My Review Of The Reverie Saigon- Romeo And Juliet Italian Lounge And Restaurant

A few nights ago, while catching up with a good friend in Saigon, I was given the pleasure to pick the restaurant for dinner. I immediately thought of The Reverie Saigon- Romeo and Juliet Italian Lounge and Restaurant in Dong Khoi street since it was recently recommended to me by a Vietnamese friend who works in the hotel and restaurant business. This friend also introduced me to Maximilian and Marco, the managers of the restaurant.

Upon arriving at the fabulous establishment, we were greeted and ushered by the receptionist and brought us to our lovely table. The entire dining room was absolutely beautifully furnished and set, the lavish and intricate design gives a very romantic ambiance with a background music very relaxing to the ears.
Marco came to our table to accommodate us with the menu. The carte du jour consisted of different savory Italian dishes and since it was hard for me to decide, I took the Salmon.

Welcome drinks came promptly after our orders then drinks followed by bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar dip. To our surprise, a palatable complimentary starter was introduced by the cameriere. After a few minutes of chit chat, the main course arrived. The food was presented artistically. The Italian chef drop by the table to say hello and asked about our dinner. My verdict? Every bite is divine. Since the food was really good, we decided to end it with a sweet treat. I had a special dessert, Tiramisu, made at our table plus another complimentary Italian cream cake pops served in a glass jar of liquid nitrogen.

Romeo and Juliet Italian Lounge and Restaurant provides excellent service and food. A 6-star experience indeed! Two thumbs up, The Reverie Saigon. 

Winter Cruise to Finland

During our recent holiday, aside from driving up to Norrland (Sweden) chasing Northern Lights, we also booked a winter cruise to Finland from Stockholm, Sweden.

A 2-night cruise on the Baltic Sea with a stop in Mariehamn, Finland and Helsinki, Finland. With more than 10 restaurants, a casino, night club and lots of shops, the luxury cruise Tallink Silja Line also offers entertainment on the promenade such as live band and Moomin mascot. Our 2-night cruise trip includes a cozy cabin on deck 11, breakfast buffet, dinner at the Grand Buffet on the first night, dinner at Happy Lobster on the second night, and Bus Tour around Helsinki.

The itinerary of our cruise trip. 

Day 1
1600H: Boarding time! When we boarded the ship, we were warmly welcomed by the staff and Blues band were playing music on the promenade. Our room was located on Deck 11 and it was really cozy.

On our way to the cruise ship, Silja Serenade.

Our room.

1630H: We just dropped our luggage in the room then we immediately looked around, took photos, went into the shops and checked the menus of every restaurant. We were confused where to have dinner since there were a lot of nice restaurants to choose from.

Deck 11 windows overlooking the Promenade

The Promenade/ shopping street. 

Outside the Nightclub and Casino.

1800-2200H: Getting ready for a fancy dinner, the first night we decided to have dinner at the Grande Buffet. It has a wide variety of food options from Asian to Western cuisine. After Dinner, we checked the Duty-Free shop since it was closed when we boarded. They offered 30% discount that night so we bought some wine and goodies. Then we went to the casino and played a little but I lost. LOL! After casino, we wanted to have a drink so we went to the nightclub. And while enjoying my cocktail, I was also having fun watching a wonderful dance show.

Outside the Grande Buffet.

Very huge on board Duty-Free!

Day 2
0800H: Getting ready for Helsinki. Having breakfast while watching the sun rise. :)

Lovely view at the breakfast room.

0930H: We arrived in Hesinki. We directly went outside the terminal to catch up with the Bus tour around the city. We were a little late.

The façade of Helsinki Cathedral, fronted by a statue of Emperor Alexander II of Russia

The Helsinki Cathedral.

Our First Stop: Temppeliaukio Church. We went inside this very unique Lutheran Church built directly into solid rock.

Uspenski Cathedral- An Eastern Orthodox Cathedral in Helsinki.

Our Second Stop: Sibelius Monument.

Helsinki Olympic Stadium where the 1952 Summer Olympics was held. Now, it is used as the home stadium of the Finland national football team and is also used also as concert venue.

Havis Amanda-  She is a mermaid who stands on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet and surrounded by four sea lions.

