01 April,2011 09:41 AM IST | | Fiona Fernandez
Fed up of the lack of authentic global cuisine restaurants in Mumbai? The GUIDE suggests you head to Trendz where a Hanoi-based chef will give you a crash course in the lesser-known delights of Vietnamese cuisine
While most of our references to Vietnam are limited to war movies, hardworking tea and rice plantation workers or the odd travel documentary about Hanoi or Saigon, there is plenty in terms of this South-East Asian country's cuisine that hardly gets a mention.
Traditional Hanoi Spring Rolls
Eager to learn more, we dropped by Trendz, the Vietnamese cuisine restaurant at Intercontinental The Lalit, on Sahar Airport Road.
In the past, this restaurant has dabbled with several cuisines on a rotation basis, from Japanese cuisine to international. Their recent encounter with Vietnamese cuisine, that began in March, intends to be a one-year experiment.
The interiors resonated with fine dining experience. We were reasonably tempted to throw caution to the wind when we were informed that Vietnamese chef Tong Hong Gia had been flown down from Hanoi for this year-long venture. Ambient music reminded us of being at a Pan Asian trade fair as fresh face towels were handed out by smiling Oriental women attendants.
Soon Nibu Mathews, the Outlet Manager, stepped in to ensure we didn't get lost in the medley of unfamiliar sounding dishes. He recommended we try the Traditional Hanoi Spring Rolls (Rs 650) and Banana Flower Salad (Rs 850).
While we waited, complimentary prawn wafers kept us savoury company. Soon, the Spring Rolls arrived in two avatars fresh and deep-fried, along with a honey-chilly translucent sauce. Vietnam's long coastline ensures that seafood plays a key role in their cooking.
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The tender meat of the shrimp was best relished in the fresh version of the spring roll; like sushi, only lightly-cooked. Nirvana. The deep-fried rolls, despite being deliciously light and devoid of an oily aftertaste had to settle for second place.
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We requested that a vegetarian twist be given to the Banana Flower Salad instead of chicken that usually accompanies it. Till now, we were barely aware of the distinct flavours of the banana flower it emerged as the surprise package at our meal. Sprouts, carrots, mint, coriander leaves and a lemon sugar dressing gave our Pan Asian soiree a healthy start. The presentation was immaculate for both starters.
For the entrees, we opted for the Sizzling Fish (Rs 850) and Yellow Chicken with Jasmine Rice (Rs 1,250). Sea bask, flown in from France, is used in the former dish. The French ruled over Vietnam for nearly a century and this dish is a direct fallout of the influence.
Tossed with dill and onion, these come served with rice noodles. Like most Asian cuisines, rice is a major ingredient and the noodles went well with our sizzling fish. The Yellow Chicken was served with Jasmine Rice and mushroom sauce.
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All main courses at Trendz come with a vegetarian coconut milk-based Vietnamese Curry and Sticky Rice. While fragrant Jasmine rice won our vote we were a tad disappointed with the chicken. While it was juicy and not overtly spicy, it wasn't very well done. Perhaps, that's how the Vietnamese prefer their meat.
Trendz has an envious wine cellar that stocks labels from Australia to South Africa. Our leisurely Vietnamese meal ended with aromatic Jasmine Blossom Tea (Rs 250) ufffd the perfect Saigon kick.u00a0u00a0
AT Intercontinental The Lalit, Sahar Airport Road, near The Leela Hotel, Andheri (E); Open for dinner only, from 6.30 pm onwards. Last order at 11.15 pm
CALL 66992222
Trendzu00a0 didn't know we were there. The GUIDE reviews anonymously and pays for meals.
