Goodbye 61 Van Mieu
First a couple of very cool links.
There’s this rather wonderful film about KOTO which gives you its history from it’s start up to present day.
Secondly, while searching for the first film I came across this – a BBC piece from last year.
Rather scarily the first film features voice over from me and the second an interview.
Oh and you’ll never guess who we had in our restaurant yesterday. Look here.
Sadly the KOTO restaurant at 61 Van Mieu has now closed its doors for the last time. As I write its contents are being moved next door to 59 – our fantastic new home. Due to open soon.
I remember when I first came to Vietnam I was invited to the home of a former KOTO graduate. I got to her house to find pictures she had drawn herself, all over her wall, of the KOTO restaurant. She was very proud of it. It will always be very special to her. By chance I bumped into her again recently – she came to talk to the current KOTO trainees. She has continued to progress and now holds a senior position in the restaurant where she works.
As I have been told many times, and it’s corny but true – there was a lot of love in that place. The trainees benefited from and it was tangible enough for our diners to enjoy too.
Pre VIP-visit I took some shots of KOTO’s last day open to the public as everyone cleaned up for our special guests and got ready for the big change over. Those last day pics are here.
With a little over a week of my time here I am just starting to get very misty eyed about my departure. I thought it would pass me by. The last weeks have been a struggle and I am ready to go. I thought I would just slip away but apparently plans are being made. I still can’t comprehend saying goodbye to KOTO.
I have been involved with something very special here. When they tell you that KOTO changes lives – they don’t just mean the trainees.
* Pics are from the last day of KOTO set mentioned earlier. Top is Mr Duc caught in a moment’s contemplation in our dining room. Below the trainees take it in their stride and the shutters go down for the last time.
When does the new Koto open? I’m in Hanoi next week from 22nd and 25th and keen to see the new digs!
Hope it all goes well
Chris,
Looks like you’ll be unlucky I am afraid. It’ll proably open about a week late.
However come and do the bike ride instead – you can meet the KOTO kids there and enjoy a KOTO picnic.
http://www.kotobikeride.com
“Rather wonderful”? Your gift for massive understatement astounds me.
Oh, and by the way, thanks to your lot for our first away win!
Very Nice blog.
Could you also kindly add my web link into your blog page, thanks.
- DANIEL
from Singapore
http://www.eknowledgemarketplace.com/
Wow!! I can’t believe Laura Bush visited the restaurant! That is SOOO COOL!!!!!!! Keep up the great work!
Simon, the win? I’m guessing that is Sheff U, right? All is not well with the Toon but at least it makes being away easier. Anyway, Hoa Phat Hanoi are my team these days.
Daniel, thank you. But I don’t really do Singapore blogs. Doesn’t really work like that. I just see blogs then I link them if I like them.
A Viet – cool? Hmm. It’s okay. All good publicity I guess. What I didn’t mention is that we also had the Australian first lady visit on the same day.
Laura Bush looks like a deer trapped in the headlights in that photo. Glad to know, though, that she took time out for a KOTO lunch.
I’ll be sure to visit the new location next time I’m in town. New menu too?
Newish menu. Must admit I haven’t seen the finished menu yet but the word is same old Viet favourites, more salads and deli style sandwiches for the international food.
Not sure how that has translated onto the page itself.
I think Brekkie might be getting an overhaul too.
That’s what I meant. It’s excellent publicity. And I think it’s wicked that she takes the time out to visit the restaurant. Same goes for the First Lady of Australia.
Okay – the new place. You say it is rght next door. As you face the building, is it to the left? I remmeber eating in that place once when KOTO was closed.
Getting nervous about leaving?
Doug,
Yeah that’s the one. The old owners hit difficulties just as we were giving up on ever finding a new restaurant – and we jumped at the chance.
Nervous isn’t quite the right word. More and mroe nostalgic about it all. Starting to feel quite emotional but it helps that although I am leaving KOTO I am not yet leaving Vietnam. I’ll be back for two months in the new year.
I liked Vietnam from your blogs, thank you, now I know more about this country