Congratulations, once again, to Nicholini's and chef Giovanni Greggio at the Conrad. This is the second year in a row the Italian restaurant has won the Insegna del Ristorante Italiano - an award given to the best Italian restaurants outside Italy. Nicholini's is the only restaurant in Hong Kong to get one.
The Regent is holding monthly cooking classes by executive chef Christof Syre. On May 15, Mr Syre will teach chocolate desserts such as chocolate mousse, steamed chocolate pudding and iced chocolate cappuccino. On June 26, he will demonstrate summer barbecue dishes ranging from salads and dressings to barbecue and fish marinades. Classes are $550 and include lunch with wine. In addition, private sessions can be arranged for groups of 10 or more. For more information call 2313-2211.
The Peninsula is also holding cooking classes, with the next series taking place from May 26-29. Felix chef Bryan Nagao will teach the series. Each class is $880, and is limited to 15 participants. The first will cover the flavours of Southeast Asia (lemongrass crusted smoked salmon on fennel with Thai curried cucumber broth), day two features the flavours of Hong Kong (roasted cured squab with Chinese spices, wok-fried salmon with steamed salmon pillow) and on day three the flavours of Japan which will include sea urchin souffle with shiso and creamy caviar sauce and grilled Boston lobster on cauliflower gratin. In the fourth class, Mr Nagao will present the flavours of his home state, Hawaii (guava glazed monkfish on coconut polenta, grilled onaga on fennel puree with sauteed blue prawn and taro gnocchi). Call 2315-3142.
Although the Grill in the Mandarin Oriental has traditionally been a meat-eater's haven (and heaven), it has recently started serving organic dishes and wines. These dishes can be ordered individually, or as a four-course set for $628. On offer is grilled organic Irish salmon in miso and seaweed broth with udon noodles and Asian herbs, French organic free-range chicken fillet with dried cranberries on lemon-pepper fettuccine, and chilled Fuji apple soup with organic purple rice dumplings. The wines are certified organic, and include the 85 Chateau Haut Nouchet, 94 Domaine Pierre Andre Chateauneuf-du-Pape and the 95 Pierre Frick late-harvest Tokay-Pinot Gris. For reservations, call 2522-0111.
The Panorama at the New World Renaissance Hotel is holding a winemaker's dinner on May 27, hosted by the president of Mommessin wines in Macon, Burgundy. The five-course dinner is $428 plus 10 per cent, and features oven-braised lamb shank with the 95 Aloxe Corton Mommessin and 93 Clos de Tart Grand Cru Mommessin with gorgonzola and brie terrine. For more information call 2734-6660.
Margaux at the Kowloon Shangri-La is featuring the wines of Chateau Rauzan-Segla in Margaux, on a special menu available until May 29. Guests at the four-course dinner can taste the 95 Cuvee Commanderie de Bontemps Blanc with composition of goose liver and veal sweetbread, and the 93 Chateau Rauzan-Segla with roast young pigeon and cepes. The dinner is $880 plus 10 per cent. For reservations call 2721-2111.
