It took us half a day to find Oasis' telephone number through directory enquiries. By the time we finally got hold of it and called, the restaurant had been fully booked for the evening. A waiter told us apologetically to come back another day. On our visit we realised why the small eatery was so popular. Situated in the grounds of the Whitehead golf centre in Ma On Shan, Oasis has a magnificent sea view and a serene ambience that can calm the most irritated mind. But that did not seem to have any effect on our waitress, who looked gloomy throughout our meal.
The menu was limited but featured tantalising choices that made our mouths water. We started with fresh mushroom soup ($45) and poached clams in white wine sauce ($75). The soup was wonderful, while we ended up sharing the clams as they came in a generous portion, but the spicy sauce overwhelmed the flavour of the shellfish.
Both our main courses came from the list of specialities and they did not disappoint. A rich, piquant sauce was the secret to the success of the lobster Thermidor with crab meat ($168 for half, $288 whole). The lobster came shelled with shredded crab meat in a creamy sauce, which added an exquisite flavour to the dish. We also liked the pan-fried lamb chop with mustard sauce ($145), with its succulent texture and delicate taste.
For dessert, the tiramisu ($45) was smooth and satisfying but poorly presented with a raspberry sauce that was too sweet. Dinner for two came to $525: a fair price given the good food and relaxing atmosphere, but there was room for improvement in terms of service.
Whitehead Golf Centre, Ma On Shan, Sha Tin. Tel: 2633 7220. Open: 11am-11pm Monday to Friday, 8:30am-11pm Saturday and Sunday. $$$
