Holiday coincidence invokes special treats

For lovers, this Lunar New Year will be extra special, as it falls on Valentine’s Day.
In just a few days, one Lunar Year will wander off into the sunset and another will come in at dawn.
This year, the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival will be markedly different from previous years in one major aspect. The first day of the Year of the Tiger falls on a hugely popular international festival for lovers - Valentine’s Day.
To help guests greet this unusual convergence in very special ways, leading hotels and restaurants in HCMC have come up with special treats.
CARAVELLE HOTEL, 19 Lam Son Square, District 1
First day of the Lunar New Year and Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14, 2010
Lobby Lounge (Ground floor, 12:00-17:00): Best of British Afternoon Tea. The iconic three-tier Cake Stand is something to behold, its contents a cornucopia of savory and sweet flavors.
Restaurant Nineteen (Ground floor, 1 8:00-22:00): Special Valentine’s Day Buffet Dinner with a wide range of cooked to order seafood, smoked and marinated seafood, oyster station, caviar and fish roe station, appetizers, soups, cheese, main courses, barbeque station, desserts. Prices from VND864,000/pax.
Reflections Restaurant (3rd floor, Opening hour: 18:00-23:00): Eight-course menu amidst soothing candle light and live piano music. Menu highlights include marinated duck liver, almond bread crusted deep sea scallops, grilled US beef tenderloin, sweet temptations, chocolate truffles and more. Prices from VND864,000/pax.
NEW WORLD HOTEL SAIGON, 76 Le Lai Street, District 1, offers a great selection of Cantonese specialties, exclusively prepared by Chef Ho Wing Sang and his team.
From January 29 until February 13, Dynasty will surprise all lovers of Chinese specialties with three different family set menus including braised shark’s fin and abalone soup, smoked duck and braised bird’s nest. The special family set menus start from VND462,500++.
From February 14 until February 21 guests can choose between three different Spring set menus with suckling pig, steamed sea garoupa and braised abalone rolls or a special a-la-carte lunch and dinner menu. The Spring set menus start at VND51 8,000++, the special a-la-carte lunch and dinner menus are priced at only VND1 68,000++.
For further information, please contact New World Hotel Saigon: (08) 3 822 8888 or send an email to ays@newworldsaigon.com.
RENAISSANCE RIVERSIDE HOTEL SAIGON, 8-15 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1, has programs:
A cozy Lunar New Year’s Eve with Family - 6 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday, February 13, 2010:
See off the old year with family at the New Year’s Eve dinner at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon.
Riverside Café – a feast of international and Vietnamese delicacies as well as the irresistible dessert corner. VND630,000++ per person including special New Year cocktail, free flow of sparkling wine, wine, beer and soft drinks.
Poolside Terrace – best alfresco venue in Saigon to watch the marvelous fireworks while enjoying a BBQ dinner. VND630,000++ per person including a special New Year cocktail, free flow of sparkling wine, wine, beer and soft drinks.
Unforgettable Valentine’s Day – 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday, February 14, 2010:
The Renaissance Saigon will serenade your night with roses, chocolates and love-food.
Riverside Café – a delectable spread of international cuisine that pampers every refined palate. VND630,000++ per person including free flow of sparkling wine, wine, beer and soft drinks.
Kabin Chinese Restaurant – perfect place for a romantic and private Valentine dinner with an eight-course set menu. VND550,000++ per person including a bottle of sparkling wine complimentary as a pre-dinner special treat for every couple at the Atrium Lounge.