November Restaurant — Restaurant in Hà Nội

I came across November Restaurant almost by accident—a spontaneous result of a late-night Google Maps search while craving something thoughtful and warm. Admittedly, my expectations were modest. In Hanoi, where restaurants aspiring to French culinary sophistication often fall into a predictable pattern of pale imitations, I braced myself for yet another underwhelming experience. But what unfolded that evening was a pleasant unraveling of assumptions, course by course. The meal began with a Smoked Eel Pâté, which, though presented elegantly, leaned too sweet for my palate. The balance between smoke and sugar felt off-kilter, obscuring the nuanced depth that eel typically brings. It wasn’t a strong start, and I began to worry that my initial cynicism might be confirmed. Yet, what followed gradually—and then insistently—shifted my perception. The Nori Cracker with Tiger Prawn and Gia Lai Ant Salt was well-composed but ultimately forgettable, more texture than taste. However, the Crystalline Ice Plant with Sous Vide Salmon and Dashi Dressing marked the true beginning of the meal. The dish was not only visually arresting but also harmoniously layered: the briny tenderness of the salmon and the umami-laced dashi played beautifully against the crisp succulence of the ice plant. It was, in short, refined and refreshing. A quiet standout came next in the form of Cabbage Soup with Crème Fraîche. Vegetable soups often struggle to rise above the generic, especially in a city that favors bolder broths, but this version was subtle, silken, and deeply comforting. It ranks among the best I’ve encountered in Hanoi. Then came the two unequivocal high notes: the Black Angus Oyster Blade Steak and the Squid Ink Spaghetti in Tom Yum Sauce. The steak was a masterclass in precision—tender, deeply flavorful, and cooked exactly to medium rare, which in Hanoi is still, perplexingly, a rarity. Its flavor carried a mellow richness suggestive of dry aging, or at least meticulous handling. As for the spaghetti, the juxtaposition of squid ink and tom yum – more like tom kha gai - was nothing short of daring. The thick, aromatic sauce coated the noodles in a blanket of coconut milk, while the grilled prawn lent just the right bite and depth. It was a dish that felt both inventive and complete. Dessert, often an afterthought in many establishments, offered a satisfying denouement: a Chocolate and Chestnut Cake paired with Umeshu Ice Cream. Earthy, subtly sweet, and rounded out by the fruity subtleness of the umeshu, it struck the right balance between indulgence and restraint. And not as an afterthought, the service was prompt and attentive. one star less was due to the ambience less desirable because the restaurant guests were quite noisy. November might not impress with every plate, but it is a place where surprises emerge quietly, and satisfaction builds with each course. It is a restaurant that, rather than trying too hard to mimic a French bistro, seems to have found a voice of its own—one rooted in subtlety, technical care, and occasional boldness. I will return, not just by accident next time, but with...

Disclaimer: This was my experience with a special Christmas menu, so I cannot speak on the regular dishes that are available year round.

Pros:

The atmosphere at the restaurant is really nice, with a beautiful view and some good background music. It's a great place for a cozy dinner.

The service was decent overall. The staff was helpful and patient, and they even helped us find a better spot in the restaurant.

The potato amuse bouche was really good with no complaints.

The ribeye was delicious, and the sauces paired well with it. The presentation of the dish was also impressive (my girlfriend received a piece with a lot of fat (not the good kind) which was undercooked.

Cons:

The charred burrata salad was a bit of a letdown. Charring a burrata seemed unnecessary, and the dish lacked flavor. No olive oil or dressing made it taste horribly bland.

The fish had the same issue – well-cooked but bland and straight up sad. The sauces tried to save it, but they didn't do enough. Some salt and pepper would have helped.

The lime sorbet served as a palate cleanser arrived melted, but at least it still tasted good.

The dessert was a mess. The nitrogen ice cream vapor was a cool surprise, but the flavors didn't stand out. The apple's texture overpowered everything, and the pistachio cake was disappointingly damp.

Overall, despite the high ratings online, the Christmas dinner was a letdown. The price was okay, but three out of five dishes were either tasteless or bland, making it feel a bit expensive.

The restaurant itself is beautiful, and the atmosphere is great. Just a heads up, there are two rooms, and one is much better than the other. I had to ask the waitress to move us.

I might give it another shot with the regular menu to be fair, but for now, I left a bit disappointed after having...

I am a guest staying at the hotel and decided to visit November Café for a coffee, but unfortunately, it was a very disappointing experience.

The staff member Jennifer took my order, but later informed me that some ingredients were missing. Despite that, she confirmed they still make that drink. When we tried to sit down, she didn’t allow us to sit at any table, saying they were “for couples only” — even though the café was almost empty. We were a group of four, and the table had three chairs. When we added a fourth chair, I was asked to get up and was disturbed repeatedly.

Then, my order arrived incorrect and cold. When I asked for a refund, it was refused. I reordered, and again the same mistake happened. In the end, I was told they don’t use fresh milk — only powdered milk — which should have been communicated from the beginning.

It felt like there was clear discrimination against Arab customers, and very unprofessional behavior from the staff. I ended up paying for three drinks that I didn’t even drink, and nothing was done to fix the situation.

This was a truly disappointing experience, and I do not recommend visiting this café at all. I hope the management addresses this level of poor service and...