#There's this cute little French-style Cafe that we like to frequent that makes the best Nutella crepes | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

omgkatsudonplease · 7 years ago

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The BtDS coffeeshop au, sing, goddess, where yuuri and yuuko do run a beachside seal cafe with views of the rookery, cafe of which viktor becomes a frequent patron! ♥

so robbie and nica and i were joking about cafes dedicated to the things we like and a concept for a seal cafe came up and…

The Katsudon Cafe is lit in shades of nautical blue, with wide bay windows stretching out towards the sea. Its deck has access to a small beach via a handsome silver-wood staircase, crusted with sand and aged with salt spray.

This beach is currently closed off for pupping season, so Viktor can only watch from a distance as the tide rolls in just short of the flippers of several large harbour seals and their pups, all of them sunning themselves in the sparse afternoon sunlight. His pen taps idly against the empty Moleskine on the table next to him; a light breeze stirs the pages as he contemplates the seals below.

Someone clears their throat next to him, and Viktor turns and looks up. Immediately his breath is stolen by the way the sunlight hits the soft features of the young man looking down at him. He smiles, and the young man returns it with a quirk of his rosebud lips as he sets a latte mug down in front of Viktor, his cheeks burning bright pink.

“Thanks,” Viktor says, noticing the way the man’s seem to warm like the coffee in the mug in front of him. There’s a little Makkachin drawn into the foam; he can’t help but take a picture. “This is so cute!”

The man flushes harder, bobbing a little in thanks. His hands work for a moment before he seems to realise that Viktor can’t understand him, and he flushes harder before beating a hasty retreat across the deck into the cafe. Viktor watches him slip through the French doors with some semblance of regret, as it was probably due to his own cluelessness that the man can’t linger a little longer.

He turns his attention back to the latte. It is warm and smooth on his tongue.

Viktor returns to the cafe several times. It’s not far from his own cottage on Dean, after all, given its proximity to the little beach. The sheltered nature of the beach naturally makes it an excellent rookery for Torvill’s seal population, and so the Katsudon Cafe has earned a reputation on TripAdvisor as ‘the seal cafe’.

All the proceeds from the cafe go to rescue and rehabilitation efforts for the Harbour Watch, so Viktor is all too glad to give them his money in return for Japanese-style pastries and coffee. The main proprietor of the shop, Yuuko Nishigori, has memorised his name by the second time he shows up, and the way he likes his coffee by the third.

“Who’s the cute guy who helps you out?” Viktor asks after his fifth visit. Yuuko looks over at the young man, who’s got earbuds in as he wipes down some empty tables, and smiles.

“Yuuri,” she says. “His family own the Yu-Topia resort. You know, he’s sort of a budding writer himself.”

“Really.” Viktor drums his fingers on the counter. Yuuko presses a button on the coffee grinder. The smell of fresh-ground beans fills the air. “What does he like to write?”

“I don’t really know. We bought some copies of the literary magazines he wrote for in uni, though? He had some short stories and poems in them.” She gestures towards the little reading corner with the soft armchairs and the book and magazine racks. “They’re in there somewhere.”

His latte comes, this time accompanied by a slice of tiramisu. Viktor takes a seat by the big bay window, looking out at the whitecaps and the wheeling gulls overhead, and thinks about the best ways to describe how the light caresses Yuuri’s back as he dances from table to table.

On Viktor’s seventh visit, there’s a seal he hasn’t seen before on the beach, sunning himself a couple meters away from all the others.

“That’s the Katsudon this cafe is named after,” one of Yuuko’s daughters tells him. Axel Nishigori is doodling with chunky crayons on the table next to his, while her sisters pore over something on a camera.

“Yeah, he’s Torvill’s resident seal!” agrees Lutz, marking something on a piece of paper. Viktor has to marvel at today’s youth – when he was six, he barely knew how to write, let alone fill out a tide chart. “Momma says he’s twenty-three years old.”

“That’s really old for a seal,” says Viktor.

“Yeah, he’s an old man.” Loop grins toothily at him. Viktor looks out over the deck railing again, at the seal who is now sprawled out supine against the sand, wriggling to try and get into a comfortable position. There’s a momentary pause as the seal seems to notice him watching, and then it turns on its side, wiggles a flipper, and flops back onto its back.

Viktor’s not sure if the seal had intended to do that, but he’s fascinated all the same.

Yuuri’s there the next time Viktor visits, dutifully working behind the counter. “You’re not much of a talker, are you?” he asks, for lack of a better conversation starter. Yuuri flips the switch on the espresso machine before he shakes his head.

“He’s mute,” Yuuko explains from where she’s rearranging the cute little seal-themed merchandising. A storm of tourists had come through earlier; Viktor had seen them crowding the deck to take pictures as he passed by the cafe with Makkachin. They’ve probably moved on into the town proper, and are tearing up the boardwalk now. Viktor’s glad he doesn’t have to deal with them.

“Oh,” he says. “Is it a…”

“He’s been signing since childhood,” replies Yuuko. There’s a sudden loud hissing of the steam wand as Yuuri foams up the milk; Viktor can’t blame him for not wanting to hear any more talk about himself.

He dredges up the very little knowledge he has about British Sign, and thanks Yuuri in it when the man brings it to his table. Yuuri flushes, and Viktor wishes he were an artist instead so he could capture the roses in Yuuri’s cheeks.

Viktor’s not stupid. He knows better than to flirt with someone on the job.

But he’s never seen Yuuri off the job, either. The man seems to be a ghost in this town, simultaneously everywhere, on everyone’s tongues, but not quite there.

