After meeting up with my doctor to hear what he had to say about my examination results, I was given the green light to take off for the rest of the afternoon. Still feeling a bit dizzy, I gave Jelloman a ping to see if she could join me for lunch in Central. It was good that she didn’t have any lunch plans.
For whatever reason, I was asked to think of a lunch spot. Since she has never been to Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic at Landmark, I thought it was time to bring her there. After all, she loved Chef Pic’s cuisine so much when we paid Maison Pic a visit back in 2018.
Kudos to the folks here at Cristal Room, we were given a table by the window directly facing Central Pier and the promenade.
Our amuse bouche today was a duo of small nibbles starting with this brioche roll topped with anchovy, puff rice and a touch of mayo.
The second was a green pea tart with cream cheese bursting with fresh and clean flavors.
Next up, sourdough bread served with cultured butter flavored with rose.
And shaped like one.
Frog’s leg Meunière – The fried frog’s leg was done in classic French style so naturally, there was plenty of butter, paired with a medley of cauliflower and egg yolk. Personally, I would’ve preferred a simpler preparation with something like parsley butter but they decided to go with a consommé flavored with laksa and lapsang souchong. While I like the fusion concept, the consommé felt a bit too intense for a hot summer day like this.
Pork loin confit – Superbly cooked pork loin wrapped with a thin slice of crispy bacon was matched with a smoky Voatsiperifery pepper sauce and tonka. Served alongside the pork was a delicate yuzu and celeriac veil, adding a bright and refined touch to the dish.
Mouneyrac apricot – I had Chef Anne-Sophie Pic's signature dessert, Le Millefeuille a couple of times already so it was time to try something new.
The dessert was an artful creation, featuring a flower-shaped blanc manger with a center of apricot coulis. It was beautifully decorated with apricot compote, jasmine gel and beer ice cream. The apricot brought some unexpected acidity, which added an interesting twist to the dessert.
Le Millefeuille – Jelloman had the house specialty for dessert. This was not the usual interpretation in a white cube of jasmine jelly layered with Tahitian vanilla cream. Instead, it had a mix of ginger and coffee chantilly, meadowsweet sohacha caramel with whimsical decorations of crispy tuile. While she liked the fluffiness of the dessert, she preferred the original version's refreshing jasmine tea and vanilla over the heavier flavors of ginger, coffee, and caramel.
Petite fours were some homemade madeleine cakes with orange zest and chocolate.
Every time I dine at Cristal Room, I find myself in need of a dictionary, as there are always so many unfamiliar ingredients on the menu! This time was no exception!
Food Rating: 7.2/10
Price: $$$$
Address: 44/F, Forty-Five, Gloucester Tower, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central, Hong Kong
Closest Metro Station: Central
Tel: +852 3501-8580
Website: https://cristalroombyasp.com/
Opening Hours: 12:00pm - 2:00pm (Tue - Sat), 6:30am - 10:00pm (Mon - Sat)
Post a Comment
Please tell us what you think