It's worth making the trip out west of the city center to the second floor of the Equatorial Hotel for one of the best gastronomic experiences that Saigon has to offer. The restaurant's theme of fire, water, and ice is reflected in the decor of red, black, and silver, and the open kitchens display a fantastic variety of seafood, which is their specialty. The low-hanging lights and wine rack display add to the sophisticated ambience. The soft-shell crab and clams in garlic are both superb, as is the Beijing duck, and if you're having difficulty deciding, there are set menus with names like "Ruby" and "Jade" that offer a selection of seven courses. The restaurant has won several awards and is constantly winning over new admirers.