Bittersweet - Chocolate Factory (비터스위트 초콜릿 공장) — Restaurant in Phú Quốc

After riding around Ong Lang on my motorbike, this place caught my attention because there was nothing like it in the town. I decided to give it a try because not only did it offer al fresco dining (my favourite) but because its interior design was also something to appreciate.

I love the vibe and energy of the staff. The concept is classy and chill at the same time. Even the local receptionist from my hotel enjoyed her visit here and I don’t see why tourists should not.

All the cocktails I had were off the menu because why not? I had fun sharing with the bartender my preferences and he is delighted to accede to my requests; creativity and service at its best. They even provide mosquito repellent if you dine outdoor. Attentive!

Ever since the first time I visited here, I returned every night because I looked forward to try something new. The prices are reasonable because I enjoyed the whole experience from the playlist they choose to the cleanliness of the washroom.

However, it would have been nice if they had organised some activities customers can enjoy. Besides the Thursday acoustic night, the bistro looked like it could use some element of local fun that visitors can participate in because besides dinner and drinks, nothing much was going on in the town. Bittersweet looks like the perfect place and platform to hold such fun and games to relax for the night.

I hope this place stays true to its concept and originality. The confidence to be creative and be bold is inspiring to the locals as well as visitors. Such entrepreneurs deserve support because it has so much potential. It is easy to fall into the trap of commercialism but this place has a soul; it is not out just to make money (I hope). I personally like people who put in effort and passion in what they do. If I return to Phu Quoc, I will definitely look forward to enjoy those delicious cocktails in the chill and laidback style of the bistro; the popular reason why visitors come to the island anyway.

And no, this is not a fake or paid review. I honestly believe they deserve an extensive review...

I was here in January about a month before Tet. All in all, the experience was not good due to three things. One, the general crowd which may or may not be the bars responsibility. The second however is the general atmosphere. The atmosphere if I can attempt to paint a picture is a cement closet trying to hard to be trendy. No view of the surrounding beautiful island. You would think that a mixoligist of this caliber would have a beach side spot somewhere. Maybe the rent is too pricey or its unobtainable, I can't assume to know. The walls were mostly blank and behind the bar there is a small area decorated in graffiti for whatever reason. I could not figure out why a small cocktail bar on a Vietnamese island would have graffiti covered walls other than cost or possibly local street artist or a semi famous passer though. Maybe owners preference. Which it seems that most of this bars personality catered to. Location wasn't particularly convenient as you would for sure have to make a special trip if you wanted to visit. IMO the cocktails are a horrible way to waste 15USD on a drink due to the many other places on the island to visit and see. I do not want to sit in a graffiti covered cement closet drinking expensive albeit well made cocktails in a tropical paradise. I have no idea why this establishment exists in this location. This may come off hypercritical but I really found no reason to visit this bar, cocktails are just okay, ambiance is dull. They say the road to a hipster hell is paved in edison bulbs and I think this place is...

Food was ok. We ordered two dishes, it was well cooked and served. Compared to the cost quantity was ok (3/5). Only that, they said they have some issues and only snacks are available today.

Ambience : it is fairly made restaurant, but there were two many mosquitos and no arrangements to conquer that.

Drinks : we came here especially after reading the Reviews of cocktails, but, we must say we were highly disappointed. We ordered drinks and food. Food got served and finished and we were still waiting for the drink. When we saw the waiters chilling with no job on the next table, we asked them about the drink and they actually have forgotten about it. When we finally got served with it, we had a real tough time gulping it in. My husband drink was pathetically bitter and mine was tasting like a medicinal tonic. They weren't even bothered to crush the ice. They served the drink with a huge brick of ice.

I read a lot of good reviews about the owner too, I give this place a benefit of doubt that might be the owner was not present that day and due to managerial absence the service guys were just too casual with everything.

But even though I give it a benefit of doubt I would not be going here again. With such cost and such experience, I wouldn't be experimenting...