If you’re looking for an authentic French restaurant in Da Nang, Le Rendez Vous is the place to be. Located at 26 Nguyen Cao Luyen, this charming spot is famous for its high-quality French cuisine. Upon entering Le Rendez Vous, you’ll be immediately captivated by its mesmerizing interiors, elegant decor, and vibrant atmosphere in every nook and corner. The picturesque setting perfectly enhances the flavorful culinary creations, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking an exceptional French dining experience in this beach city.
The Artistry of Decor at Le Rendez Vous
When I first visited Le Rendez-Vous, this hidden gem was tucked away on the second floor of the building. There are two areas to enjoy: outdoor and indoor. The patio, adorned with lush green plants, offers a spacious view and is an ideal spot for anyone who loves the outdoor atmosphere.
Stepping inside, the decor is designed to highlight the simplistic beauty of Paris. The interior exudes an elegant and soothing ambiance, with walls adorned in hues of purple and blue. Soft lighting casts a warm glow, enhancing the luxurious feel of the space. What I really love about this restaurant is the upholstered chairs, which provide comfortable seating options, ensuring a cozy and relaxing dining experience. The atmosphere is intimate yet vibrant, with hints of French elegance in every detail, from the carefully curated artwork to the plush seating. As its name “Le Rendez-Vous” suggests, this is the perfect place for any meeting or gathering with your family, friends, or loved ones.
Culinary Highlights with Chefs’ Interesting Stories
To kick off with something refreshing, I chose the Pomfret Crudo. From the moment it arrived, I was captivated by its appearance, which brought a cool relief in the coastal city’s heat. The pomfret crudo features raw fish fillets at their peak freshness, delivering a complex and briny taste that lingers on the palate after the first bite. Enhanced by a lively orange vinaigrette that adds a citrusy kick, the dish is elevated with drizzles of scallion oil for a subtle herbal taste. A dollop of creamy yogurt rounds out the flavors, providing a cool and tangy contrast to the vibrant vinaigrette. Together, these components create a harmonious symphony of flavors and textures, guaranteeing each mouthful is a refreshing and delightful experience for seafood lovers.
While enjoying this lovely dish, I had an interesting conversation with one of the talented chefs at Le Rendez-Vous, Chef Chris. He mentioned that while French cuisine excels with meat dishes, it traditionally falls short with fish. To address this, he learned and mastered techniques such as dry aging and curing the fish to enhance its texture and taste naturally. He viewed this challenge as a valuable lesson, encouraging him to create dishes that have their own identity while remaining true to French cuisine.
Besides the fresh pomfret crudo, one dish that is indispensable when talking about French cuisine is Foie Gras. When the dish was served, I was intrigued by its appearance which looked like a piece of art. With the initial taste, I experienced a smooth, creamy touch and a rich, decadent flavor of foie gras and parfait that delighted my senses. Sweet green grapes burst with juiciness, while candied nuts add a delightful crunch and caramelized sweetness that perfectly complements the foie gras.
And then there’s the homemade brioche, toasted to golden perfection. Chef Chris shared that it took him one and a half months of experimentation to perfect, exploring different techniques and ingredients to achieve its buttery, delicate taste that pairs beautifully with the foie gras. Now, it serves as the ideal base for enjoying this gourmet masterpiece.
For the main course, I chose the Tenderloin Steak. When the staff served it, I was captivated by the beautiful presentation of dauphine potatoes, broccoli, and decorative flowers alongside the café de Paris sauce, resembling a small garden on the plate. The tenderloin steak is incredibly tender with its rich, savory flavor. The dauphine potatoes are the perfect complement, crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. The broccoli adds a touch of earthy freshness to the dish. The star of the plate is the café de Paris sauce, a buttery, herb-infused delight that adds a burst of complex flavors and an irresistible aroma. Taking a sip of red wine after a bite of steak, I could only roll my eyes in pure pleasure. This dish promises a truly indulgent and satisfying experience that will make you want to exclaim, “C’est la vie.”
At Le Rendez-Vous, another standout dish is the lobster. The lobster is incredibly fresh, offering an appetizing seafood flavor. It’s served with a smooth bisque sauce, full of creamy, flavorful nuances that perfectly enhance the lobster’s sweetness. Chef Chris revealed that the deep, rich essence of the lobster stock is achieved by cooking it for several hours, creating the perfect base for this exquisite sauce. Accompanying the dish are sautéed oyster mushrooms and corn, infusing a hint of sweetness paired with a refreshing, crisp crunch. The combination of succulent lobster, delicious bisque, and the earthy-sweet mix of oyster mushrooms and corn promises an indulgent and memorable dining experience that will leave you wanting more.
The final stop on my main course exploration at Le Rendez Vous is the Duck Breast. The two pieces of meat are tender and juicy, with a crispy and fat-rendered skin that adds a satisfying crunch. Its rich, savory flavor is perfectly balanced by the sweet and tangy orange sauce, which brings a refreshing citrus aroma. The cromesquis are crispy on the outside, with a creamy, savory filling that melts in your mouth. The fennel and clementine salad offers a delightful taste, with the fresh scent of fennel and the sweet, juicy burst of clementine.
According to Chef Julie, another talented chef at Le Rendez-Vous, Western diners have a strong appreciation for salads and vegetables, often seeking inventive preparations and appealing dressings or sauces. She has embraced this by using fresh local ingredients to create delightful salads and dressings that complement classic French cuisine, adding a touch of authenticity with a refreshing twist. Specifically for this dish, she incorporates tangerine segments into the salad and the dressing, and she has carefully braised the duck stock with local ingredients to create the perfect reddish-brown sauce for the duck breast.
There were a few desserts to choose from, but I went with a classic French finale: Crème Brûlée. Savor the timeless elegance of vanilla crème brûlée, where every spoonful reveals a silky custard infused with hints of vanilla. It’s topped with vibrant strawberries bursting with sweetness and crowned with oat crumbles with nutty depth. Additionally, the sugar crust is brittle and shatters delightfully under the tap of a spoon, providing a satisfying contrast to the creamy, smooth custard beneath. This crème brûlée is a pleasant blend of creamy, fruity, and crunchy textures that tantalize your taste buds and leave a lasting impression of indulgence. This dessert is simply divine.
Friendly Staff and Excellent Service
One thing I really love at Le Rendez Vous is its melodic French music, creating a cozy dining atmosphere. Plus, the attentive staff demonstrates professionalism, promptly meeting diner requests and enthusiastically answering questions about the menu. They’re also quick to assist with any mishaps like spills or broken dishes. Seeking feedback to enhance the dining experience is part of their commitment, ensuring a friendly and comfortable interaction. Additionally, Le Rendez Vous is open for lunch from Friday to Sunday, offering affordable specials like bolognese pasta, lobster pasta, and confit duck legs. These reasonably priced options, combined with the promise of an unforgettable evening of French culinary excellence, make Le Rendez Vous a standout choice.
In conclusion, Le Rendez Vous in Da Nang invites you on a journey through French culinary excellence, where each dish is as beautifully presented as it is appetizing. With the accompaniment of melodic French music and attentive service, every visit promises a memorable dining experience. Why not wine and dine your loved ones at Le Rendez Vous for your next special occasion? Bon appétit!
Le Rendez Vous
Address: 26 Nguyen Cao Luyen, Da Nang
Tel: +84 90 544 19 56
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeRendezVousDanang
