La Maison 1888

Pan-fried lobster medallions 
with white port sauce and ginger flavored vegetable julienne.

Eating local food is best when visiting other cities on vacation. My palate is spoilt and loves all sorts of cuisines. It doesn't need anything too familiar or comforting. Sambal with food is always nice, but when that can't be obtained, chillis or peppers will do. Along the same reasoning, there's no need to have western food in Vietnam. However, I conceded to one western meal at a fancy restaurant in Đà Nẵng because the man was curious. Michel Roux's La Maison 1888, his first restaurant in Asia, beautifully situated at the ridiculously scenic and chic Intercontinental Hotel Danang Sun Peninsula Resort.

I hesitated partly because of its three-starred Michelin chef-owner who is regularly in-residence for now- don't quite buy into the Michelin-stars-hype; also mainly because it's French cuisine of which I'm not a fan. Ah yes, I'm one of those who isn't hot about The Fat Duck or its neighbor and kinda sister restaurant to La Maison 1888, The Waterside Inn. Be warned, dress code at La Maison 1888 is formal. Ladies could wear dressy sandals, and men could get away without a tie or a jacket. Just look very good. You know how to push the envelope. This is a resort where ladies seem to be fond of carrying huge Birkins as beach bags.

Service at La Maison 1888 was excellent. Pleased that there was a decent selection of whisky offered. Loved its bread and butter. Happy to see rice noodles included in this Asia flagship in the form of pan-fried red mullet on a bed of rice noodles with vegetable tian and basil emulsion. I chose the safest dish which is also on the UK menu- tronçonnettes de homard poêlées minute au porto blanc. Quite delicious. The man totally enjoyed his grilled rabbit fillets served on a bed of celeriac fondant with glazed chestnuts and Armagnac sauce. Tasty and well-balanced flavors in our dishes, but I found everything a wee thick on the butter, oil and cream. The side of seasonal vegetables appeared in the form of really decent mushrooms, laden in a pool of butter. Offered to share something sugary with the man, but he declined. All right then, a savory dessert it was. Took its cheese platter and quaffed all five tiny slices of happiness.

This restaurant, is unfortunately one of those that prescribes printing two versions of their menus, and handing separate versions to male and female diners. Guess which gender's menu isn't printed with prices. (Oh, the drinks menu held prices though. At least. I could drink my date's pockets dry.) It wasn't like this was a specially-created menu with prices set beforehand. You should have seen my look of perplexity when I couldn't find the stated prices, and in five seconds, how far my eyes rolled out of the door when I realized why. It isn't surprising that this restaurant practices it. It's soooo 2004. Since I was clueless about prices and after flipping the menu, deemed it unnecessary to know, my handsome and gentlemanly dinner date paid for the evening.