Katsudon the seal, too, is also an engima like that.

(It takes Viktor a stupid amount of time to notice that neither Yuuri nor Katsudon have ever been seen alongside one another.)

“So, how’s Torvill treating you, Viktor?” Phichit Chulanont asks him as he comes by the cottage with boxes full of delivered groceries. Viktor helps him carry them into the kitchen, setting them on the table with a grin. Phichit snaps a picture of Makkachin lazing on the tile, and Viktor gins.

“It’s been good,” he says. “I’ve been spending most of my time at the Katsudon Cafe, though.”

“I know,” says Phichit, because of course he does; Viktor’s only been in the town for three weeks and he already knows that Phichit Chulanont knows everything about everyone. “My best friend works there, actually! Yuuri Katsuki? Dark, brooding, and handsome?”

Viktor laughs at that. “You can say that again,” he says. Phichit giggles.

“He and I both loved your book, The King and the Skater. Well, I mean, I liked it more than he did – he’s more of a fan of your poems, I think. Or was it one of the earlier novels? I don’t know, he’s bought like all of them.”

Viktor feels his ears heating up. “I heard he’s a writer?” he asks, mostly to deflect the attention. Phichit grins.

“Yeah, he’s really good! I first met him because he wrote my favourite Stuchai fanfic. But his original stuff is also amazing. He performed some sonnets of his at the arts festival last year, and everyone agreed that he was robbed when JJ Leroy won instead.”

Viktor looks out at the late afternoon sun glinting off the distant waves, at the distant shape of the cafe and its deck swarming with people clamouring for photos of Katsudon. Phichit seems to notice that too, as he clears his throat and grins at Viktor.

“Are you going to the dance on the boardwalk tonight?” Phichit asks suddenly. “I’m going to make sure Yuuri goes – he’s not a party person, but he’s also been locked in his room angsting about you for weeks, so –”

“Angsting about me?” echoes Viktor, wondering why his heart suddenly feels like it’s taken up too much room in his chest. Phichit laughs.

“Yeah he couldn’t work up the courage to ask if you’d be going, yourself. You know, because he knows you don’t know sign. So…”

“I’ll try my best,” says Viktor. “And I’ll be at the dance.”

Phichit’s grin widens. “I’ll be sure to let him know!”

When the sun begins to set, Viktor heads out for the boardwalk in a button down and light trousers, and comfortable shoes for dancing.

He passes by the cafe on his way down, though, and decides to stop in for some coffee. Yuuko’s husband Takeshi is manning the counter; neither Yuuko nor Yuuri are anywhere to be seen.

But when Viktor decides to go out to the deck, he notices a familiar mop of dark curls heading up the beach with something black clutched in their arms. Yuuri is clad in his swimming trunks with a towel draped over his shoulders, and even from here Viktor can make out the planes of his stomach and the sparkle of the sunlight against the water droplets coursing down his body.

Yuuri’s feet hit the staircase of the deck, and then he freezes almost comically at the sight of Viktor, a deep crimson blush staining his cheeks and moving downwards. The black thing drops out of his hands, slipping to the floor. It’s a seal pelt.

“Did you…?” Viktor asks. Yuuri hastily shakes his head. He bends down to pick it up; Viktor is greeted with the sight of a sinfully perky ass. “I thought the beach was closed to swimmers.”

Yuuri grimaces, makes a gesture Viktor interprets as ‘long story’, and starts to mount the staircase. Viktor’s stomach drops in anticipation, as his gloriously shirtless form draws closer and closer to him.

“Are you going to the dance tonight?” he asks, stupidly, as Yuuri reaches him. The pelt sparkles in Yuuri’s grasp; the sunlight sparkles, too, in the water glistening in his hair.

Yuuri nods. Viktor steps just a little closer.

“Could we… maybe go together?” he asks, adding the sign for dance and pointing between the two of them for good measure.

Yuuri contemplates it, and then nods enthusiastically. the sealskin nearly dropping out of his hands in his eager assent. He clutches it harder then, and darts past him into the cafe. Viktor has to follow him quickly.

“I’ll wait for you, then?”

He gets a pause, a quick nod. The door swings as Yuuri vanishes behind the counter; moments later there’s the sound of water running from the back. Takeshi Nishgori chuckles at him.

“So, has Yuuri finally made a move?” he asks. Viktor blinks at him.

“Sorry, finally?” he asks.

Takeshi laughs, shakes his head. “Well, it was about time,” he says. Viktor decides that the man’s being unhelpful, and orders a latte for the night.

Yuuri comes back down just as he’s finishing up the cup, clad in a button-down with dark trousers and a set of braces, and Viktor swallows as he watches Yuuri examine his gelled-back hair in the mirror.

“Ready to go?” he asks. Yuuri nods at him, taking his arm with a small smile. Viktor feels twenty times lighter, as he tosses a wave back at Takeshi and leads Yuuri out of the cafe, towards the boardwalk.

(It takes him a stupid amount of time to realise exactly why Yuuri would be swimming with a sealskin in his hands. But when he does, he groans in realisation, and the selkie lying next to him giggles quietly before raising himself on his elbows and kissing him.

“What the fuck,” Viktor declares. “I’m so fucking blind.”

‘I think you were distracted by other things at the time,’ Yuuri points out.

“Don’t call me out like this,” Viktor whines, putting his face in his hands.

Yuuri giggles, and kisses him again. The sealskin hangs on its hook by the kitchen door, next to Makkachin’s leash and Viktor’s mackintosh.)

