According to the latest FCC Cambodia propaganda, FCC will be spreading their tapas tentacles Saigon-wards with a new Pacharan restaurant in District 1 at 97 Hai Ba Trung. It will be interesting to see if they can clone the success that they’re having in Cambodia in a much tougher and more discerning restaurant market. No firm opening dates as yet.
Previously on Phnomenon: Pacharan review
Hai Ba Trung st, ehhh? Will have to go have a look where exactly 97 is. Definitely a gap in the market for good Spanish. GOOD Spanish, mind. We’ve had BAD Spanish and it lasted about 4 months. Empty every night.
I guess it depends on how good you’ll be expecting it to be. They’ve certainly got the interior design right – I’m willing to bet that it will be a good looking restaurant, but won’t be as willing to act as a guarantor as to the quality of all the food. Some things on the menu are great (e.g. the ham, the sangria) and some are still patchy (e.g. the olives from a can). I was spoiled for excellent tapas in Melbourne and so this also severely taints my view.
I’ll be very interested to see if they can maintain the same momentum in Vietnam that they have here. I thought that the novelty would wear off quickly, but they’ve developed quite a loyal expat following.
Well, I look forward to it Phil – although I suppose my time may be up before they open their doors. I’ve had tapas in Spain and elsewhere in Europe. When’s it’s good, it’s good – and it does to a large etent rely upon atmosphere, which form your saying they may have licked. I’ll say it again though, do tapas and do it really well in Vietnam and you’ll do well, IMO.
Thought I’d replied to this… maybe not. I’ve seen where they’re renovating for this place. It’s a prime spot. In fact you couldn’t get much of a better spot. Right on a D1 corner, near the Caravelle and in ‘restaurant square’. It used to be a whorehouse (I think) One of those tinted window bars which disappeared 6 months ago or more. So, they have a hot spot, let’s see what they can do with it.