Celebrity Life

As the new season sweeps the city, award winning chef Vicky Lau of Michelin-starred Tate Dining Room is clearing the decks for a refreshed eight-course menu that not only celebrates the season's best produce, but couples the intricacies of French cooking and premium Chinese ingredients with touches of nostalgia, too. We took a peek at the new menu (priced at HK$1,680 +10% per guest) and we're liking what we've seen so far.

Bringing her edible stories to life once more, Lau's new dégustation is a continued chapter of odes to ingredients of the season. They display distinct Chinese traditions and flavours with the flair of French cuisine. Take the Ode to conch in the first course for example, which is dedicated to the fresh sea conch. This seafood is thought to have healing properties and widely used in soups, and sometimes medicine, for Chinese food therapy. Here, the fresh, tender conch meat is combined with the umami of seaweed jelly, sweetened with pumpkin purée and presented in the shell itself.

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Other highlights at Tate Dining Room include a signature dish; the Ode to pâté en croûte, which takes the French classic of meat terrine baked in a pie crust, and adds a Chinese twist. A layer of fresh abalone sits between a pork and Chinese mushroom filling. It's then topped with a Chinese Xiaoxing wine jelly, sliced to reveal the centre and served with white asparagus and black garlic.

Meanwhile, the Ode to kumquat makes use of the orange fruit that is Native to Northern China and bears an auspicious meaning of good fortune across the country. In this dish, plump servings of Hokkaido scallop are paired with pickled daikon and a traditional French Grenobloise brown butter sauce before the tang of kumquats and dried scallop finish off the dish.

Of course, with some of the finest French produce to back you up, you almost can't lose. The Ode to Challans duck is exactly this. Pan-roasted duck breast, which makes use of the hand-reared ducks recognised for it's lean meat with bags of flavour, is served with a fig and red date compote, as well as a savoury duck jus.

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The creative marriage of French-Chinese cuisine can also be found in the Ode to Brillat-Savarin. Taking on the soft, buttery, white-crusted triple cream brie from Burgundy, this dish is escorted by rye toast and plum gel along with a variety of Chinese condiments such as ginger, hawthorn bar, dried plums and bergamot. To follow, the dessert takes the humble chestnut -- commonly used in Chinese and French cuisine -- to blend classics from both regions. Inspired by Hong Kong's baked sago pudding with chestnut cream, the Ode to chestnut envelops those flavours into a chestnut sago soufflé served with Pu'er ice-cream.

We also hear that the final chapter, an Ode to chinoiserie, is quite the spectacle. Where guests can open a customised chest of drawers that reveal an assortment of small pastries inspirited with the memories of Lau's Chinese upbringing. Think Rose chocolate fans, chocolate bon bons infused with red date, ginseng, green tea and sesame, guava marshmallows, mini mango kaffir lime gateaus, and much, much more.

[caption id="attachment_162259" align="alignnone" width="6500"] Chef Vicky Lau's seasonal ode is an innovative French x Chinese eight-part menu.[/caption]

Wine pairing options are also available and offer blends from France and China’s notable wine regions for an additional +HK$190 for a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, +HK$480 for three glasses and HK$780 for six glasses.
For the full menu, visit the the Tate Dining Room website here.

The post Tate Dining Room’s New Seasonal Menu Revels in French Cooking and Chinese Nostalgia appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Culled from Hong Kong’s always-hot dining scene, here are some of the most exciting menus to try this month. Be prepared for chef takeovers, collaborations melding divergent cuisines and seasonal specials -- these one-off opportunities are not to be missed.

Room 309 x Jouer Atelier

When: Now through 14 September

Price: HK$250 + 10%

Tucked away within The Pottinger, Room 309 is a modern speakeasy helmed by Hong Kong’s most celebrated mixologist, Antonio Lai. To get us in the festive mood (with Mid-Autumn right around the corner), Jouer Atelier joins 309 for a special cocktail-macaron pairing experience. The pairing takes inspiration from the holiday and includes a cocktail served in a traditional paper lantern, with a dim sum steamer holding a white lotus, custard and date jam macaron. Reservations are a must as Room 309 limits servings to only 10 per day.

