Don't Blink, stand still & Relax.. Le Fenetre Soleil a French Bohemian Bistro

Don’t blink , stand still and relax:
Le Fenetre Soleil : a FRENCH BOHEMIAN BISTRO
By Aly Abaquin

You might be wondering why the catchy title of don’t blink, stand still and relax… why because there are two establishments that both require the above adjectives… One French bistro and the other Vietnamese Resto with royalty lineage.

Lets start with Le Fenetre Soleil, a French bistro that is located in the second floor of a Colonial Building at 135 Le Than Ton St. Corner Nam Ky khoi Nghia in Dist 1,HCMC

The Bistro has a 2 meter entrance that when one passes by one can simply miss out and not notice them …. Hence DO NOT BLINK... and locate the small entry way as I did…. Thank god for good eyes sight… while walking the corner section of Le Thanh Ton and Nam Ky there is a neon blurry sign of Le Fenetre Soleil so small one can take it for granted…

And if you STAND STILL long enough thinking is this the entrance???

Landmarks: It is next to the Sandwich fashion house And next to the uprising SJC a…. 30 storey Towering edifice of steel & glass…..SOON TO RISE…as advertise in tarpaulin clad Billboards …. progress…sipping in.…

So Thru a dilapidated passage way that thrills you in your viens as I walk up looking for signs to where to go.

Up the staircase that has seen its days. If only this steps and walls can talk… presto there is this dark alley…. you see light… now I get it the ray of light …. The soleil the sun light … soliel in french is SUN so … after a dungeon hunt you begin to be awed…. At last a hidden French café in the ruins .. so you think and you start to…… .RELAX.

THE FEEL: BOHEMIAN FRENCH quarters as if you are invading the abode of a French mistress….in its 18th century character of exposed bricks, amber crystals French fine light Chandeliers… the white washed French windows, hand crafted mix matched chairs and juxtapose with antique sofas and tables…. This café has STYLE & PERSONALITY.

THE FOOD: The ambience was so relaxing that I’ve chosen the Vietnamese iced coffee and waffles… my comfort food…for relaxation.. its Sunday morning after all….

The food was good in fact the waffle was crisp and accompanied small scooped dragon fruit, melon & pineapple with mint leaves was a good touch while the caramelized star fruit was sweet and the scooped vanilla was fabulously playful making one dream of
Early mornings in the south of France … smelling daffodils & lavender….. okey wake up while I take sip of Vietnamese iced coffee take note their coffee is good here.

But wait there is a japanese version of the pancakes plus other sandwiches and ginger tea…. Well I believe they cater to a lot of Japanese clients as I experienced … so many Japanese tourist in this French room…. Okey give in to the clientele that gives them the Bottom line…

Well I thought to myself this Bistro got the décor right & was so relaxing that I had my Sunday morning til lunch there….

THE SERVICE : Staff attentive and helpful and can speak English.

After a delightful breakfast and thrown into French bohemian gypsy attitude….

As the day passes……to a new friend…I bid goodbye….. soon I will be back…..

"Ainsi avec les laisser-passer de jour……. à un nouvel ami…. j'ai mis une enchère au revoir…… bientôt je reviendrai"