Huyen Anh Trinh
Google
I had the opportunity to experience an 8-course meal at Le Beaulieu restaurant located in the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. This was my interesting time exploring the sophistication of French cuisine, with each dish offering a unique and refined taste, from the lightness of the mushroom mousse to the rich flavors of the barbecued duck leg with Béarnaise sauce.
However, what surprised me was the service experience. Despite being in a well-known and prestigious hotel, the continuous movement of the staff around the dining area made me feel quite distracted. There were moments when I wanted to focus on enjoying my meal but was interrupted by the frequent passing of staff on the walkways. Additionally, the nearby bar created some unpleasant noises, like machine sounds, bill printer, clinking dishes, and footsteps, which detracted from the calm and serene atmosphere that a fine dining experience should provide. Furthermore, some guests were speaking quite loudly, further diminishing the dining ambiance.
That said, I appreciated the attentiveness of the restaurant manager, who listened to my feedback about the less-than-perfect experience. They showed thoughtfulness and professionalism by waiving the charges for the drinks that accompanied our meal, a gesture that reflected their care for customer satisfaction. This act helped me feel more valued and hopeful that they will continue to improve the environment to provide a better experience in the future.
Overall, the meal was a delightful introduction to French cuisine, but I believe the service atmosphere needs more consideration and improvement to match the elegance that the menu aims to deliver.