Room 309, The Pottinger, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2308 3188

Giuseppe Zanoti Fall/Winter 2019 Afternoon Tea

When: Now through 15 September

Price: HK$418; additional glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut HK$270 + 10%

Inspired by the ethos of Giuseppe Zanoti’s Fall/Winter collection, Urban Beauty, Executive Pastry Chef Richard Long of The Ritz-Carlton reinterprets the aesthetics in an afternoon tea set. Enjoy six sweet delights and four savoury bites created to mirror the brand’s graphic and geometric elements, along with textured and exotic themes in the form of delectable finger food and exquisite desserts.

Café 103, Level 103, The Ritz-Carlton, West Kowloon; +852 2263 2270

Pirata Anniversary 4 Hands Dinner

When: 2 & 3 September at Madame Ching, 4 & 5 September at TokyoLima

Price: HK$350 + 10%

The guys at Pirata Group are celebrating their fifth anniversary with a series of festivities including a special four hands dinner by two of their top chefs: chef Son Pham of Madame Ching and chef Stephan Joubery of TokyoLima. The menu boasts signature dishes such as Kabocha – Mi – Hummas and Ccharred cabbage, home cured sashimi, pork neck katsu in a curry tomato sauce, and ponzu honey duck with pickled shallots. Each chef will take turns as guests in the other’s restaurant, bringing the carefully curated meal to both eateries.

Madame Ching, 5 Star Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2577 7227

TokyoLima, 18 – 20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2811 1152  

Roganic Hong Kong x JAAN by Kirk Westaway

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When: 4 & 5 September

Price: HK$1,980; wine pairing HK$980 + 10%

In just six short months since the opening of Roganic and Aulis, chef Simon Rogan has proved to be a force to be reckoned with in the Hong Kong dining scene. This September, the celebrated chef is bringing more than just his inventive cooking to the table: He's teaming up with chef Kirk Westaway of JAAN in Singapore. The two British chefs are coming together for a second time in a four-hands collaboration, following the success of their first culinary partnership a few years back. Teaming up in Hong Kong this time, the two chefs will present a 10-course menu representative of their shared culinary ethos for experimental cuisine, showcasing the best of Britain’s seasonal offerings.

Roganic Hong Kong, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; +852 2817 8383

Tate Dining Room x Wing Lei Palace: A Taste of Autumn Stories

When: 4 & 5 September

Price: MOP 1,688; wine pairing MOP 1,000 + 10%

Chef Vicky Lau has made her name as one of Asia’s best female chefs with her tasting menu in the form of “edible stories” at Tate Dining Room. This September, she will focus on a special seasonal dinner in partnership with chef Tam Kwok Fung across the water at Wing Lei Palace in Macau. The 8-course meal merges the two chefs' culinary expertise in French-Chinese and traditional Chinese cuisine to express an autumnal narrative that showcases rare and seasonal ingredients.

Wing Lei Palace, Wynn Palace Macau, Macau; +852 8889 3663

Sühring Guest Chef at Mandarin Oriental

When: 12 & 13 September at The Krug Room, 14 September at Mandarin Grill & Bar

Price: HK$2,888 including a glass of Krug Grande Cuvée 167ème Edition; wine pairing HK$1,488 + 10%

The Sühring brothers of the eponymous two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bangkok will be treating Hongkongers to a taste of their inventive German cuisine at Mandarin Oriental this month. Guests will experience an intimate 13-course dinner inspired by the brothers’ childhood memories, including beer garden specialties such as Leberkäse, the Swabian favourite Spätzle egg noodles with black truffles, and notable desserts like grandma’s secret-recipe eggnog.

Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2825 4014

Pica Pica x Ichu Peru

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When: 17 & 18 September

Price: Approximately HK$600

Following the success of their previous partnership earlier this year, chefs Edgard Sanuy and Sang Jeong from Pica Pica and Ichu Peru, respectively, are joining together again for a very special tapas menu. The two chefs will be showcasing four dishes, each representative of their culinary region of expertise, binding the vibrant flavours of Spain and Peru. Look forward to iconic plates like Iberico pork morcilla with baby squid in ink sauce, slow cooked Spanish Black Angus beef rib with romesco and pickled onions, Peruvian pita bread with soft shell crab and aji Amarillo and Octopus with leek purée and crispy leek. The tapas are designed to be ordered à la carte so guests have the option of selecting from the permanent menu as well.

