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Has Been Open for More than 100 Years |
BANGKOK, 21 October, 2003 � Le Beaulieu restaurant
of Sofitel Metropole Hanoi was re-opened after a complete renovation. With
tasteful architecture, luxurious furniture and russet colored décor,
Le Beaulieu offers a brand-new experience in an Indochina style setting.
When the Vietnamese government took over ownership of the hotel in 1954, it became known as Thong Nhat Hotel and the restaurant simply as Thong Nhat Restaurant. Both Vietnamese and international food were served, and while it might not have earned the rave reviews of the 1930s, it still dished up the best food in the city to visiting VIPs. This was much to the embarrassment of some foreign visitors, who in the 1960s and 1970s were acutely aware that while they feasted on meat and seafood dishes, the average Vietnamese person would have been lucky to get a small piece of bean curd with their pho soup. In 1989, Le Beaulieu, like the hotel itself, closed for much-needed renovation and re-opened, after 3 years, under a subsidiary of the French hotel management company Accor in 1992. With the conditions in Hanoi still austere, the newly arrived Chef Didier Corlou provided an oasis of gourmet luxury for the pioneering expatriate community, with the Sunday brunch a focal point of the week for most foreign residents. Since 1992, Le Beaulieu restaurant has experienced numerous renovations to preserve its colonial splendor and better serve the guests. The latest renovation (summer 2003) recognized a new change in style of Le Beaulieu. Marble floor replaces dark carpet, a large window (without curtains) opens widely to the streets, overhead fans waft a gentle air and chandeliers light up the whole room when night arrives. Le Beaulieu has a new look: spacious, bright, modern and �natural�. It�s au revoir to the old fashion style, and bonjour to the 21st century-style of Le Beaulieu, offering Indochine ambience with a touch of French modern architecture. Together with the creative and innovative autumn menu of Didier Corlou, Le Beaulieu will continue to impress and delight customers as well as serve as a culinary window to the French lifestyle here in Hanoi. With 150,000 associates in 140 countries, Accor is the European leader and one of the world's largest groups in travel, tourism and corporate services. |
Contact:
Tom Racette Manager PR and Communications � Asia Tel: (662) 659 4535 [email protected] |
Also See: | Sofitel opening in Ho Chi Minh City Strengthens Accors's Dominant Position in Vietnam / Sept 1998 |