Our signature Secret dining experiences bring together top chefs and outgoing, social food and wine lovers for intimate, unforgettable chef-led dining experiences in some of Hoi An’s best-kept secret spaces and hidden gems.

Our August Secret Dinner in Hoi An

This past August was no exception as we curated a once-in-a-lifetime dinner with returning guest Chef La Thua An of the beloved and world-renowned The Temptation Restaurant in Da Nang, Vietnam.

For one night only, Chef An and hand-picked members of his team from The Temptation Restaurant, stepped out of their kitchen — and out of their comfort zone — to “pop up” for an intimate, exclusive evening at our Secret space in Hoi An.

This exclusive Secret dining experience in Hoi An welcomed 10 guests for a magnificent 4-course, chef-led menu created just for us and perfectly paired with wines from our partners at French Connection Wines.

While we can’t reveal all the Secrets of our magical evening out, we’ll share a bit about this Secret experience since it (sadly) won’t happen again. (Don’t worry - we host our Secret Dinners in Hoi An and Da Nang regularly so you CAN catch another one — you just won’t get to experience this extraordinary evening out. :(

Sunset Arrivals & Welcome Drinks at our Secret Spot in Hoi An

Just as the sun set over the beautiful Coco River, guests arrived to a refreshing glass of wine and some delicious canapes to nibble on as we gathered together in the lush, private gardens of Chez Janine, a new hidden gem in Hoi An.

As guests from France, the US, Belgium, Vietnam and Japan gathered together in the courtyard, Chef La Thua An and his team were busy one floor up, working from a home kitchen, to prepare a simply sensational 4-course gourmet menu sure to surprise and delight tonight’s Secret dinner guests.

After a short while getting to meet and mingle with the other guests, it was time to move to the dinner table, meet our Secret chef and hear directly from him about tonight’s menu and his inspiration.

SECRET dining: A Guided Journey through Food & Wine

Our host for the evening, Adrien, owner of Chez Janine, welcomed us into his home and his wine shop. With a passion and deep love of wine, Adrien guided us through our culinary journey, perfectly pairing each course with a hand-picked, premium wine from French Connection Wines, and sharing stories of the cultural significance of the relationship between France and Vietnam.

As Chef La Thua An delivered course after course of gourmet goodness, our Secret dinner guests simply sat back, relaxed and indulged in delicious with friends — new and old, alike.

DECADENT DESSERTS: A KEY TO A SECRET DINNER

With any dinner, dessert is the chef’s last opportunity to “wow” guests with their creativity, passion and flair. And, at a Secret dinner, our guest chefs know that this final bite should surprise and delight guests, leaving them craving for more.

Chef La Thua An and his team did not disappoint. With a sensational, sophisticated and elegant final course, Chef left guests in awe and wondering when and where they could taste his culinary creativity again. Hint: The Temptation Restaurant in Danang, Vietnam.

After dessert, some of the guests stayed a bit longer and Adrien shared some Secret wines we hadn’t tasted just yet. After saying goodnight, Chef La Thua An and his team called it a night and headed back to Da Nang.

All in all, it was a sensational Secret dinner and we couldn’t be more grateful to Chef La Thua An, Adrien and their hard-working, passionate and driven teams. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Secret Dinners in Central Vietnam

Our Secret dining experiences are hosted regularly in both Hoi An and Danang.

While every experience is different, you can always expect an absolutely amazing Secret dinner delivered by one of Central Vietnam’s top chefs or young, rising stars. Our experiences take place in Secret spaces and change regularly.

SecretEATS Dining Experiences

August 2023 | Hoi An, Vietnam

Chef: Chef La Thua An of The Temptation Restaurant, Da Nang, Vietnam

Secret Venue: Chez Janine — House of Wine, Hoi An, Vietnam

Wine Partner: French Connection Wines, Hoi An, Vietnam

Hosted by Jennifer Ravolet, Upbeet Agency

Photography by Sam Keating Photography

Monday, 22 August 2023

An Intimate, Exclusive Secret Dinner in Hoi An with one of Da Nang's Top Chefs