Givral is the eye-catching, modern, and stylish bakery/cafe at the corner beside the new Vincom A.
Entering Givral means leaving the charming Dong Khoi behind, and finding yourself amidst sleek creamy European decor, a slightly tacky rectangular-tiled glass ceiling, and post-impressionist paintings. Their choice of background music? Not so French... Somewhere along the lines of Celine Dion "My Heart Will Go On" and Britney Spears.
A French-style bakery and cafe, Givral is a part of Saigon's history. Founded in the early 1950s by Frenchman Alain Portier, Givral was one of the first of its kind. During the war, this Givral location was a meeting place for international journalists and other renowned artists.
As for the food? Enjoyable - I had the Givral special coffee, a blended coffee drink, and the peppered rice with "American" beef short rib dish. My rice had more pepper than I would have liked (whole green peppercorns) and I've definitely had more tender meat elsewhere, but nevertheless, beautiful presentation and good sized lunch portion (with a Givral "g" imprinted on the rice) which I scarfed down. Next time, I'll be back to try their dazzling array of desserts and cakes.
Givral