Review: SKYE, rooftop bar and restaurant at The Park Lane Hotel, Hong Kong
New sky high (and delicious) bar and restaurant at the Park Lane Hotel in Causeway Bay
In Causeway Bay, there are shopping and dining options everywhere you look. Locals and tourists alike are spoiled for choice. It can be hard to sort through all the options but if you’re searching for a new ‘treat yourself’ spot with a view, note that The Park Lane - a Pullman Hotel - just celebrated its 45th anniversary by launching a new bar / restaurant. Recently, I went for a sneak preview before it opens this September.
SKYE GastroBar is located on the 27th floor and is inside SKYE (the restaurant). It takes the space of the former private room and looks over views of Victoria Harbour and Victoria Park. The design is ideal for guests who enjoy interacting with chefs and perhaps learning a little something too. Like the fact that some of the produce used is from the rooftop garden or that some of their herb pots have QR codes that explain who planted it and how to use it. Pretty cool.
The brains behind the GastroBar’s design and concept is Chef de Cuisine Lee Adams. Chef Adams has been leading SKYE for a few years now and is passionate about constantly improving what they offer as well as creating seasonal menus and innovative dishes. As we sat and sipped on our French 57 ($160) and Global Bartender ($140) cocktails, we eagerly anticipated what he and the team would whip up.
There are a dozen items on the menu and they’re mostly beautiful, luxurious bites.
To me, this Organic Heirloom Tomatoes with Smoked Burrata Cheese ($210) screams summer. The tomatoes are super fresh (with some being from the hotel’s rooftop garden) as was the cream-smoked burrata, and the homemade basil oil and vinaigrette were lightly zesty complements. Note that the texture of the latter is more firm than runny.
The French Coastal Oysters with Meyer Lemon ($300 for 6) were gorgeous. It didn’t really need the dry ice but we enjoyed the presentation.
The Hamachi Ceviche ($160) had the loveliest vanilla pod-infused yuzu dressing.
But my favourite dishes of the meal were the Australian MB8+ Wagyu Beef Nigiri ($170 for 3 pieces) and the Seared Foie Gras on Toast ($180 for 2 pieces).
Underneath the torched Wagyu slices were light dollops of horseradish cream and some black pepper alcohol was dropped on top prior to eating. Originally I was expecting raw or raw-ish beef and was a little worried that these looked cooked through. But I shouldn’t have worried. This melted in the mouth in the best way, and the natural flavour of the beef shone through even with the fragrant accompaniments.
As for the foie on toast, just look at these juicy pieces. It was indulgent so the fermented Chinese cabbage was a nice touch as it kept the bite from feeling too heavy. The team also added some foie gras-infused sauce on the bite and this was finger licking good (literally).
We ended our meal with a slice of Chef Adams’s famous Gianduja Hazelnut Opera cake ($90) and a bowl of Skye Fries ($110) because who says you can’t have sweet and savoury for dessert? The cake slice was small but made for some satisfying bites.
And the fries were probably the best I’ve had all year. They aren’t your average fries with a sea urchin emulsion, shichimi togarashi seasoning and nori flakes. The texture was perfect and the emulsion was generously poured over the fries which meant there was loads at the bottom of the bowl. Perfect for dunking.
Verdict
I’ve been to another restaurant at the Park Lane and honestly wasn’t impressed. But SKYE is a different story. The prices are on the higher side but on par with other hotel restobars with a view. And what Chef Adams’s and the GastroBar team are doing with food is impressive. There’s a lot of creativity yet its done with a light touch and in a sophisticated manner. Count me in for another round of bites … especially those nigiri, foie toasts, and fries.
27F, 310 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, 2293 8888
*By invitation for Foodie
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