We wanted to visit another restaurant but when we got there, we were told that the restaurant is no longer there and it is now a Vietnamese steamboat restaurant. Feeling a little disappointed, deciding between Le Beaulieu at Sofitel Metropole and La Verticale, we chose La Verticale.
Now, we did not expect a mind-blowing fine dining French Vietnamese fusion experience. When we reached, we were greeted by a group of Vietnamese in their traditional dresses. The restaurant looked empty on the first level. We were skeptical.
So they brought us to the second level. It was still a very empty restaurant but a quiet fine dining environment. There was only 1 table filled other than our table. We shall see how good their French food are. Can they be compared to Green Tangerine?? I am skeptical again.
We actually had REAL lighted tall candles on our table and we had good wine glasses. Towels laid on proper trays. The restaurant don't seem to be an amateur.
Sparkling water for us today. It was my first try with sparkling water. Wine was too expensive for the last night. 
Our table and wine glasses
Table setup
Bread was first served. We were hungry, therefore we dug in. Complimentary apperatifs were served. The taste was exquisitely surprising. From then on, we realised that it was 100% fine dining. We got the right restaurant for the night.
Complimentary apperatifs
Complimentary "Soup" - a hot soup and a cold soup, simulating Yin and Yang with their white and black color pots. Very special.
Clams - it blew my mind off. They had my favourite clams excellently done!!! The sauce was indescribable. The display on the lotus leaf made it feel special.
Main course - Pork with clams for the top dish, steak with foie gras for the bottom dish
Finally we found out that first level is only a display area with a small shopfront to sell the Chef's cookbook and Vietnam spices. And we found out the chef is Didier Corlou. He is a former chef in Sofitel Metropole, a five stars diamond award chef.
Read about him here...
La Verticale Hanoi - Didier Corlou
Seriously, you can't miss out visiting this restaurant before you leave Hanoi.
