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Cafe Marcel Magazine
Cafe Marcel Magazine
y ou be fo r e!
n’ t m e t
Hi, have
W e ’re C a fé Ma rc el
O
From the sun-filled and ne of the first things you
will notice at the entry
breezy cafés of southern of Cafe Marcel is Chef
France, Café Marcel has Brian Chu – the head
arrived in Saigon, bringing chef of the French-
style restaurant chain
the homemade and fresh Marcel and Café Marcel –working
Western taste to the from the kitchen window. Having
interacted with French cuisine from
hustle and bustle city
his very young age, Chef Brian has
been in the profession for over 13
years, without having been to any
culinary school.
4
own ingredients when they cannot
find standard products. Only in
Café Marcel can foodies find freshly
rolled pasta, newly baked buns, fully
stuffed sausages, etc.
As Chef Brian stated, “I don’t
want to be too rigid in combining
ingredients and using too many
imported products. Instead, I like to
take advantage of fresh ingredients
available in Vietnam to combine
with cooking techniques in French
cuisine. This not only helps support
Vietnamese agriculture and farmers,
but also makes me more comfortable The story behind
in creating and building a personal every garish and
culinary style.” flavorful dish lies in the
art of using various
Always in a search for a further unique combinations
“twist” to already delicious and cooking
homemade-standard recipes techniques.
At Café Marcel, the emphasis One of the most
is placed on harmony and harmonious tastes
delicacy from taste to color recommended by Chef
in each dish, making Brian is his sea-and-land
your day with the combination: pan-fried scallops
homemade-standard and smashed avocado. The Chef’s
brunches. A lot of Da favorite cooking technique is slow-
Lat grown vegetables cook method, serving you the soft
and fruits have and flavorful meat, but still
been used to make juicy while retaining its shape.
the dishes healthier
yet still tasty. Chef “La Marcel Family”: one
Brian believes, team, one spirit.
“In today’s world, Brought to Vietnam in 2017
where the quality of by a small team of French
the environment is food connoisseurs, Café
decreasing, I want Marcel carries over the
my guests to have as homemade and fresh
many opportunities as philosophy, with twisted
possible to enjoy the brunch menu and
healthiest food.” story-driven concept.
5
From sunrise to sunset,
familiar confamiliar brunch
dishes in French cuisine are served
in a little sun-bathed corner of
Saigon. When the night comes, this
place transforms into a rooftop bar
with signature cocktails relieving the
stress that has accumulated throughout
the day.
Behind this significant concept is “La
Marcel Family”, who is like-minded to put
all their effort in the kitchen and go an
extra mile in the service. The team is driven
by bringing homemade recipes to a better
level and create memorial tastes in every dish.
They love to give their customers advices to
customize brunch in their way and bring them
good time when enjoying in the restaurant. Here
in Café Marcel, good vibes are what the team
can always offer you, whenever you need a
break in the bustling city.
E
meal for American and British families
njoying the lingering after and it dates back to as far as the
taste from the first of the early 19th Century. But from where
day sip of Espresso while did it originate?
waiting for a dish of eggs
& sides, one’s mind begins While many historians and food
to wander away from the sun-filled experts are still in heated debates
rooftop to a lot of things, but never about where brunch came from,
the origin of this wonderful meal that its true origin might have already
you’re waiting for. But that’s been known...
going to change because Like most dishes in the
today we’ll explore world, Brunch doesn’t
together just that topic. have a clear, concrete
First, we must origin. But as you
discuss why this indulge your palate in
wonderful meal is called the freshly made portion
what it is: “Brunch”. With of sunny side eggs
just a few taps on the with sourdough bread
screen asking our favorite and homemade sauteed
know-it-all, Mr. Google, mushrooms - now that’s a
and you’ll know right away it’s mouthful, and wordplay intended
a playful blend between the word - you don’t really feel the urge to
“breakfast” and “lunch”. And as the find out. You only feel a deep grateful
name suggests, brunch is usually sense that such a brilliant meal was
enjoyed late in the morning, from 11 ever bought to the table.