#beside the dancing sea #yoi #viktuuri #victuuri #lily's dabbles #thehobbem #ask #so this viktor is apparently 100x more fucking clueless lmao good job

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backofthebiketours · 4 years ago

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42 Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment

Where is Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment? – The one-of-a-kind building in downtown Saigon.

If you are searching for the best photogenic spots in Ho Chi Minh City, never skip the 60-year-old building on No.42 Nguyen Hue Walking Street. The newly redesigned street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, is right in the center of District 1. The coffee apartment at 42 Nguyen Hue is right in the middle of the street inbetween the Saigon River and the City Hall that sits on either end of Nguyen Hue.

What turns such an antiquated building into the trendiest place in all of Saigon? It’s the perfect combination of a youthful Saigon vibe with the timeless, nostalgic beauty that makes Building No. 42 stands out among other places. Come here to capture the best scenes of Saigon onto your Instagram, to shop until you drop and to fill your taste buds with endless food and coffee. Let this article guide you on your exploration into this spot, and take away plentiful recommendations for fun activities to do while you are here.

Nguyen Hue Cafe Apartment History

From a 60-year-old building to the coolest address on Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Building No. 42 charms visitors at the first look with its glorious history. Back in the Vietnam War when Saigon was the capital of Southern Vietnam, the nine-storey building at no. 42 Nguyen Hue Street housed many top-ranking government officers, including Truong Buu Khanh – the first secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington, as well as countless American military advisors, thanks to the central location.

When the Fall of Saigon in 1975 came, the building’s honored days slowly faded away. As Vietnam thrives in the world’s economy, skyscrapers rise higher and higher to take over the sky of Ho Chi Minh City, which turns the old apartment building into a dwarf among giants. After decades, time stained every corner of Building No. 42, from the dimly lit entrance with interlacing electrical wires to yellow brick walls with peeling paint and the twisting French-style staircase. Every breath inside the building gives you such a strong nostalgic feeling from a chaotic era.

The building revived its fame in an unexpected event in 2015. Due to the high rental fee in the city centre, small coffee shops and fashion boutiques turned their eyes to the old building No. 42. A wave of renovation hit the building quickly, and when Nguyen Hue Walking Street was open to the public, Building No. 42 also went viral on social media for its brand new appearance: a hip complex filled with nearly 30 coffee stores, fashion boutiques and other independent stores, each with a unique concept and Instagram-worthy atmosphere. The building engages hundreds of local people and tourists every day from morning ‘till dawn, and is now considered as the coolest address on Nguyen Hue walking street.

Once you start your journey here, prepare to be confused since the 1st floor is occupied entirely by Fahasa – a renowned chain of bookstores in Vietnam. The diminutive entrance is on the left of the book store. Now squeeze yourself to make your way through vehicles and the flow of people in and out of the building. Visitors can either wander floor by floor on the stone staircase or pay 3.000 VND to use the elevator, which will be reimbursed by some shops. The exciting area starts on the 2nd floor.

Among 3 sections of the building, section A is where most stores locate, thanks to the good view looking down to Nguyen Hue walking street and the Saigon river. Section B is a little more hidden than section A, but it still attracts a good amount of businesses due to spacious apartments. Residents remain in section C as apartments are not favorable for renovation.

While most stores open every day from 8 A.M to 10 P.M, the building is busiest in the evening. It’s the best time to see the building glows in the beautiful light from balconies and decorative billboards. If you want to explore every corner of the building, it may take most of the day. To save your time, here’s a list of what visitors usually do when visiting the building, from the most frequent activity to the unexpected ones.

The Best Instagram Cafes at 42 Nguyen Hue Apartment

Whether you’re a fan of photography, or you just want to share some beautiful holiday moments on social media, Building No. 42 is a must-go place for you. It’s not exaggerating to say that the building is filled with Instagram-worthy backgrounds. The most photo-taken spot is not anywhere inside, but the outer view of the whole building when looking up from Nguyen Hue walking street, especially at night when the building sparkles in the light of lanterns, hanging naked light bulbs, neon lights, billboards and decorating signs. The building’s cubic-like frame with evenly square balconies makes it look like a chocolate box full of tastes and styles.

Inside the building, artistic layouts can be spotted anywhere, from the fuzzy tiled corridors, tarnished window frames to rusty apartment doors. Before settling inside any shop, do take some photos in the hallway. The most recommended background is the corridor of the 4th floor where a little tropical garden flourishes in the middle of the building. Or opt to the 6th floor to be surrounded in a Hoi An atmosphere with bright yellow walls and hanging lanterns all along the aisle. Even the elevator lobbies can become a hip background with different signs, billboards and maps of floors.

Now you have to make a hard decision of which store to step inside because all stores in Building No. 42 deserve the praise for their aesthetic interior. Most well-known cafés to Instagrammers include Partea, The Maker Concept, and The Letter Cafe. Partea is a classic English teahouse that actualizes every girl’s dream of living in a castle with royal-like decoration, while The Maker Concept’s industrial décor focuses on the chic, modern and somewhat minimalist style. Otherwise, come to The Letter Café to stay on a tranquil oasis in the middle of the chaotic Saigon, thanks to the elegant Hoi An influenced decoration.

After visiting beautiful stores recommended above, let’s step out to the balconies and take a look. From there you’ll get an overview of the busy walking street, Saigon River in a far sight and some iconic skyscrapers of Ho Chi Minh city. Buihaus Coffee & Workshop on the 7th floor or Boo Café on the 9th floor are most frequently visited for their spacious and wide-angled balconies, which is suitable to set up a good photo.

