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2016-05-14
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Yesterday myself and 5 other, how can one say Bon vivants d'un certain age, decided to spend a precious evening together in this pleasant space in a warehouse building in Tin Hau.We had agreed to pay the set menu of HKD880 and in addition would take advantage of their innovative in house wine shop and spend up to hkd500 on a bottle of wine each in 5 different categories.four of us had also committed to an additional hkd150 each for an extra truffle risotto, which later would prove to be somethin
We had agreed to pay the set menu of HKD880 and in addition would take advantage of their innovative in house wine shop and spend up to hkd500 on a bottle of wine each in 5 different categories.four of us had also committed to an additional hkd150 each for an extra truffle risotto
, which later would prove to be something of a bete noire.
Ambience: initial impressions were very favourable with chesterfield sofas and stained floors creating the classic club feeling. The ceilings are low and so we correctlly anticipated noise would be a problem- both our own and that of other diners.
The food was heralded by a tasty if predictable assortment of breads, none of which was outstanding, accompanied by some over fussed butter one with anchovies and olives.
Amuse bouche, a delightful crispy arancino was lovely.
Ginger marinated tuna both red flesh and toro was delightful served with myoga and sesame. There was a very pleasant crunch and raw tuna was predictably, well, raw tuna. This was very refreshing and went well with a Japanese Grace vineyard koshu grape white, which wasn't as embarrassingly awful as we anticipated.
The lobster bisque was predictable although there was an odd granularity to the reduction suggesting perhaps prawn heads had been used. Seasoning was lacking, however the large portion of lobster was clearly there to indicate we were eating a quaility bisque.
The Chilean sea bass was a very succulent piece of fish clearly benefitting from gentle treatment in a sous vide machine. The cuisson was very good. The chef had however committed the rookie error of not removing the skin and crisping separately, which detracted from the dish. Quite what gastronomic relevance a lychee foam from Asia has to a piece of fish from Tierra del Fuego was lost on me.
The evening began to go rapidly downhill when The 'truffle risotto' arrived and turned out to be
Simply another portion of lobster bisque dumped on top of some long grain rice which had been cooked very very poorly. When we complained the charming hostess told us the repeating of the bisque was the "chef continuing a dialogue with us" around the bisque. I found this explanation ludicrous disingenuous and pointed out I've had more authentic risottii in Lagos. Clearly the food was all being pre prepared in advance and whoever was warming it up yesterday has no idea how to cook a risotto.
A4 wagyu which had predictably been cooked in a bag and seared a point in a pan was very tasty, while the usual braised short rib accompanying waa truly delicious.
The optional 'artisanal seasonal' cheese platter seemed comedy of the highest order containing as it did, Danish Blue, which is neither artisanal nor seasonal, HKD150.
The peach sorbet of the day was very tasty as was the chocolate cup which was a smooth and light mousse.
Serving biscotti as petits fours has the advantage they can of course be stored for weeks in a plastic box.
We had a marvelous evening, we always do, but The bill at HKD 1600 per head was at least hkd400 per person overpriced compared with competition, and to not reduce the bill at all for the idiotic risotto debacle struck me as a slap in the face.
Unexpectedly and charmingly the comedy continued into the street with a waiter pursuing us and asking to see our credit card receipts because he feared we hadn't paid in full. We had of course.
Overall the impression left is that this is an event restaurant with an absentee celebrity chef leaving the brigade to churn out pre prepared food. aimed at people with more money than either sense or taste. I for one would never return as the emperor has not been near the wardrobe recently.
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