Posts Tagged French
The French Window, Hong Kong – Revisited
On Christmas Eve, we booked a private room at The French Window. Following our first visit, we were very surprised to see less than 10 tables…on Christmas Eve!!?? Well, that’s up to the restaurant management to worry about. We were more worried about the food.
Having already reviewed the Dégustation menu last time, we didn’t want to repeat the same review as some of the dishes were repeats. Nevertheless, there was one dish that was worth mentioning – the Potato Tower. The two towers, one tall and one short, were deep fried with a very crispy crust. The highlight was in the escargots inside as well as the caviar that topped it all off. We didn’t seem to have seen this on the regular menu, and we hope that this makes the cut so that we can enjoy this tasty dish again.
As it was time for celebration, we were treated to a smashing range of fine wines. We started off with the limited production Haut Brion Blanc (1985). A very smooth and full, no wonder Parker calls it the “Rolls Royce of the dry white wines of Graves”. Christmas Eve would not have been Christmas Eve without a bottle of bubbly. We toasted to a bottle of 1989 Bollinger Blanc de Noirs. This Vieilles Vignes Françaises is made from pre-phylloxera Pinot Noir vines and ultra rare…a treat from R’s God-sister. Wines that followed included the 1953 Ch. Canon, 2002 DRC Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Cuvée Duvault Blochet and to finish, a 1995 Ch. Lafite. What a way to celebrate Christmas.
– 18.5/20 (for the Potato Tower)
The French Window
3101, podium level 3, ifc mall
Central, Hong Kong
T: +852 2393 3812
E: inquiry@thefrenchwindow.hk
W: www.thefrenchwindow.hk
091224 French Window - Potato Tower
091224 French Window - Potato Tower
091224 French Window - Wines of the evening
Review – Cépage, Hong Kong
Updated with feedback from Cépage’s PR company.
After trying the new French Window, we had to go back to Singaporean chef, Justin Quek’s first restaurant in Hong Kong – Cépage we were reminded of Chef Quek’s first claim to fame at Les Amis in Singapore. Having parted ways, both with their own success, the Les Amis Group entered the Hong Kong dining scene with Cépage. It’s been a while since we last came here. Critics were doubting its survival when it opened at the end of 2008 during the height of the financial tsunami. With a HK$14 million renovation cost, you can’t blame them. However, consistent good food, excellent wines and persistence proved them wrong.
Before our dinner we were offered the 48 month Joselito ham, which was very tasty and firm, but melted in our mouths. Since it was the celebration of the Winter Solstice (冬至), we went all out for the seven course Dégustation menu (HK$1,380/US$177) instead of the Table D’Hôte (HK$888/US$114). As the Chinese say, this day is more important than the Chinese New Year. And for the superstitious part of R (which golfer isn’t), it was fortunate that we ordered the ham as seven dishes is not auspicious for Chinese…
We opted to select a wine from their extensive 2,000+ wine list rather then bring our own (the corkage was HK$500/US$64). The sommelier recommended the 2000 Chateau Trotanoy from Pomerol. A very good full bodied wine with strong earthy aromas. However, it was a bit too overwhelming for the first few seafood dishes.
Nevertheless, Chef Quek Thomas Mayr did not disappoint. The first course started with a carpaccio of Normandy scallops with citrus fruits and Osciètre caviar. Very simple and all the flavors blended well together, proving that simple is sweet.
The oxtail consommé was incredible. Just a consommé may not sound too interesting, but when a truffle-leek ravioli and poached quail egg were added… The ravioli burst with the pungent flavors of the truffle and the quail’s egg was poached to perfection, runny on the inside. That made all the difference.
Instead of the marinated pineapple and lemon sorbet (nothing sour), C ordered a selection of cheeses from their wide trolley selection. I guess different people have different ways of cleaning their palates. After dessert, R was recommended to try the lychee oolong tea. Coffee keeps him awake at night (a sign of aging) so no coffee thank you. This tea was perfect and very refreshing. It was in the form of a tea bag, so we must see if we can find it at our local supermarket. (Update: the tea was concocted by a tea artist in Singapore, so I guess we’ll have to come back for more.)
We were so stuffed after the whole dinner, but when the petit fours came, one caught our eye. It was the sesame chocolate…delicious. A must try.
– 18/20
Cépage
23 Wing Fung Street
Wanchai, Hong Kong
T: +852 2861 3130
E: cepage.hk@lesamis.com.sg
W: www.lesamis.com.sg (under Outlets)
Note: Closed on Sundays
091222 Cépage - Main entrance on Wing Fung Street
091222 Cépage - 2000 Ch. Trotanoy
091222 Cépage - 48 month Joselito ham
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Review – The French Window, Hong Kong
Updated with feedback from Cépage’s PR company.
The invasion by Singapore’s celebrity chef Justin Quek has put another flag on Hong Kong’s culinary map. After Cépage and Whisk at The Mira Hong Kong, he recently was the dining consultant for The Miramar Group’s The French Window inside the IFC Mall in Central. Surprisingly, the restaurant was not even half full. That’s probably why we were able to make a reservation on just their second day of opening. We’re always a bit cautious about trying a new restaurant so early, but it was to celebrate R’s Dad’s birthday, so we went for it. And Chef Quek should be familiar with the local market by now, right?
Entering the restaurant was like walking into a maze. Long corridors took us past the wine fridges and finally to the dining area. Our table had spectacular views of Victoria Harbour looking towards Kowloon side, through large floor to ceiling windows.
