course - beef sinew soup (VNĐ 218,000), which is the restaurant’s pride. The soup did not look so special, but its taste was irresistible, and you would not want to miss it.
For the main course, on the selection of the grills, there were USDA beef rib eyes, house marinated chicken legs, BBQ pork ribs, grilled Bratwurst or Frankfurter sausages and lamb chops.
I had not eaten beef steak for long, so I treated myself to an impressive USDA beef steak (VNĐ668,000/350gr) with mushroom sauce and the side dish of mashed potato, while my friend opted for the Australian lamb chops.
The steak was good. The juicy and tasty meat satisfied my taste buds, while the mashed potato was fantastic.
To top off the meal, there was a fine collection of classic desserts, including crème brûlée, pandan rolls with coconut milk, grilled pineapple with coconut ice cream or banana flambé with ice cream.
We were almost full after the steak and lamb chops but could not miss out on the decadent crémé brûlée and pandan roll with coconut milk, both priced at VNĐ78,000 and the two top choices among diners. Both sweets were as perfect as could be.
It is worth dining at Top of The Town, and you really will feel like you are on top of the world. The view, food and ambience are all well-worth seeking out.
If you’re looking for an ideal place with an outdoor barbeque and a cosy inside dining area, Top of the Town will not disappoint. VNS
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Top of The Town Bar & Restaurant
Address: 25th Floor, Windsor Plaza Hotel, 18 An Dương Vương Street, District 5, HCM City
Tel: (028) 3833 6688
Hours: 6am-10pm
Comment: Amazing food with a great panoramic view. You will feel like you are on top of the world.
OVietnam