Sente: The Flavour of Lotus — Restaurant in Hà Nội

The Flavour of Lotus is truly a hidden gem in Hanoi that beautifully showcases the versatility of lotus in its dishes. From the moment you step into this charming restaurant, you're greeted by a serene ambiance that reflects the essence of the lotus flower, making it a perfect escape from the bustling city. The menu is thoughtfully curated, featuring an array of dishes that highlight different parts of the lotus plant, including flowers, stems, roots, and seeds. I was particularly impressed with the grilled coconut and lotus seed water, which is not just refreshing but also embodies a delightful balance of sweetness and nuttiness. This drink is a perfect way to start your meal and sets the tone for the culinary journey ahead. For the main course, I indulged in the brown rice with lotus seeds and grilled grouper fish, seasoned with North Vietnamese spices. The brown rice was perfectly cooked, providing a wholesome base that complemented the tender grouper. The lotus seeds added a unique texture and a subtle flavor that enhanced the overall dish. The spices were aromatic without being overpowering, allowing the natural flavors of the fish and lotus to shine through. What I appreciated most was how Sente has managed to incorporate lotus into every aspect of their menu while maintaining a focus on health and freshness. Each dish felt like a celebration of this iconic Vietnamese flower, showcasing its culinary potential in innovative ways. The service was attentive and friendly, making the dining experience even...

I was very excited to try this place.

The setting/decor is really lovely, and the staff were pleasant.

Alcoholic drinks were somewhat limited. There was a decent wine list, but none of the lower priced wines were available, so the cheapest white available was nearly double the price of their house white. It also meant that (white) wine by the glass was not available, so you had to buy a bottle. If you didn’t want a bottle of wine, your only other option was a beer, and then only a single brand.

The food was a bit of a mixed bag. Somethings I liked - somethings I didn’t. The duck was a little dry and the fat not crisp enough for me. The short rib beef with brown rice was particularly dry and chewy/tough - not what I expected. However, the quails egg and lotus salad (served on the side) were both beautiful. The Saba fish was very tasty, but a little overcooked. The pad Thai was pretty good, but it was the (somewhat simple) apple/raisin salad that I enjoyed the most.

I love the concept, and there is definitely other stuff on the menu I’d like to try, but there certainly weren’t any standout dishes from what I ate. Most of the time I couldn’t really work out where the lotus element was on the plate, and it didn’t seem to add anything. Maybe the staff could do more to explain the dishes and how the lotus fits in/enhances.

Would I go...

Average at best. This shows that the Michelin star is an absolute joke. As a local, I've never cared for Michelin-rated restaurants. Our family arrived at 12 p.m. on a Sunday, and it was mostly empty—which was not a good sign.

Food: 2 stars Food tasted bland, lacking flavor and harmony. The portions were too small for the price. Some dishes were okay, while others made us wonder, 'What the heck is this?' My husband left feeling hungry, and for the first time in a long time, he felt this disappointed after a meal. We chose this restaurant for my mom's birthday because of the good reviews of their vegan menu. My mom has been vegan for over ten years, and it's safe to say that some dishes weren't even as good as her home cooking.

Service: 1 star Service was unprofessional; they couldn't manage to bring out the dishes properly. We were a table of ten and had to wait for each dish one by one. I messaged them online to ask if we could bring our own birthday cake, and they said it was okay. However, after our meal, they didn't even wipe the table properly and just placed the cake box on the table without saying anything. Other restaurants we've been to always ask if we need help cutting the cake or take it out of the box and place it nicely on the table. The overall experience was...