Eat Drink Hong Kong

22 Shepherd Street
Tai Hang
Hong Kong
Tel 2890 9308

58 Tung Lo Wan Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2881 1901

G/F Belle House
98-104 Hing Fat Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2834 7748

23 Whitfield Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2566 8468

25/F Morecrown Commercial Building
108 Electric Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2234 6628

This is a cosy little French restaurant on Whitfield Road in North Point. I’m sure it does a roaring trade at lunch times but in the evenings, when all the office staff have left the area, there doesn’t seem to be many customers around. That, of course, makes it a perfect spot for a quiet and romantic interlude. Alas, I was on my own.

But I wasn’t about to let that spoil my enjoyment. Even empty the restaurant has a lot of atmosphere. A variety of oil paintings line the walls while screens and a lamp help break up the rectangular shape of the room. A flagstone floor and art deco light fittings create the impression of a small bistro somewhere in Paris in the 1950s.

An intelligent selection of background music, that included selections by Edith Piaf and Django Reinhardt/Stéphane Grappelli’s Hot Five’s amongst others, completed the illusion.

It is a set menu but there are a range of options. The prices are $298 or $328 depending on you choice of entrée. I ordered glass of Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon ($65) and thought about it.

The first course was soup. There was a choice between Clam Chowder and Seafood. I had opted for the latter which I found to be very agreeable.

This was followed by a rather delicious pan-seared foie gras. The outside was thin and crisp, the inside creamy and rich and absolutely bursting with flavour. There were several other options on the menu but when I make a return visit I know I’m going to find it hard to pass this one up in favour of something else.

The main course was Roast Suckling Pig. Served with asparagus and potato the flavour of the meat was wonderfully balanced with rosemary and thyme. Succulent and tender and with a beautifully golden and crisp outer skin.

Bringing up the rear was coffee and creme caramel. I did think about asking if there was a cheese board, I didn’t remember seeing it on the menu. But in the end I decided I was already feeling well satisfied so I let it pass.

I paid my bill, which I must say was very reasonable for the quality of the meal, said au revoir and stepped out of the Paris of fifty years ago and back into the Hong Kong of today

This little place away on a side street off Kings Road in Tin Hau was a happy find. It’s quite a brightly lit place with decor that consists of one wall in a neat wooden alpine chalet chalet style which faces a wall illuminated with early seventies style light fittings.

Between these is a towering fake palm tree with strings of flowers, again fake, bringing colour to the scene. It’s not unpleasant, just a little odd. And it certainly didn’t seem to be putting anyone off, at just after seven in the evening the restaurant seemed to be doing very well.

Wood smoked meats and fish and stone grilled pizza are specialties although there are a number of other mostly European choices. I ordered a glass of house white and perused the menu. They actually had quite an interesting selection of wine but I can’t drink a whole bottle to myself.

For starters I had sautéed mixed mushrooms ($48) which were agreeable. They included Portobello and Shiitake and one perhaps two others but I suspect this dish may vary from day to day depending on what chef finds in the market. Nevertheless it was a generous serving garnished with green salad.

For main I fancied the wood-smoked meat dishes and for $268 you can choose any three. For an additional $20 you can upgrade one of the meat options to fish. I ordered the New Zealand tenderloin, duck breast and red snapper.

The wood-smoking affected each type of meat differently. In the duck the difference was quite subtle whilst the snapper acquired a luxurious smoky, woody flavour that was quite delicious.

They were all delightfully arranged on a bed of creamed potato and vegetables and served on a wooden platter.

I rounded the proceeding off with a yoghurt and light cheesecake with mango ($38) and a coffee.

A full stomach always makes one feel well disposed to the world and by the end of the meal I’d forgiven the palm tree it’s transgressions and was beginning to look upon it almost with affection. In fact I’m quite looking forward to seeing it again and trying some more of the wood-smoked seafood options.

G/F Hon Man Mansion
9-11 Wing Hing Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2503 3222

G/F 39 Electric Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 3579 2486

G/F 88 Electric Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2508 0122

22/F Park Commercial Building
180 Tung Lo Wan Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2380 1688

9 Tsing Fung Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2571 0913

15 Lau Li Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 3104 0066

Basement, Newton Hotel
218 Electric Road
North Point
Hong Kong
Tel 2508 1081
Fax 2508 1950

G/F 23 Whitfield Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2512 2003

1 Ngan Mok Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2887 05876

G/F Bella House
102 Hing Fat Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2887 2098
Fax 2887 6691

G/F 56 Electric Road
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2234 6691

G/F Fook Wah Mansion
2 Tsing Fung Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2566 8411
Fax 2578 5866

G/F Bella House
102 Hing Fat Street
Tin Hau
Hong Kong
Tel 2887 2098
Fax 2887 6691