Feeding Fetish

There’s that old saying—the way to someone’s heart is through the stomach. Many a would-be cassanova has mistaken “heart” with “bed” in this old maxim, but there’s no denying that the right kind of dining can trigger the same sort of sensual pleasures and cravings one might experience when truly, madly, deeply in lust... er, love. Whether or not the following well-known aphrodisiacs work as advertised, we’ll leave for science to prove, but there is no shortage of places in town to get your love food on.

Oysters

The archetypal aphrodisiac, fresh oysters have been considered a stimulatory food since Roman times. And as cheesy as it sounds, no recipe for seduction sounds complete without the slurping down of a few freshly-shucked oysters as an appetizer. It could be the soft and supple texture; it could be the addictive sweet and briny seawater taste. Either way, if you’re sold by the claim to aphrodisiac fame, head over to The Sheraton’s Oyster & Wine Bar, which serves one of the city’s best selections of oysters. There are over 20 different varieties of oysters on offer every day, flown in from all around the globe. In the upcoming months, look out especially for their Australian selection with plump, seasonal varieties coming in from Tasmania, Coffin Bay and such.
If all this sounds enticing to you and your partner, check out their Sunday champagne brunch, which includes five different fresh oysters among other eats, and free-flow bubbly for $628 per person. If the former doesn’t get you going, the latter should surely knock down the remaining defenses.
18/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, 20 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2369-1111.

Asparagus

This stemmy veggie is another well-known aphrodisiac in the culinary world. Not only does it have an—erm—suggestive shape, asparagus contains high levels of vitamin E, which may help stimulate certain sex hormones in our bodies. It also helps that the vegetable is rich in other important nutrients and—more importantly—is a super yummy addition to any dish. Realizing the potential of the awesome asparagus, the team at FINDS have introduced a number of dishes to their spring menu, which highlight the now in-season white asparagus (commonly known and prized as “white gold” in the culinary world). Chef Jaakko Sorsa pairs the vegetable with pan-fried morel mushrooms and dresses it with shallot confit vinaigrette and pink peppercorns. Another must-eat is the decadent pairing of poached white asparagus with simmered-then-fried crispy, juicy sweetbreads in wild morel and dark tarragon sauces.
2/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St., Central, 2522-9318.

Truffles

While there is little scientific support for their apparent aphrodisiac qualities, black and white truffles have long been prized as a love-stimulant mainly due to their rarity and—of course—their decadence. Many also claim that the earthy, musky scent and flavor sets off our carnal cravings. If you want to put all these claims to the test, look no further than the recently opened 8 1⁄2 Otto e Mezzo—a glitzy new Italian restaurant headed by “the king of white truffles”—chef Umberto Bombana. Truffles may not be in season at this time of the year (white truffles come into season in autumn while black truffles are in season just before springtime hits), but when they are, expect nothing but dishes of pure decadence from chef Bombana. Look out for the next white truffle harvest and be sure to try the chef’s much-lauded egg ravioli with white truffles then.
Shop 202, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Rd., Central, 2537-8859.

Chocolate