Harlan Goldstein's new restaurant, Tuscany by H, is scheduled to open tomorrow in the space that housed Va Bene. The 85-seat eatery was designed by Elaine Jamieson, who was also responsible for the interior of the chef's first restaurant, Harlan's, in the IFC Mall, Central. Tuscany by H has a bar and three dining areas, including a 10-seat private 'chef's table', which carries a minimum charge of $10,000. Goldstein says he didn't name the new restaurant after himself, stating the 'H' refers to his wife, Helen, 'who is the reason for my success. She's been the support I need.'
The inspiration behind the restaurant comes from Goldstein's mother's farmhouse in Greve, Chianti, and, although the food won't be pure Tuscan, it will have 'Tuscan influences, with warm Italian hospitality, the feel of the colour, the wines and the food'.
Goldstein has hired a chef from Italy. '[The dishes] are rustic but elegant and creative,' says Goldstein. They include Tuscany seafood soup with garlic and mountain-herb crostini ($138), spaghetti lobster with Napoli tomatoes and fresh basil (right; $298), beef-cheek ravioli with goose liver and black truffles ($220), slow-cooked lamb rib in lemon parsley crust with potato-mushroom cake and glazed shallots ($290) and 'fantastic chocolate cake' with fior di latte gelato and forest berry sauce ($110).
Tuscany by H is at G/F, Grand Progress Building, 58 D'Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, tel: 2522 9798.