If you are an active Instagrammer, check out our recommendations for more Instagram-worthy places around Ho Chi Minh city.

Best Coffee Shops in Cafe Apartment

Building No. 42 is called “the Coffee Apartment” for a reason. What makes people so excited about No. 42 is that the complex offers customers various drinks with different tastes in one place. Here you’ll find people filling all seats in these cafés every day, mostly youngsters who not only want to have a good drink but also look for a cool place to hang out, socialize and date. Here in Building No. 42, all of their needs are fulfilled.

For coffee addicts, you’ll have a hard time choosing a café in the building, because each store has their signature drinks that you don’t want to miss. To have a taste of Saigon style coffee, try Sai Gon Oi on the 5th floor. This shop has some different versions of the iconic ca phe sua da (Saigon iced milk coffee). A small detail that many customers like in this store is cute little name tags stuck onto your cup. The store also serves light desserts but we believe the true reason to visit is the drinks.

On the same floor, you can find Nau Saigon Café, a cool place to try some unique Vietnamese coffee such as egg coffee, foam milk coffee, or coconut coffee. Egg Coffee is quite famous in Vietnam and worth trying for any newcomers to unique Vietnam’s coffee universe. Don’t hesitate of the bizarre combination of whisked egg yolk layered on top of black coffee, because it’s likely that you’ll crave for the creamy, tasty flavour of the drink.

A tip for Instagram enthusiasts: Check out Thinker & Dreamer on the 4th floor. The drinks in this shop are famous for being Instagram-worthy. If you see a small camera icon on the menu, it means the drinks are “good for taking photos”. Their drinks range from classic coffee like espresso or cappuccino to other popular drinks such as juices and tea. The combination of their tastes and looks is worth the price.

For tea lovers, there are two addresses that you shouldn’t miss in this building: Partea on the 4th floor and Orientea on the 7th floor. Partea is considered as a fairy house in the middle of this tropical city. Customers are deeply in love with the royal-like ambience of the store, besides the extensive choice for tea flavours. You can even choose your own teacup from the store’s huge display of vintage utensils.

Orientea, as suggested in the name, is a place to taste oriental tea, mostly from Japan and China. The store receives positive reviews on the tranquil atmosphere and unique, delicate tea flavours. This is an ideal place to find a peaceful moment or to enjoy a Japanese tea ceremony.

To cool down the heat of Saigon, don’t forget to check out Mango Tree on the 3rd floor and taste the store’s most recommended beverage: Mango Snowflake – a Korean famous drink/ dessert called bingsu, made from shaved ice topped with fruits, syrup and condensed milk. The dessert is famous for melting down in your mouth at the first bite. Eating a full bowl of bingsu guarantees to give you a shiver even on a blistering hot day. Other places of Saigon may also have bingsu, but is notable for special flavours from coffee, bubble milk tea to durian.

Cafe Apartment Food Recommendations

There are fewer restaurants in Building No. 42 than cafés, but almost all of them receive positive feedbacks for their quality and service. One thing for sure is whether you are into Eastern or Western cuisine, Building No. 42 has it all to offer.

Start from the 2nd floor at Poke Saigon where you’ll find tasty Hawaiian seafood. This is the first restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City that serves Poke – a popular appetizer in Hawaiian cuisine, composed of raw fish, salad, toppings and sauces, which tastes fresh and healthy. This restaurant is suitable for any meal in a day thanks to its diverse menu. Those who have a vegetarian or gluten-free diet can easily choose a dish from many options. A great thing in Poke Saigon that many customers love is that you can create your own poke flavour from unlimited toppings and sauces.

On the 3rd floor is the right place for people who look for a European taste, with Dosh and Downtown Steakhouse. Dosh is a perfect bakery for your sweet tooth. Doughnuts are must-try when you are here because of their unbelievable soft and tender taste. Besides doughnuts, freak shakes are highly recommended, both for the taste and the Instagrammable look. Since its opening, Dosh has been one of the top-ranking bakeries in Saigon and received much attention. Downtown Steakhouse is lesser-known, but all reviews about this restaurant are compliments for their tasty food. As suggested in the name, the restaurant’s main dish is American steaks and grills that satisfies your taste and vision. With delicious food, great outdoor setting, helpful service and affordable price, Downtown Steakhouse is worth visiting, especially suitable for dating and couples’ night-outs.

For fans of Italian cuisine, head to 8IELTS Café on the 4th floor. The good view and arty décor with beautiful wall drawings is the most significant feature of 8IELTS. The menu composes of general Italian food such as pizza and pasta. The price and customer service in this café receive mixed reviews but are still acceptable on the average. A good thing to note down is 8IELTS offers a generous weekly discount program every Wednesday and the cafe frequently throws live music nights.

If you have had enough of Western food, look for Michi Sushi on the 7th floor. Their menu covers a broad range in Japanese cuisine, including sushi, sashimi (a delicacy made from raw sliced meat or fish and served with soy sauce), teriyaki (broiled or grilled meat with a glaze of mirin, soy sauce and sugar), udon (Japanese noodles) and some Western – Japanese combined dishes. The food in Michi Sushi is praised for its freshness and delicate preparation. The price is reasonable with frequent discount programs, making Michi Sushi one of the busiest stores in Building No. 42.

Lastly, for those who want to try Vietnamese food, Saigon Vieux on the 2nd floor and Sai Gon Oi on the 5th floor are the places to go. Both cafes offer some traditional Vietnamese and Saigon dishes. While Saigon Vieux has a more diverse menu which is suitable for any meal in the day, Sai Gon Oi is better to grab a quick brunch.

