L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon @ The Landmark, Hong Kong

Cuisine: French

Map: L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon @ The Landmark, Hong Kong

Visited: 7 January 2012

Price: HKD800 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)

Food: 8/10

Atmosphere: 8/10

Value for money: 6/10

Services: 7/10

Indeed it has been long, almost 3 months since my last review; whatever excuse I may have, busy with daily work blah blah blah, please kindly accept.  Any let's start a new episode of food adventure.

Not long after new year, I had a chance to visit Hong Kong and surely did make my way to the famous L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon which is situated on 4th floor of The Landmark.  This place is charming indeed.  The cool decor with red but lively tone in dark setting.  Bar seating is the core style of this place but if you prefer private table, it is available for you.  As you may probably know that this is a 3 Michelin Stars restaurant, we were surprised that price is kept at reasonable level.

We did try the dinner menu which is a 4-course set.  You can also go for 8-course menu if you want to taste more fabulous dishes.  What really great about this place is wine list from my perspective, there are something like 3,000 choices for you: wine from every part of the world, some even come with reasonable mark up such as Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 at HKD845 while high street price is around HKD750 or Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay Champans 1er Cru 2005 for HKD1,600 a bottle vs. HKD1,100 for high street price or Leflaive Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Clavoillon 2007 for HKD1,300 vs. HKD1,000 in retail shops.

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon @ The Landmark, Hong Kong

The Entrance

The Unique Bar Seat Style

Before mentioning about food, I must admit that services here are pretty good.  Politeness, friendliness and great recommendation, all are there.  Perhaps, if they do not make things too hurry, it would be even better (but it is Hong Kong though).

Basket of breads here came stylishly and it was never empty.  Delicious choices of bread were all there and with good butter, I could just survive with that.  For L'Amuse Bouche, it was Foam of Parmesan, it was great and drooling.  In fact, if I recall it correctly, I had had something like this elsewhere before.  But never mind, it was nice anyway.

Never Empty Basket of Breads

L'Amuse Bouche of Parmesan Foam

The soup dish was Foie Gras Rolls with Beef Jelly on Sweet Corn Veloute (10/10). This was surely by far the best corn soup I have ever tried.  Smooth touch, creamy but light feeling in the mouth.  Foie gras did also match amazingly with the soup.  The only negative point was, there was too little T___T.

Foie Gras Rolls with Beef Jelly on Sweet Corn Veloute

The appetiser was Sea Scallops with Leeks and Salsifies, Creamy Horseradish Sauce (8/10).  Oh.....did you just say you do not like leeks, forget what you just say or think.  These sea scallops was great, light to taste and charming.  Really fresh half-cooked scallop with horseradish sauce that covered unpleasant scent of leeks that you may dislike.

Sea Scallops with Leeks and Salsifles, Creamy Horseradish Sauce

Main course was Braised Veal Cheek with Spinach Gnocchi (8/10).  Ok, I love this dish.  Tender piece of veal, oh no, it melted in the mouth.  All I can say here is, go get a glass of good red wine and just enjoy this dish.

Braised Veal Cheek with Spinach Gnocchi

Dessert was also lovely for the night.  Chestnut Mousse with Meringue and Cognac Ice-cream (8/10) was delightful.  All were lovely with creamy touch, not so sweet but maintained its elegant.  At the time of dessert and petit fours being served, I was already full.  4-course menu is surely enough for me.  Anyway, I would like to recommend this place to anyone who somehow are reading this blog.  Personally, a revisit is compulsory when I am next in Hong Kong.  Now "Bon Appetit et Au Revoir".

