Gia Restaurant — Restaurant in Hà Nội

Had really high hopes for this place. Expect a 3-4 hour seating. If you’re big on Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine, this will surely disappoint. Overly technical but flavours didn’t match up. If you have a booking at 8:30pm - make sure you bring a friend that can keep you entertained and awake.

Booking was at 8:30pm, we were only half way through the menu by 10:30pm. We requested a timing on the final course which prompted the team to bring the pace up a bit. There was little to no theatrics for the entire wait time between the courses, just fumbling thumbs for ages.

Wagyu was A4 (no prefecture or cut mentioned) it was served with pumpkin puree, I dare say it was “extra fancy but not worth it” Australian pub meal. Paired with a Natural filtered Grenache. The funk of the wine was probably suppose to cut through the richness of the wagyu - it didn’t do the job. Both the flavours were interrupted and did not pair well. Definitely “different” but not in a pleasant way, if you’re into surprises you might enjoy this one.

Beef tartare was overly sophisticated, flavour was great, texture reminded me of snot, has to forcefully swallow quickly. After taste wasn’t bad, but over-engineered for what it was.

The marbled eel looked really fancy, served in a foam bed, taste was reminiscent of Vietnamese coconut chicken curry (the Vietnamese mum type). The texture of the eel ruined the dish, we had one person choke on the bones. Weird, interesting but not vibes.

The biggest disappointment was with the desserts. The coconut dish arrived at 11:20pm. It could’ve been sold with the great story, but the staff didn’t mention until I asked. It was basically a dry Australian anzac biscuit with a shot of coconut water (coconut blossom).

After almost falling asleep at the table, they decided to extend to a 13 course by adding in some sorbets as palate cleansers. No, the sorbet did not knock our socks off. Texturally great but was falling asleep after several disappointing courses.

Lucky last was the Lotus, it was basically ché. This came out at 11:45pm. Not impressed.

The staff turned off the ambient music at 11:30pm, essentially sat in silence for the last 15 minutes.

The staff mentioned there was a kitchen tour which we declined (thank you). It would’ve pushed us past midnight, probably would’ve been if we didn’t ask them to pick up the pace anyway.

I could tell that there was a theme with the placemats, cutlery and overall crockery selection however the staff neglected to mention any of it as they set up for each course. There was so much detail that could’ve been better appreciated and understood if the staff bothered to share the stories given the food was so-so.

Ambience: Interior made it feel fancy. Music was high tempo, didn’t match the pace of service.

Highlights: The non-alcoholic drinks were fermentation mastery. They would’ve been a solid 5/5 on their own. Each element of each drink was meticulous thought out. Technical, refined and beautifully represented Vietnamese produce. Didn’t pair well with the meal, but could be pardoned for the level of care in the preparation.

The cook on all the meats were beautiful, kudos to the chef - amazing cook on the quail, squid and wagyu beef. If perfect could be achieved, this is exactly how they should be prepared.

The bartender was extremely thorough in explaining each alcoholic beverage, in depth and clearly knew what they were talking about. Signature drink was a miss for me but I really appreciate the thought, narrative and process of it. The bartender was engaging (more so than all the other service staff) and spent time to ensure we appreciated our drinks and the story that came along with them.

Food for thought: Given the sheer amount of subpart meals for a 12 course menu, I cannot recommend it. I would strongly advise to spend your money elsewhere.

For the 3 hours, midnight finish (pretty much) and lack of story telling from the staff about the origins of the how the menu and dishes were curated, this is would be a hard pass for...

Gia (Hanoi): A Harmonious Celebration of Vietnamese Heritage Nestled in Hanoi, Gia (Hanoi) stands as a distinguished recipient of a Michelin Star, a testament to its exceptional culinary prowess and profound respect for Vietnamese heritage. This restaurant offers a captivating modern Vietnamese dining experience that thoughtfully reinterprets traditional flavors and techniques, inviting guests on a gastronomic journey deeply rooted in local culture.

