bc magazine

Learn Traditional French Cooking

Two years ago Disciples Escoffier, the French culinary association launched a partnership with Towngas Cooking Centre to offer a course in traditional French cooking the Disciples Escoffier Diploma in Culinary Arts. Established in France in 1954, and based on a 5,000 menu cookbook published in 1903, the Disciples Escoffier Diploma is an intense and expensive culinary programme, taught locally by chef Vincent Leroux and split into the 3 levels. Each level features 180 hours of study and cooking over three months.

The Basic level ($60,000) teaches the core French cooking techniques, including knifing skills, ingredients and sauce matching, handling of unusual ingredients, as well as dish plating and creativity training. Upon completion of the course and passing the exam you can move onto the Intermediate ($70,000) and Upper ($80,000) levels.

The ability and quality of those able to complete the full course is such that the CEO of the Institut Culiniaire Disciples Escoffier Robert Fontana commented that if he rang a Michelin starred restaurant in France and asked them if they’d employ a course graduate – the restaurant would offer them a trial sight unseen purely based on the person having graduated the course. Application for the February 2017 basic course is now open, contact 2576 1535 for more information.

Luxe Culinary Launch

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Nelson Siu publisher of local wine magazine Wine Luxe has launched a new catering service Luxe Culinary offering bespoke and celebrity chef catering. Currently there are three celebrity chefs on board celebrity chefs: Charmaine Cheung, Christian Yang and Jacky Yu and they have created a range of menus and canapés (priced upwards from $300 per 12 pieces).

As well food they offer advice on food and wine parings, cutlery and everything you need when you’d rather have someone else do the heavy lifting at your next party/ corporate event.

Megabites: Dub concept by SAAM

The graffiti clad exterior of Dub is deceptive, for inside the space that used to be SAAM new chef Kaleb Davis has worked to combine the ethos behind his 5star hotel experience with the relaxed friendly street vibe of New Zealand where the Hong Kong native grew up.

The result, in combination with long term friends Bibiana Ling and Alex Gardner, is a relaxed comfortable 25 seat venue that offers a small but varied menu of comfort food. But expect the menu to expand as Kaleb and Alex experiment with the latest in food preparation ‘toys’, from restaurant owner Catering Depot, in their new kitchen.

Dub invited bc to sample some of the dishes on their soft opening menu. Upon arrival we were served with a 3 roll bread basket which included a tasty squid ink roll that went nicely with the herb butter. All the wines are available by the glass.

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For starters we had the quail scotch egg; quail eggs wrapped in homemade pork cheek sausage meat and then breaded and cooked and served on a bed of horseradish. A nice twist on the traditional scotch egg, with the diced cut pork cheek having a lovely texture and offering good strong but not overpowering flavours to start; with four halves to a portion there’s plenty to go around.

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Served with sourdough toast slices, the tartare is fresh and fairly spicy with the mix a little heavy on the onions and capers – which might not please those who prefer a more full meat tartare. The flavour is good and the portion size enough to share.

The menu currently consists of six main dishes Wagyu Beef & Pork Cheek Rissoles ($228), Crispy 24Hour Pork Belly ($228), Charred Spring Chicken ($228), Lamb T-Bones 140oz ($298) 1/2 Breaded Red Mullet Fillets ($198) andGoats Cheese Tortellini ($178). Fellow diners were effusive and vocal in their enjoyment of the pork belly and tortellini options.

bc tried the wagyu beef and pork rissoles served on bed of orzo pasta risotto with a smoked tomato sauce. Orzo pasta is a short cut pasta shaped like a rice grain, and makes for a risotto that’s a little different to that your taste buds are expecting. The wagyu beef and pork cheek rissoles are cooked pink and full of flavour with the meat juices enriching the risotto. A very enjoyable dish, although the smoked flavour of the tomato sauce was barely noticeable amidst the other strong flavours of the rest of the dish.

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bc can’t remember seeing lamb served locally as a T-bone steak before and the concept is intriguing and tasty – here two t-bones are served with beautifully roasted potatoes. But it’s a dish that’s a work in progress, the two t-bones were cooked rare, almost blue for the thicker one, making the meat difficult to remove from the small bones. While Dub has a street vibe, it’s not the sort of place where you feel comfortable picking up and chewing the bone to get at that lovely flavour. The sweet wine sauce served on the side was nice but overpowered the meaty flavour of the lamb. A slightly thinner cut of t-bones, maybe an inch thick rather two inches and the option to have the ‘t-bone’ steaks cooked to ones preference would let this dish shine.