Chestnut Mousse with Meringue and Cognac Ice-cream

Petit Fours

L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon @ The Landmark, Hong Kong

Floor 4 The Landmark

15 Queen's Road

Central

Hong Kong

Open Hours: Daily 12:00 - 14:00 for lunch and 18:30 - 22:30 for dinner

Tel: +852 (0) 2166 9000

Web: http://www.robuchon.hk/

Scala Restaurant @ Siam Square, Bangkok

Cuisine: Chinese

Map: Scala Restaurant @ Siam Square, Bangkok - ห้องอาหาร สกาล่า @ สยามสแควร์ กรุงเทพ

Visited: 25 November 2011

Price: THB650 per person without alcohol (what I paid for)

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: 5/10

Value for money: 6/10

Services: 6/10

Scala Restaurant on happ-it.com 

Almost three decades that I from time to time give this restaurant a visit. This restaurant called "Scala" is situated under the classic Scala Theatre at Siam Square. Not many of you may have heard about this place. Most of visitors are old faces. I am fortunate enough that my family frequently visits this restaurant since I was young. This gem of Siam Square is famous for its Peking Duck which has really crisp skin and fat-less. The decoration of this place is somewhat old fashion but it does give a warm ambient. Personally, this is a must try restaurant.

Scala Theatre - โรงหนังสกาล่า

Entrance of Scala Restaurant - หน้าร้านห้องอาหารสกาล่า

Restaurant Ambient - บรรยากาศภายใน

This time we did order 4 kinds of Hors d'oeuvre. First one being Chicken Wine Sauce. This is one of the classic Chinese dish. Chicken was marinated with Chinese wine before being steamed. This dish is served cool. Chicken meat was really tender and savoury. The presence of wine was clearly noticed. Wonderful it was (7/10).

Second one was Fried Minced Shrimp on Toast. This is all time any children favourite. Basic dish but full of happiness when eaten. It does go really well with sweet plum sauce (7/10).

Chicken Wine Sauce - ไก่แช่เหล้า

Fried Minced Shrimp on Toasted - กุ้งโรยงา

The third one was Shanghai Noodles. This dish has salty and sour flavours as base which matches supremely well with Shanghai Noodle. This is a kind of dish that can be ordered every time of visit (6/10).

The last one was Shark's Fin Scramble Eggs. This dish was surely not one of the best here but still enjoyable. It is kind of dry comparing to the other restaurant. But many oldies may find it wonderful (5/10).

Shanghai Noodles - ก๋วยเตี๋ยวเซี่ยงไฮ้

Shark's Fin Scramble Eggs - หูฉลามผัดแห้ง

Next in line was the famous Whole BBQ Peking Duck. Not to mention the well roasted duck that goes perfectly with an ideal sauce, the skin was really crisp and I do mean crisp. Even more, the mentioned crisp skin contained no fat, thanks to the skilful staff who sliced the duck professionally. When wrapped in pancake with a piece of cucumber, you would just ask for more of this Peking duck (9/10).

Whole BBQ Peking Duck - เป็ดปักกิ่ง

Staff Slicing Peking Duck - พนักงานกำลังแล่เป็ดปักกิ่ง

This was then followed by Goose Feet in Earth Pot. In case you have never tried goose or chicken or duck feet, don't say "eiwww" and deny it. I say this dish is a treasure. Goose feet was well marinated and steam in a pot of various herbs until soft and tender and served with noodle and sea asparagus. Fantastic I say (8/10).

Goose Feet in Earth Pot - ขาห่านอบหม้อดิน

Fried Fresh Shrimp is another of my favourite since I was a kid. I is kind of light in flavour with hint of spring onion as base. However, this time I felt that the texture of shrimp was not as good as it used to be. Still tender but lack of crispiness (5/10).

Fried Fresh Shrimp - กุ้งแบบเซี่ยงไฮ้

Sweet and Sour Fish was kind of enjoyable. Nothing really special but cooked with good quality of ingredients. It was not that thick like Hong Kong style and with lighter taste. It did go well with steamed bun (6/10).

Sweet and Sour Fish - ปลาเปรี้ยวหวาน

Steamed Fresh Siam Goby Fish with Soy Sauce is something rather expensive these days. This restaurant still keep the price at reasonable level and also at reasonable size of fish. Of course, this was well cooked with great ingredients and steamed to just perfect level. Really smooth and tender, not too salty with a tiny hint of sweetness. Love it (7/10).

