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Looking for an afternoon lunch that removes you from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong city life? Well, The Verandah in Repulse Bay is the perfect place to do just that!
Here, you can unwind taking in the magnificent views of the surrounding beach, far away from the concrete jungle in Central.Β Meanwhile, the restaurantβs dΓ©cor reminds me of something straight out of the Pearl Harbour film, with a charming colonial setting, whirling fans and an airy dining room. A quick journey to the βother sideβ (south side that is!) means you get to experience this romanticised era that us girls so often long for!
To begin the unwinding process, a glass of wine is a must! The waiter suggested the wine tasting menu (selected by the French Chef and wine connoisseur, Frank Studeny) to experience the variety of wines on offer… and naturally, we were not going to dismiss his encouragement. Cheers!
The meal began with an extensive appetiser buffet boasting fresh salads, terrines, cured meats, seared tuna and thinly sliced salmon. The seared tuna was definitely my pick of the bunch, flavoursome and still so moist for such a small piece of tuna. The bocconcini and fresh tomatoes also went down well, but I do think the smoked salmon lacked a little in flavour and saltiness.
The pre pre-mains (and yes I know what youβre thinkingβ¦ how did we possibility eat all this food?!) was a cabbage soup presented in a cute cup and served with different cuts of rustic French bread. The soup was satisfying; however, I felt it an unnecessary inclusion to the meal with so much to come.
Now onto the serious partβ¦!
You pick main courses from the a la carte menu; given the seaside surroundings, Jaime and I couldnβt resist the grilled snapper, which was cooked to perfection. As soon as the silver lids were lifted from our meals (oooohβ¦ the mystery!), the wonderful aromatic smells of the snapper greeted our table. The fish was the perfect size and had the right balance of vegetables to match. I noticed that without the skin the fish didnβt have much flavour, so if youβre not a skin lover definitely ask for more sauce! Otherwise, there is not much that I can fault about this great dish.
Kate ordered the lamb roast (medium rare) and as you can see it was exceptionally cooked, the meat lean and scrumptiously tender. The red wine sauce that came with the lamb complemented it perfectly and was just the right density so as not to overpower the delicate taste of the meat or make the dish feel heavy.
Dessert, again being a buffet, meant we were not troubled for choice; in fact, it was a matter of picking wisely amongst all the scrumptious goodies, as by this stage we were bordering on stuffed! However, I always manage to fit dessert in somewhere⦠From cream and strawberry filled profiteroles, to custard cakes to sponge puddings, not to mention the fruit salads and the delish mousse⦠I had it all! My pick of the bunch was a rich smooth chocolate mousse, which had novelty popping candy on the top. A great way to end the meal with a bang!
Sunday brunch and teas are famous at The Verandah, however people seem to neglect the (long) weekday lunches. Nevertheless, I think that if you need a place to escape, this is the perfect location; itβs not too far to travel to eliminate yourself from the hectic lifestyle of the city. I highly recommend the weekday lunch if you get the chance to go β the service is attentive, the ambience is relaxing and the surroundings are beautifulβ¦ what more do you want at your doorstep?
SASSY GIVEAWAY: You could win a $2000 dining voucher for The Verandah in Repulse Bay! Simply enter our June giveaway here before 30 June, 2012.
The Verandah 109 Repulse Bay Rd, Repulse Bay 2292 2822 www.therepulsebay.com/en/dining.asp
