Celebrity Life

One of the very first bloggers I ever met was Melanie from Sunny in London. Back in the early days of blogging we had a little group of fabulous ladies, and we would all meet…

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.

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

The post The Top 8 Dishes We Ate in August 2019 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Before summer ends, enjoy savings on craft cocktails, beer, and wine at some of our favorite happy hour spots.

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There is usually a good reason why local delicacies stay local, but in the case of Swiss cuisine, the lack of exported eateries is baffling. After all, what’s not to love about a pot of molten cheese, or cooking your own beef fillet? Yet only this summer has London welcomed its first ‘modern Swiss-inspired restaurant’... View Article

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Spend National Oyster Day August 5 at these Palm Beach County Seafood Eateries serving up some of the best oysters in the area.

The post 5 Places to Celebrate National Oyster Day August 5th appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

The resto known for its panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean will take guest on a “Great American Road Trip” with a dinner series that tours 12 famous streets across the country,

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Delray has never looked more delicious.

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Head south August 1 through September 30 for great deals at Miami’s best restaurants.

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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.

Bedu

[caption id="attachment_156361" align="alignnone" width="5760"] Crispy salmon pita[/caption]

A lunchtime favourite of ours, Bedu is a charming little spot tucked away in the quieter corner of Central on Gough Street. A light summery meal that fills you up without bringing you down is the grilled salmon with salad. Slightly charred cubes of medium-cooked fish lie on top of zesty, vinaigrette-coated greens drizzled with yoghurt dressing. In between bites, you’ll find surprising flavours and textures like the pomegranate seeds and walnut bits. Alternatively, you can also enjoy this over a bed of rice or tucked into a warm pita pocket. Wash all that down with an ice-cold spiced pineapple and ginger beer and you’re set to tackle the rest of the day.

Bedu, 40 Gough Street, Central; +852 2320 4450

Cé La Vi

[caption id="attachment_155978" align="alignnone" width="1308"] Beef rendang[/caption]

American chef Conor Beach worked at several Hong Kong restaurants, including Repulse Bay's Balinese restaurant TRi (now closed), before arriving at modern Asian restaurant Cé La Vi. Lucky for us, it means he brings some of the most vivid Indonesian flavours to the forefront of their menu. Our favourite was the incredibly tender and slightly charred beef rendang, made with prime Wagyu meat slow-cooked in spicy coconut sauce, pickled vegetables, lemongrass and fried shallots.

Cé La Vi, 24/F California Tower, 30-32 D'Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3700 2300

Cornerstone

[caption id="attachment_155996" align="alignnone" width="1245"] Tagliatelle with mushrooms, smoked sausage and fresh green peas[/caption]

If you haven't checked out the new restaurant Cornerstone, by Netflix's favourite Australian chef, Shane Osborn, they you need to do it soon. The casual dining spot isn't all that spacious and fills up quickly in the evenings. But if you do manage to grab yourself a table (lunchtime is less crowded), make sure you order yourself the impeccably executed al dente tagliatelle with mushrooms, smoked sausage and fresh green peas. It's the comfort food of dreams: hearty, creamy and dusted in cheese -- you can thank us later.

Cornerstone, G/F Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Soho, Central, Hong Kong

Fumi

[caption id="attachment_156004" align="alignnone" width="1377"] Brunch at Fumi[/caption]

So, Fumi's bigger and better sushi brunch isn't exactly one dish, but if it's high-quality fresh fish and meats from Japan you're after -- then you'll be more than happy here. Think Kuroge Wagyu tartare, charcoal-grilled Kagoshima Kurobuta Pork, Nangoku Genki chicken, sea prawn tempura, seasonal sashimi and as many sweet and meaty Hokkaido red king crab legs as you can crack into. Plus, more premium main course dishes to choose from and a shared Japanese dessert platter that will surely mean you need to be rolled home.

