Travel Guide Book VIETNAM and South-East
ASIA: “Highly recommended is the garden setting at Tinh Gia Vien known
for serving dishes in the traditional style of Hue’s imperial
court.Master chef Madame Ha’s artisitc presentation of the food is
reason enough to visit.Execellent set-course meals cost US$ 10, 12, 15
person”. The authenticity of the royal taste is revived at the
renowned Tinh Gia Vien restaurant.Come to Tinh Gia Vien and dine in the
bonsai garden setting.All dishes are prepared under the personnal and
expert supervision of Madame Ha, a descendant of the royal
family.Madame Ton Nu Ha won the Ministry of industry’s “Golden hands”
Award in 2003.
Tinh
Gia Vien, Hue Tinh Gia Vien's gracious hostess, Madame Ha, has created
a garden oasis, with 185 species of plants and flowers, 400 bonsai
trees, and a fabulous misting waterfall. What is so special about her
food? Presentation, Presentation, Presentation. All of her traditional
Hue food is elegantly and colorfully presented, much in the form of
animals. Order Dance of the Phoenix and a plate of a giant cucumber
bird, resting on a nest of noodles, with a pate plume, appears at your
table. Green Papaya with Lemon in the Form of a Dragon comes complete
with menacing red pepper eyes and tongue. The more subdued Elephant
arrives with carrot ears, cucumber tusks, pate head and body, properly
dressed in a rice paper crepe. These designs are brilliant, delicious,
and great fun as well. Frivolity does not mean free, however. The
Imperial Meal Set Menu, including drink, costs about $17 per person.
Madame Ha will tell you that the first owner of her villa was a
princess, and that the grounds house a special Mai plant that is 150
years old, and a longevity plant, of 200 years old. In fact, her garden
is featured in a tourism brochure of royal gardens. And Madame Ha
herself? Well, her full name is Ton Nu Thi Ha. Ton Nu literally
translates to "family of the king." Hmm, going from not being able to
eat Hue food unless you are a member of the royal family to being able
to try Hue food today, to being served Hue food by a descendant of the
royal family.