Penthouse – Harlan Goldstein’s rooftop resto in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Soundwill Plaza is the place to be this summer! This new spot in Causeway Bay is chock-a-block with new restaurants that are all on HK foodie lists to try. Situated on the top floor (including the rooftop) is Penthouse, the latest offering from acclaimed chef, Harlan Goldstein. With the success of Gold and Comfort, his latest ventures in Soundwill Plaza, Sushi To and Penthouse, are sure to rock the HK culinary scene yet again. I was excited to try this resto and see what Harlan had whipped up this time…

Penthouse boasts an impressive view of the harbour from its 30th floor location, and I was delighted to be sitting right next to the window to look out at it. Definitely a great place if you’re looking for somewhere with a sea view (and quite possibly a contender for where to take your next HK visitors!). The décor of Penthouse is comfortable yet sophisticated, the perfect blend of smart casual.

First up we were treated to a selection of appetisers, which included the freshly baked bread with pesto sauce. I was excited by that alone (you always know it’s going to be a good place when even the bread is tasty!) and happily dug into the fresh, pesto sauce.

I love anything with truffles, and the aroma of the truffle sauce wafting towards me from the Beef Carpaccio Roll with Rocket, Stracchino and Truffle was enough to make me love this dish. Seriously though, the beef carpaccio was so tender and made all the more indulgent by the truffle – a rich dish that might be worth sharing (if you can bare to!).

The Hokkaido Scallop Carpaccio with avocado, Aji Panca, passion fruit and crispy rice was another interesting starter. The scallop carpaccio was light and fresh, whilst the unusual flavour of passion fruit gave it a little kick of sourness. The ideal dish for summer!

Up next was another beast of a starter, Harlan G’s Devilled Crab Cake with mango and salted black bean salsa. The crab cake was luckily stuffed full of crabmeat and extremely comforting, with the mango adding a pleasant sweetness to compliment it.

Next up was an array of pastas and paellas. The handcrafted fresh Italian Egg Parpadelle with Spanish Pork Ragout and Herb Mascarpone was slightly al dente, which I enjoyed along with the delicious meaty sauce, another high-quality, home comfort dish.

I tried the Seafood Bomba Rice next with squid, clams, shrimps, chorizo and saffron. Although there was nothing to complain about, it didn’t really stand out for me, but would be a good additional dish to fill up a group! Served in an almost ‘bibimbap’ style hot bowl, the stone-pot paellas were definitely different and I have to say that I much preferred the Black Ink Bomba Rice, which was really quite special. The way the rice crisps up on the bottom of the bowl teamed with the sea scallops and crispy baby squid made for a truly delicious dish.

We thought the meal was over, but we thought wrong!  We were presented with plates and plates of meat, from chicken and pork to two different types of steak, we were truly spoilt for choice. Out of the steaks, I definitely preferred the Hanger Steak, which melted in the mouth and, as Harlan recommended, did not need any of the accompanying sauces. This piece of meat tasted amazing all on its own, and I definitely could appreciate that it was 6- days wet-aged U.S Brandt Beef! That being said, the Strip loin Steak was also fantastic – perfect for all you carnivores.

The Spanish Pork Chop with Melting Taleggio, Funghi Misti and Grain Mustard was tender, but quite heavy with the cheese and mushrooms too. Another dish that I would definitely recommend sharing.

My favourite of the meats was the Australian Grain Fed Yellow Chicken, which again, was melt-in-the-mouth worthy. The crispy skin was perfectly done and it has to be the most tender chicken I’ve ever had… who even knew it could taste this good? Marinated in herbs, garlic, sea salt, lemon and black pepper, this is a must-order at Penthouse.

To end what had been a banquet-like feast, we were treated to the lunchtime dessert buffet, which included various sweet treats. I particularly enjoyed the bite of classic cheesecake, which was creamy and rich, along with the indulgent chocolate brownie. Although the desserts did taste good, none were exceptional and I think Penthouse is definitely a place you would come for the mains rather than dessert.

Overall, my experience at Penthouse was fantastic. I won’t forget the chicken for a long time, and I would definitely recommend the black squid ink paella. That being said, having a glorious meal here will definitely come at a cost, with pasta dishes even costing $400…  definitely a place for special occasions or just somewhere to treat yourself. Alternatively, why not try the lunchtime set at a more reasonable $248, which includes unlimited antipasti and dessert from the bar as well as a main? And don’t forget to check out the outdoor terrace for some fresh air too!

Penthouse by Harlan Goldstein, 30/F, Soundwill Plaza Midtown, 1 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong,2970 0828, hongkongin360.com/virtualtours/penthouse, www.facebook.com/pages/Penthouse-By-Harlan-Goldstein