Mercedes me makes its marque

Claiming to create "the personalised experience", personalisation wasn't something we found at the venue or on the menu but, within weeks of opening, Mercedes me is showing the qualities of an up-and-coming Hong Kong hot spot.

Guests are greeted by a Mercedes Benz racing car at the entrance, but other reminders of the German marque are subtle - some photos on the wall and a discreet logo here and there. Thankfully, it has refrained from racing references on the menu.

The bar area is decidedly cool, while the dining area is comfortably set, although the booth seats are tight. The menu offered a lot of choices for their sharing plates, and interesting cocktails.

The crispy salmon skin (HK$90) is not unlike the fried fish skin you get at fish-ball noodles places, only much lighter and crispier, and was perfect with our sake cocktail. The fresh burrata (HK$190) was rich and creamy, with an interesting tinge of lavender. The organic 100 per cent grass-fed steak tartare (HK$210) minced with the house's 15 secret ingredients was so divine we had to keep asking for more toast.

There was perhaps too much potato foam, but the puffed pork skins offered an added texture level to the soft and juicy Spanish octopus (HK$250). A touch of the salty jamon and the pungent scallions took away some of the richness of the potatoes in the crunchy croquettes (HK$120).

The only glitch was our oily and soggy chicken empanada (HK$110), but this wasn't enough to put us off. Mercedes me is on our list for a return visit.

MERCEDES ME
Shop C & D, G/F, Entertainment Building, 30 Queen’s Road, Central, 2895 7398