"I was overridden (pick your battles)." Happens to me too😂. I think I remember seeing that Buddha once when in the train. Didn’t appreciate it was female!

I agree with your cousin in law re the food in Hue! One of my all time favourite restaurants in Vietnam (not upscale) is Lac Thien which is very close to the Imperial Citadel so a great place for lunch. The Ban Xeo is the best! we always pay a visit there when in Hue. The owner is a deaf mute guy and an incredible character! I wrote a little about Lac Thien in this post in our blog https://accidentalnomads.com/2015/07...ue-via-hoi-an/

My wife also wrote this entry about the food in Hue https://accidentalnomads.com/2017/06...c-food-in-hue/

As for upscale places to eat , we once stayed at Azerai la Residence, once the official residence of the French Resident Superieur. It is a stunning colonial style building and Le Perfume is an excellent fine dining restaurant. Worth staying there if looking for somewhere 5* . It is a bit out of the centre but handy for a walk across the bridge to the citadel.