Crown Super Deluxe: A Lavish Teppanyaki Affair In LKF

New in from Black Sheep Restaurants, here’s what to expect from luxe teppanyaki concept Crown Super Deluxe…

District: LKF, Hong Kong
Cuisine: Teppanyaki
How much: $788 for the Crown Set Menu (with US Prime Tenderloin or Striploin), $988 for the Super Set Menu (with Australian Wagyu Ribeye) and $1,188 for the Deluxe Set Menu (with A5 Kagoshima Wagyu Ribeye or Wagyu Tenderloin). The Super and Deluxe sets come with additional Toyosu Market Sashimi, Hokkaido Scallop or Tiger Prawn (Super Set only) and Teppan Spiny Lobster in Coral Butter (Deluxe Set only). Desserts are priced at $168 each. Head here for more info.
Must order: Teppan Spiny Lobster and A5 Kagoshima Cuts (available in the Deluxe Set)
The best for: An intimate special occasion dinner or date night

With eccentric cultural icon Rocky Aoki as its muse, Crown Super Deluxe is out to give you a dining experience to remember. Here, food meets theatre, complete with an opulent interior inspired by the retro glamour of vintage Tokyo. Black Sheep’s newest opening makes a statement that’s for sure, setting the stage for one of the group’s most exciting concepts to date.

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Headed by husband and wife duo Toru Takano and Ami Hamasaki, Crown Super Deluxe promises an elevated take on teppanyaki. Seating only 30 guests at a time, the restaurant certainly feels intimate and exclusive. The main dining lounge is dominated by three custom teppans, each manned by its own chef – perfect for allowing you to get up close and personal with the cooking process. The decor is also impeccable. Created by Sean Dix, golden onyx counters, mustard velvet armchairs, plush purple carpet and brushed gold chandeliers work to create a sumptuously luxe design. Then there’s the premium ingredients; think USDA Prime, Australian Wagyu and a rotating premium A5-grade selection from small Japanese farmers. Meat-lovers rejoice, because you’re in for a treat.

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When it comes to the menu at Crown Super Deluxe, a-la-carte options are available, but guests are advised to choose from one of the three prix-fixe options in order to really get the full teppanyaki experience. So, we did just that and settled in for the Deluxe Set ($1,188).

To start, we were treated to an assortment of Toyosu Market Sashimi. The selection was as fresh as they come, prepping our appetites nicely. Then came the Tokushima Fruit Tomato; juicy and bursting with flavour, the sweetness was beautifully offset by a sprinkling of Japanese sea salt.

One of our favourite dishes of the night had to be the Teppan Spiny Lobster. Simply grilled to retain its delicate flavour and bouncy texture, the magic came in the form of the accompanying butter and lobster coral sauce. Served with a side of garlic bread to mop up the juices, this is what seafood dreams are made of.

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Next, it was time for the headline act: A5 Kagoshima Wagyu. A5-grade is the rarest of all steaks, accounting for less than 1% of Japan’s beef production. What’s more, the volcanic region of Kagoshima is renowned for producing highly-prized tender, juicy beef. Expectations were therefore high – and thankfully, it did not disappoint.

Cooked to medium-rare perfection by chef Toru, each melt-in-the-mouth bite was packed full of succulent, rich flavour. The beef came with three dipping sauces, though in all honesty, a pinch of coarse salt and a touch of wasabi was all that was needed. We were also served some fried garlic at this point. Pro-tip: make sure to save some of these to add texture to the Wagyu Garlic Fried Rice later!

Grilled Vegetables, the aforementioned Fried Rice, Lobster Miso Soup and Pickles rounded out the main. Out of these dishes, we would say that the Grilled Vegetables were the least memorable, lacking a little in flavour. It would be nice to have the option to swap these for a crisp salad instead, to offset some of the decadence of the meal.

Sassy Tip: If you’re looking to make a night of it, we recommend tapping the services of the restaurant’s sommelier, who was able to recommend some fantastic wine pairings.

To finish, we retired to the dessert and whiskey lounge where cosy low seating and all things kitsch reign supreme. Here, guests can tuck into elegantly retro French patisseries served on antique china plates, along with a cheeky nightcap from the bar’s impressive collection of Japanese whisky and American bourbon (from $118). The selection of desserts changes nightly, but previous offerings include an indulgent Croquembouche and Chocolate Millefeuille. We loved the Coconut Shell Tart in particular, with its creamy custard filling and whipped coconut cream. Petition to make this a regular at Butter Cake Shop please!

Our verdict: A new Black Sheep opening is always highly hyped, and we’re pleased to report that Crown Super Deluxe lives up to the anticipation. From the unique restaurant setup, to the culinary showmanship and table-side entertainment (did we mention we were paid a visit by the restaurant’s roaming mind reader?), it really is unlike any other dining experience in Hong Kong. This, along with the top notch ingredients, makes Crown Super Deluxe an excellent example of approachable premium dining. It’s definitely one to bookmark for when you want to impress.

Crown Super Deluxe, Mezzanine, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2111 8434, [email protected], www.crownsuperdeluxe.com