There’s a range of sides including: Mac n Cheese Arancini ($68), Truffle Fries ($58), Eggplant and Buffalo Mozzarella salad ($128). While the dessert options include Pecan Pie ($88), Mango Creme Brulee ($88) and Apple Tarte Tatin with Salted Caramel Ice-cream ($88)

Dub is a friendly relaxed place with efficient but un-obtrusive service. The dishes are familiar but with a twist, the flavours complex but not so that you can’t relax over a meal. Portion sizes are good, and plated with care. There’s an understated attention to detail that promises more to come as Kaleb becomes comfortable with his kitchen and that subtle difference between working for someone and being Chef and Owner of his own restaurant.

Dub concept by SAAM
51d Graham Street, Central. Tel: 2645 9828
www.dubhongkong.com

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Megabites: Buffets and Bubbles

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Lots of tasty choices this summer including a Brazilian themed buffet at Cafe Renaissance and bubble parties for your kids at Frites.

Brazilian Buffet @ Cafe Renaissance
In Hong Kong we can enjoy cuisines from around the world, there’s surprisingly few restaurants offering South American fare. In celebration of the Olympics, Café Renaissance in Wanchai is expanding it’s regular lunch and dinner buffet to feature a rotating selection of popular Brazilian dishes.

Curated by Brazilian Guest Chef Lucio Mauro the indigenous menu includes Arracacha soup with shredded chicken, black eyed peas beans salad, palm heart spaghetti with avocado salad, chicken conquetes and cheese balls salad.

The hot entree section includes prawns with cassava and coconut rice, a delicious Feijoada- which is a black bean stew with sausages and pork. Or try the Escondidinho (beef jerky and potato) that’s a popular dish from Northeast Brazil.

Barbecue in Brazil is known as Churrasco, Hong Kong law doesn’t allow charcoal cooking inside, so the beef, lamb and chicken Churrasco are cooked traditionally but using an electric grill instead.

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Brazil has lots of tasty desserts including: Brigadeiro (a truffle ball with a rich chocolate flavour), beetroot chocolate cake, coconut pudding with prune sauce and minute tapioca with dulce de leite are served on weekends.

All Cafe Renaissance’s regular signature buffet dishes are still availalble including Australian oysters, steamed live Boston lobster, sashimi, sushi, grilled and roasted meats and over twenty desserts plus cheese and ice-cream

The Brazilian Lunch Buffet is served 12-2:30pm Monday to Friday ($308) and 11:30am-2:30pm on weekends ($338). The Brazilian Dinner Buffet 6:30-10pm daily: $568 from Monday to Thursday and $588 from Friday to Sunday. The price includes free flow of chilled fresh juices, soft drinks and in the evening a special Brazilian mocktails will be served at night.
Cafe Renaissance: Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai. Tel: 2584 6871

Bubbles @ Frites
FRITES is hosting children’s Bubble Parties every Saturday and Sunday until the end of July to entertain youngsters while their parents relax and enjoy their lunch. The free bubble sessions lasting 30 minutes are at 2pm and 4pm while there are other children’s activities happening across lunchtime. For more details visit www.frites.hk

Megabites: Mine @ Lan Kwai Fong

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Mine opened recently in Lan Kwai Fong, and is the latest by the team behind Ra, Zinc, and Port. The raw industrial look that characterised Port in TST is again in evidence with rough wooden plank walls reminiscent of a mine shaft while a mine truck rumbles above the fuel station (bar). The subterranean feel continues throughout with stones wrapped around protruding surfaces. The effect is of a mine tunnel but the bar is high ceilinged open and friendly with a dance floor at the rear. The outside tables, which include some cool saddle style stools, offer prime drinking and people watching opportunities.

The drinks menu and cocktail list feature a range of themed cocktails ($120/HH$80) martinis ($120/$80) and shooters ($85/$55). Draught beer is ($78/$45) while house / premium spirits are $80/ $90. Happy hour is 5-9pm daily.

The food menu is small with interesting takes on traditional pub dishes designed to be enjoyed or shared with a drink.

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Served in an iron skillet the Mac and Cheese Bullion ($78) is macaroni and cheese rolled into balls, breaded and deep fried and served with a sauce of mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup and chilli flakes to give it a little bite. Very tasty.

