Pickles Eatery: A Mediterranean food and wine haven nestled in a heritage shophouse

Charming interiors inside Pickles Eatery (Source: Pickles Eatery)

Restaurant openings are a dime a dozen in Ho Chi Minh City and almost every other week, I find myself dining in the company of a new chef. However, one that has fast become a favourite of mine is Pickles Eatery helmed by Lucas Fays, a serial F&Bpreneur and no stranger to Saigon’s ever-changing food and drink scene (ex-owner of now-defunct 13% Wine Bistro).

Charming interiors inside Pickles Eatery (Source: Pickles Eatery)

Nestled in a two-storey heritage shophouse in Binh Thanh district, Pickles Eatery bills itself as a contemporary epicurean haven and its generous selection of imported wine and food menu, which is eclectically Mediterranean and regionally inspired, attests to it: salads, cold cut and cheese platters, small plates, seasonal seafood and hearty meat dishes, plus desserts. A tribute to the country it calls home, Pickles uses high-quality local ingredients and produce from Vietnam.

Once inside, the space is quaint and cosy and you’ll be forgiven for immediately falling in love with the place just like I did. The furnishings are charming and feature textured grey walls balanced with pale blue accents dotted with lush greenery and low-hanging Edison lights.

The exterior of Pickles Eatery (Source: Pickles Eatery)

Nestled in a two-storey heritage shophouse in Binh Thanh district, Pickles Eatery bills itself as a contemporary epicurean haven and its generous selection of imported wine and food menu, which is eclectically Mediterranean and regionally inspired, attests to it.

On the munch front, menu standouts include a roasted pork jowl. Juicy yet tender, the pork jowl is beautifully seasoned with a housemade mango gremolata sauce (chopped parsley, lemon zest and garlic) that complements the buttery smooth mashed potato perfectly. Every bite is flavourful yet balanced and further accentuated by the distinct smokiness arising from the charred zucchini flower accompaniment.

Charcoal-grilled bone marrow topped with balsamic caviar (source: Pickles Eatery)

Another favourite of mine is a singularly outstanding charcoal-grilled bone marrow topped with balsamic caviar and crispy onion, which arrives with a basket of freshly-toasted baguette slices. Topped with a spoonful of moreish bone marrow and melt-in-your silky smooth balsamic caviar and this simple winning combination is enough to accord this dish its signature status on the menu. A marriage of salty, smokey and sweet flavours that envelope the palate, this umami-laden dish is a must-try at Pickles.

Pickles’s signature charcoal-grilled grass-fed Argentinian ribeye steak (Source: Pickles Eatery)

My greatest rave is reserved for Pickle’s riveting signature charcoal-grilled grass-fed Argentinian ribeye steak (300g) served with a delicious homemade blue cheese sauce scented with a pinch of cilantro. Beautifully seasoned with a nice char and a juicy and pink inside, the steak is gorgeous with or without the creamy sauce accompaniment - good news for steak purists.

Besides the standout Mediterranean-accented menu and atmospheric setting, Pickle’s mammoth 4-page wine list spanning champagne, rose, red and white with origins from more than 10 different countries (mostly France) is very impressive. Founder Lucas is a wine aficionado with roots deep in some of the most famous French vineyards and thankfully for us, he’s not shy to recommend lovely wine pairings to enhance his customer’s overall dining experience. So, if you’re lucky to see him around Pickles, get ready to unwind with some wine.

When I visited Pickles, I had the luxury of dining with a party of eight and we had ordered approximately 80% of the menu. Still, there are still many dishes I eagerly await to try on my next visit back such as the shrimp chorizo and blood pudding.

Opening hours: Daily, 4:30 pm to 11:30 pm
Address: 83 Nguyen Cong Tru Binh Thanh, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pickleseaterysaigon/

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