Restaurant review: Le Bistro Winebeast, Wan Chai – large portions of tasty French fare
Delicious sea bream ravioli in a delicate broth, and stuffed cabbage with quail and pan-fried foie gras are the standouts
Price: about HK$475 without drinks. There’s no service charge.
Cuisine: French
Ambience: it was very quiet when we ate there on a drizzly weeknight, and the staff tried to compensate by turning up the music, which made it difficult to talk. They turned down the music after we asked.
Pros: some of the dishes are very good.
Cons: those with huge appetites will appreciate the enormous portions but they were far too large for us. My guest loved her poached cod in olive oil (HK$228) but I thought the taste of red pepper overwhelmed the fish.
Recommended dishes: sea bream ravioli (HK$168) was far too large for a starter, but it was delicious. The three large ravioli were well-stuffed with a light and flavourful filling and served in a delicate broth. Stuffed cabbage with quail and pan-fried foie gras (HK$328) was excellent but I could manage only half the portion. It came as four large slices of cabbage- and pastry-wrapped meat and foie gras, and the quail legs were served separately in a cup with halved grapes and ripe, sweet nectarine. For dessert, what’s not to like about the pomme au four (HK$78) – baked apple with caramel and salted butter.
What else? Le Bistro Winebeast doubles as a wine shop, and there’s a more casual place, Le Cafe Winebeast, at 15 McGregor Street, tel: 2479 6833.
Le Bistro Winebeast, 141 Thomson Road, Wan Chai. Tel: 2782 6689. Open: Tuesday to Sunday noon-11pm