g.e (Gastronomy Extra|Ordinaire) (Hong Kong, CHINA) ★★☆☆☆

Executive Chef Gianluigi Bonelli made a much anticipated return to Hong Kong this month. The seasoned veteran who has worked previously for some of the biggest names in the business including Don Alfonso, Le Calandre, El Bulli and The Fat Duck takes the helm at g.e (Gastronomy Extra|Ordinaire), a brand new concept at Luxe Manor and promises a cuisine that is exciting, different and unpredictable.

When we paid our visit to g.e, it was still in the first week of its soft opening. There were only two pre-fixe menus available at the moment including the six-course surprise menu we have chosen.

Photo-taking was strictly prohibited according to the staff, that including the menu as well as the food we ordered. We were a little surprised (and shocked) with that policy. I am sure it won't sit well with many of the diners here (although I did secretly took a few. Sorry!). 

Italian zucchini, 4/10
Dinner officially started with a zucchini themed salad alongside some tomatoes, rocket leaves. The ingredients were arranged quite randomly giving us a very special and unique visual effect. It was certainly a very refreshing start but definitely not the flying start we'd expect from Chef Bonelli to begin our surprise menu.

Gnocchi, 3/10
One of my least enjoyed dish of the night was next - a homemade gnocchi with the usual suspect of fresh tomato, cheese etc. Not the most innovative nor tasty gnocchi I have had.

Crab done four ways, 6/10
This was a crab-inspired dish with crab meat prepared in four different ways including a crab meat salad, fried soft-shell crab etc. What I enjoyed most was the emulsion of crab giving the dish a great deal of depth and flavor.

Dover sole asparagus roll, 6/10
Next up was a fillet of dover sole wrapped around by thin slices of asparagus, poached and atop with some delicious caviar. 



Lamb, 5/10
Our meat course was a nice fillet of lamb, slow-cooked to near perfection. The supporting cast was a combination of Western and Chinese ingredients including cheese, carrots and choy sum.

I thought the lamb was quite tender and juicy though slightly lacking the natural flavors. 



Mango, 3/10 
Different textures of mango including ice-cream, pudding and jelly made up this dessert but it was a rather disappointing effort and easily the worst dish of the night.



Only time could tell whether g.e would be a winner in the ever-changing dining scene of Hong Kong.



Unfortunately we didn't find the elements best known from Chef Bonelli's brand of "Progressive cuisine".


Food Rating: 4.5/10

Price: $$$$$

Address: 2/F The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

Closest Metro Station: Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 3763 8803  
Website: www.gedining.com



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