Madame Hanoi to open in January

New Zealand chef Nic Watt’s Vietnamese and French inspired espresso bar and bistro will join Sean’s Kitchen at SKYCITY, as the casino, just a hop, skip and jump from the Leigh and Peel St precinct, is set to become a food destination with the upcoming addition. Watt, who also owns Auckland’s Masu Japanese Robata Restaurant and Bar, says Madame Hanoi won’t be a fusion of Vietnamese and French cuisine but rather a marriage, just as you’d find on the streets of Hanoi. Watt, in Adelaide for a quick visit, tells The Adelaide Review that the dishes will feature “real flavours” and be “real food” as each plate will be a hero dish. Watt will be in Adelaide for all of January to oversee his new venture and then will split his time between Auckland and Adelaide. On weekdays, Madame Hanoi will be open from 7am to late, and aside from the coffee (Vietnamese and western) from the espresso bar you will also be able to grab a breakfast banh mi, which will be smaller than other Vietnamese rolls you find in Adelaide, as these will feature delicate artisan twisted baguettes. Macarons, crepes and pastries will also be available. Watt, who has worked in some of the world’s great kitchens, including London’s Michelin-starred Nobu, says the wine list will feature SA drops with some French wines (including sparkling) and there will be 12 beers on tap including South Australian beers, go-to French brews and craft beers. With the food, Watt will use South Australian produce and shared dishes will be the order of the day for lunch and dinner. Located in the old Loco Bar, the two-storey bistro and espresso bar will seat around 100 people. Madame Hanoi North Terrace Opening late January Hours: Monday to Friday – 7am-late, Weekends – 11am-late twitter.com/madamehanoi