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Sabtu, 21 Julai 2012

Along Cham - Google Blog Search

Along Cham - Google Blog Search


BLOG-BLOG HIBURAN: <b>Along Cham</b> - Google Blog Search

Posted: 01 Jul 2012 12:00 AM PDT


BLOG-BLOG HIBURAN: <b>Along Cham</b> - Google Blog Search

Posted: 01 Jul 2012 12:00 AM PDT


BLOG-BLOG HIBURAN: <b>Along Cham</b> - Google Blog Search

Posted: 01 Jul 2012 07:22 PM PDT


<b>Along</b> the Mekong: Opulence Defined

Posted: 01 Jul 2012 10:36 AM PDT

A couple of weeks ago I reviewed a restaurant called Cham Charm in the Crescent (pictured above), out in Phu My Hung. This is one of the most high-end areas of the city, and this restaurant was one of the first places to show up in the nascent development a few years back.

Cham Charm is one of many businesses in town run by the Khai family, under the name of the Khai Silk corporation. Apparently the head of the family makes most of his money (and they have an awful lot of it) selling silk overseas. For some reason his income is not entirely legal under Vietnamese tax laws, but through a loophole he is able to spend it on property. As a result what he does is build absurdly luxurious establishments (mostly restaurants), and when he needs a cash influx he simply sells one.

There seems to be a new Khai Silk restaurant opening every few months, and there is one near my house that usually has a Rolls-Royce parked out front. Charm Charm is no exception from this opulence; in fact it's one of the most upscale restaurants I've ever eaten at.

The entrance looked like a more benevolent version of the Temple of Doom.
The inside was full of Cham (an ancient culture from central Vietnam) artifacts, moody lighting, and ornately carved walls. The enormous seating area is spread over three floors - the middle one, which is where you enter, features a $50 buffet that offers tons of seafood, sushi, sashimi, Indian and Thai food, western dishes, and desserts cooked in-house, along with Japanese beer and a Chilean wine vintage made specially for the restaurant. Upstairs is where a set menu is offered three times a week, and there are also two private tables suspended from the ceiling of balconies. On the ground floor is a well-stocked bar, event rooms, and more decorations. I reviewed another Khai Silk restaurant a few months back, and the signature black-and-white color scheme of their eateries didn't really work. Cham Charm employs more earthy colors, and while it is obviously ridiculous it also works visually.

Of course one of the highlights is the food, particularly the seafood. Here are some shots of what I had. I have no idea what that is in the second picture, but it was fantastic. I also had a grilled lobster but I forgot to take a picture because it looked so delicious that I couldn't wait to tear into it.

A dessert the manager specially recommended was this Japanese green tea ice cream with sweet beans.
Some home-made sweets.
This was on a Thursday night and the place was doing some serious business, which surprised me considering how expensive it is, particularly by Vietnam standards. When I walked outside I realized who made up the clientele, as a line of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes SUVs and sedans sat outside of the entrance. Cham Charm certainly isn't a place you would visit with anything resembling regularity, but for a special occasion, or just the 'wow!' factor, it's well worth a visit.

BLOG-BLOG HIBURAN: <b>Along Cham</b> - Google Blog Search

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:18 AM PDT


BLOG-BLOG HIBURAN: <b>Along Cham</b> - Google Blog Search

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 07:02 PM PDT


Canadian lobster gala feast

Posted: 29 Jun 2012 06:10 AM PDT

IMG 54351 Guest Post: Delicious Canada

by brian dye

Canada Brand and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Korea (Can Cham) recently held their 'Delicious Canada gala dinner'.  Canadian hospitality and grace filled the Grand Hilton ballroom. Despite being a formal affair Can Cham infused the usual dry formalities that accompany such events with a sense of wry amusement and ebullience all in the service of celebrating Canadian Food products in the land of the morning calm.

The night began in stunning fashion with Canadian owned Craftworks providing a tasting of their tantalizing micro-brewed beer. Whether you were in the mood for a breezy pilsner, a creamy stout, or a nutty dark ale Craftworks appeased every tastebud. Following the welcoming speech from Don McKenzie, Chairman of Can Cham, and David Chatterson, Canadian Ambassador, the guests sat down for the highlight of the evening: a special 5 course 'Lobster Gala' meal.

IMG 54651 Guest Post: Delicious Canada

An appetizer of lobster pastrami with micro greens, whiskey cola caviar dusted with lemon along with a red pimento avocado sheet set the bar high for the remaining courses. The greens added a refreshing crunch while the avocado was deliciously cool. The second course took me by surprise.

IMG 54671 Guest Post: Delicious Canada

A lobster cappuccino with a brandy frothy proved to be a creamy concoction and one eye opening experience that left subtle notes of cayenne and tarragon.

IMG 54921 Guest Post: Delicious Canada

The main event arrived next; half a Canadian lobster perfectly cooked along with a Canadian flat iron roast rubbed judiciously with coffee and served with spinach horseradish puree and a potato gratin. Roast practically slid off my fork it was so tender.

IMG 54941 Guest Post: Delicious Canada

The fourth course proved to be a palate cleanser with a seasonal mixed salad with pomegranates and Canadian honey dressing.

IMG 54981 Guest Post: Delicious Canada

Dessert took the shape of Nanaimo bar with maple mousse and red currant compote. The chocolaty cookie almost overwhelmed but thankfully the mousse and bite of the raspberry balanced out the dessert nicely.

The evening concluded with the musical selections of a Canadian Celtic band. All in all the night proved to be a spectacular showcase for Canadian food products. The next couple events on the horizon for Canada Brand and Can Cham include a June 30th boat cruise along the Han. Tickets can be purchased via Can Cham or Craftworks. There is also a July 1st, Canadian Barbecue in the works to be held at the embassy with the Ambassador as host.

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