Best Shopping Spots in 42 Nguyen Hue

When it comes to shopping, Building No. 42 confidently beats down other luxurious shopping malls for its dynamic atmosphere. Fashionaholics dash down here to search for trendiest, one-of-a-kind items. Young local designers find No. 42 a heavenly place to start up and promote their styles. Both result in No. 42 becomes a fashion treasure where new boutiques pop up frequently and customers can dive into various choices on a budget. What’s more, shopaholics crave for the aesthetic atmosphere not any less than clothes. Since social media is the main marketing platform of all start-ups here, shop owners strive to make every corner in their stores picturesque. All in combination makes a shopping spree in Building No. 42 definitely worth your time.

A small thing to keep in mind: clothing stores in Building No. 42 are mainly for female customers with standard Asian sizes, so don’t be surprised if you struggle to find a fit item. In that case, look for accessories, such as cool bags or jewels because you won’t be disappointed. Below are some recommendations for stores you should swing by.

For those who favour a minimalist style, Hayho Concept on the 2nd floor definitely wins your heart. Hayho Concept claims to serve customers “classic basics clothing with a twist”. The store sells men and women’s fashion clothes with uniquely designed embroidery and high-quality material. Customers usually look for cool T-shirts and polo shirts when they come here. For couples: don’t forget to dig into their T-shirt section and find some cool matching outfits as the store provides plentiful unisex items at all sizes.

To complete your minimalism - inspired look, head to a Scandinavian style store named The E.Y.E Saigon on the 4th floor. The artistic decor and display charm your eyes at first sight. Even though all products are plain black and white tote bags, they can add flavour to your outfit with creative designs, printings and unique slogans. The brand’s mission is to proudly promote sustainable buying habit and showcase Vietnamese culture through modern fashion. The store also offers good quality, stylish white tees and chic wall prints that are worth considering.

For girls who look for a feminine outfit, try Cosette or Chanchan. Cosette is a Vietnamese designer brand that emphasizes the classy beauty of vintage clothing. Their target customers are young office ladies who love to be trendy, yet maintain their formal and professional look. If you adore the ao dai of Vietnam, do put this store onto your bucket list when you come to No. 42 as they offer a good selection of traditional, elegant ao dai styles.

Come to Chanchan to find some funky pieces with gorgeous designs and nice materials. The store aims to customers who are into a somewhat casual and colourful style. Their most sold items are lovely dresses with nice cut-outs and tropical designs that brighten up your look. If you happen to come here around the Vietnamese New Year, you should also look for their very cool section of modern and chic ao dai designs.

Now let’s spice your outfit up with some cool accessories from Buom Boutique or The Maker Showroom. At Buom Boutique, take a look of their wide selection of various Japanese clothes and handmade accessories, from kimono, silk tank tops to wooden sandals and seagrass handbags. At The Maker Showroom, try out plentiful hip products from backpacks to jewellery and even designed phone cases. It’s pretty hard to step out of the building without one or two items from these cool fashion stores.

Co-working Spaces in Saigon

Now, just when you think that you have known everything about this building, it still has more to offer. Besides eating and drinking, many cafes define themselves as co-working space and provide a great environment for freelancers or anyone who simply needs to make something done. Famous cafés that are dedicated to working or study space include The Maker Concept, Buihaus Coffee & Workshop and Thinker & Dreamer. Other cafés are also fine for working, except for busy hours in the evening.

For beauties, don’t forget to wander around some beauty stores in the building, such as Naunau DIY Studio on the 5th floor. This cosmetics brand allows you to make your own beauty products, from handmade beauty soaps to your personally designed perfume, all with natural, eco-friendly ingredients.

One thing for sure is that the business in Building No. 42 is competitive and frequently changing with more and more creative, unique stores pop up to the display, so the next time you visit it, prepare to discover some new and cool places.

The undefined future of Building No. 42

Despite many compliments, the building has some drawbacks. Since apartment owners renovated it individually, the building lacks systematic management and organization, which makes common services, such as parking and using the elevator, quite low quality. The common areas are not taken care of, which leads to complaints as “dirty and messy”. The run-down construction of this 60-year-old building brought a huge concern to both residents and customers about its safety. Moreover, turning apartments into business is actually illegal and a notice of eviction has been made to shut down the business here, though the government hasn’t taken any strong action yet.

While the future of Building No. 42 Nguyen Hue Walking Street is unclear, business still prospers with new stores opening every month or so. Rumour has it that the building will soon be demolished, but until that day, No. 42 stays as the coolest address on Nguyen Hue Street and one of the best places to visit in Ho Chi Minh City. Check it out as soon as you can, before this unique place becomes the past.

Shopping in Ho Chi Minh

Read Full Article Here: 42 Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment

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crowlentil98-blog · 6 years ago

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Where to Eat in Austin Right Now According to Neighborhood

This definitely sounds crazy, but I’m starting to think I’ve eaten almost everywhere in Austin that I want to at the moment. That being said, the last six months have been the most exciting time in the culinary scene as I’ve seen chefs take risks and branch out to showcase what they really want to cook and eat. I’ve been most impressed by the concepts that don’t replicate any others in town and the ones that we have been NEEDING such as Uncle Nicky’s, an Italian cafe and bar with meat sandwiches, gelato, and cocktails, Bar Peached which is in the corner of Clarksville that always needs new spots to grab a nice cocktail and a bite, and Intero on the east side which changes the menu daily and uses whole animals and ingredients to prevent waste.

