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2012-07-05
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FAIL -- This is a steak house that does not know how to cook a steak!I'm not entirely sure what they are expecting to achieve with this restaurant. It's in the same building as Bistecca -- probably my favourite 'group' dining steak house in HK, and it comes no where close. In my mind, this is yet another perfect example of a "celebrity chef" restaurant where they are truly hoping to piggy-back off the name of the chef to pull in the crowds, and then don't much bother when you're there.We went in
I'm not entirely sure what they are expecting to achieve with this restaurant. It's in the same building as Bistecca -- probably my favourite 'group' dining steak house in HK, and it comes no where close.
In my mind, this is yet another perfect example of a "celebrity chef" restaurant where they are truly hoping to piggy-back off the name of the chef to pull in the crowds, and then don't much bother when you're there.
We went in a big group to celebrate July 4th, and I have to say, probably one of the worse dining experiences I've had a restaurant that claims to be 'higher end' ie, $500+ at a minimum.
Will try to be brief, but the conclusion is, just don't bother -- over priced, over rated. Read the other reviews -- there seems to be a consensus!!
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What went wrong
1. Wait time.
The food for half of our table arrived 35 MINUTES before the food for the other half. Their excuse was that we ordered later than them --- which is because they failed to take the other half of the table's order!!
2. HOW TO COOK A STEAK.
If you're in a steak house paying $488 for a steak (10oz Fillet Minion), and ask for medium rare, I think you're allowed to expect medium rare! My steak arrived medium/well and I can tell why -- it had been cooked medium rare, then left under a hot light for c.20 mins.
And it wasn't just mine. In all we had two overdone steaks and one undercooked burger. The burger point being worse as we specifically asked for well well well done as my friend can not eat red meat at the moment.
To be fair, they offered to re-cook, I didn't take them up on it given the other half of the table had literally finished their food, so I wasn't going to wait ANOTHER 45 mins for a steak. My friend with the burger did, and for some reason it took c.20mins to cook a burger patty!!! And when it came back .... STILL RED!!!
Not to worry though -- after two overcooked steaks, two under cooked burgers, a 45 minute wait for food, then a 20 minute wait for burger round two (remember this is about $1400 worth of food), we were offered 2 free deserts (value of $88 and $98). Thanks.
Rant over.
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Terrible service aside, if anyone still wishes to go, here's a quick overview of the rest of the experience:
Food
Meat
Was actually good --- tender, smooth in marbling and well aged. (Just badly cooked!)
Sides
Great -- Mac & cheese, truffle mash, plain mash, onion rings all great -- recommend. Would skip the side salad and creamy corn.
Deserts were OK
I would just say average. Nothing special, but OK value at sub $100. Mainly novelty value. Crème Brule was poor.
Ambience OK
Has a red mood light thing going on. Decor looks great, but cheap on inspection. Room had a nice buzz to it when we were there -- most tables were full. Still no Bistecca.
Has novelty men's toilets -- OK, but fail on the hygiene front.
Value for Money
Bill came to c.$880 per person in all. I felt over charged.
.... Won't be going back!
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