Hong Kong’s ÉCRITURE presents Japanese twist on French dishes

Le Comptoir, known for artistic dining at BIBO, DJAPA and The Ocean by Olivier Bellin, has opened on the top of new cultural hub, H Queen’s, with ÉCRITURE. Its chef, Maxime Gilbert, a former chef de cuisine at Amber, presents French dishes with a Japanese twist.

The restaurant’s ingredients are seasonal and precedence has been given to artisanal producers who supply the best quality food. The menu changes seasonally, but at the moment diners can expect Hokkaido scallops contisée with black truffle cooked in a crispy beignet, raw Amaei prawn tail served with a delicate red onion jelly and beetroot feuillantine, John Dory and baby lamb from Aveyron.

The desserts delivered. There was cauliflower and white chocolate mousse with Schrencki caviar and the multi-faceted dessert of Valrhona chocolate with chilli pepper; Alphonso mango from India with five spices (Sichuan pepper, cinnamon, cloves, star anise and fennel); peanut ice cream; crumble of chocolate and hazelnut, and a cup of coconut milk to pour over it. The restaurant is named after a series of paintings by Korean artist Park Seo-bo. There are many contrasts in its design, such as geometric shapes uniting with fluid lines, the colours and textures of soft organic wallpaper beside symmetrical copper ceiling, black hardwood tables next to white chairs. When the rooftop opens, it could soon become a great place for a drink while admiring the cityscape.

The three-course lunch menu is HK$488 a head.