Traditional French king cakes at Sofitel Saigon

The Sofitel Saigon Plaza has added a touch of France to the New Year with a traditional French cake “La Galette des Rois”, also known as King Cake.

“La Galette des Rois” has been a French tradition, since 1870. Each member of the family attending New Year party takes a piece of the cake hoping to find a hidden token inside. The recipient is then crowned King or Queen for the day and appointed the host for next year’s party.

For gastronomes in Saigon who would like to experience this special tradition – frangipane filled tart – “La Galette des Rois” will be prepared this year by the hotel’s award-winning pastry team, and available at the hotel’s Gourmand Shop from January 2 to 23. Prices range from VND120,000+ for individual portions to whole cakes for VND450,000+ to serve 8-10.

The biggest “Galette des Rois” in Vietnam will be showcased at the Special King Cake Buffet Brunch on Sunday January 9 at Café Rivoli. The full buffet will be themed around King Cakes with various flavors to surprise you and enchant your children. The unique brunch priced at VND 790,000++ per guest includes free flowing fruit juices.

Sofitel Saigon Plaza is at 17 Le Duan Blvd., District 1, HCMC. For bookings, call 08 3824 1555 or email fb@sofitelsaigon.com.vn.

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A feast fit for a Sultan

Middle Eastern cuisine is based on healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, fish, lean meat, beans and nuts

Philippe Godard, general manager of Sofitel Saigon Plaza, says he’s proud to be bringing Middle Eastern cuisine to the hotel’s famed international eatery.

From September 20-26, a special menu will be on offer at Café Rivoli Restaurant, located in the lobby of the Sofitel Saigon Plaza in District 1.

“We are delighted to introduce this culinary experience to Vietnam and we hope that our patrons enjoy the Middle Eastern flavors,” Godard said of his hotel’s upcoming one-week promotion.

The Sofitel will serve up a whole range of Turkish-styled marinated meat and Persian-styled meat kebabs.

To give customers an authentic taste of the Middle Eastern dishes, the hotel is flying in chef Maher who grew up in Syria and currently works at the Sofitel Dubai Jumeirah.

Maher will bring traditional salads and side-dishes such as tabouleh, fattouch, hummus, and mutabbal (eggplant salad) to the table. The meal will conclude with a selection of dried fruits, nuts and traditional sweet pastries.

Maher will join a professional team of cooks from the hotel to prepare a fantastic, week-long Middle Eastern dinner party from Monday to Sunday of next week.

CAFÉ RIVOLI RESTAURANT - SOFITEL SAIGON PLAZA17 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (08) 3 824 1555 Email: fb@sofitelsaigon.com.vn

The meals will include Middle Eastern tea, wine, beer, soft drinks and fruit juice at the price of VND750,000++ for an adult and VND375,000++ for a child below six. The meal will be offered from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.

In addition, the Sofitel Saigon Plaza will also offer a cooking class on Middle Eastern cuisine on September 25 to help locals bring these delicacies home.

Chef Maher will lead the class and help customers learn more about Middle East dishes.

The class will cost VND700,000 + +, including a lunch with the chef. The lesson is capped at a maximum of ten students.

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