Indochine is situated in the famous drinking and dining district of Hong Kong known as Lan Kwai Fong and if you book a table on their balcony you can watch the frantic nightlife of Hong Kong unfold below you as you dine. The atmosphere is pleasant and there is a real feeling of old colonialism within the restaurant, however the air conditioning is rather cold. The interior is well decorated and suits the theme of the restaurant.

Indochine specialises in authentic Vietnamese food with a French twist and there is plenty to choose from on the menu. The menu has an array of seafood, poultry, meats and salads, and vegetarians will be very pleased with the choice of vegetarian items on the menu. The roasted beef rib-eye and lettuce salad with lime vinaigrette (HK$118) is divine and the beef is cooked perfectly rare with great flavours coming from the vinaigrette and presentation is immaculate. The northern Vietnam-style spicy soup with tofu and vegetable (HK$58) is disappointingly not actually spicy. The wok-fried Angus beef tenderloin with tomato (HK$218) is a signature dish here and is cooked well and the flavours bound together nicely with the meat again perfectly cooked. The Cholon wok-fried lobster with ginger, onion and garlic (HK$298) is not worth the price tag and the dish looked uninspiring and tasted so. Very little flavour is found in the meat of the lobster and the garlic is in short supply. A much better option is the Delat wok-fried lamb with garlic and leek (HK$168), which is full of delicious flavours in every mouthful. The stir-fried seasonal green vegetables with garlic ($75) are fresh and complements the meaty meal well.

Indochine has a decent wine list with a good range of wines from the old and new world and encompasses all price ranges. There is a good choice of wines by the glass on offer and staff is willing to help out to match the complicated food tastes to a specific wine.

Indochine’s staff are initially attentive and able to recommend good dishes and wine and take the time to explain the food items as they are served to the table. But once the food is on the table, the waiting staff seem rather eager to finish their shift and leave. A shame as if the service was better this could be a fantastic restaurant.

Dinner for two will come to around HK$500 per person with a glass of wine each, which is acceptable because you are in one of Hong Kong’s most famous dining districts.