It takes magic to transport diners into another world – gently, seamlessly, so the experience is so natural that they hardly realize they are no longer in the same frame of mind as when they entered.

Hoi An restaurant is a master of ceiling fans, mirrors and lanterns, and the evening flows so smoothly that you could step outside into downtown Saigon and hardly bat an eyelid!

A fantastic decor indoors, and an outdoors blend of fountain, beach access, colors and romance…

It is like fine-dining in a dream, in Vietnam, at the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat al Beri.

But wake up! You’re here to eat!!

Please do, says the dynamic new Manager, Ms Lee Sihyeon!

Absolutely delightful…

…from appetizer, above; to dessert, below.

And in between, a little crab…

Some of the most fragrant and lotus-leaf wrapped fish ever…

And the culinary delights kept arriving – we had ordered the set dinner!

Squid, and duck – both of them in generous portions, and grilled superlatively. Zero fat on the duck! Beautiful grill marks on the squid!

Tasty, tangy, yet not overpowering, soups…

The ever-present Vietnamese fresh dipping vinaigrette…

And touches of class and sophistication everywhere!

The garnishes are resplendent and freshly vibrant – Vietnamese cuisine is admired for its fresh ingredients and reliance on herbs and vegetables, and it is regarded as one of the healthiest culinary styles worldwide.

And Hoi An takes it to another level!

When I heard that they would soon be unveiling a brand-new menu, I almost cried!

But then, I thought of how amazing an improvement would be to what is already one of Abu Dhabi’s top Asian restaurants, and I have faith in Chef de Cuisine Ta Van Ninh – let him create, let him innovate, and let us patiently wait for the unveil!

In the meantime, all I can say is get in there while you can!