If the bones of a successful company is its employees then the mark of a strong restaurant is undoubtedly its chef and team.

You could have the best branding, decor and ingredients in the world but without a chef and team to bring it together every night, you’ve got nothing.

Which is why a visit to LAO at the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah left an impression on me. Post one memorable Vietnamese feast, Chef Mai emerged from the kitchen all smiles to greet each guest. It was like your mum emerging from the kitchen – her appearance connected the dots of the truly authentic meal I had just polished off.

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If you’re a fan of Vietnamese food, scroll for LAO’s epic Vietnamese National Day menu details

Chef Mai is the heart and soul of this restaurant and you need to try her food

The ingredients are picked fresh from the Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah’s organic garden and the recipes are straight from Chef Mai’s kitchen in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Right now LAO is celebrating the 73rd Vietnamese National Day – QUỐC KHÁNH VIỆT NAM. September 2 is a proud day for the Vietnamese who celebrate their independence with a national holiday.

LAO will celebrate here in Dubai until November 13 (73 days to mark 73 years of independence) with a pretty stellar offer for residents looking to get a flavour of authentic Vietnamese cooking in Dubai.

If Vietnamese spring rolls unlike you’ve eaten before, pho noodles done exactly how they should be or spicy seabass sound like your cup of tea, read on.

A fantastic four course set menu for AED365 with signature dishes from Hanoi, Hue and Saigon

Vietnam is one of the foodie capitals of Asia – food is at the heart of Vietnamese culture and the real thing is hard to find in Dubai.

Which is why this deal is one for genuine foodies to look forward to.

The four course meal includes dishes such as Hanoi’s seafood vermicelli noodles, seabass spicy fillet with sweet and sour soup, a signature LAO cocktail and finished off with a sweet dessert.

Each meal also comes paired with a glass of wine, so AED365 for an evening out sounds like a deal to us.

The important bits

The Vietnamese National Day menu is available every day from 7pm until 11pm until November 13

AED365 per four course set menu – including signature LAO cocktail and glass of paired wine per course

Call +971 4 818 2222 or email dxbpd.restaurants@waldorfastoria.com for booking

Meet Chef Mai