Pica Pica, Kai Tak Commercial Building, 317 – 321 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan; +852 2811 9880

Ephernité x Le Du

When: 20 & 21 September

Price: HK$1,788; wine pairing HK$380 + 10%

Congratulations are in order as The Mira Hong Kong turns 10 this season. To celebrate, Whisk invites farm to table concept Ephernité of Taipei and one-Michelin-star Thai/French restaurant Le Du of Bangkok for a special four-hands menu. Both chefs will each present four dishes, paying homage to the passage of time and reflecting upon meaningful milestones of their careers. The menu has been carefully designed to achieve a perfect balance and showcase the modern techniques of Asian and French cooking.

Whisk, 5/F, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 – 130 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 2315 5999

La Rambla x Sucede

When: 24 & 25 September

Price: HK$1,600; wine pairing HK$668 + 10% (minimum of 4 people required)

You don’t need to travel all the way to Spain to try the cuisine of Michelin-starred restaurant Sucede. This month, chef Miguel Ángel Mayor pays Hong Kong a visit for the first time to guest chef at La Rambla and present his award-winning modern Valencian menu. Guests can expect seasonal signature dishes picked from various historical eras and inspired by traditional Roman-style banquets. Prepared to be wowed by fan favourites including Spanish sea cucumber with spinach and pork terrine, and beef loin with cured beef tongue and lentil caviar.

La Rambla, Level 3, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2661 1161

Haku x La Maison de la Nature Goh

When: 28 September

Price: HK$2,180; wine pairing HK$680 + 10%

At the end of the month, chef Takeshi “Goh” Fukuyama will be welcomed by chef Agustin Balbi of Haku for a special 9-course degustation journey. This collaboration is unique in that both chefs share a background with international culinary training and a passion for the highest-quality ingredients from Japan. Destined to be a night of pure indulgence, the menu features delicate dishes such as saba and caviar, foie gras with persimmon, grilled octopus with konbu, wagyu, and Caldoso-style chicken with black truffle. A wine pairing option is also available to complement the meal.

Haku, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 2115 9965

The post The Top 10 Special Menus You Can’t Miss This September appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most exciting culinary capitals, where good food is more than abundant. In that light, we’ve put together a few of our tastiest tidbits and most memorable morsels that are worth tracking down to try.

Honjo

[caption id="attachment_162107" align="alignnone" width="7677"] The Wagyu is dressed in chorizo oil and asahi ponzu.[/caption]

Pirata Group has done it again with the opening of their new modern-Japanese restaurant, Honjo, where dark and moody interiors are jazzed up with eccentric details and a buzzy vibe -- it's no wonder the restaurant is already packed with guest bookings. There are lots of fresh takes on classic Japanese flavours, but our star dish of the night was 'The Wagyu'. This dish is so fragrant that you can smell it even before the waiter puts it on the table. The wagyu meat is singed ever so slightly for a smoky flavour while it bathes in chorizo oil for a little heat. Asahi ponzu lifts the palate, while crispy quinoa and chives are sprinkled for texture. Simply sensational.

Honjo, 1/F, Hollywood Centre, Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; +852 2663 3772

Rùn

[caption id="attachment_162095" align="alignnone" width="1998"] Braised white bitter melon with Ibérico pork and fish broth.[/caption]

The St. Regis Hong Kong's Chinese restaurant has a modern interior inspired by the architecture of a traditional Chinese tea pavilion. It's elegant yet relaxed -- just like the cuisine that acclaimed Chinese chef Hung Chi-Kwong puts forward. A great example of this is a seasonal dish that makes use of fresh white bitter melon stewed with Ibérico pork in fish broth. It's a clever dish where everything has a purpose: The pork and broth serve as a rich foundation of flavour, melon cuts through with a bite of bitterness, green peas brighten it up and a sprinkling of sakura shrimp is added for a touch of smokiness to round it all off.

Rùn, 2/F, The St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2138 6888

Ecriture x Chef's Table

[caption id="attachment_162078" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Scottish langoustine and sweetbread lasagna.[/caption]

At a recent chef collaboration between chef Maxime Gilbert of Écriture and ex-Caprice chef Vincent Thierry of Chef’s Table at Lebua in Bangkok, we were lucky enough to taste a few signatures from the two star chefs. One such stunning dish was chef Thierry's Scottish langoustine and sweetbread lasagna. The rich and creamy sweetbread was paired with a tomato and fennel confit, fennel flower, and topped with a gorgeous parsley-printed lasagna sheet and a light shellfish emulsion. It's a dish we've been thinking about since we last tasted it, so now we'll have to go to Bangkok to enjoy it once more.

