Au Manoir De Khai…

Oui…this is where we had an incredible French dinner.  I am going to concentrate on the culture of Vietnam for the most part.  Although, we have been very fortunate to have as our travel consultant since this trip began, a very remarkable man.

Chris Runckel, is extremely knowledgeable about Vietnam as a soldier through his professional career working with President Ford up to and including President Obama.

He is the recipient of the U.S. Distinguished Honor Award, the highest U. S. Award given for Diplomatic Service.  I have learned so much about the history of Vietnam from him and his travel team.  This has been a privilege beyond belief.

But for the purposes of my blog and the over 1,000 pictures I’ve taken, with a week to go…I am going to focus on the culture.

So come have a little French dining experience with Shelley and me and one of the professors from LMU.

The Au Manoir De Khai is located in HCMC..a cab ride away from our hotel and depending on who is driving it could cost 11,000 Dong up to 21,000 Dong…it’s never the same coming and going. Guess that could be said for cabs anywhere.  Language barriers don’t help.

While it was a typical hot and sweaty night, we didn’t care…and you will see why as we entered their property..

We were asked to sit here to wait for our table. Orchids were everywhere.

Our tuxedoed waiter presented us with velvet menus. The place settings were to die for, gorgeous plates.  After much discussion, we ordered our meals.  But first a little starter from the chef.

Can’t go to a French restaurant and not have a glass or two of wine.

We shared a shrimp appetizer.

Before our entrees arrived..another gift from the chef to cleanse our palettes…check out the presentation right down to the gold leaf.  And yes, there was Vodka in the space provided in the giant ice cube!

I ordered the Herb Crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb with Garlic Cheese Sauce.

Shelley orderd the Roasted Duck Breast with Pan Fried Goose Liver in a Perigord Truffle Sauce.  I guess I was too busy eating to take a picture!

For dessert I shared a Creme Brûlée with Pistachios and Bailey’s with Jeff.

Shelley went all in with her dessert, a chocolate soufflé. I think she was shocked at the decadence!

Not a bad day at the office!