There were two set menus, the eight course Gourmet (HK$1,280/US$164) or the five course Dégustation (HK$780/US$100). We went for the latter. There’s also à la carte, which includes almost everything in the set menus. HK$600/US$77 extra adds wine paired with all the courses. But we bought our own – a 1996 Les Forts de Latour, which was drinking really well. A very smooth full bodied wine with great balance. Corkage was HK$350/US$45, which can be waived if you order a bottle from their extensive wine list.
The amuse-bouche was the largest portion that we had ever seen. The cep mushroom soup was like a course on its own…nice, but a bit too much to start.
The Angus super prime beef tartare was good, much better than Bistecca, but we still prefer it the old fashioned way where they prepare it in front of you. The grilled scallop with cep mushroom was perfect. Very fresh and juicy. Too bad there was just one…well it is a tasting menu after all. The pot au feu with foie gras and black truffle was very tasty. The pan seared foie gras was crispy on the outside and just right inside, not overdone nor too raw. When the pan seared lamb came, we all dropped our jaws at the presentation. The potatoes were cut into very thin strips, wrapped around a tube (I think) and deep fried. The result, a hollow wire tube made of potatoes – kind of like a stretched out Slinky toy. The lamb was very tender although the end cut was slightly over cooked.
Dessert was not as stunning though. The sampler included an almond cream, chocolate biscuit and a modern version of Tutti Frutti. They tasted rather bland and nothing spectacular. Really wanted to try the Tarte Tartin though. Anyway, maybe our faces showed our disappointment, so the manager offered us a special biscuit (a long one) with almond cream which helped regain some points.
Overall, the food was excellent and despite being open for only two days, things went relatively smooth. The waiters were maybe a bit too attentive at times as they announced in between every course that they were changing the cutlery for the next dish. Whereas we think they should introduce the dish when it arrives so that you can actually see it.
Chef Quek’s cuisine never disappoints and under Head Chef, Mickael Le Calvez, this is no exception.
– 17/20
The French Window
3101, podium level 3, ifc mall
Central, Hong Kong
T: +852 2393 3812
E: inquiry@thefrenchwindow.hk
W: www.thefrenchwindow.hk
091207 French Window - Entrance through wine cellar
091207 French Window - Restaurant dining area
091207 French Window - Bread plate setting
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Review – Crêpes & Co., Bangkok, Thailand
As avid fans of crêpes for a long time, we accidentally came across this place a few years ago while researching restaurants in Bangkok. Philippe Bruttin, a Swiss-Bulgarian, introduced the crêperie to Bangkok in 1996. Sadly he passed away in 2000 and the restaurant is now run by his youngest brother Serge. It’s a bit off the beaten track, but once inside, you’ll feel like you just entered into their home. There’s a quaint small garden with a few tables for outdoor seating. At the waiting area, you’ll find plenty of magazines to read in case you need to wait for a table. Kids (and adults) can also share the owner’s love for Tintin comics as well as Asterix too. Ever since, it’s been on our must visit list every time we go to Bangkok.
This time, R tried the Crêpe Bourgignonne (with bacon, chicken, onion and tomato sauce). C on the other hand, not keen on crêpes as a main course, ordered the Eggs Benedictine and substituted the salmon for ham. Must have been really good as it was gone in an instant. The crêpes are very authentic – thin and slightly crispy at the edges. It was a tad dry at first, but once we got to the tomatoes and onions, it was perfect.
Then we ordered dessert – the main reason for coming. Crêpes Suzette was a must though it was a bit too sweet. Maybe should have asked for more liqueur. C ordered the Banane Chocolat – banana and chocolate sauce. It was huge and no wonder, they must have put three bananas inside or even more!
On the menu was a Banane Cognac – banana with honey and whipped cream flambéed with cognac…sounds very interesting. Well we’ll just have to come back again soon.
18/20
Crêpes & Co.
18/1, Sukhumvit Soi 12
Klongtoey 10110
Bangkok
Thailand
T: +66 (2) 653 3990
E: info@Crepes.co.th
W: www.crepes.co.th
091123 Crêpes & Co. - Off the beaten track
091123 Crêpes & Co. - Entrance to the garden
091123 Crêpes & Co. - Outdoor seating
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Review – Chez Moi, Hong Kong
Tucked away on the 3rd floor of an old building in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong – i.e. no lifts – this private kitchen is very cozy. The main dining room seats around 20-30 people and our party of 10 occupied the private room.
We started with steamed mussels, from Australia and France. And no question the French mussels were way better, both in taste as well as texture. Vive la France! Then the pan-seared goose liver was just outstanding. Although two friends had slightly overcooked servings, ours were perfect. Crunchy on the outside and warm and juicy in the center.
The ‘cappuccino’ mushroom soup was perfect. The mains, the Wagyu rib eye steak and Kagoshima pork rack were a bit disappointing though. Not that they were bad, there just wasn’t any surprise.
The apple crumble was OK, again not bad, bit nothing to write home about.
This being our second visit, we remember the food to be better last time. However, at HK$350 (US$45) for the set menu (ours ended up to around HK$400 (US$50) with the mussels) it is very good value for money. There is no corkage too, so drink your hearts out.
14/20
Chez Moi
3/F, 17 Yun Ping Road
Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
T: +852 2881 1929
091008 Chez Moi - Steamed Australian mussels
091008 Chez Moi - Steamed French mussels
091008 Chez Moi - French Seafood plate
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