This place is such an absolute find. Again, I’m in awe of Jenny’s excellent taste. You have to trust Hong Kong-ers when it comes to food. Monk-fish liver was a revelation, lighter and more palatable than foie. Shrimp salad was varied. Mushrooms were amazing. Mini-Omakase was awesome (full size wasn’t available for lunch). Siu Mai was fine. Shrimp fritters were so very very good - piping hot fresh fished from the oil. I’m usually not a dessert guy, but the mille crepe was sublime, especially the green tea cream at the base.
First of all the St Joseph was amazing. Great minerality, but still with so much subtlety while being elusive - the wine highlight of the trip hands down. The noodles were superb, especially the mee pok. Dumplings were excellent, though the house-made fish cake and fish balls were just so fun. Lovely pairings with the wine.
Jenny is my hero. This is only one of the superb recommendations she had for us. Everything was well above par. But the soup dumplings were especially good. I’ve been informed that these are likely more Shanghai style soup dumplings, rather than the smaller XLB, but regardless, they were to die for. Crab version you could really taste the crab, and the pork the broth was so deep and full bodied. Couldn’t ask for a better quality of food to pair with excellent Champagne.
Joe’s Shanghai, with the Jaquart. Paired exceedingly well, with different aspects of the wine coming out with each dish. Can’t believe I had to twist the guy’s arm to pay the $30 corkage, which was well worth it. Sat at a communal table with a bunch of French kids, who happened to be outside as we waited for the Uber.
The area around the hotel. The Indian Embassy, the Malaysian Embassy, shot of the UN building, a convenient BofA ATM on the corner. Annick Goutal, then shot of the Chrysler building as we were waiting for the Uber to leave the hotel.
Sussex Wine and Liquors, where their Sunday guy Andy picked out for me an excellent Champagne (woman winemaker). Went back on Monday night, and the kid there was much less helpful. Shot of the hotel and the Jaquart chilling in the sink.
Maldonado was great - reminded me of the Bongran at Bistronomic. Green beans with pork, curried fish fillets, steamed lobster with egg noodles.