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SKYE Roofbar and Dining

A gourmet dinner with gorgeous rooftop views of Victoria Harbour should be a highlight of any trip to Hong Kong. One of the top choices is SKYE, the much-touted French restaurant and rooftop bar at the historic Park Lane Hong Kong in Causeway Bay, the city’s famed shopping district.

Upon entering the spacious restaurant, one is immediately drawn to panoramic views of the city, framed by the mountains behind and Victoria Park below. The restaurant’s decor is airy, bright and sleek, effecting a vibrant and welcoming ambience. What blew us away though was the rooftop bar adjoining the restaurant. The large bar area occupies the outside deck and features an illuminated bar and a DJ pumping out lively music. The deck itself has a mesmerising and unimpeded view across Victoria Harbour to Kowloon, perfect for watching the setting sun and the city all lit up.

The dinner itself was superb too! SKYE serves contemporary French; its chef, Lee Adams, who learned his culinary skills at several Michelin-starred restaurants, has created an innovative menu incorporating fresh ingredients from both West and East, particularly seafood, and augmented it with a nice collection of wines and creatively concocted cocktails.

We tried the special Degustation Menu ($890 per person), paired with selected wines ($500 person extra). After some tasty amuse bouche, we started the dinner with Raw French Coastal Oyster, with Kaviari Oscietra Prestige Caviar, Pickled Oyster Mayonnaise, Ice Leaf, Iberico Chorizo Oil, an interesting way to prepare raw oysters. Next came Duck Foie Gras & Australian Abalone with Pickled Granny Smith Apples, Burnt Apple Puree, Daikon, Crisp Quinoa – the combination of foie gras and abalone works tantalisingly well.

Braised Baby Octopus with Samphire, Preserved Lemon, “XO Sauce” was served next, ahead of the entrée. The octopus meat tastes superb, its texture chewy but tender, and the XO sauce adds an understated spiciness. Our main course was Sirloin at Stockyard Black Label MB 8+ Beef, which is wagyu beef with cavolo nero, romanesco, black garlic, crisp kale, smoked and sweet mustard. The tender sirloin was grilled just right – tender, juicy and flavourful.

The meal ended with two desserts plus petite fours – Summer Peach Sorbet, white peaches sous-vide in tea-puffed rice, and Ethiopian Coffee Baba, Dulce de Leche Ice Cream, Blackberries, Pecans which was a real hit at our table.

We would be remiss not to mention the pairing wines, of which there were a generous six selected from five countries, a testament to Hong Kong’s reputation as one the world’s foremost wine hubs. Our selection included two Spanish whites: Doniene Gorrondona Bizkaiko Txakolina 2016 and Ximénez-Spínola PX Vintage 2015; a very nice (sweet) Schloss Proschwitz Weissburgunder Grosses Gewächs 2013; an excellent California 2015 Sobon Estate “Rocky Top” Zinfandel, from the Sierra Nevada foothills; and a sweet Piedmont La Morandina, Muscato d’Asti 2017, plus a Campbells Rutherglen Muscat NV (dessert wine) to complement the afters.

SKYE serves up international dining of the highest standard – excellent food and wine, a stylish and elegant setting, and unparalleled views to match. Make it your destination for a memorable dinner.■

27/F, The Park Lane Hong Kong,310 Gloucester Road, CausewayBay, Hong Kong

2839 3327