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The Smoked Pork Quesadillas ($138) are filled with pulled pork, lashings of jack and cheddar cheese lightly grilled until the cheese melts and served with fresh guacamole and sour cream. Delicious.

The Bacon Chicken Fries ($98) are thin fries covered in melted cheese, bacon and grilled chicken. A lovely combination that just screams out for a topping of gravy to transform this into a delicious poutine. A touch choice here between these and the nachos.

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The Chicken Waffle ($148) is a homemade waffle cut into eight and topped with cubes of grilled chicken breast, chipotle jam, jalapeño sauce, maple syrup and ranch dressing. It looks awesome and the balance of sweet and spice is perfect. The only slight problem with this dish is as the waffle cools it becomes soggy and doesn’t support the chicken. The solution, don’t let it get cold.

Served on a cast iron spade the Cuban Sandwich ($98) is pulled pork, pickles, sweet ham, yellow mustard and swiss cheese in a long bun served with a basket of fries. If you order it with the other dishes it doesn’t look quite as attractive, but it’s very filling, tasty and goes well with a cold beer/cider.

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For those looking for a lighter option, the Asian Steak Salad ($128) features rib-eye steak, cubed mango, avocado, cherry tomatoes, spinach, red cabbage and a slightly sweet Thai sauce with peanuts served on the side. A tasty salad for those looking for something more healthy.

The dishes are perfect for sharing or eating alone, portion sizes are good and the food quality is well above your average pub grub fare. The option exists on most dishes to swap the main meat if for example you prefer a chicken salad / quesadilla. Mine is a fun bar for a drink that also happens to serve some nicely presented and tasty bar food.

Mine
31 D’Aguilar Road, Lan Kwai Fong. Tel: 2461 7888
Open: 16:00-04:00 daily
Mine’s food menu is also on offer at Zinc.

Megabites: Indian Curry Express

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Indian Curry Express which opened recently in Sai Ying Pun offers home style Indian cuisine from a small ‘hole in the wall’ style outlet on Water Street. Don’t let the looks deceive you this is local dining at it’s best, small tables a constant stream of customers including even after just a couple of weeks numerous regulars and good food, oh such lovely food and all msg free.

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According to the friendly owners Delhi couple Rajesh and Nanda Maindola good food is the key to any restaurant and concept is at the heart of Indian Curry Express’s kitchen. The menu is extensive offering all the traditional Indian vegetarian and meat dishes. bc started with perhaps the best mango lassi ($10) for the price in Hong Kong, not too sweet and with a well balanced flavour. The vegetarian samosas (3 for $30) were delicious with firm pastry a well cooked filling and not oily at all. The Khadai Paneer ($70) was full of texture and flavours but maybe a little light on paneer.

The Daal Makhni is superb, lovely texture and consistency and full of flavour – if you can’t eat it all, it tastes perhaps even better cold the next day! The Vegetable Biryani ($60) is a large portion of perfectly cooked and flavoured rice served with a slightly sweet curry. The Butter Chicken ($80) features a nicely balanced creamy textured lightly sweet sauce embracing tender soft chicken, while the Lamb Roganjosh ($80) just crumbles in the delicious sauce. All of these delightful light, tasty and filling dishes are best eaten and sopped up with soft freshly made Tawa roti.

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We’re always reticent to talk up a new restaurant too much especially a small one, as people then go with expanded expectations but bc visited with two Indian foodies and both enjoyed their dinner. Street side dining is not for everyone – so take your lunch/diner away or enjoy free local delivery.

Indian Curry Express currently offers some of the tastiest Indian food around and bc hopes as they invariably get busier they can keep up the quality, that ‘made at home’ style feel and the extra bit of tlc that all these dishes feel like they have. Delicious!

Indian Curry Express: 27 Water Street, Sai Ying Pun. Tel: 6744 6915
Opening Hours: noon-3:30pm; 6-10pm
www.facebook.com/indiancurryexpress.hk
[email protected]
(If you enjoy your Indian cuisine spicy then ask the kitchen when you order.)

Megabites: Gold Coast Prime Rib

Opened at the start of June, the Gold Coast Prime Rib is one of the least inspiring looking places you’ll dine at. It literally is a window area in the corner of the vast lobby at the Gold Coast Hotel over-looking the swimming pool and the marina. The only notable difference to the rest of the lobby is that the chairs are a different colour, but looks shouldn’t deter you.

