InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort opens LAVA, its signature seafood and grill restaurant

The newly opened LAVA restaurant, within the InterContinental® Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort, Vietnam is the resort's signature seafood and grill restaurant, serving the freshest seafood sourced from local fishermen each day, and ultra-premium cuts of Australian meat. The restaurant's namesake derives from the striking blue lava stone bar, located in the heart of the restaurant and its interior features fossilised coral and bamboo décor.

At LAVA, diners are invited to peruse the array of seafood on offer, and discuss with the restaurant's culinary team and wait staff, how they would like their meal to be prepared, using various Vietnamese cooking styles and hot lava stones. Dishes may be steamed with soy sauce, baked with green chilli sauce, baked and wrapped in banana leaf, wok-fried with tamarind sauce, deep fried with Thai sauce. The seasonal selection of seafood showcases the best in local produce, all based on seasonal availability from the sea. Menu items usually include whole grouper, whole red snapper, squid, slipper lobster, razor clams, tiger prawns and periwinkle snails. Also featured on the menu is Australian grain fed rib eye and wagyu. Guests can delight in chargrilled perfection of beef dishes served with a selection of fine salts, peppers, and mustards, including seaweed salt, pepperberry salt, Himalayan pink salt, Tay Giang pepper, red pepper, smoked chilli pommery mustard, and miso mustard. Further choices include house-smoked duck breast, Vietnamese style pork belly, and melt-in-the-mouth ravioli with eggplant, forest mushrooms and parmigiano cream.

Desserts are equally tantalising, featuring a Roasted Apricot Phu Quoc Pepper Duo Parfait with frozen hazelnut praline, honey crème, white chocolate crunch, and raspberry puree or a Chocolate Dome made of 72% bitter sweet chocolate mousse, ginger bread crumbs, and orange sauce.

The vibrant, electric blue bar and moody atmosphere set a sophisticated ambience indoors, while the outdoor, beachside seating arrangement is light, relaxed, and perfect for a sunset aperitif. For those seeking a more intimate dinner venue, LAVA also offers private dining rooms downstairs.

Following the opening of INK 360 sky bar late last year, designed by the award-winning Australian architect Ashley Sutton, InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort has continued to reveal architecturally stunning venues. Lava has been designed by multi-award-winning Vietnamese architect Mr Vo Trong Nghia, known for his highly sustainable yet memorable designs. The restaurant features stunning natural materials such as lava, fossilised coral, and bamboo for functional yet gorgeous scenery. The use of bamboo is also seen in the resort's HARNN Heritage Spa, creating a serene atmosphere.

The sommelier team at LAVA has curated an extensive wine list of over 300 fine wines, showcasing the very best in local and international varietals. On this menu, guests can indulge in both new world pours and old world classics.

LAVA's beachside setting on the west coast of Phu Quoc island is a perfect vantage point for enjoying romantic sunsets whilst sipping on an aperitif or a glass of Champagne.

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About Phu Quoc Island

• Phu Quoc Island, the largest island in Vietnam, is off the coast of Kien Giang Province in the south.
• Known as 'Pearl' or 'Emerald' Island with pristine beaches, Phu Quoc Island is 574 square kilometres in size with a population of approximately 103,000 people. It was listed as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2006.
• More than 50 per cent of the island is protected Phu Quoc National Park (31,422 hectares) while the surrounding sea has a rich diversity of marine life and coral reefs.
• The island is part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), which includes internationally designated protected areas, each known as a biosphere reserve, that are meant to demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature. They demonstrate sound sustainable development practices and policies based on research and monitoring; and act as sites of excellence for education and training.
• The island is renowned for production of high-quality fish sauce and peppercorns, as well as its world-famous pearl farms.
• The resort is 15 minutes' drive from Phu Quoc International Airport and 20 minutes from the main town of Duong Dong.

About InterContinental® Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort

InterContinental® Phu Quoc Long Beach Resortis located on Phu Quoc Island, the largest island in Vietnam, off the south-west coast of Kien Giang Province. Stretching over 20 kilometres, Long Beach is surrounded by turquoise sea, with white sand beaches and magnificent ocean sunsets. InterContinental Phu Quoc is located near the tail end of Long Beach, with a pristine secluded beach exclusively for guests.

The beachfront resort seamlessly combines elegance with local charm across its 459 elegantly appointed Rooms, Suites & Villas, Club InterContinental facilities and exclusive beach access. There are six innovative restaurants and bars for guests to choose from, as well as four swimming pools and a collection of state-of-the-art meetings and convention venues. The destination HARNN Heritage Spa is inspired by traditional Asian medicine and naturopathy, while the fully equipped gym completes the wellness offering with fitness equipment, and yoga and pilates classes.

Leisure activities include an array of water sports, Planet Trekkers Children's Club, cooking classes, wine tasting and more. Bespoke cultural and destination experiences include excursions such as nature hikes, cultural tours, shopping, night markets and island hopping.

The resort is 15 minutes' drive from Phu Quoc International Airport and 20 minutes from the main town of Duong Dong.