Shop 2075, Podium Level Two
IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central
Tel: 2805 0566
Harlan's is a beautiful restaurant for Hong Kong's beautiful people. It's elegant but comfortable with a great harbour view, excellent service, an enticing menu (with many dishes I wanted to try) and a wine list to appeal to drinkers who want anything from Screaming Eagle to Petrus.
The food, fortunately, lives up to the setting - but at a price. Chef Harlan Goldstein has worked at the Aberdeen Marina Club, whose members, presumably, don't have to worry about looking at the right-hand side of the menu. More humble members of the public should be warned that, even without wine, a three-course dinner is probably going to cost $500 per person.
The gorgeous soft shell crabs with spiced avocado and baby greens starter ($118) was generous and crisply fried yet almost greaseless. The wood-stone roasted shrimp with Spanish chorizo ($138) was equally enjoyable, with a subtle saffron aioli and whole-roasted garlic cloves.