Fumi, 6/F, California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong, 30 - 36 D'Aguilar Street, Central Hong Kong; +852 2328 3302

Kashiwaya

[caption id="attachment_155991" align="alignnone" width="1340"] Shrimp and vegetable jelly with stewed octopus and sea urchin[/caption]

As the only overseas branch of the Michelin three-starred restaurant Kashiwaya in Osaka, Kashiwaya Hong Kong is something of a gem. They, too, have received two stars from the Michelin Guide since 2017 and continue to offer Japan's haute cuisine -- otherwise known as kaiseki -- to its guests. In a recent tasting, we were lucky enough to try a seasonal tasting menu that featured a beautiful sakizuke (or appetiser) of shrimp and vegetable jelly with stewed octopus topped with sea urchin, Japanese gourd and okura.

Kashiwaya, 8/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2520 5218

La Petite Maison

[caption id="attachment_155970" align="alignnone" width="2362"] Warm prawns with olive oil[/caption]

La Petite Maison has been open for almost a year in Hong Kong, but there's one classic dish we keep going back for: warm prawns with olive oil. One bite of this simple dish instantly transports you to summery Niçe, basking in the sun and dining alfresco with these fresh prawns, halved and dressed in lemon, basil, sea salt and of course quality olive oil -- the ultimate representation of Niçoise cuisine in summer, if ever there was one.

La Petite Maison, 1/F H Queen's, 23-29 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2887 1113

La Rambla

[caption id="attachment_156317" align="alignnone" width="533"] Carabineros & jamon[/caption]

With sweeping views of the harbour, La Rambla serves up modern interpretations of Spanish dishes. Recently, executive chef Ferran Tadeo has introduced a new dining concept where guests can get up close and personal with the rare premium ingredients and watch as each dish is prepared before their eyes at the chef's table. The star of the show from the seven-course menu is the carabineros & jamon. Freshly flown in are the Josper-grilled 3XL carabineros with Iberico fat roasted in garlic purée and parsley oil; the supersize crustacean boasts the sweet flavours of the sea, and the juicy prawn head tomalley is a true umami treat.

La Rambla, Level 3, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 2661 1161

Ramen Cubism

[caption id="attachment_156328" align="alignnone" width="6101"] Twin Shio ramen[/caption]

What’s better than a bowl of ramen? Two bowls. That’s why Ramen Cubism’s Twin Shio limited ramen bowl is sold out daily in Hong Kong and Osaka. The figure-8 bowl holds its famous hot noodles on one side and a cold version on the other. The broth is blended from shellfish, scallops, clams, Hokkaido squid and scallops, and is topped with a 10cm-thick slab of roast pork belly. Single hot or cold servings are also available, but of course, two bowls are better than one.

Ramen Cubism, 27 Wellington Street, Central; +852 2399 0811

Somm

[caption id="attachment_156331" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Grilled Japanese pork BBQ sauce with Hakata cabbage salad[/caption]

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s new French neo-bistro is good for any time of day, be it breakfast or dinner, and it's best enjoyed with a tipple on the side. Led by the hotel’s team of sommeliers, the menu lends itself to complement the wine-driven dining experience with over 1,000 bottles to choose from and 100 wines and sake available by glass. It's hard to single out one favourite dish here as all are equally tasty. For meat lovers, we recommend the grilled Japanese pork with BBQ sauce and Hakata cabbage salad, which is lusciously rich in flavour with just the right amount of acidity in the greens and sauce to balance out the fat.

Somm, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central; +852 2132 0055

Zuma

[caption id="attachment_156330" align="alignnone" width="2720"] Tomato salad with roasted eggplant and ginger dressing[/caption]

When it comes to brunch, contemporary izakaya Zuma is almost an institution, but there’s more to just unlimited food and free-flow booze here. We tried their new summer menu and found that their à la carte dishes are just as impressive as the buffet they’re known for. The simple tomato salad with roasted eggplant and ginger dressing is a refreshing start to the meal to whet your appetite for what’s to come. The tangy dressing gives way to really showcase the sweetness of the slightly char-grilled fruit.

Zuma, Level 5 & 6, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central; +852 3657 6388

The post The Top 10 Dishes We Ate in July 2019 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

If you’re well-versed in Chinese geography, you already know that Jiangnan, literally meaning south of the river, refers to the region beneath China’s Yangtze River including cities such as Shanghai, Hangzhou, Nanjing and Shaoxing amongst other neighbouring provinces. But what do you know of its cuisine and the heritage behind it?

