Au Parc café in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 offers an inviting U atmosphere for a relaxed dining experience

Looks can be deceiving. The humble exterior of Ho Chi Minh City’s Au Parc restaurant on 23 Han Thuyen Street belies a top-notch Mediterranean eatery with a relaxed atmosphere and one of the best breakfasts in town.

With ironwork chairs, mosaic tabletops and comfortable sofas on the second floor, the restaurant offers a beautiful, airy space to dine in. Large canvas paintings and greenery create an open, artsy ambience.

The perfect spot to get your fresh cooking fix, Au Parc’s extensive menu features a good range of salads, sandwiches, kebabs and other Mediterranean delights.

Breakfast options include a French-style “petit dejeuner,” a Swiss breakfast, or a traditional English “brekkie.” There are also plenty of lunch items such as sandwiches and pastas (average price per dish is US$5). A range of deli items, hard to find in Saigon, are also on offer including pastrami, salami, and a large selection of imported cheeses.

Salads here are deservedly famous, mixing new and familiar ingredients in delectable combinations and served in large, satiating portions. Favorites include the lentil salad with oven-dried tomatoes, artichokes, and feta cheese; or the warm chicken and coriander salad.

For seafood lovers, the fresh tuna salad with wasabi and ginger mayonnaise on a baguette is not to be missed. The mouthwatering wasabi tuna served with arugula is a delicate balance of spice and heat, while the baguettes are fresh and hearty. Sandwiches are served with a lovely cucumber, tomato and herb salad.

On top of being a great dining retreat, Au Parc is also a handy place to stop in for a cup of coffee and sample some of their desserts. Make sure to order specialties like the popular “chocolate Nemesis cake,” peanut butter and chocolate slice, or the luscious mocha cheesecake.

Rounding out the menu is a tasty variety of shakes and smoothies. As you’d hope from a European-style café, they make a good cappuccino.

Reported by Thuy Nhien