F & B : GREAT HOTEL RESTAURANTS
AMBER
THE LANDMARK MANDARIN ORIENTAL , HONG KONG
HONG KONG
YEAR OPENED : 2005
CHEF / CULINARY TEAM : Culinary Director Richard Ekkebus , Chef de Cuisine Paul Froggatt , Restaurant Manager Thomas Combescot , Head Sommelier John Chan
MEALS SERVED : Breakfast , lunch and dinner MENU FOCUS : Modern French SEATS : 60
AVERAGE DINNER CHECK : 1,600 Hong Kong dollars ( US $ 206 )
SIGNATURE DISHES : Sea urchin in a lobster jelly with cauliflower , caviar and crispy seaweed waffle ; Abinao 85 % chocolate soufflé with cacao sorbet
STANDOUT DESIGN FEATURES : A dramatic chandelier of 4,320 bronze rods is suspended above the dining room of Amber . Designer Adam Tihany blends that warm metallic glow with Australian walnut window louvers that allow natural light to illuminate the double-height interior furnished with custom Tihany Design tables and chairs of Macassar ebony .
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT : Excellent and innovative food combines with friendly — but not intrusive — service and a knowledgeable sommelier .
YEAR OPENED : 2005 MEALS SERVED : Lunch and dinner SEATS : 70
AVERAGE DINNER CHECK : 1,200 Hong Kong dollars ( US $ 155 )
CAPRICE
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL HONG KONG
HONG KONG
CHEF / CULINARY TEAM : Chef de Cuisine Vincent Thierry , Caprice Pastry Chef Marike Van Beurden
MENU FOCUS : French
SIGNATURE DISHES : Langoustine ravioli with veal sweebreads and mushrooms in shellfish bisque , Challans duck filet with duck leg Parmentier , jardiniere vegetables and apple chutney sauce
STANDOUT DESIGN FEATURES : Envisioned as a modern chinoiserie setting , the restaurant is an updated interpretation of the Asian aesthetic by French artisans , inspired by Hong Kong ’ s history as a crossroads for sea trade between Europe and Asia . Chandeliers reveal Art Deco paintings , and rich fabrics in deep reds set off Chinese antiques .
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT : Refreshingly unpretentious , Caprice ’ s fun , Italian-style display kitchen still serves superb French cuisine — a great balance for Hong Kong .
46 HOTELS September 2012 www . hotelsmag . com