Full disclosure- I do need to revisit a few old school places like Fonda San Miguel which I haven’t been to since college and Vespaio, and I have only eaten LA BBQ catered. I want to try the Indian food truck Bombay Dhaba on South First, and El Dorado and Little Deli up north. Otherwise, I’ve eaten my way around the Austin sun in the last two years. People say I’m lucky or wow how do you do that. Guys, these restaurants are open to the public (YOU), and you don’t have to eat at your same breakfast taco shack 5 days a week!! The only place I frequent is Casa De Luz, the holy vegan spot when I need a healthy reboot and some home cooking! Otherwise, here are my favorite spots right now new and old in each neighborhood when you’re looking to sift through all the noise.

SOUTH AUSTIN:

(South First, South Congress, Bouldin, South Lamar)

Asian!

American!

Vegan!

Pizza & a Show!

Mexican!

Fresa’s – Who goes to a Mexican restaurant to get ice cream? Me! James Beard nominee Chef Laura Sawicki makes the best cookies in cream with fresh oreos and chocolate brownie. It’s casual and ideal for to-go or big groups when you want margaritas and perfectly cooked chicken. I also love their vegetable sides that are more creative than rice and beans like sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, beets, etc.

Matt’s El Rancho – C-L-A-S-S-I-C Tex- Mex. If you’ve been looking for Bob Armstrong dip, it’s here.

Polvo’s – I love watching them bake the fresh tortillas and the salsa bar. Fish fajitas all the way.

El Borrego de Oro – Best tortilla soup. That’s it.

Vera Cruz Al Natural @ Radio Coffee – My favorite breakfast taco in town. Only at this location. Fish tacos are good, too!

BBQ!

Bakery!

DOWNTOWN + RAINEY STREET

French!

Chez Nous – You won’t even know you are in Austin until you leave and head across the street to Antone’s. Escargot and Fish!

Le Politique – On the west side of downtown. I like best for brunch. Get the cinnamon roll and hash.

Perfect before a show!

La Condesa – The restaurant that started the 2nd street population. Great for birthday dinners in their subterranean private room.

Fareground – A food hall where you don’t have to commit. Tacos, Italian food, golden milk, matcha lattes, Monster Cookies, Sushi, Ramen, and Israeli food.

The Back Space – Perfect pizza and antipasti veggies before heading out to a show on Dirty Sixth.

Lunch!

Koriente – Not much of an atmosphere, but it’s for the healthy Asian lunch spot with rice bowls and curries. I add spicy tuna to my veggies bowl.

Walton’s – Quick sandwich, soup, salad, bakery. Get the golden egg snickerdoodle for dessert.

Holy Roller – Punk rock diner ideal before or after day drinking. I like the grilled cheese with avocado.

Second Bar + Kitchen – Something for everyone and good for business.

Nice on Rainey!

East Austin

Breakfast + Brunch!

Fun Dinner!

Il Brutto – This might be the only Italian restaurant in town that actually has a true Italian chef cooking in it! He makes 7 handmade pastas daily, pizza dough that is fermented for two days so it’s fluffy and crunchy, and their happy hour is 1/2 off all drinks from 5-7 p.m. I love the lasagna, lamb, and complimentary limoncello at the end.

Kemuri Tatsuya – This is one of the most fun places in Austin because you can’t get this food anywhere else. Think Izakaya meets Texas BBQ. Good for big groups.

Intero – They change their menu regularly and used to work at the iconic Jeffrey’s. You’ll see the same ingredients sprinkled throughout the menu because they are big on no waste and using whole animals. Their pastas are great.

Suerte – Masa, masa, masa! I love the bar here, good wine, and a fun, intimate setting. It’s bright, has flamingo wallpaper in the bathroom. The brisket tacos and carrot dumplings are my favorite.

Buenos Aires Cafe – This is one of the oldest restaurants in Austin and on the original east side! I haven’t eaten here in years, BUT they have an awesome speakeasy bar in the back called Milonga Room and the fries are dank. You have to call or text to make a reservation Thursday- Saturday. They have live music and great wines. 512.593.1920

Launderette – Chef Rene Ortiz and Laura Sawicki run the show here so it’s flawless. I love all the Mediterranean influence yet great burger and chicken thighs. There’s a reason everyone talks about the birthday cake ice cream sandwiches only served at dinner. Don’t worry the breakfast pastries are fabulous, too.

The Brewer’s Table – The menu here is quite intriguing. They brew their own beer here and use wheat and hops in some of the food. Have no fear, if you are a wine over beer drinker like me, this spot is still for you. I love the large format family style dinners and their rabbit carnitas tacos are my favorite in town. Not sure how this place can have the best tortillas but they do!

Justine’s – This is the sexiest restaurant in town. It’s one of the only super sceney yet local places where I feel like I’m in NYC again. The staff has outstanding individual style, they don’t care that you have to wait 2 hours, the murals in the outdoor tents during the winter are gorgeous, and the steak tartare and mussels are memorable. This is where I want to go on a date or with my best friends for a night out.

Easy dinner!

Thai Kun – The Asian food trucks are actually my favorite in Austin. Thai Kun also happens to be outside my favorite cocktail bar, Whisler’s. Get the Cabbage Two Ways (fried and raw) with holy basil and mint and the Khao Man Gai Thai Steamed Chicken with rice. Mmm.

Hillside Farmacy – Go for the kale salad and mac ‘n cheese. It reminds me of a cute corner spot that would be in Brooklyn. Fun for a girls dinner or a good cocktail at the bar with a date. It has old school pharmacy style seating but very chic.

