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Madame Fù

Madame Fù, an elegant and grandiose contemporary Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Tai Kwun – the city’s art and

heritage hub redeveloped from the former Central Police Station and Victoria Prison, was our culinary destination for this month, and a memorable outing it proved to be.

The restaurant occupies the entire third floor of the Barrack Block of the old police headquarters, the floor itself was used as a relaxation area for the officers. In keeping with its historical identity, the restaurant was designed to maintain the integrity of the original rooms and much of its structural décor elements. Accordingly, the restaurant is divided into seven spaces, each harkening back to a bygone colonial era. They spaces include the Pink Room, the Pink & Blue Verandahs, the Library, the Whisky Room, the Fu Bar, the Artist, and the Grand Café, an elegant space with elongated windows and tall timber ceilings and teak floors that serves as the fine-dining room.

Madame Fù serves classical Chinese dishes reinterpreted with traditional and contemporary cooking techniques by experienced Chinese chefs, and includes an excellent dim sum menu for lunch and an à la carte menu for lunch and dinner.

For our lunch, we had both set lunch menus – Gourmet Menu ($268/person) and Menu Degustation ($400/person).The gourmet menu includes a Dim Sum Selection Basket of Crystal Shrimp Dumpling, Assorted Mushroom and Black Truffle Dumpling, Madame Fù's Char Siu Bao, Seafood and Honey Pea Dumpling. That is followed by one of the restaurant's most popular dishes and a local favourite – Madame Fù's Golden Pork Belly with Mustard, in which the golden crispy skin of the pork and its tender meat make for an unbeatable combination. The other dishes on the gourmet menu include Wok-fried Seasonal Vegetables with Garlic, Wok-fried Noodles with Bean Sprouts and Premium Soy Sauce and Egg- fried Wild Rice and Seasonal Vegetables plus Ice Cream and Fruit Salad.

The Menu Degustation starts with Madame Fù's signature Crystal Shrimp Dumpling, followed by a couple of mild-spicy starters – Sichuan Chili Chicken (cold), Cucumber, Chili and Coriander Salad with Vintage Vinegar Dressing before another signature dish, Madame Fù's Iberico Char Siu is served. We really enjoyed the tender, succulent chau siu, something we could never tire of.

Three more dishes follow: Kung Pao Prawns – the prawn is excellent, Eggplant Topped with Minced Pork, and Stir-fried Garlic Broccoli. A nice dessert, Coconut Tapioca Pudding with Mango and Lychee, rounds out the menu.

We also had to try one of Madame Fù’s soups – the tasty Conch Shell, Japanese Scallop and Dendrobium Flower Soup ($158) – a staple of a proper Cantonese meal.

Madame Fù serves up a wide selection of cocktails and mocktails. We chose Blue Jade – a refreshing vodka drink, Orange is the New Black, a gin, and #pinkroomhk, made from prosecco (each at $130). They go surprisingly well with the Chinese dishes. For weekends, it also serves a sumptuous Madame Fù brunch ($550), or $750 and up with various Champagne choices.

Madame Fù offers excellent Chinese food in a splendid and historical setting. It’s a memorable dining experience you’ll not want to miss. Give it a try.■

3rd Floor, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, No.10 Hollywood Rd, Central, Hong Kong 中环荷李活道10号 (旧中区警署) 大馆营房大楼3楼

2114 2118