Telephone number: + (852) 342 88 342

Website: http://www.aqua.com.hk/

    http://www.aqua.com.hk/#/?eng&hutong&concept

Date of visit: March 2010

Approximate cost per head: $500 plus. There is a tasting menu at $888 per head.

Comments on wine list/beer: Really upmarket list for HK. Prices start at $450 + per bottle and you can get first growth at a ridiculous price

Summary:

This is part of the Aqua Restaurant group – url included – they serve northern chinese style food in this restaurant.

Aqua specialise in upmarket restaurant (Italian, Chinese, Japanese etc) located in “specialist” buildings. They have a restaurant ontop of the “old” Dickens and Jones, Regent St, London.

Hutong occupies the whole of the 28^th floor of a building sited on the Kowloon side of the harbour. This place has probably the best HK skyline night view – better than Felix (Peninsula Hotel). The view from the Kowloon side is more interesting as the view on the Central District water front has all the interesting buildings (HSBC, Bank of China etc) whilst the Kowloon side is more standarsised.

We shared spring rolls, lamb kebabs, braised prawns, string beans with minced pork, steamed bread rolls and apple strudel (chinese version). This was washed down with a bottle of Italian water and a bottle of 2001 Barbera (Piedmont). Total bill came to $1481 including 10% service charge.

The food here is strong on presentation. Food on the whole tastes quite good.

The two dishes that were a bit bland were the prawns and the steamed bread rolls.

Re the others: the vegetarian spring rolls were served with a spring onions and black vinegar dip on a black tile. The lamb kebabs were very spicy but moreish. The string beans were just right with a good bite and the minced pork extremely lean. Portions side were pretty good.

It was a great meal in a fantastic place ruined by MNBA (Virgin Amex card) who refused to authorise the transaction – this was the third time that same day when I had trouble. Twice I had to take a call from their Indian call centre asking the same questions to make sure that my card wasn’t stolen. Each time, they promised to put on record that I was in HK and spending money. This time, I had to call UK to get the transaction cleared (the call took 15 minutes as the operator kept having to put me on hold). That was the last time I used the card in HK. No such trouble with my Waitrose (HSBC) card.

 By the way, you will need to book days if not weeks ahead. You can book online. They do not take bookings more than a month ahead.

E

Telephone number: + (852) 2840 7788

Website: http://www.peninsula.com/Peninsula_Hotels/en/default.aspx#/Hong_Kong/en/

Date of visit: March 2010

Approximate cost per head for 2 courses: N/A. If you are worried, don’t go.

Comments on wine list/beer: Everything available at a (highish) price

Summary:

It has been at least a decade since I stayed at the Penn. It’s a great hotel but as it’s so famous, everyone (9 out of 10 tourists) goes there to have their picture taken. It has therefore lost its tranquillity in the foyer and is now like a busy railway station.

As you approach it, you can see the famous green Rolls Royce parked outside. They provide a pick up service from the airport.

Afternoon Tea

This is provided in the dining areas in the foyer. They have a weird system. On the right (as you enter) is reserved for resident guests and non residents are required to queue on the left in front of the check-in counter.

Afternoon tea costs $398 for 2 or $250 for one. Beer is $68 a bottle. Add another 10% for service. ($11.30=£1)

Tea consists of a 3 layer cake tray with various cakes and sandwiches plus a coffee ice cream served in a small coffee cup plus tea or coffee. The cakes (fruit cakes, cream cakes, macaroons, etc) were good but not fantastic. Service was attentive. But you are here to be seen or to people watch. I was surprised to see one table with a chap in shorts. In the 90s, they would not have served you if you are wearing shorts.

(There will be an article comparing tea between the Peninsula (Tsim Sha Tsui), Mandarin Oriental (Central) and the Regal (Causeway Bay).

Felix

Felix was a bar at the top of the Penn with great views over the Harbour and the rest of Tsim Sha Tsui. It’s now a dining area with 2 smaller bars.

