New menu review: Gems & Pearl at Tosca, Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Hong Kong (1 Michelin star)

Leave it to the Ritz-Carlton’s Tosca (1 Michelin star) to deliver something truly spectacular for discerning Hong Kongers. Over twelve months, Tosca’s Chef Angelo Agliano will invite five of Italy’s most prominent female chefs (the “Gems”) to visit our Pearl of the Orient and collaborate with him on some exclusive menus.

Here is the schedule:

• November 2019: Valeria Picini (Caino, Montemerano)

• January 2020: Antonia Klugmann, L’Argine a Venco, Dolegna del Collio)

• March 2020: Isa Mazzocchi (La Palta, Borgonovo Val Tidone)

• June 2020: Viviana Varese (Viva, Milan)

• September 2020: Martina Caruso (Signum, Salina Island)

After lunch, I went back to the office and told my colleagues that this is what I imagined food in heaven might taste like. Here’s a look at the menu we had.

Fried corn foam with port wine and foie gras mousse

Hokkaido scallop carpaccio with salmoriglio sauce, sea urchin and Kaluga caviar

Roasted eel with celery sauce and mandarin paste

Fregola with Alaska king crab, bisque and fresh herbs

Tuscan pecorino, ricotta and pear ravioli with beetroot sauce

Confit baby pig with mix winter vegetables

Almond cloud and pistachio ice cream

Orange and olive oil emulsion with goat milk gelato and black pepper

The flavour combinations as well as play with textures were fantastic. For example, the corn foam was heavenly in taste and was smooth, light, airy then dense in texture. The eel with mandarin worked so well with the creamy fresh citrus complementing the subtly smokey flesh. And getting a chance to try Valeria’a famous ravioli was incredible. Oh the smells from the fresh dough and melted butter, with the little pockets containing a light homestyle cheese and pureed pear filling.

Verdict

It’s hard not to be excited about Tosca’s new Gems & Pearl series. Yes, it’s expensive. But for those who want to try food from some of Italy’s best chefs cooking in collaboration with Chef Angelo, it could be well worth the price. Of course the setting is also stunning (inside and outside) and service as you would expect from the Ritz-Carlton.

Level 102, International Commerce Centre (ICC), The Ritz-Carlton, 1 Austin Rd, West Kowloon, 2263 2270