The flower lady serves fine food

Pham Quynh Anh (pictured) is an old friend and a great Saigon story. She’s worked in advertising and she still works in film production. In recent years she’s turned her long term passion for flowers into the Padma de Fleur florist and floral decoration business. Now she’s turned her hand to another passion - food. Yesterday I had the privilege of joining around twenty others for a very special Saigon food experience - “lunch at Padma”. A delicious Vietnamese set menu is served each day, consisting of a soup (canh), thit (meat of some kind), and rau (vegetables). There’s no menu. There’s no plastic. You take what you’re given. We had a lotus soup with water chestnut, tuna in tomato and vegetables - the food was great, the setting, showcasing Quynh Anh's floral work, was delightful. If you’re not familiar with Vietnamese flavours, you’re in for a satisfying culinary adventure. This is very much like visiting someone’s home and eating family food - it’s very personal. So bring a gracious attitude. Contact Padma de Fleur via their Facebook page. It operates most but not all weekdays for lunch only. Check first. Space is very limited.