The loos are famous as it was designed by Philip Stack and its one of the 2 places that you can wee to a view (the other being the male members’ toilet at the Lords Pavillion on the ground floor).

Drinks here are ridiculously priced – house champagne is $180 a glass. Beer are around $80 for 330mls and cocktails are $100 plus. Both bars are waiter service (add 10%) and have only long communal tables.

The view here is amazing. Go for the sunset before the crowd moves in. The lift to Felix is at the back of the hotel (Middle Road entrance) on the right shopping arcade as you enter or left if you are coming from the foyer. Felix is only open in the evening from 5.30pm.

There are also European and a Chinese restaurant at the hotel – both are supposed to be pretty good.

E

Web site: www.kong.fr

Telephone number: France 0140390900

Date of visit: 12th March 2010

Approx. cost per head: €50

Comments on wine list/beer: good selection by glass

Media link:

Review:

We went for lunch without a reservation. The restaurant sits on the top floor of the building which overlooks the Seine at Pont Neuf.
The bar area was empty but the upstairs restaurant was fairly packed. However a table was found for us promptly.
The design of the restaurant, by Philippe Starck, competes with the spectacular views and even on an overcast day the latter wins.
The restaurant had a very modern, airy and light feel with the Starck staples: the Ghost chair, the gnomes etc.
We had the Kong plate (a selection of sashimi and satay – €29) to share for starters. The course was on the whole pretty good.
Our mains were miso cod and lobster udon. Both were done to perfection. 
Our main concern with this restaurant was the level of service. We had to remind the waiter of our drink order three times. One glass of wine arrived after the dish it was meant to accompany had already been consumed.
Lastly, we ordered a Pierre Herme dessert, which when it eventually arrived was well worth the wait.

Ken

Subject: Top London Restaurant for Romantic Meal

Text: Dear Eddie,

For our wedding anniversary last year my husband and I went to the top floor of Smiths of Smithfield in London which was amazing both in terms of service and quality of food. We are looking for a restaurant of a similar quality in London to go to this year but don’t want to go to a restaurant in a hotel. We would like British/French food. 

Any suggestions?

Many thanks,

laura Richards

Hi Laura,

Your previous place seemed to have offered ambience, views as well as good food. If John Torode reads this column, he should be very proud of the Top Floor at Smiths of Smithfield.

I am goiung to assume that you are happy with £50 a head without drinks

Lets start with 3 restaurants with views:

Oxo tower Restaurant – Oxo Tower Wharf , Barge House St, London SE1 9PH. T: 0207 803 3888 o

http://www.harveynichols.com/output/Page128.asp

This place gives you a great view across The Thames.

Next,

Galvin at Windows, The London Hilton, Park Lane, W1K 1BE 0207 208 4021

http://www.galvinatwindows.com/

 This gives you a view across Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace.  I know that you said no hotels but increasingly, top chefs operate out of Hotels on a “rental” basis and its not the same kitchen as room service. This is modern British cooking with a twist.

Another place is Gary Rodes’ Rodes 24 at Tower 24, Old Broad St, London EC2N 1HQ, T: 0207 877 7703. This is on top of the Gerkin and Rodes is always reliable.

http://www.rhodes24.co.uk/

All three places offers great food and views.

However, if you would prefer diner followed by a West End show, try Marco Pierre-White’s

The Criterion, 224 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HP T:0207 930 0488

Don’t expect to see him. He has given up cooking but he has good chefs working for him. The art deco restaurant is one of the most interesting in London and you are right next door to Piccadilly Circus.

Finally, if you simply wish to look into each other’s eyes with minimal distractions, try

Le Gavroche, 43 Upper Brook St, London W1K 7QR, T: 0207  408 0881. This is managed by the other Masterchef  judge Michel Roux Jr. There is no better classic french restaurant in London.

http://www.le-gavroche.co.uk/

Hope this is what you want.

Eddie

30 November 2009