The menu is sparse, but this is not a bad thing – doing a few things well, is better than a lot of things averagely. The signature US prime rib sets are offered in 3 ($288), 5 ($368) or 7 ($488) racks and carved from a full rack at the table. The set also includes a salad or soup or dessert and a side dish from a choice of garlic mushrooms, creamy spinach, garlic rice, truffle fries or mashed potatoes with black truffle jus.

The menu also offers a selection of grills sets pork fillet mignon (7oz, $348), New York strip (12oz, $428), double cut pork chop (14oz, $398), Australian lamb chop (8oz, $328), French spring chicken (14oz, $398) and Scottish salmon (7oz, $368). All come with the same choice of extras as the rib sets. There are also soups and salads for those looking for a lighter meal.

The Prime Rib is only open in the evening and our media visit was over lunch so bc chose the New York strip. The 12oz steak filled the plate unlike so many of today’s main courses where the meat looks lost among the artistic sauce dribbles. The inch or so thick cut steak was cooked medium rare just as we asked and was juicy, tender, flavourful and really rather good. For those who like a sauce with their steak there’s a choice of cafe de paris butter, bearnaise, black pepper with cognac, creamy five peppercorn or black truffle gravy.

The sides dishes which are served separately are generously portioned. The black truffle mash potato had a nice texture and flavour as did the creamy spinach.

Given its location the Gold Coast Prime Rib is not perhaps worth a special trip – although there’s a free hotel bus from Canton Road (30 mins each way) – unlike the Gold Coast Hotel’s creative afternoon teas (see below). But if you are in the area and fancy a good well portioned meal, then it’s definitely worth considering.

If you have kids perhaps it’s best not to show them pictures of the new fun teas sets at the Gold Coast Hotel they put those bird cage sets to shame with a series of wonderful themed tea sets. Someone had a lot of fun creating them, there are six available ‘Ding Ding’ Hong Kong tram, princess, dinosaur, outer space, pirate and safari with matching themed rooms for those who want to stay.

For visitors only the ‘Ding Ding’ and pirate are currently available a la carte. Full of prime New York steak, bc didn’t extensively sample the full offerings of each set but the bits that we did sample were uniformly good. And compared to some of the tea sets around town there’s a fair of food for hungry parents and kid. The impressive centrepieces are made of chocolate, and not supposed to be eaten, but quite how they’ll prevent kids breaking off a piece of I’m not sure… Each themed tea set is $680 and needs to be ordered a day in advance.

Gold Coast Prime Rib
Gold Coast Hotel, 1 Castle Peak Road (Castle Peak Bay), Tsuen Wan
www.sino-hotels.com/hk/gold-coast

Megabites: Mr Greek

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Amongst the plethora of eateries in Mongkok is the recently opened Mr Greek. The Bute Street outlet is the first Asian restaurant (operated as a franchise) of the popular Canadian chain and offers a wide range of popular Greek and Canadian dishes.

Simple sides and snacks include souvlaki, spanakopita ($35) grilled vegetables ($15), roasted potatoes ($15) and fresh made pita with delicious fresh dips ($15/$19).

The mains are generously sized and include six different variations on the classic Canadian poutine: ‘Bacon Lovers’, ‘Hot Dogging’, Tzatziki, Guacamole and Spicy Feta are all $40. The signature Oh My Gravy ($40) is a piled high plate of chips, of the big fat variety-cooked fluffy in the middle, covered in delicious home-made gravy, mozzarella, cheese curds and feta cheese. It’s a lovely filling plate of carb to enjoy alone or with a friend and perfect washed down with a cold beer (liquor licence coming soon).

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The selection of stuffed pita includes roast chicken ($45), pulled pork ($45) and the signature Apollo Wrap ($75) which is a pita full of 8oz of fresh beef, salad, fresh Tzatziki dressing and a side of chips. It’s a big fresh mouthful!

For seafood lovers there’s calamari and soft shell crab offered as mains ($100) or taster sizes. And for the salad aficionados there are grilled chicken ($55), grilled salmon ($78) and tangy chickpea ($35).

All the ingredients are freshly prepared on the premises or imported from Greece and portions are large enough that you really can share with your friends. Currently there are no desserts, but these should be coming soon.

It’s not fancy, but it’s tasty, filling and good size portions, what’s not to like! So if you’re in the neighbourhood and looking for a snack or a filling meal then check out Mr Greek.

Mr Greek: 64 Bute Street, Mongkok. Tel: 2866 9308
Opening Hours: Noon-Midnight everyday
www.facebook.com/Mr-Greek-Asia

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