We found The Green Tangerine on Tripadvisor when looking for a restaurant near our hotel in the old quarter of Hanoi when we did not want to walk far after a busy day travelling back from an overnight trip to Halong Bay.
Must Book
The Green Tangerine restaurant was all week from Christmas to New Year. It was fully booked at 7.30 pm with tables coming free at 9 pm. We decided to wait and filled in the 45 minute wait in a clothes shop nearby in the same street.
The Green Tangerine restaurant was all week from Christmas to New Year. It was fully booked at 7.30 pm with tables coming free at 9 pm. We decided to wait and filled in the 45 minute wait in a clothes shop nearby in the same street.
French Menu and Recherche Wines
The menu was in French. Two set meals at different prices looked interesting but even more so was a la carte - French for from the card or menu.
The wine list was impressive, including some rare wines at dizzy prices for rare people, such as those tourists working in finance.
The menu was in French. Two set meals at different prices looked interesting but even more so was a la carte - French for from the card or menu.
The wine list was impressive, including some rare wines at dizzy prices for rare people, such as those tourists working in finance.
Where To Sit?
We had no choice. We were given a table by the door. Warning, this is to be avoided as you get traffic fumes, and tooting traffic. I swapped to the other side of the table.
Trishaw driver Anecdote
With a street view, I enjoyed a five minute mime with the trishaw driver parked outside. He was grinning st me and raising his eyebrows and nodding, hoping for my business.
I shook my head. I made finger walking movements.
We had no choice. We were given a table by the door. Warning, this is to be avoided as you get traffic fumes, and tooting traffic. I swapped to the other side of the table.
Trishaw driver Anecdote
With a street view, I enjoyed a five minute mime with the trishaw driver parked outside. He was grinning st me and raising his eyebrows and nodding, hoping for my business.
I shook my head. I made finger walking movements.
Other couples and a family of eight stood in the doorway. They impeded him and rescued me. By the time they moved into their taxi, the 'making eyes at me' (to quote the old music hall song) driver disappeared, replaced by another trishaw driver, looking glum and puffing on a cigarette.
After our meal we re-booked the restaurant for another night. I took a self-guided tour of the restaurant venue.
Front Room Mural
The room by the front door has on the left a mural of old Hanoi. Sitting beside it and taking photos I realised that a mural is a good way to hide or distract the eye from a crack in the wall!
The other side of the room was busy with framed pictures some of which were restaurant awards.
Garden Room
I liked the central room open to the sky, the garden room with plants. I wonder what they do if it rains. Umbrellas or an awning?
If you care, then email to ask.
I liked the central room open to the sky, the garden room with plants. I wonder what they do if it rains. Umbrellas or an awning?
If you care, then email to ask.
The back room and upstairs were pleasant enough if you are not the sort to be fretting, thinking, 'I wish I were in the garden room'.
French food
Now, the food. Everything was perfect except for the long wait. The meal started well. I loved the mixed fruit juice which seemed mainly mango.
My companion was hungry, after forty-five minutes wait to get a table, then another 40 minutes with just drinks.
When the waiter told us, "Your food ready - another twenty minutes," we demanded bread to keep us going.
Along came hot brown and white bread (needed salt which was on the table concealed under lids with pepper and toothpicks), The bead came with butter - and our starter.
We should have had the bread or an amuse guele earlier.
Then we were almost immediately onto the main course with no break. However, we were instantly mollified. The main course was beautifully presented, elegant and creative, on shaped plates, and good flavours!
My chicken was coiled around the vegetables. Perfect.
My companion's duck, he said, was slightly tough, but flavoursome. the potatoes were two differently coloured teeny cones. A bit bland but amusing to look at. I preferred my choice of dish.
We had the leftovers wrapped up to go.
Dessert was a high point, a grand finish. We had the five little desserts, enough for two.
I found a flyer which said present this before your meal to get a free cocktail.
As we left, three or four members of staff were huddled nearby.
In an Indian restaurant in London or sometimes in New York the manager or nearest waiter would have escorted us to the door, bowed and smiled, 'Please come again'.
In an Indian restaurant in London or sometimes in New York the manager or nearest waiter would have escorted us to the door, bowed and smiled, 'Please come again'.
We certainly will.
So far, best food in Hanoi.
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Author
Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Please share links to your favourite posts.
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