AM until 3 or 4 PM in the afternoon, Still, we must know at least some
ideas about when this Brunch has evolved continuously
meal was invented so throughout history, but its spirits
we can be the ones to and values stay the same and are
enlighten our friends upheld every day here at Café Marcel
the next time we take them to brunch. Brunch has come a long way from
As you’re savoring pancakes from our when it was first eaten. From simple
sun-filled rooftop, somewhere else hunt breakfasts consist of just eggs,
in the world food historians are still stews, fruits, and sweets, we now see
in heated debates about its origin. an explosion of brunch restaurants
Some contend that they first began with lavish brunch buffets and more
as hunt meals in England, eaten after luxurious dishes like lobsters and
a successful hunt by local nobles. smoked sturgeon. The introduction
Others determine that they began of alcohol into brunch menus also
as midday meals after a brought to this already
fasting period. There are
even those who argue ‘‘Brunch is wonderful meal a distinct
style and vibe: Sipping a
that brunch started to
bloom as the number of
cheerful, glass of Mimosa on a cozy
rooftop while glancing
dining spots in the city sociable & down the bustling streets,
inciting’’
of New York bloomed, imaging yourself as Ms.
subtly implement that Hepburn in her iconic
it is of American origin. black dress as you put on
Anyhow, we can safely say that the your sunglasses, and maybe light a
first mentions of brunch started to be cigarette or two. Now that’s THE way
circulated in the 1890s in England. to enjoy your lazy Sunday morning!
‘’Brunch is cheerful, sociable and Although brunch has changed
inciting,’’ says British author Guy significantly, at Café Marcel we still
Beringer in “Brunch: A Plea.” ‘’It is believe and hold up to the values
talk-compelling. It puts you in a that had made brunch to become
good temper, it makes you satisfied such a staple meal. All of our
with yourself and your fellow beings, ingredients are purchased from the
it sweeps away the worries and best local Vietnamese suppliers, and
cobwebs of the week.’’ So although when we can’t find products to our
the exact origin of brunch is still not standards, we make them on our
yet clear, we can most definitely own! Embracing the free-spiritedness
confirm that it came from our and the casualness of brunch, Café
desires for good food, Marcel strives to bring you the spirits
good times and good of brunch through our simple and
vibes, especially when traditional Eggs and Sides, but with a
you just finished little modern twist by Chef Brian Chu
your hearty eggs to keep you surprised.
and sides.
Are you ready
for Café Marcel,
because we are
eager to go the
distance to give
you a good time at
our café?
17 | Introduction on
Café Marcel
c t ions:
s t At t ra
n Touri
Saigo
1 GUIDE
A10
CROSSING THE STREETS IS SO LAST
SEASON… CUTTING THROUGH BACK
I
ALLEYS IS THE NEW BLACK NOW!
f you’ve done your With the countless traveling articles
proper research and blogs written about this
before coming wonderful country, surely you’ve
here, you’ll surely heard or read about how crazy the
know where to get traffic is in Saigon - not even the
a decent sim card, holy sanctuary of the pavement can
applications to book transportation save you from the massive horde of
or deliver foods, how to get around to rampaging motorcycles! That’s their
some of the iconic tourist attractions, territory, how dare you even walk on
and all sorts of fundamental yappity it! Dangerous though it might be,
yap. But aside from that basic crossing the streets in Saigon is
knowledge, Saigon is still a place a must-try activity for newcomers
to be discovered. Littered around to get a first impression of this
the city are interesting nooks and bustling town. But if you’re looking
crannies even the typical Saigonese to be immersed in a truly local vibe,
might not have even heard of before. try cutting through the alleys and
Of course, we French foodies dare backstreets.
not compete with the residents of Local Saigonese has a habit
this wonderful city but let us share of cutting through alleys and
with you the little knowledge that backstreets to travel quickly between
we’ve managed to pick up from living the districts. We can even say that
among the locals of “Sai Town”. this common practice serves as
T HEM!
Y FROM
AY AWA
TO S T
ON HOW
EXPERIENCE A LOCAL
DRIVE AROUND LIKE NO OTHER
But in order to do all the things above,
you’ll need a way to get around the
city. Ridesharing mobile apps are
quick ways to book your vehicles for
a cheaper price. But if you have some
spare time and are not in a rush, try
the traditional “Xe Om”.
To your surprise, most
“Xe Om” drivers know how
to communicate in English,
especially those in D1 and D3.
HAPPY HOUR
WHEN HAPPINESS COMES
AT HALF PRICE
Saigon is in its best when the sun almost
sets. Have you ever enjoyed this very
moment of the city in a sunny rooftop
corner? That’s how things are preferred
in Café Marcel. Imagine your group of
besties, playing cards and making jokes
while sipping cocktails in the sun-bathed
tables. You have pictured Café Marcel
right in its happy hour – 4 to 8 PM
W
sentence, you are + Homemade
probably thinking Terrine, or
about being well- Polenta &
seated at one of the Mushrooms
southern French- If you’re a fan
inspired tables. All happiness comes of dry and
with a hefty price, but not at Café smooth red wine,
Marcel, where happiness always try the Ventoux
comes banging in with a whopping 2016 and pair it
50% discount! Yeah, you heard it with Homemade
right! Café Marcel is giving away all Terrine, a paté vmade with pork
of their cocktails at half price every belly, chicken and pork liver, perfect
day from 4 PM to 8 PM (except for to entrance your taste buds. Or if
Monday because that’s their lazy you prefer a creamier dish, Chef
day), and even more: Brian Chu’s signature Polenta &
Order any cocktail, glass of wine, Mushrooms is also a fine choice
or beer, you will get any appetizer for with oysters, enoki and shiitake
80k, or any side for 60k. mushrooms, added together with
With any bottle of wine, get some swiss chard and shave
a complimentary basket of parmesan to further enhance
Savory Pastry. the flavors with your glass of
But that’s not what this Ventoux.
