Valentine's Day Guide: 6 fine-dining venues awakening the senses

For Valentine's Day, Noriboi Omakase unveils a special menu entitled Ren’Ai—meaning “Love”—designed to celebrate the delicate beauty of romance. This refined selection features a harmonious combination of premium ingredients, including bluefin tuna, Mie oysters from Ise Bay, cod milt, Hokkaido uni, A5 Satsuma-Gyu beef, and the luxurious accents of truffle and caviar. Every dish is an ode to love, promising an unforgettable dining experience.

Noriboi Address: 31 Pho Duc Chinh, Nguyen Thai Binh, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: 0901 816 880

Nestled on a tranquil street just behind the Opera House, Le Corto offers an intimate dining experience for those who appreciate the romance of a cosy dinner. Picture a rich mahogany dining table, the soft glow of candlelight, and the gentle strains of jazz in the background—an enchanting setting for an unforgettable evening. The restaurant’s interiors blend deep charcoal walls with gilded European-style mirrors, while black-painted ceilings and plush purple drapery lend an air of mystery and refinement.

A love letter to gastronomes, Le Corto’s VALEN-MINE set menu takes diners on a journey through layers of exquisite flavours. Begin with the delicate allure of Foie Gras Montblanc, followed by the rich passion of Mediterranean red shrimp. Fresh green apple scallops symbolise a relationship’s enduring freshness, while Green Lobster represents a love that has matured with time. The Long An duck—a seamless fusion of French and Vietnamese influences—embodies a romance that continues to evolve, before the meal concludes on a sweet note with Rose Plum & Fromage Blanc Ice Cream.

Chef Sakal envisions this as an opportunity for couples to reflect on the shared moments and memories that have shaped their love over the past year.

Le Corto Address: 5D Nguyen Sieu, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: 028 3822 0671

Akuna is the visionary creation of Chef Sam Aisbett, an award-winning culinary maestro renowned for securing a Michelin star at Singapore’s Whitegrass. A proud member of the 100 Tatler Best Asia restaurants 2024, this distinguished venue is a testament to modern Australian gastronomy.

Encased in a sleek glass façade that captures the shimmering lights of Ba Son Bridge and the gentle flow of the Saigon River, Akuna is an idyllic setting for a Valentine's rendezvous. Whether it’s an intimate dinner for two or a special gathering with loved ones, each dish at Akuna is a symphony of flavours—balancing the sweetness of love with the artistry of fine dining, ensuring an experience that captivates both the palate and the heart.

Akuna Address: Le Méridien Saigon, Level 9, 3C Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: 0911 735 800

Inspired by Nephele – the cloud fairy from Greek mythology – Nephele restaurant is tucked away on the serene Nguyen Cuu Van street. This charming intersection feels almost fateful, making it the ideal meeting place for lovers, where emotions are sublimated in a romantic sky and delicate flavours.

This Valentine's Day, let us indulge in Nephele’s special “Love” menu, where Chef Francis Thuan Tran transforms each dish into a symphony of passion. From French oysters and blue crab to starfish, fresh scallops, and the delicate notes of roasted Genmaicha tea, alongside the irresistible allure of hazelnut chocolate, each element blends beautifully in the passion of the grill and the sweetness of love. It’s a culinary journey that reaches the highest level of emotion, available only on the road named Cuu Van – on the ‘ninth cloud.’

Nephele Address: 125/12 Nguyen Cuu Van Street, Ward 17, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: 0937 012 512

At Park Hyatt Saigon’s Square One restaurant, the cuisine offers a subtle yet profound invitation. From February 14 to 16, Square One presents a unique love story through two lingering flavours. The first is an elaborate French menu by Chef Arnaud Schuttrumpf, or for something closer to home, a familiar 3-course Vietnamese menu by Chef Trung Hau:

• French Menu: Begin with Hokkaido scallop carpaccio with caviar and a delicate dashi sauce. The next course brings together premium Wagyu beef tenderloin and a rich Périgourdine sauce, leaving an unforgettable, seductive aftertaste. The meal concludes with a decadent molten chocolate lava cake, paired with gianduja and rich coffee ice cream.
• Vietnamese Menu: Start with pan-seared scallop tartare, paired with fatty sea urchin and XO sauce. For the main course, Wagyu beef tenderloin with truffle taro and Vietnamese herbs creates a delicate harmony. Finish the romantic celebration with the classic duo of palm cake and coconut ice cream, a perfect ending to a special day.

Square One (Park Hyatt Saigon) Address: 2 Lam Son Square, Ben Nghe, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Hotline: 028 3520 2359

Located by the picturesque Han River, Si Dining offers a romantic setting inspired by nature, with open architecture, golden light, and lush greenery. The menu features a creative fusion of modern Italian delicacies with local Vietnamese flavours, earning Si Dining the prestigious Michelin Selected award in June 2024. This Valentine's Day, Si Dining introduces its captivating ‘Si Me’ menu, designed to awaken all the senses and promise a memorable evening for you and your loved one.

Si Dining Address: 1 Giang Chau 2, Khue My Ward, Ngu Hanh Son District, Da Nang
Hotline: 0774 464 441

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