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Amber — A contemporary twist on classic French

Visitors may be surprised to learn that Hong Kong has the largest French expatriate community in Asia – more than 25,000 by some accounts. It’s not surprising that quality French restaurants abound with many carrying reputations that reach well beyond Hong Kong's shores. Amber, the two starred Michelin restaurant located at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental is right there at the top of the list.

Under the direction of Chef Richard Ekkebus, a Dutchman who trained under a number of noted French chefs, Amber offers traditional French cooking with fresh and unique ingredients from around the region, taking advantage of Hong Kong’s unique status as a transport hub and global city. The restaurant’s décor exudes elegance and its generous seating provides ample privacy. Coupled with its impeccable and attentive service, we eagerly anticipated a memorable meal to be lovingly savoured.

For our lunch, we ordered Amber’s famous degustation menu (only available for a whole table) plus a few selections from its regular lunch menu to give us a fuller complement of its delightful creations.

We started with a trio of Amuse Bouches (bitesized hors d’oeuvres): Crispy Filo Tartelette with Gruyere and Green Grape, Buckwheat Toast with Fennel, Avocado and Wild Flowers and HK-Style Buckwheat Waffle with Bell Pepper and Tomato Compote, all deliciously appetite-inducing. These were followed by a parade of starter dishes including Wild Yellow Tail, served raw and tender over stracciatella, with pickled radish and shaved green strawberries and wild fennel; Jerome Galis Green Asparagus; and the signature Hokkaido Sea Urchin in lobster jelly with cauliflower topped with caviar and crispy waffles – the latter dish was highly anticipated and didn’t disappoint; we just wished there was more.

Next came the Miyazaki Wagyu Beef – lightly barbecued strip loin, garnished with dulse and red cabbage slaw oxalis, horseradish and pepper berry emulsion – an exotic taste combination that really sets off the exquisitely tender and subtly flavoured beef and lingers in the mouth.

A line-caught whiting steamed with white wine and caper leaves table side flatbean, leeks, sazae and cockle stew with pink grapefruit from the main course menu completed our sampling. The fish fillet was tender and bit firmly and the mildly flavoured sauce brought out the freshness of the fish.

We completed our meal with an excellent selection of French cheeses – the full range from soft to hard and mild to strongly flavoured, all of which we eagerly consumed, followed by a trio of desserts: Kacinkoa 85% Chocolate, a sorbet; Amber’s famous Hokkaido Corn Topped with Ice Cream over Chocolate Mouse and Condiments; and Opalys– white chocolate cream-with-lime custard infused with coffee ice cream.

A luxuriously presented meal needs to be consumed and enjoyed at one’s leisure – and we did just that. You should definitely treat yourself or your loved ones to a special meal that is possibly the best that Hong Kong can offer.

Amber

7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen's Road, Central

2132 0066