We’re a short drive from the Chinese border. Chris, from Sydney, reckons Sa Pa reminds him of a French ski resort. And the more I think about it, he’s right. The hotels have that French chalet feel. Sa Pa is at 1650m, the base high of ski resorts like, um, Courchevel 1650.
And then I woner up the road, up the steps with the water buffalo (see previous post) and enter Baquette & Chocolat ̣(đ Thac Bac). It is just like one of those alpine cafés and even is full of French people eating croissants, French pastries and, of course, baguettes (as well as local dishes)
There are modern wicker sofas surrounding an unlit ;-( log fire. It all feels very French.
The best thing about this joint is that you can hog all the grub and still feel good about it. Baguette & Chocolat is a training school for the disadvantaged, as is its sister restaurant in Hanoi.