Entertainment
Exploring Manna Café
By SGT
Jan 5, 2007, 14:40

Manna Café, which has recently added its name to the list of eateries in Ho Chi Minh City, is ideal for people looking for a place to relax after a hard day at work.

Unlike many restaurants that are often busy and noisy, Manna Café, which is located on the second floor at the corner of Dong Khoi and Ho Huan Nghiep streets, is a quiet, elegant room with well-designed chairs and tables.

Le Hoang Giang, the café's director, explained that he named his café Manna not because it is easy to read for expatriates and locals, but rather because in the Bible  Manna is a kind of cake that was sent down from heaven by God to the Hebrews during their 40 years in the desert. Therefore, Manna means gifts from heaven!

However, he revealed, he also had another reason. According to a western fortune teller, the next five years could be good years for the letter M. Therefore, Giang hopes that being located on Dong Khoi will bring him success in business, because of the number of businesses with names beginning with the letter M on the street.

The street begins with the Metropolitan and ends with the Majestic. Dotting in the middle is Mojo Café of the Sheraton Hotel,' said Giang, adding that success would also come to his Manna, which also starts with 'M'! Regardless, Manna is still a good place to come for relaxing after work, meeting friends or to talk about business.

In the daytime, Manna serves coffee and lunch for businessmen. The café’s two five star chefs prepare set lunch express menus, including soft drinks, Manna's bread and a selection of main courses such as beef salad, Vietnamese rice noodles, Singapore fried rice and orange sliced lamb shank, among others.

However, when night falls, Manna turns into a cozy lounge, offering jazz music by the Vu Trong Hieu Trio and a wide selection of champagnes and wines for locals and expatriates to enjoy. Patrons can sit inside or enjoy a leisurely drink and the night air on the terrace, which wraps around two sides of the café.