Our Final Stop: Restaurant Kappeli.

In front of Restaurant Kappeli.

1230H: After looking around Helsinki, we went to the shopping street and had a late lunch.

Kluuvikatu Street.

1500H: Time to go back to the Ship.

Time to go back to the ship.

Silja Line is the official sea carrier of Santa Claus and Moomin.

So tired from touring and shopping! LOL!

1530H: So glad the staff agreed to take us for a Bridge Tour.

Captain!

1600H: After the bridge tour, we went back to the promenade to check again the restaurants and there was a new band playing live music. Moomin and Little My were also there greeting the new guests boarding.

Live Music!

With Moomin and Little My. :)

1800H-2200H: Getting ready for Dinner. This time, we picked the Happy Lobster Restaurant and the food was really good! After dinner, I went shopping. Then we went back to the Night Club to watch a new dance performance while having a nice drink.

;)

Of course, I have to take the Scandinavian Salmon.

Very yummy dessert.

After dinner, went back to the luxury shop to buy the Versace belt I've been eyeing. ;)

Day3
0930H: Back in Stockholm, Sweden.

Check Tallink & Silja Line.

Food Trippin' in Con Dao

If you're a seafood lover, Con Dao is definitely a place to go for food tripping. An exotic island with only 5,000 inhabitants, most of the restaurants in the island prepares the best seafood with a Vietnamese twist and offers a tantalizing menu that surely excite your taste buds.

About 40 minutes away from Ho Chi Minh City by plane, Con Dao is definitely a seafood paradise not to be missed if you're travelling to Vietnam.

Below are the must-try restaurants in the island.

1) Thu Ba Restaurant
Address: 7 Vo Thi Sau, Con Dao, Vietnam
Locals recommend Thu Ba as the best seafood restaurant in Con Dao. When we went to try, YES, it's absolutely the best seafood restaurant!!! They serve a wide variety of the yummiest seafood that we actually had dinner there thrice during our week stay in the island. Price-wise: reasonable!

Deep-Fried Calamari- Must Try!

Stri-Fried Squid with Paprika

Garlic Prawns- Highly Recommended!

Stir-Fried Squid with Vegetables

Garlic Rice- Must Try!

Seafood Glass Noodles Wrapped in Banana Leaves

2) Con Dao Sea Travel Resort (Beach Club Restaurant)
Address: 6 Nguyen Duc Thuan, Con Dao, Vietnam
If you want to have a cozy dinner, this is the perfect place to go. The restaurant menu offers a balance of tasty unique Western dishes and old Asian favorites at affordable prices. With breezy outdoor dinning area facing the ocean, you will surely enjoy the delicious food as well as the view!

Vegetable Spring Rolls- Must Try!

Seafood Fried Rice

Grilled Squid with French Fries

3) Tri Ky Restaurant
Address: Nguyen Duc Thuan, Con Dao, Vietnam
Also known for it's fresh and tasty seafood menu at affordable prices. Tri Ky restaurant is also a locals' favorite.

Buttered Squid- Highly Recommended!

4) Infiniti Cafe and Lounge
Address: Pham Van Dong Street, Con Dao, Vietnam

Had enough seafood? Craving for hamburgers, pasta or ice cream at reasonable prices? Then this is the only place in the island that mainly serves Western food. Also a very cool place to enjoy your cocktails!

Food Diary: Vietnamese Cuisine

Living in Vietnam for 3 and a half years, I must admit I'm quite bad at trying out the local cuisine. My husband and I only go to Vietnamese restaurants when we have guests coming over to visit us in the lovely city of Saigon. My favorite Vietnamese dishes are made of seafood and vegetables like Vietnamese spring rolls and seafood noodles. Our favorite Vietnamese restaurants here in HCMC serves good and authentic Vietnamese food. So when you travel to Ho Chi Minh City, here are some of the restaurants that serves appetizing Vietnamese favorites.


Barbeque Garden
135A Nam Kỳ Khởi Nghĩa, Bến Thành, HCMC

Vietnam House
93 Đồng Khởi, Bến Nghé, District 1, HCMC

Tau Ben Nghe
Bến Du Lịch Bạch Đằng, Tôn Đức Thắng, District 1, HCMC