We were the only westerners at this open-air restaurant (beer garden?) in Nha Trang.
We've observed a difference in atmosphere between establishments that cater to, and attract, Westerners, and those that seem to target and attract Vietnamese. Western-oriented restaurants, even those that serve only Vietnamese food, tend to have warmer lighting and more attention paid to things like paintings and table fittings than those focused on a Vietnamese clientele.
This beer garden had bare fluorescent bulbs, tiny plastic chairs and tables, and the only nod to decoration was that the corrugated metal walls had a bamboo sort of pattern painted on them. I think this appearance scares off foreigners.
When we were on Cat Ba Island, we ate at a restaurant named Bamboo, recommended in the Lonely Planet. The place was warmly lit, had table cloths, and was decorated with stained bamboo shoots. Next door was Huang Y, also in the Lonely Planet, but its tables were bare metal, the walls were pale blue, and the lights were compact fluorescents hanging from electrical wire. Bamboo was packed with foreigners, Huang Y was empty.
The next day we ate at Huang Y. The prices were lower, the food was as good or better than Bamboo's. There was no reason we could think of to eat at Bamboo over Huang Y, save the atmosphere.
It made us note our predispositions to a certain kind of decor, and I think we've gotten better at avoiding it. It's led us to gems like the place in Nha Trang. I'm glad to have places like this to ourselves, but for the sake of their proprietors, I hope they understand why Westerners make the decisions they do, and know how to change if they want our business. Fancy lighting doesn't seem to indicate a good spot, but it does seem to predict where the tourist dollars go.
This beer garden had bare fluorescent bulbs, tiny plastic chairs and tables, and the only nod to decoration was that the corrugated metal walls had a bamboo sort of pattern painted on them. I think this appearance scares off foreigners.
When we were on Cat Ba Island, we ate at a restaurant named Bamboo, recommended in the Lonely Planet. The place was warmly lit, had table cloths, and was decorated with stained bamboo shoots. Next door was Huang Y, also in the Lonely Planet, but its tables were bare metal, the walls were pale blue, and the lights were compact fluorescents hanging from electrical wire. Bamboo was packed with foreigners, Huang Y was empty.
The next day we ate at Huang Y. The prices were lower, the food was as good or better than Bamboo's. There was no reason we could think of to eat at Bamboo over Huang Y, save the atmosphere.
It made us note our predispositions to a certain kind of decor, and I think we've gotten better at avoiding it. It's led us to gems like the place in Nha Trang. I'm glad to have places like this to ourselves, but for the sake of their proprietors, I hope they understand why Westerners make the decisions they do, and know how to change if they want our business. Fancy lighting doesn't seem to indicate a good spot, but it does seem to predict where the tourist dollars go.
1 comment:
This reminds me of how, in China and Thailand, the locals seem to eat out at these incredible hole-in-the-wall micro restaurants. Maybe just a formica table in alley with a few folding chairs. No other trappings in sight. I never summoned the courage to try one.
Post a Comment