Écriture, 26/F H Queen's, 80 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2795 5996

Chef's Table at Lebua, Floor 61, Tower Club at Lebua, 1055 Si Lom, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand; +66 2 624 9555

Gough's on Gough

[caption id="attachment_162101" align="alignnone" width="5792"] 'Hong Kong rarebit'.[/caption]

When it comes to the best British fare in Hong Kong, chef Cary Docherty immediately comes to mind. What's new is that Gough's on Gough is now serving delectable dishes from a no-fuss snacking menu for a quick bite. On the ground floor of the restaurant is Piranha Bar, which has just introduced some seriously delicious finger food. Here, the classic Welsh rarebit gets a Hong Kong-style makeover. It may not be the most visually attractive plate on the menu, but the big flavour more than makes up for it. Made with a savoury sauce of melted cheese laced with fish and oyster sauces that's then poured over slices of warm toasted bread, it's soft and chewy but still has a pleasant bit of crispy crunch.

Gough's on Gough, 15 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2473 9066

Zest by Konishi

[caption id="attachment_161957" align="alignnone" width="5700"] The Green Garden.[/caption]

Taking over the space that was once ON Dining, new French-Japanese restaurant Zest by Konishi has officially opened with chef Mitsuru Konishi -- whom you may remember from Wan Chai’s Wagyu Takumi -- at the helm. His return brings his trademark playful cuisine to the forefront with dishes like a sprightly salad named The Green Garden. This dish uses 20 different herbs and vegetables, many of which are sourced from Hong Kong organic farms, including celery root purée, fennel jelly, baby carrots, edamame, black olive crumble and crispy quinoa. It's all dressed in fragrant shiso paste, lemon, marigold flowers, micro herbs and more, before a bright and clear extraction of Australian romaine tomatoes and cherry tomatoes is added to the mix.

Zest By Konishi, 28 & 29/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2715 0878

Porterhouse

[caption id="attachment_162094" align="alignnone" width="2000"] Spanish ‘Los Norteños’ steak.[/caption]

The California Tower steakhouse has been offering Hong Kong's largest collection of Porterhouse steaks for some time now, but it was a recent 'Porterhouse Monday' half-price steak promotion that brought us back. We opted for the Spanish ‘Los Norteños’ which makes use of the grass-fed Iberian beef called Rubia Gallega, aged for 60 days. The result is a deeply flavoured steak with earthy and almost nutty notes, as well as a very soft and fine texture that your knife can cut through easily. The large steak was accompanied by a selection of salts, mustard and a red wine jus which coated the triple-cooked fries nicely, too.

Porterhouse, 7/F California Tower, 30-36 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong; +852 2522 6366

TMK

[caption id="attachment_162102" align="alignnone" width="8688"] Tuna Hotdog.[/caption]

Sushi rolls meet punk rock and Cali vibes at TMK. The unapologetically loud temakeria is another of Pirata Group's newest openings and presents a casual Japanese concept that delivers a refreshing take on sushi rolls with a slight Western influence. The Tuna Hotdog is the reinvented version of a traditional roll, with a crispy deep-fried rice "bun" holding fresh cubes of tuna sashimi doused in spicy mayo sauce and topped with furikake and chives. Be prepared to wash that down with sake as the restaurant's "Drinks on Me" concept means guests can buy a round for the whole house for an easy HK$290.

TMK, Hollywood Centre, 77 - 91 Queen's Road West, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; +852 2662 2269 

Uma Nota

[caption id="attachment_162103" align="alignnone" width="8000"] Churrasco Tuesday's meat platter.[/caption]

Mark your calendars, because Tuesdays just got a little more exciting for the carnivores among us with Uma Nota's Churrasco menu. The gaucho Brazilian platter comes with a sizzling grill plate piled high with flame-licked beef, chipotle chicken pork ribs and grilled veggies, accompanied by a side of salad. The greatest part of all this succulent meaty goodness is the surprising tenderness and juiciness of the meat and its unique spice rub that adds a burst of flavour. The meal is designed to be shared and with all the items already preset for you, you'll get to sample a bit of everything and not have to ponder what to order.

Uma Nota, 38 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2889 7576

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