Well, let’s look at history. According to an abundance of fourth century stories; including one about a Chinese official abandoning his post to go home for his favourite Jiangnanese dish, you could say that Jiangnan cuisine is missed by all who enjoy it -- emperors included.

Today, the regional cuisine is just as loved for its delicate balance of lighter flavours that harmonise gracefully with the seasons and landscape, and closely associated with hong shao, a slow red braising technique that produces dark and rich gravies, as well as plenty of pickling, drunken and rice dishes.

[caption id="attachment_155944" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Old Bailey in the Centre for Heritage and Arts, Tai Kwun.[/caption]

Enter Hong Kong’s very own Jiangnan eatery Old Bailey; a JIA Group restaurant which swept the city with its fresh and unique stance on this regional Chinese cuisine since opening in Tai Kwun last year. This season, they continue to champion the culinary philosophy of Jiangnan with Executive Chef Wong Kwan Man, a native from Yangzhou (the old gastronomic capital of the region), at the helm to launch a series of new seasonal menus, a la carte dishes, cocktails and mooncakes.

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A New Season for Jiangnan Cuisine

Three new tasting menus offer a seasonal taste of Jiangnan, including a 10-course option (HK$500) for vegetarians. The 'Green Taste of Jiangnan’ experience combines a selection of vegetarian versions of Old Bailey’s signatures such as steamed veggie Xiaolongbao, Sweet and sour bean curd, and a Village-style Hangzhou sautéed green chilli with aubergine. While a classic ‘Taste of Jiangnan’, which is a 9-course menu (HK$600), includes favourites such as spicy Mala xiaolongbao, a Red-braised lion's head (don't worry no actual lions were involved in the making of this pork meatball), along with Osmanthus-flavoured Jinhua ham with crispy bean curd sheet and mantou. A more extensive route can be found in ‘An Exquisite Taste of Jiangnan’ where a comprehensive 10-course meal (HK$800) offers premium dishes of Longjing tea-smoked pigeon and the ever-popular hand-pulled noodles covered with Hairy crab roe. Both meat-filled tasting menus can be complemented by curated wine pairings for HK$450 and HK$500 respectively.

[gallery size="full" ids="155950,155954"]

For those that prefer to go a la carte, newly added highlights like the refreshing Marinated Japanese yam complemented by preserved plum or the season’s first steamed mud crab, served whole and meaty with 15-years-aged huadiao wine are excellent choices. The whole Ten treasure duck, an elevated rendition of the Shanghainese eight treasure duck, also comes highly recommended and is available either braised or deep-fried with salt and pepper but must be pre-ordered 24 hours in advance. We’d also suggest a traditional serving of hand-pulled noodles with Clams and chilli, a Jiangnan delight to complete the meal.

Tai Kwun-inspired Cocktails

In honour of the historic and cultural arts hub its situated in, Old Bailey introduces its new cocktail menu with eight Tai Kwun-inspired drinks for the season. We recommend the Big station, a literal translation of Tai Kwun, which adds spicy herbaceous tones to a classic gin-based white lady cocktail, or Brick walls, an homage to the the prison yard walls, that also uses gin with bergamot black tea, cold brew coffee, tonic water, grapefruit zest. Meanwhile, the Guard house 1858 negroni-style cocktail uses a floral foundation of white peony and elderflower mixed with Lillet blanc, Cedars classic, Suze and aged mandarin peel, to represent the guard house building that became the first halfway house, named Bauhinia House back then, for female rehabilitation in 1984.

[caption id="attachment_155951" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Old Bailey's (left) savoury and (right) sweet Shanghai-style mooncakes.[/caption]

Handmade Shanghai-style Mooncakes

With Mid-Autumn looming, Old Bailey is offering authentic Shanghai-style treats to mark the festive tradition of mooncake gifting and eating. The handmade mooncakes are available in limited quantities and offer sweet and savoury filling options. Each flakey, buttery short-crust style pastry wraps around sweet red bean paste or a more dark, peppery pork flavour. Old Bailey's gift box will present 6 mooncakes (HK$238) and will be available for pre-orders starting 22 July 2019 on their dedicated form, which can be accessed here.

The post Old Bailey’s Jiangnan Cuisine Takes the Seasonal Spotlight with New Dishes & Mooncakes appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.