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L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Hong Kong, which has consistently maintained a three-Michelinstar rating since 2012, is one of the flagship outlets of the late celebrity chef and restaurateur Joël Robuchon. With over a dozen restaurants bearing his name all around the world, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon offers postnouvelle French food, with an emphasis on accenting each ingredient’s flavour individually.

The restaurant is divided into two areas – L’Atelier and Le Jardin. The distinctive L’Atelier concept, inspired by Japanese-style dining, is designed with a three-sided bar encircling an open kitchen in which all the dishes are meticulously prepared and presented. Le Jardin, which offers several plush booths and private rooms, delivers a more contemporary dining experience of gourmet French cuisine.

We were there at lunchtime to sample some of L’Atelier’s seasonal dishes, as the restaurant always endeavours to source quality seasonal ingredients from around the world, including black truffles. L’Atelier offers a regular set lunch menu ranging from $498 person (three courses including dessert) to $758 per person for a five-course sumptuous meal, which, considering the restaurant pedigree, is quite reasonably priced.

Our tasting lunch started with a delightful amuse bouche and L’Atelier’s signature breadbasket with a variety of breads that we nibbled on throughout the meal. Our starter was Le Caviar Imperial De Sologne ($390), the highly regarded Sologne caviar from France in lobster jelly with cauliflower cream. The caviar portion is generous, with a slight iodine edge to the taste, salty but nicely and subtly balanced.

The highlight of our meal came next – La Truffle Noire ($1180), which is L’Atelier’s signature black truffle tart with pearl onion confit and smoked bacon. Two layers of thick black truffle slices generously cover the tart. The truffle’s aroma is distinct and alluring and its texture soft and moist. We appreciated both the preparation and presentation and devoured the food with gusto.

Two entrees were sampled: Le Black Cod ($240), which is prepared with Malabar black pepper sauce and coconut foam, with a dab of vegetable. The cod is lightly grilled and tastes uber tender, and the black pepper sauce is nicely accented by the light coconut foam.

Next was Le Boeuf ($800), slow-cooked chateaubriand beef and foie gras with vintage port. The beef and foie gras are bound together, the meats peppered and seasoned with the port wine sauce. The succulent, brightly-coloured beef contrasts nicely with the foie gras aesthetically, as do the accompanying freshly made fluffy potato chips.

Our dessert of choice was L’Andoa ($170), which is Andoa chocolate mousse with coffee ice cream, and is equally pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate and a fitting end to an exquisite meal.

A visit to L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon is always a treasured dining occasion that satiates both the palate and the eyes, and one that we enjoy thoroughly. Whether it’s a special occasion like Valentine’s Day or Chinese New Year, or simply to enjoy a truly special dining experience, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon should be near the top of your list. Be sure to book early!■

 

Shop 401, Landmark Atrium 4F, Central, Hong Kong
2166 9000

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