Nestled in the picturesque landscape of Bana Hill, L’Étable promises an authentic French culinary experience amidst the vibrant culture of Vietnam. Unfortunately, the reality falls short of its charming premise. My dining experience was marked by anticipation, only to be met with profound disappointment.
The evening commenced with an order of French Onion Soup, a classic dish renowned for its rich beef broth, caramelized onions, and a gratifying layer of melted cheese. Regrettably, L’Étable’s rendition was a far cry from these expectations. The soup presented was bland and lackluster, devoid of the essential flavors of beef and salt, and surprisingly missing its cheesy crown. The disappointment was so acute that I found myself unable to take more than a single bite before sending it back.
Optimism led me to give the kitchen another chance with the Steak Tartar, a dish whose simplicity often underscores the quality of its preparation. Astonishingly, L’Étable managed to misconstrue the very essence of this dish by cooking the steak, stripping away the anticipated texture and taste. Even with the addition of extra pickles, onion, the dish struggled to reach a level of acceptability. Compounded by the serving of incorrect bread, it further cemented my conclusion that L’Étable's kitchen lacks the fundamental understanding of French cuisine.
The price point was another bone of contention. The cost of dining at L’Étable paralleled what one might expect to pay in Canada for high-quality, authentic dishes. This stark contrast between price and quality only added to the frustration of the experience, leaving a feeling of dissatisfaction for what was anticipated to be a delightful French meal in the heart of Vietnam.
However, it is only fair to acknowledge the positives. The service provided by the waitstaff was impeccable, demonstrating attentiveness and professionalism that deserves commendation. Moreover, the restaurant’s atmosphere and the breathtaking view from Bana Hill provided a pleasant backdrop to the evening. These aspects, while commendable, could not offset the overarching disappointment brought on by the culinary missteps. Outdoor seating could have blankets or heaters for the colder evenings to truly grant a 5 star atmosphere.
In conclusion, L’Étable holds the potential for a fantastic dining experience but is critically hampered by its culinary execution. Before it can truly claim the mantle of a French restaurant, a reevaluation of its kitchen practices and perhaps the introduction of a seasoned French chef might be necessary steps. For now, L’Étable serves as a reminder that ambiance and service, while important, cannot substitute for the essence of gastronomy.
Service may have received 5 stars if they had actually managed to make the situation right, send a different dish complementary or even a...
Read moreFrench restaurant located in Ba Na Hills in the heart of the cute French little village. When it comes to food, I must say it was very well done. My husband and I shared the salad Nicoise, very fresh and with a good dressing. For main courses, I had the salmon with a choice of sauce and side. The salmon was perfectly cooked, and I asked for ratatouille (gorgeous) and green sauce. My husband tried the beef burger, which he enjoyed, and it came with French fries, of course 😋. They have an extensive menu with salads, grills (beef, duck, salmon), pastas, and soups. We didn't try the dessert because we were pretty full, but they looked very nice and I notice 2 of them were gluten free, which it is a great thing and not easy to find in touristic attractions. In general the food was very good and the presentation 👌🏻. When it comes to the service, our waitress Farah was very attentive and lovely. She checked that everything was good for us, very professional and really nice. Thanks for your service 🙏🏻 🩷 The restaurant has a really nice vibe, it's quiet so you can enjoy a conversation while eating. Perfect for a break before continuing with the...
Read moreFirst, if you ask the employees in the restaurant is there any other restaurant in the town after 5pm, they all answer NO, and said there are only two restaurants of Mercure open after 5pm. That is a lie, because there are many other restaurants open late in the town. Second, below is the copy of the menu at the L'Etable restaurant of the Mercure hotel at Bana hills. The price 650,000 VND for set menu on top of the picture will make the customers think that the set menu is the same in the picture. However, it is not. the price on top is just for half of everything in the picture, and it is only told by the waitresses when your mind was set and ready to place order. They did not explain when they gave us the menu. It is a dishonest way to cheat customers. I think the sale manager of the Mercure ‘s restaurants needs to learn the honest way to do business and does not train your employees to lie to visitors because they had a hard time when the guests confronted them for their lies. This way of doing business does not match the style of the resort “ French Village” because Europeans value the honesty first in...
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