Grand Charm
This cozy eatery combines the cuisine, feel and history of France and Vietnam, establishing a theme of romantic couplings. The first floor of the restaurant, located across from the Bell Tower, is dedicated to a Parisian style brasserie/café. We ate out on the rooftop dining area, which was canopied by mature trees for an intimate atmosphere. First up were the Pork Nems (￥29) and Vegetarian Spring Rolls (￥29), a fine combination of fried and healthy appetizers. We moved on to the Chicken Liver Terrine (￥42), which seemed authentic, but too rich for our tastes, and the Hanoi Noodle Soup (￥28), a dish unanimously enjoyed for its subtle broth, tender beef and generous size. We also savored every bite of the Vietnamese Pancake with Pork and Shrimp (￥58), a dish that’s both light and tasty. Snugly flanked by the hutongs of Gulou, this charming new eatery is a warm and inviting place to while away an evening.

Mike Byrd

Contact: No. 141, Jiu Gulou Dajie, 旧鼓楼大街141号, 6401-8465