The Culinary Artistry At the heart of Gia's acclaim is Chef Sam Tran, whose approach to Vietnamese cuisine is both innovative and deeply personal. The restaurant's name, derived from "Gia Dinh" (family), reflects a nostalgic connection to home, which Chef Tran beautifully translates onto each plate. The seasonal tasting menu is a carefully curated exploration of Vietnam's rich culinary traditions, elevated by contemporary techniques. Dishes are not merely prepared; they are meticulously crafted, showcasing a harmonious balance of delicate flavors and intriguing textures. The culinary team demonstrates a keen understanding of ingredients, transforming familiar elements into sophisticated compositions that surprise and delight. This approach ensures that while the cuisine is modern in its presentation and execution, its soul remains authentically Vietnamese, serving as a powerful narrative tool to tell stories of the country's vibrant culture and daily life. The result is a dining experience that is both intellectually stimulating and deeply satisfying, offering a fresh perspective on a beloved culinary landscape.

An Ambiance Steeped in Culture Gia's elegant dining space is as thoughtfully composed as its cuisine. Situated on Van Mieu Street, the restaurant's design draws direct inspiration from the nearby Temple of Literature, one of Vietnam's most significant cultural landmarks. Housed within a historic, nearly 100-year-old building, Gia seamlessly blends traditional Vietnamese architectural elements with contemporary aesthetics. The interior exudes a bold Vietnamese design style, characterized by a refined simplicity that creates a serene yet sophisticated atmosphere. This unique setting enhances the dining experience, providing a tranquil backdrop that allows guests to fully immerse themselves in the culinary narrative. Every detail, from the decor to the carefully selected tableware, contributes to an ambiance that feels both grand and intimately connected to Vietnamese identity.

Impeccable Service Complementing the exceptional cuisine and captivating ambiance is Gia's impeccable service. The front-of-house team operates with a professionalism that is both attentive and unobtrusive. Staff members are knowledgeable about each dish, able to articulate the ingredients, inspirations, and techniques with clarity and passion. Their dedication to providing a seamless and memorable dining experience ensures that guests feel well-cared for and comfortable throughout their meal. This refined level of hospitality, combined with the culinary excellence and culturally resonant setting, firmly establishes Gia as a truly worthy recipient of its Michelin Star, standing as a beacon of modern Vietnamese...

I do not know how this place has a Michelin star. I came in with high expectations but ended up being disappointed. It was a pretentious dining experience. Here why.

First off and most importantly, the food. It was bland - lacking flavor and seasoning. Every dish was just ok, and the desserts desperately needed sugar. It looked like dessert, it looked super fancy - but it wasn't sweet at all. *headscratch

When we arrived, we were promised that the food would tell a story about Vietnam through its ingredients and refined flavors. Instead, the story was like the Matrix - sterile and overcomplicated, and left feeling confused. The dishes were technically pretentious and lacked soul, depth, something to make my eyes roll back.

The story is that there was no story - just a lot of talking, literally! The service and probably the biggest downfall of this experience. At face value, very nice and welcoming. But then someone came to ask who was going to have the wine pairing, only one of us opted in. Then she asked each of us what we wanted to drink. I looked at the wine menu and chose a glass of red wine. The waiter looked at me and seem troubled of my choice. She told me it is too heavy and that I should choose something else. Now granted I'm not among echelon of society, but this isn't my first rodeo. I've fine dined, I've travelled, I was just in France and Italy. I was a little off-put that this young (maybe early 20s) person was going to scold me about my drink choice. It really didn't matter to me that my wine choice wouldn't fit the meal, but ok, I let her tell me which wine to choose. Then another person in our party ordered a beer, and she gave him the same reprimand, and instead told him he should order a whiskey. He was annoyed as well. It just set the tone and was a preview of the pretentious dinning experience we were about to have.

The person at our table who did do the wine pairing regretted it. After every glass, the server came to him to quiz him on what he tasted. And after revealing what the wine was, went into this long lesson about the wine and region. It became tiring for him to do that in each course because it interrupted the conversation at the table. Not to mention it added on time to when the next course would be served. The whole meal took 3 hours!

Every course also had a long explanation about each ingredient and how you should eat each dish. And the servers seemed irritated when there were some folks on our table not giving their undivided attention.

I've never been to a place where I felt so talked down. They treat their guests like they are dumb and need a lesson in wine or instructions on how to eat. It was a selfish experience - being more about the restaurant and less about the guest.

In the end, I don't think it mattered what kind of drink I ordered because no drink could have made the food or experience better and make me...