When you visit Hanoi, take an evening to visit Foodshop 45 on Truc Bach Lake. The indian food is wonderful, the view over the lake with the sun going down is so relaxing and serene. The staff are attentive and the manager, Ms. Hue is one of the nicest people that you will meet in Hanoi! All that, and... the prices are a bargain! I loved the Chicken Ustani Kebob, the sauces are all made in-house and are delicious. The paneer cheese is also made fresh each day. The beer is cold and the house wine prices are very reasonable. Top it off with some Fanny ice-cream for dessert.

Wow, this place certainly lives up to it's reputation, but if it weren't for Trip Advisor I'd never have discovered it!
I went there earlier this evening after looking up restaurants online, because some of the ones in my guidebook no longer exist (or at least they are not in the locations listed ..)
It's a pleasant change from the 'touristy' restaurants in the Hoan Kiem district, the service is more relaxed and there are no hawkers harassing you while you enjoy your meal in peace, with or without company. THe food is superb, just the right portion size, too.
Looking out onto the West Lake (Ho Truc Bach) you feel a sense of peace and tranquility. The senior waitress, (Huy I think her name is) is an expert at anticipating your needs and sensitive to your feedback. She doesn't miss a trick! The other staff are good, too, when I stood at the door looking out on to the street they immediately offered to call me a cab, which, by the way, came at a reasonable price, too, not 'rip-off tourist' price, like most others.
Overall, a very happy, satisfying experience.:-D

We ate at Foodstore 45 twice while in Hanoi, once inside upstairs and the other time at street level overlooking the lake.

F45 serves a traditional Indian menu with a slightly higher price tag than other restaurants in Vietnam. The quality of the meals and the service justifies the price and you will find yourself returning.

The food itself is delicious. The curries are thick sauces with large quantities of meat and vegetables and spiced according to taste. The breads here (naan and rotis) were divine and complimented the meals perfectly. We also enjoyed the Briyani rices for a change from traditional basmati or pilau rice. Drinks were well priced and included beers, wine, soft drink and waters.

To get to F45 we used a cab from the Old Quarter for about $25k-$30k dong, negotiate the price before getting in the cab!

My husband and I would eat from Foodshop at least once a week - dine in or takeaway.

Ms Hue, owner of FS45, is one of the most lovely people you will meet, let alone hostess at her restaurant. Without a doubt, Foodshop 45 provides sensational food, value and service.

Having eaten at FS for 4 years now we can highly recommend the Chicken Tikka Kebab, Chicken Mint Kebab, Baingan Dahl and pretty much every curry on the menu. The lemon rice is brilliant. Naan - second to none. The atmosphere is just gorgeous, overlooking Truc Bach lake with the motorbike headlights sparkling in the distance. Ask for Table 8. It is on the soft cushions overlooking the lake.

Without a doubt our favourite restaurant in Hanoi - after 4 years!

me and my housemates love this place. right on Truc Bach Lake which is best at night. food is spot on, i don't even need to open the menu coz i always go the same thing!
great value, looking at about 100K a head. staff are really good, service is efficient and friendly. give it go!