We love seafood, we love Asian aromats, spices and herbs and we love green tea.
Sometimes though, the comforts of home come calling and to resist the temptation is to betray your stomach’s deepest desires. French & Co at the JW Marriott resort in Phu Quoc is the perfect place to catch up on your coffee intake and indulge in some classic French pastries.
Idea
The resort in which French & Co lies caters for the international traveller, drawn to the JW Marriott brand, and Viets alike. Those from Vietnam have an affinity with pastry not bettered in Asia – French colonial taste brought this to the country’s fair shores.
French & Co, therefore, makes perfect sense, providing fine coffee and French pastries, as well as a few classics found in the bistros and breakfast places of Paris. A great way to start, or indeed end, the day.
Location
On the main promenade of the resort, housed amongst a spa, a gym and an art gallery of all places, French & Co is quietly unassuming. We were told that the resort hopes that this street of intriguing shops and amenities will become an island attraction – we can see why. It’s quirky and fun and perfect for its fantasy rich surrounds.
Atmosphere
Gorgeous French windows let just the right amount of light in. A collection of antique scales probably not bested by a museum line one of the walls. Newspapers are provided and of course the inviting, nostalgic aroma of freshly baked bread floats around whimsically. All in all, escapism personified.
Food
A table of fresh, interesting pastries is the focal point for hungry eyes but there’s more treats to be found on the menu in earnest. There are salads, cheese boards and charcuterie– really everything you want from a lunch with Francophile designs.
Drink
Signature smoothies and freshly blended fruit juices are a must – the resort’s vibe of ‘wellness’ perfectly encapsulated in a glass. Trung Nguyen (Vietnamese coffee) is a treat, too, no doubt made in a coffee press salvaged from a bygone era.
Must Try
We loved the Croque Monsieur – and we’ve eaten a fair few of these in our time! Creamy and rich with saltiness and good bread – it’s a taste a million miles away from the fresh, local seafood offered on the beach, but variety is the spice of life. We loved it.
Why Go
Too much of a good thing can turn into something bad. When you’ve eaten enough seafood that you feel gills growing on your hips and a fin emerging from your spine, take a time out in the escapist surrounds of French & Co, a lovely little place to consume your afternoon.
Address: JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort, Bai Khem, An Thoi Town, Kien Giang Province
Website: www.marriott.com
IDEAL dined as a guest and received a complimentary meal