Steamed Fresh Siam Goby Fish with Soy Sauce - ปลาบู่นึ่งซีอิ๊ว

Last of the meal was Fried Egg Noodle Shanghai Style. This was a duck base dish. Duck meat left over from Peking Duck was used as an ingredient for this dish. Always savoury but a little oily. To me, this dish looks like another basic dish but once eaten you would just ask for more (7/10).

Fried Egg Noodle Shanghai Style - บะหมี่เซี่ยงไฮ้

Scala Restaurant @ Siam Square, Bangkok

Ground Floor of Scala Theatre

184 Soi Siam Square 1

Rama 1 Road

Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan

Bangkok 10330

Thailand

ห้องอาหาร สกาล่า @ สยามสแควร์ กรุงเทพ

ใต้โรงหนังสกาล่า

184 ซอยสยามสแควร์ 1

ถนนพระราม 1

แขวงปทุมวัน เขตปทุมวัน

กรุงเทพ 10330

Open Hours: 11:00 - 14:00 for lunch and 17:00 - 22:00 for dinner daily

Tel: +66 (0) 2251 2863

Wonton BBQ Pork Noodle @ Soi Saint Louise 3, Bangkok

Cuisine: Chinese (Noodle)

Map: Wonton BBQ Pork Noodle @ Soi Saint Louise 3, Bangkok - บะหมี่เกี๊ยวหมูแดง @ ซอยเซนต์หลุยส์ 3 กรุงเทพ

Visited: 22 October 2011

Price: THB80 per person (what I paid for)

Food: 7/10

Atmosphere: n.m. (street food)

Value for money: 7/10

Services: n.m. (street food)

Those who are familiar with Soi Saint Louise area or Chan area of Bangkok would probably recognise this legend of noodle. This place has got no name. But do not worry, it is pretty to locate. This Wonton BBQ Pork Noodle shop is situated just around the entrance to Soi Sathon 11 (Soi Saint Louise 3) Yak 11. However, you will need to find somewhere along the street to park: recommend driving as it is rather difficult to reach this place via public transport. Many years back, it was the old guy of this place who was in charge of preparation and cooking but now he just supervise the new generation. 

Wonton BBQ Pork Noodle St Louise 3

Atmosphere

Owner chopping BBQ pork

Looking on the menu board, you may probably think that it is rather expensive for a bowl of noodle in a shop on street. But what you really get is quite a large portion. We, this time, did have  Wonton Noodle without Soup - บะหมี่เกี๊ยวแห้ง, Wonton BBQ Pork Noodle without Soup - บะหมี่เกี๊ยวหมูแดงแห้ง, and Wonton Soup - เกี๊ยวน้ำ, all of which were THB45 per portion. They were all splendid. Big piece of wonton and great taste of bbq pork. The only let down was noodle that was a little oily, unlike one that used to be prepared by the old guy. Just keep in mind to tell them that not too oily, and you will be fine.

To us, we usually order just noodle with wonton and bbq pork and never go for crab meat as we felt that THB15 for a few pieces of crab meat does not add so much value to the dish. But personal taste though. ^^

Menu Board

Wonton Noodle without Soup (THB45)

Wonton and BBQ Pork Noodle without Soup (THB45)

Wonton Soup (THB45)

Wonton BBQ Pork Noodle @ Soi Saint Louise 3, Bangkok

181 Soi Saint Louise 3

Sathon Tai Road

Thung Wat Don, Sathon

Bangkok 10120

Thailand

บะหมี่เกี๊ยวหมูแดง @ ซอยเซนต์หลุยส์ 3 กรุงเทพ

181 ซอยเซนต์หลุยส์ 3

ถนนสาทรใต้

แขวงทุ่งวัดดอน เขตสาทร

กรุงเทพ 10120

Open Hours: ~ 10:00 - 17:00 daily except Monday