It might not be the best time to launch a luxury speciality right now, but the people who just opened Caviar Kaspia in the Landmark aren't too concerned. The Paris fish roe establishment's first restaurant outside France held an opening party on Wednesday night. Buoyed by glamorous celebrities and high-society regulars, Eric Douilhet, chief executive of the Bluebell Group (which runs names such as Paul Smith, Moschino and Davidoff cigars), was confident that any short-term pain would be outweighed by long-term gains. 'It's about building a brand,' he said of his company's first foray into food. 'We're looking five, 10 years from now. Things aren't great now but we don't care. We're building a brand. To open now does seem like an act of provocation, but they're the best for caviar in Paris. They say restaurants are a difficult business but fashion is not so easy either. I also think it's the same luxury audience as for our other businesses.' With its exorbitant cost, guests were only treated to tiny spoons of sturgeon eggs to taste, but at least one true fan was ready to splurge. Gourmet writer Belinda Wong Sheung-yu (pictured) bypassed the cocktail crowd to buy a few tins to take home. 'This is my favourite place for caviar. I've been visiting their Paris shop for 10 years. That shop is very traditional Parisian. When I heard they were here, I wanted to see the contrast of the ultra-modern design. I even have a favourite caviar-inspired creation. I use Chinese minced fish to make small pancakes and top it with caviar.'