High-End Vietnamese Cuisine Makes it to Midtown

Burgers. Fireworks. Transformers. Damn, you love America.

That’s why you’ll want to check out Saju.

It’s the new Vietnamese restaurant at midtown’s Italian boutique hotel, Mela (the Italian word for apple). And it’s as American as peanut sauce and Bonne Maman jelly.

The 3,000-square-foot restaurant combines rustic dark woods and exposed brick with Eastern details like bamboo, Buddhas, lanterns, and a massive gong. (We’re not the type to gush about bathrooms, but the tile work and chopstick art are Zen.)

And while traditional American breakfast items are served to a hotel guest-heavy crowd, you’ll want to visit for lunch or dinner, when the menu (yes, we scored the menu) graduates to excellent Vietnamese fare.

A collaboration between chefs Hung Nguyen and Angel Bolanos, the seafood-heavy selections include Lemongrass Tiger Shrimp, Wild Sea Bass with Shitake Mushrooms, and the signature dish, Vietnamese Bouillabaisse with King Prawns, Scallops and Clams.

There are vegetarian, chicken (the Pan-Seared Chicken Breast with Anise Ginger Sauce rocks), beef and lamb options, too.

Just be sure to save room for an apple pie alternative: banana spring rolls with caramel coconut sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Well, good morning, Vietnam.


Saju
120 West 44th Street (Sixth Avenue)
Tel: (212) 997-7258