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No one could accuse Coconuts Hong Kong readers of being cheap, but we know you guys love a bargain when you see one. The 10th edition of Restaurant Week should therefore have you in a state of almost unbearable anticipation, as some of the fanciest restos in town drop their prices for a 10-day foodie frenzy between Feb. 26 and March 6.
As a scramble for reservations is ensured, DiningCity have been nice enough to set aside a special priority booking period (Feb 18-22) for cuisine-conscious Coconauts. All you need to do now is decide exactly where your minimal amounts of money will secure the best grub.
All restaurants listed below are offering three-course set lunch menus for HKD198 and three-course dinners for HKD398.
Zuma
Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central
Yeah, we all splash out for the Zuma brunch when we’re feeling fancy, but let’s face it, we make sure we get our money’s worth by eating our weight in sashimi and ensuring there’s only minimal blood in our Champagne systems. Actually enjoying a normal lunch or dinner at this classic Central institution is an activity generally reserved for birthdays – and that’s only if someone else is footing the bill.
During this most holiest of weeks, however, the three-course lunch for HKD198 includes Seared Salmon with Lime Shiso and Soy; Sirloin Steak, Sautéed Mushrooms and Wafu Sauce; and Miso Marinated Black Cod wrapped in Hoba Leaf. Dinner meanwhile offers the likes of Steamed Edamame with Sea Salt; Spicy Beef Tenderloin with Sesame, Red Chilli and Sweet Soy; and Green Tea Banana Cake with Coconut Ice Cream and Peanut Toffee Sauce. For just HKD398 per person, it can be your birthday every day!
La Saison by Jacques Barnarchon
2/F, The Cameron, 33 Cameron Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
If the multitude of Continental foodies in Hong Kong are to be believed, great French grub at a decent price is hard to find here. La Saison – run by Michelin-starred chef Jacques Barnarchon – is unfortunately not somewhere we can afford to eat every day… unless it’s Restaurant Week, that is!
Standing out on the decidedly suave lunch menu is Truffle Chicken Ballotine with Apricot Jam; Pork Loin with Honey and Aromatic Herbs, ‘Pot au Feu’ Mixed Roots in a Red Wine Pepper Reduction; and a Cheese Platter to die for. And if you really want to do it like the French, add on a two-glass or three-glass wine pairing to bring your total tiny expenditure to HKD288 or HKD388, respectively. Just don’t blame us when you have to write the rest of your day off.
WHISK
The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
News hounds will know The Mira as the hotel that harboured big time US tattle-tale Edward Snowden in 2013, while everyone else will know it as the host of WHISK, an awesome contemporary Western restaurant we can seldom afford to frequent. Boasting the very best produce sourced from around the world – and recommended in the Michelin Guide 2015 – WHISK should not be missed on Restaurant Week.
Wrap your lips around the likes of Seared Foie Gras with Veal Jelly; the WHISK Signature Pork Chop with Rocket Salad; and Warm Cream Cheese with Quince Jelly and Confit Lemon for lunch, or go all out with Oyster Kilpatrick with Smoked Bacon; US Prime Rib Eye Cedar River Farm; and Coconut Espuma with Exotic Fruits and Orange Ginger Broth for dinner. Yum to the yum.
Alchemy
16 Arbuthnot Road, Central
Although known for its black-out dining upstairs, Alchemy will be serving food you simply have to see in its downstairs dining room during Restaurant Week. After all, what’s the point of eating at this classy French hot spot if no one sees you?
While normally diners just get what they’re given at Alchemy, we can reveal that the exclusive dinner menu for Restaurant Week includes King Crab Salad with Balsamic Tomato and Frisee; Braised French Lamb with Chorizo Potato, Asparagus, Confit Tomato and Red Wine Sauce; and Valrhona Chocolate Cake with Red berry Compote and Vanilla Gelato. Don’t mind if we do!
To reserve a table at any of these restaurants and dozens more, go to www.restaurantweek.hk/coconuts from 10am on Feb. 18 and enter the super secret code “coconuts” for priority booking.