article is all about. It is here
to let you in on how to get Rioja, 2017 + Cold Cuts and
the most out of the Happy Hour Cheese Platter
promotion: what to order, what food to This is a perfect combination for
pair with what drink so that you don’t all cheese lovers. Café Marcel
have to risk your palate, and your recommends a bold and tannic drink
ahem...purse...ahem, exploding trying to pair with their Comté cheese,
different combinations. At this Camembert cheese and cold cuts: Rioja
point, you may ask: 2017, which is a Tempranillo from Spain.
“So you’re showing
us how to take Not-A-Banh-Mi + Savory Pastry
advantage of Café Another interesting combination that
Marcel?” Sounds you can try if you prefer
crazy, right? But to go with small bites:
that’s just how they one set of Savory
do it here, always Pastry with a glass of
go the extra miles to sweet cocktail, preferable the
satisfy all those who Not-A-Banh-Mi - a mixture of
come! tequila, triple sec, cucumber,
23 | Introduction on Café Marcel
coriander, lime juice and a touch of kimchi syrup
for some spiciness to stimulate your palate!
“A
Vietnamese, it can be
ll of our dishes are made compared to a popular
with products bought dish called “Thit Đông”.
from local suppliers to The Terrine’s base is
support them, and also made from pork, but at
for us to have fresh food Café Marcel chef Brian
every day”, said chef Brian Chu. “The also mixes it with pig liver,
only food that I keep frozen in my bacon, mushrooms,
kitchen is beef. Other than that, I don’t chicken liver to bring a
use a freezer to store any of my other more layered flavor. It’s
ingredients. We try hard to differentiate often served cold with
from other restaurants by not having a salad or pickle side and
26 | Introduction on Café Marcel
sourdough bread to then fried. It’s not just great
counter the fattiness as a starter but also as a
of the pork base. nice dessert to wind up
The perfectly your meal.
executed Terrine At Café Marcel, not
according to chef only does chef Brian
Brian, is that it use homemade brioche,
must retain a nice the same type of buns
pink color when used at Marcel Gourmet
cut open, which Burger, for the French
indicates a perfect Toast, he also incorporates
balance between fat, Kusmi tea into the dish. The
meat, and other ingredients. “twist” here is that chef Brian
To achieve this, first, chef Brian uses will infuse the Kusmi tea within the
a bain-marie, a specifically made milk and leave it for one day to fully
pottery mold to cook terrine. Then the extract the herby and flowery flavor
next trick is to use a thermometer into the milk, which will then be
to measure the heat inside the oven used to make the whipped cream for
while cooking. Once the heat reaches the dish. To go the extra mile and
60 degrees Celsius, the terrine will add another Marcel certified touch,
have achieved his desired pinkish chef Brian also adds into the dish
shade. “At that heat, the natural fresh Raspberries from Da Lat and
gelatin within the pork’s fat will have Raspberry coulis, which are marinated
been all extracted,” said chef Brian. with sugar and lime peels to add “a
“Other restaurants sometimes add kick” of freshness and balance out
extra gelatin into the dish, but at the sweet and buttery flavor of the
Café Marcel I prefer to keep it brioche buns.
fresh and natural because after “The sugar crust of the French
all, it’s a traditional dish!” Toast is really hard to get right,” said
chef Brian. “But its golden color goes
FRENCH TOASTS & really well with the whipped cream
RASPBERRIES: a modern and raspberries.” And we knew that
take on a favored classic is indeed true when a kind waiter
The original idea for the placed a dish of French Toast that we
French Toast, or pain ordered earlier on our table.
perdu in French, comes
from the practice of SPICY SHAKSHUKA: Mediterranean’s
creating another meal finest with a local twist
from leftover bread. The Originally, this eggs-
bread would be dipped in cooked-in-tomato-
a mixture of eggs, milk, sauce dish
cream, and honey and was popular
27 | Introduction on Café Marcel
spiciness found in this dish. To go
even further and bring a touch of
herbiness and freshness, our chef
adds a bit of parsley and mint to
the Shakshuka, which then will be
dressed in Tahini yogurt to enhance
the nutty and creamy flavor.