Down-to-earth noodles in upmarket atmosphere
The corner of Wyndham Street and Glenealy has been earmarked for an upmarket noodle bar that will feed diners for about $60. Preparations for the low-price, high-style Noodle Box are well under way by the same group responsible for Wyndham Street Thai and La Bodega.
The restaurant, hidden behind wooden hoardings, is based on the glass-front formula which has worked so well at the group's other outlets.
Inside, wood effects combine with stainless steel and funky lighting.
Scheduled for a January opening, the Noodle Box will seat about 20 people at a time and offer about 25 menu choices. The plan is to stay open from breakfast until late.
Club's old Hanoi charm Hanoi's elegant new Press Club has restored a little of the Vietnamese capital's fast-fading French colonial atmosphere.
Primed to top the list of in-places in Vietnam, the club's restaurant facilities are being run by former Hong Kong residents Alison Wheatley of Bacchus, Laurent Trenga of Papillon, and David Laris, well-known from his stints at BB's in Wan Chai and at Mezzaluna in Macau.
Hong Kong restaurant consultancy FABS was also involved in the pre-launch of the club.
The brains behind the club are two French brothers and the Cultural House of the Association of Vietnamese Journalists.
Along with various business and conference facilities, the seven-storey venue offers a fine-dining restaurant, an outdoor terrace and bar, a deli, and a library bar with the first purpose-built cigar humidor in the country. Reservations on (84 4) 934-0888.
Out of Africa in Regent The Regent must be ruing the day it sent out the release announcing its Out of Africa New Year's Eve Party. In an embarrassing case of counting chickens before they hatch, the hotel hailed the success of its Heaven and Hell Halloween Party, which was cancelled at the 11th hour because of lack of interest.
Nevertheless, the hotel 'continues to set the precedent for fabulous events to come', the announcement says.
The theme party to welcome in 1998 will transform all the hotel's outlets into one or another African backdrop.
Restaurant Yu will be turned into the Lost City of Atlantis, Club Shanghai becomes Rick's Cafe in Casablanca, the Harbourside cafe will be a Central African rainforest, while the Chocolate Boutique will be a very un-politically correct Dark Chocolate African Village. For the Zulu Village, head for The Steak House Bar and Grill.
Ticket prices have yet to be announced, but do not expect them to be cheap. The evening includes all food, drink and entertainment. Information on 2313-2313.
Deli increases seating The new incarnation of the Wyndham Street Deli is scheduled to open on Tuesday after renovations which have added 50 per cent more seats and made better use of the available space. The year-old restaurant will now be able to seat about 39 people, instead of 24. Reservations on 2522-3499.
