Fabulista Recommends: Luang Tung in Cat Ba.

After a day's hard trekking, it was great to settle for great food and fantastic service - in a language that one understands. In this light, the Fabulista thus recommends Luang Tung Restaurant.

The restaurant is owned by an enthusiastic foodie couple who is as passionate about business as they are about food. You can tell from the way they recommend dishes and describe them to you (albeit in their quirky Viet-glish). What I appreciate most is how they try to communicate in English when most of their neighbours couldn't even be bothered.

Don't be surprised if you see the boss sitting at a table next to yours. He likes to entertain his friends and relatives. In fact, it is also a good way to learn new dishes; just peer over to what they are eating. If you like what you see, order one for yourself too.