Source:
https://scmp.com/lifestyle/food-drink/article/2113050/restaurant-review-le-39v-icc-west-kowloon-gallic-classics-sky
Lifestyle/ Food & Drink

Restaurant review: Le 39V in the ICC, West Kowloon – Gallic classics at sky-high prices

Hong Kong branch of the one-Michelin-star Parisian original has a wonderful view and beautifully presented and delicious French food

Susan Jung
Susan Jung

Updated: 7:08pm, 28 Sep, 2017

Why you can trust SCMP
Interior of Le 39V in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Le 39V – a Hong Kong branch of the one-Michelin-star original in Paris – is the latest restaurant to join others of similar calibre (and price) perched on the 101st floor of the ICC in West Kowloon.

We were escorted to a comfortable table by the picture windows that gave us a great view of the harbour and Hong Kong Island; fortunately for us, it was a clear night. The main dining area was about half full, but both private rooms were occupied.

A waiter placed beautiful, airy gougères [cheesy choux pastries] on the table for us to nibble on; they were so good that I greedily ate three of them, when my fair share would have been just two. The olives served with them were also excellent.

We weren’t in the mood for a tasting menu (a five-course summer menu for HK$1,700 plus 10 per cent or four-course degustation for HK$1,200), although the price would have worked out about the same as choosing à la carte, which had more interesting offerings.

Blue lobster ravioles with herbs, vegetables and bisque broth. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Blue lobster ravioles with herbs, vegetables and bisque broth. Photo: Jonathan Wong
For our starter, my guest and I shared a main course dish of blue lobster ravioles with herbs, vegetables and bisque broth (HK$680). We loved it: tender pasta, nicely-seasoned stuffing, delicious broth, a substantial chunk of lobster meat on top, and fresh herbs such as chervil and purple shiso.
Roasted Bresse pigeon with aubergine purée, sage and figs. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Roasted Bresse pigeon with aubergine purée, sage and figs. Photo: Jonathan Wong
My roasted Bresse pigeon (HK$620) came medium-rare, rather than my requested rare, but the meat was succulent and tender. The accompaniments – fresh and cooked ripe figs, aubergine purée, fried sage, crisp lettuce and an intense pigeon jus – complemented the meat.
Grand Marnier soufflé. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Grand Marnier soufflé. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Grand Marnier soufflé (HK$250) was properly light and wobbly, and was served with a too-icy verbena sorbet, and an orange-chocolate cake that was like a very upmarket Jaffa cake.
Chocolate religieuse. Photo: Jonathan Wong
Chocolate religieuse. Photo: Jonathan Wong
The chocolate religieuse with caramelised hazelnuts and sea salt chocolate shortbread (HK$270) was a much richer dessert with an excellent mix of textures, flavours and temperatures – chewy, creamy, crunchy, warm and cold.

101/F International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Rd West, West Kowloon, tel: 2977 5266.
About HK$1,200 without drinks or the service charge.


While you’re in the area: