36/365: Muse cafe

At first, sorry for my laziness. For nearly 2 months, I have not done anything on this blog. There were some either good things and bad things happened but everything seem to be okie now. I will try to back to the old life rhythm which I used to have.

I have known about Muse for a long time before the visit. One simple reason is the cafe locates on the way I go back home from work (not the way I go to work from home, they are different) and the name reminded me of the famous rock band: the Muse (and I was wrong about it)

I went to Muse on a horribly hot summer day. It was about 40 outside and it seemed like people prefered stay at home in stead of going out. There were only 2 customers before we came. The too bright sunshine also made the work of taking photos harder as the light reflected on the wall and it destroyed the necessary low light for a cafe shop and even worse, I could not work it out. So blame it on me, not the cafe, if you see the photo not very nice.

Muse has been opened for just more than 2 months by 4 young guys. The name Muse, according to the one I met that day, means Music. They chose this name cause they want to refer to the kind of music they would like to play in the cafe. However, depend on what kind of customers are in the cafe, the cafe-runner will play the most suitable kind of music (which may includes Pop, R&B and maybe Teen music). Sound funny!

There is a contrary between furniture and the themes of the wall. The furniture is presented in deep color, just simple black low table and red cushions but the wall paintings are naughty, lightly and kind of lovely. It seems like the owners wanted to mix between the depth of oriental decoration with the rebel of western graffiti. I am not sure how others feel but to me, it is not very alright (even I like the wall painting very much).

Located on Kim Ma st., the cafe has an advantage as it is very close to some schools like Hanoi-Amsterdam, Giang Vo, and some International schools and around the cafe, there are many restaurants so Muse might me a good choice for not only school kids but young people to relax after dining.

Friendly and Ambitious are about the 4 young owners. They are very active on their facebook to connect Muse with its customers and try to get involve the customers in to activities of the shop. For example; They gave their customers to choose the happy hour. Recently, they were success in linking with some book publishers which will provide books to Muse to let the customer borrow or buy from Muse with discounted price. Or by letting people know about using new cafe which they brought from Nha Trang and Hue to replace the old one, Muse show that they care to their customers and also bring the customers to the shop to try the new cafe. Clever marketing, dudes!!!

Good one! Good one! There are still some minor issues but I believe the owners know how to fix them and better their service to be more customer-oriented. Well! To be recognized and be treated nicely, that what they know you want to have when you walk into the shop.

Add: 289 Kim Mã (104 A5 Giảng Võ) - Ba Đình - Hà Nội

29/365: Press cafe - A corner for movie lovers

Located on Nguyễn Phong Sắc (extended) st., I spent 15 minutes driving around the street but could not find out the cafe until calling for a relief from a friend to show me the way. The street is very new and people number it stupidly, I have to say. You will understand that when you get there. Anyway, the cafe is on the 2nd floor of a building and customers get there by using emergency ladder on the back of it.

Before visiting the cafe, I did not expect too much. I even did not intend to visit the cafe that soon because it is too far from my place. But, it was worth that visit. I felt satisfied about my decision when I was in the cafe. It was not too narrow and the decoration is nice. At the first time I was there, it is not too busy. I guessed it dues to the location (far from CBD, stupid numbering) and also because the cafe is very new (It start operating in about Feb or March, 2010). But I loved that, I love quiet place.

The cafe has two parts with different layouts. The outer is bigger and looks classical with a bar, wooden short tables and chairs. The inner area looks younger and moderner.

The founders all are working in Journalism, and that is simply explain for the name of the cafe. But different to the name, they actually aim to create a place for movie lover. They show movies at the weekend nights, old documentaries or maybe some trial work of young directors. One of the owners said that they want the cafe become a good choice for organizing Releasing Day of new movies or new books.

The second time I went there, they showed "The violin sound in My Lai" of director Văn Thủy, Trần and then had an exchange interview with him.

The core concept of creating this cafe is nice but I feel not very clear of the way they are doing it. Like the incompatibility between the two different parts, or between some decorating stuffs with the overview of the cafe or even within the concept and the name of the cafe. It may dues to the lack of experience of the owners in this field and the cafe is still in the progress to be completed (so they do not prefer people taking photos of this cafe this time. It took me half a hour persuading one of the owners to agree to let me took these photos). Anyway, Good luck, mates! Hope next time I visit the lounge, I may photograph it comfortably.

Address: 2nd Floor, LOD building, 38 Nguyễn Phong Sắc st. (extended), Cầu Giấy, Hà Nội.

25/365: R&R Tavern p.2

On Sunday, I intended to stay at home as a do-nothing-night before the working days coming but I thought I would feel guilty to myself if I do not come back the tavern to see how the American band plays. So I came and that was an absolutely right decision.

For the whole night, I was listening concentrically as the band did so so great. Each member of the band can play some music instruments and they are like doing magic on their instruments to bring audiences exciting moment of enjoying fanciful melodies. All members are young and they performed very enthusiastically. Not only during their show time but also while they accompany other performers.

Despite of not many people there enjoy the show (due to the bad wet weather on that day), every performers tried their best. They even insisted to play more when they have chance to perform, like the guy in the photo below, he sang 4 songs instead of 1 like he said before playing. He was adorably selfish :)

At the beginning of the show, I noticed the guy in the photo below. I felt he looks so familiar even I am sure I never talk to him or even maybe never met him before. Turn out, he is from Melbourne, where I had stayed for 2 years. Moreover, we lived on the same streets and he was in the Number 2-something, and I was in the number 40. What an amazing coincidence!!!

His name is Liam (???). Next time, if I see him there. I will ask him for a favor as singing the song "Four seasons in one day" of Crowded House, one of my most favorite songs by an Australian band and about Melbourne, the city I love besides Hanoi :)

Come, See, Hear, Feel, and Enjoy!

Add: 10 Thợ Nhuộm st.