Sour Duck – This is almost the definition of Austin. Casual, outdoor beer garden feel, order food at the counter. Lots of meat and some veggie options. Waiter for cocktails AND parking.

Bakery!

Paperroute Bakery – This place holds a special place in my heart. This young twenty-something baker named Aaron is a one man show waking up at 2 a.m. to start baking in his 500 square foot bakery attached to Cenote. Go for the blueberry pop tarts, bundts, and place an order for your next birthday cake.

CLARKSVILLE/TARRY TOWN/ HYDE PARK/CAMPUS

Casual Good Food!

The Beer Plant – This all vegan restaurant with a brewery blew my mind. I love that it wasn’t showy and felt just like a neighborhood spot that ANYONE vegan or not can actually eat at every night and not get sick of it. It was PACKED on a Wednesday. Get the special soup of the day because it’s served with their awesome bread and the eggplant curry. All the sandwiches looked so good I wanted to steal a bite from my neighbor when he went to the bathroom.

Texas French Bread – An Austin classic right by campus since 1981! Feels like it must have been the only bakery and place to get fresh breads in town at one point. I love their brunch and superb omelette. Great salads and easy sandwiches. Cookies for all, and best of all, beautiful lighting.

Better Half – I have all my meetings here. I’ve never seen a better place for coffee, cocktails, AND food. I also feel very Brooklyn here with the well dressed crowd. Men in real, fitted t-shirts. Go for the fried chicken salad, cauliflower tater tots, and biscuit with homemade jam.

40 North – This is my all around favorite pizza place. The crust has height, is fluffy, and holds the sauce and toppings well. It’s in a cute little house ideal for lunch or a casual dinner. The Mediterranean cauliflower and bibb salad are enough of a reason to come if not just for pizza!

Uncle Nicky’s – This tiny Italian cafe and bar in Hyde Park made me squeal when it opened in 2019 as there is nothing like it. I can get an assortment of negronis, Italian meat sandwiches on the best homemade roll in town, kale salad with truffle honey, and my absolute favorite: sardines with salsa verde and ritz!! Come here for an early aperitif or stop on your way home. Best solo or with one other person due to space.

Shoal Creek Saloon – If you are looking for a bar withe peel n eat crawfish and shrimp, here you go. Skip the gumbo and go for the fried okra.

Pool Burger – Backyard burgers served out of a food truck, tiki cocktails, crinkle cut waffle fries, and necessary soft serve.

Nicer Outing!

Clark’s – This is go-to for seafood. The only place in town where I can get a perfect bowl of ciopinno + oysters. The burger is my favorite in town, and don’t forget they are open for brunch, and the pancakes are awesome.

Bar Peached – This menu is wild and crazy, kids! I love the cucumber vodka cocktail, and the chimichurri carrots. It’s like asian ingredients meets Texas with unique tacos and even pastas made with udon noodles. It’s situated in a cute house in Clarksville and has patio seating that feels separated.

BURNET ROAD/ALLENDALE

Easy Lunch or Dinner!

Picnik – All hail anyone looking for fresh, mindful ingredients and those we are allergic to gluten, soy, corn, or peanuts. They don’t let any of that in their kitchen! Think butter coffee, matcha lattes, breakfast hash + tacos on Siete tortillas, my favorite cauliflower steak with capers, raisins on a bed of hummus, roasted chicken, and their paleo blondie.

Tiny Boxwood – A ladies who lunch spot from Houston. Just come for the cute, outdoor courtyard and chocolate chip cookies!!!

Pacha – A tinsy coffee shop that has my favorite pancakes in town. They serve their eggs on top of them, too!

Bakery!

Kellie’s Baking Co. – Known for their ginger cookies with instagram photos pasted on the front, I prefer the brookie which is half chocolate chip cookie/half brownie/topped with mallow! It’s so gooey and doughy. I love their stuffed reese’s and twix cookies just as much!

Tiny Pies – Mini pies great to bring to a party or a birthday. I like the fruit ones best.

SUSHI

This gets its own category because there are so few in town!

MUELLER

Source: http://www.chekmarkeats.com/where-to-eat-in-austin/

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akalittlemisscrazy · 7 years ago

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Backpacking Escapes: Hanoi

Okay I take it back – Bangkok isn’t that crazy. At least not until you compare it to Hanoi. The traffic in this city is absolutely insane! There seem to be absolutely no rules here yet miraculously we haven’t seen anyone crash. You can go any way around the roundabout you feel like, and which side of the road you drive on seems to be interchangeable. Crossing the road involves stepping out looking as confident as possible whilst thinking “Don’t die don’t die don’t die” and weaving around the flurry of cars & bikes. Furthermore whilst the roadside cafes are super cute and brilliant to go to, the tables outside also block up the entire pavement meaning you constantly have to walk on the road. We had our sarongs tied tightly around our waists covering our bum bags as we had been warned multiple times about the motorcycle thefts here. Not the most relaxing time we’ve had during this trip.

Hoa Lo Prison was built by French Colonialists in 1896 after they chased out the residents of the old crafting village. It was built to hold thousands of revolutionary Vietnamese and soon became known as 'Hell on Earth'. I have to admit I didn’t know how much history and conflict there was between the French and the Vietnamese. It was distressing to learn how badly these prisoners were treated. The walls surrounding the prison are 4 metres high, 0.5 metres thick and topped with broken glass & high voltage electric grids. Prisoners were beaten, fed rotten scraps of food and had cold water thrown on them in the middle of winter. The Cachot cells where prisoners who’d been sentenced to death were held had slanting floors so that when the prisoner’s feet were shackled (which they were 24/7) their heads were lower than their feet – leading to blindness and oedema. Prisoners frequently died of typhoid, dysentery and malaria. It’s no surprise the prisoners fought back the best they could – making their own newspapers, organising schools within the prison and planning escapes to rejoin the fight on the outside.

