Tartine Saigon - Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, Q1 — Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City

Came in for the first time for brunch after we had a friend recommended it to us. We sat at a table outside and didn’t have anyone come bring us menus. After a bit, we went to the counter to ask if we order at the counter or at our table and the lady told us at the table & that she’d come to us. I asked for some menus and she said she’d bring it to us. After a bit, still didn’t receive any menus but she came over and tried to take our order. Once we had a menu and were ready to order, no one came back out so we went to the counter to order. While this isn’t the ideal first introduction to Tartine, we get it because they were a bit busy, no big deal. The lady apologized and was very friendly.

We ordered a shakshuka, the full breakfast, and two bac xiu coffees. The food came out and we were excited as they were big portions. We were really hungry and had been thinking about brunch here all morning. The food was okay - not great, not bad. I wish the shakshuka had been more flavorful but I do commend them on portion sizes for both our dishes. The bac xuis were a bit disappointing - they were really milky and weak. You couldn’t taste any of the coffee at all, and yes, we’ve ordered bac xius loads of times before so we understand it’s a milky coffee, but usually there’s still a strong coffee flavor to it. We ended up going for a second coffee after this and we went to Highlands and you’re telling me my caramel freeze (a frappucino but basically a milkshake) tasted more like coffee than my bac xiu at Tartine? Not ideal.

I think what really confused/bothered us is my boyfriend had asked for some butter for his toast - his toast had come unbuttered on the full breakfast so it was two thick pieces of dry bread. They charged us 25k for butter, for something you expect to come with butter first and foremost. It’s not about the price, more about the principle. I think it also would’ve been different if the server had told us there’s an extra charge for butter when we had asked for it but didn’t say anything. When you’re already being charged “premium” prices essentially, and you expect your toast to come with butter, but then are charged additionally for it, it doesn’t leave the best impression.

Overall, our experience was okay. We definitely expected more from Tartine between the service & the food, especially with the prices they charge, but we at...

Overall 3.7/5 ⭐️

I am going to break down the review into 3 parts: food, service, and ambience.

Food 🥐 (2.7/5 ⭐️) The most important criteria for any eatery is the food quality. I am always on the lookout for good pastries and when I found out that they sell freshly baked pastries here, I grabbed the opportunity on a Sunday morning to have brunch here. I ordered the raisin danish, pain au chocolat, eggs benedict and iced Vietnamese coffee.

Even though I came here at 9.50am, most of the pastries were sold out already. I asked for the pastries to be warmed up but they were served at room temp, and it just a disappointment overall. They weren’t flaky, crunchy or even buttery - all important criterias of a delicious pastry.

The highlight of the brunch was the eggs benedict dish. The eggs were cooked spot on. The hollandaise sauce was creamy and tasty and they didn’t oversalt the dish (a common occurrence at restaurants) as the spinach and prosciutto were salty. All the elements on the plate came together and complemented each other.

The Vietnamese iced coffee was good as well. It reminded me of the ca phe sua at Highlands.

Service 🤵🏼(5/5 ⭐️) The staff at Tartine are very attentive. I never felt ignored by them. Once they were dishes were finished, they would ask politely before clearing it.

Ambience 🌉 (3.5/5 ⭐️) Nothing fantastic to take note of. I like the chalk menu above the coffee section but other than that, the layout could be improved. Since the pastries are not on the menu, I needed to go to the coffee area to take a look at the available pastries then tell the waiter what pastries I wanted. This was after I tried ordering at the counter itself when I first came in and was told to order from my table. So this was a minor inconvenience.

Additional note: Price 💵 (3.5/5 ⭐️) It’s definitely not value for money. The pasties are affordable but they’re not worth buying. The eggs benedict was delicious but at 180k, I’d think twice before ordering it as that alone is...

Lots of great things to say about Tartine

Bread: The Mountain Bread (sour dough) is probably the best bread I've had. I'm not sure bread aficionado, but I incorporate so often in my diet. Tastes delicious- I typically toast it, pan fried with egg or some type of protein. Simple, nutritious and delicious.

Food: The food at the restaurant is also quality. I've had the breakfast burrito. I thought it came out small, but it's a dense burrito and I was very full afterwards. The duck is good as well, I should have gotten it medium done when I had it. Their bagels are also good, but I can't recall my last experience with it.

Atmosphere: This is a great place open air place. It's is very open and there are fans galore (not too noisy) so it's comfortable to work there for medium to longer term sessions. The seatings are very comfortable and appropriate for long term durations. And the acoustics are also very good. Open air so you can be near people but enjoy a pleasant private conversation. Lighting is also plentiful and warm.

Staff: Staff is very friendly, warm and kind! They are quick to respond when I message them on Zalo and always try to cater to your requests- like food or particular reservations

I took the sourdough bread making course, and that was a good experience. Jerome and the team did a great job explaining and facilitating how to make sourdough. I'm not a baker, but I eat there often enough that it was a nice experience to do, and see where and how it's made- Quality ingredient, clean environment and expertise all around. And very cool,...