In stark contrast to these atrocious cruel acts, between 1964 and 1973 the prison was used to hold American pilots who’d been shot down during the conflict. These prisoners were treated so well they nicknamed the prison 'Hanoi Hilton Hotel’. They were treated for their initial injuries and had regular health check ups. They were allowed to play sports, watch films and attend church at Christmas. One of the prisoners held here was John McCain. I have huge respect for the Vietnamese here, proving that you can break the cycle of violence and avoid spilling any more blood.

Train Street is literally what it sounds like – a train track running down the middle of a narrow backstreet. Every night from around 8pm the trains start running fairly regularly down here – leaving an incredibly narrow gap of about 30-50 centimetres between the wall and either side of the train. During the day this street is predominantly filled locals and backpackers with cameras as it is ridiculously picturesque. You’ll know when the train is coming as the locals will suddenly pick up their tables and move inside, well accustomed to this daily routine.

Ngoc Son Temple is one of the two island temples on Hoan Kiem Lake, the other being Turtle Tower. Unfortunately it was going under major renovations when we visited but the patio area behind the temple overlooking the lake was so peaceful and such a pretty sight. We sat here for quite some time enjoying the view.

We also visited St Joseph’s Cathedral and some of the other temples such as the Temple of Literature & West Lake Pagoda (Tran Quoc Pagoda). I’m afraid I don’t have much to say about these sights – they are absolutely lovely but unfortunately we’ve reached that stage of our trip where we’re comparing everything to all the other places we’ve been and these temples just didn’t quite blow me away. If you want stunning breath-taking temples, personally I’d recommend you go to Thailand or rural Vietnam.

Just a bit of warning the mausoleum where President Ho Chi Minh’s body is preserved and on display is closed from October onwards. We weren’t that bothered by this as frankly I find it a little bit disturbing and a tad disrespectful as he didn’t want to be laid to rest this way. Furthermore the Presidential Palace and the Citadel are closed on Mondays, which is when we were in the city. All well - you win some, you loose some.

The Ceramic Mosiac Mural is a 6.5km long tiled masterpiece. It reminded us of an Aztec style artwork and would have been a very pretty peaceful walk – had it not been for the 8 lanes of traffic behind us!

Whilst it was a good place to start our Vietnamese adventure, I must admit I was glad to run away to the countryside! Ha Long Bay, here we come.

#backpackingescapes #backpacking #traveling #Vietnam #Hanoi

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backofthebiketours · 5 years ago

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42 Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment

Where is Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment? – The one-of-a-kind building in downtown Saigon.

Nguyen Hue Cafe Apartment History

From a 60-year-old building to the coolest address on Nguyen Hue Walking Street

The Best Instagram Cafes at 42 Nguyen Hue Apartment

If you are an active Instagrammer, check out our recommendations for more Instagram-worthy places around Ho Chi Minh city.

Best Coffee Shops in Cafe Apartment

Cafe Apartment Food Recommendations

Best Shopping Spots in 42 Nguyen Hue

Co-working Spaces in Saigon

The undefined future of Building No. 42

Shopping in Ho Chi Minh

Original Post Here: 42 Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment

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backofthebiketours · 5 years ago

Text

42 Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment

Where is Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment? – The one-of-a-kind building in downtown Saigon.

Nguyen Hue Cafe Apartment History

From a 60-year-old building to the coolest address on Nguyen Hue Walking Street

The Best Instagram Cafes at 42 Nguyen Hue Apartment

If you are an active Instagrammer, check out our recommendations for more Instagram-worthy places around Ho Chi Minh city.

Best Coffee Shops in Cafe Apartment

Cafe Apartment Food Recommendations

Best Shopping Spots in 42 Nguyen Hue

Co-working Spaces in Saigon

The undefined future of Building No. 42

Shopping in Ho Chi Minh

Read More Here: 42 Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment

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backofthebiketours · 6 years ago

Text

42 Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment

No.42 Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment – A one-of-a-kind building in downtown Saigon.

If you are searching for the best photogenic spots in Ho Chi Minh City, never skip the 60-year-old building on No.42 Nguyen Hue Walking Street. What turns such an antiquated building into the trendiest place in all of Saigon? It’s the perfect combination of a youthful Saigon vibe with the timeless, nostalgic beauty that makes Building No. 42 stands out among other places. Come here to capture the best scenes of Saigon onto your Instagram, to shop until you drop and to fill your taste buds with endless food and coffee. Let this article guide you on your exploration into this spot, and take away plentiful recommendations for fun activities to do while you are here.

From a 60-year-old building to the coolest address on Nguyen Hue Walking Street

Fill your social media news feed with fancy photos at No. 42 Nguyen Hue

If you are an active Instagrammer, check out our recommendations for more Instagram-worthy places around Ho Chi Minh city.

Taste all the signature drinks of Saigon/ Vietnam in the Coffee Apartment

Fill your empty stomach with tastes from East to West

Have a shopping spree at this vintage shopping centre

There are still many other things to do here

The undefined future of Building No. 42

See Full Article Here: 42 Nguyen Hue Coffee Apartment

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