Wow, it's taken me a really long time to write this entry.
Truth be told, I got a bit sick of eating. That's not to detract from the amazing evening we had at Amber - actually it's the most opulent (read: expensive) meal I've ever had, and completely deserves it's spot amongst the best 100 restaurants in the world, and it's two sparklers. . . but after the 30th birthday of a lifetime (or the one and only of my lifetime if you want to be witty) I just couldn't do it anymore. . . for a while. . . 'food' being 'it'.
Now I'm getting back in the saddle, and the recollection of Amber is something very special.
I booked Amber because I was so surprised and pleased to find a vegetarian menu published online, alongside their regular menu. No questions necessary. I called to book, being careful to confirm the exact wording of the chocolate birthday greetings I wanted to reserve (Dear Myself!) and then looked forward to it for a week or so (in the meanwhile, eating A LOT of other birthday food and buying a new birthday top for the occasion).
Arriving at Amber is like walking into a secret space. It's dimly lit, aptly decorated in Amber tones and rich woods, and was delicately adorned with yellow orchards while we were there. The space is welcoming yet private and the waitstaff glide around effortlessly like dancers on ice.
We ordered champagne to start, and were immediately romanced by the Somalier, who my Husband told me has quite a reputation preceding him. He was discreet yet obviously excited about his trade, and his love for his stock was contagious - almost a shame to take those bottles from his collection! Before the night was over we took his recommendation more than once - my first ever Austrian Pinot was one happy result!.
We started our eating adventure with a procession of palate cleansers and lolly-pops that were fun and tasty, and in between each morsel we were offered as much homemade bread as we liked. I have a feeling the bread basket would have been bottomless, but I put an end to it in anticipation of other flavours to come.
We each started with a variety of heirloom tomatoes and a fresh beetroot salad before moving on - I had the risotto and my Husband had the white asparagus. I didn't get the chance to try the asparagus - due to the fact that I wasn't offered any by said Husband who seemed to be enjoying them to himself, however my risotto was exceptional. It was buttery and round without being too rich or heavy, and it had fresh parsley, onions and wild mushrooms spread throughout. I've not had risotto so light like this before - it was truly something different. Likewise I didn't share any of my prized risotto, instead enjoying it all to myself, which is a statement in my family.
Following dinner we saw some more complementary mouthfuls sent our way from the kitchen to cleanse our tasting senses, and then we moved on. . . cheese and desert!
Cheese was a real event. The waiter wheeled a black lacquered cabinet over to our table, and then before we knew what was happening - whack, whack, whack! - he unfolded the top of the cabinet in such a way that let us know he meant business. He then went on to explain each of the cheeses available... when I asked 'How many can I choose?' he said 'As many as you like. And don't worry... I'll be generous'. His remark was so charming, genuine and cheeky - such a lovely gesture, despite the fact that I hardly needed generous portions of food by that point! He was pleased to see we didn't go past the Stilton. The black cheese cabinet was packed up and moved back into the shadows with such stealth that I'm left imagining how it actually was removed - I was too busy ogling my cheese family to notice.
For desert we had some lovely things. Honestly I don't remember this part. I do remember I was feeling euphoric, and we were drinking sticky wine by that point. Oh, and also I was wishing myself a heart-felt happy birthday again, knowing that it was getting to the end of the day and soon it wouldn't be my Birthday anymore. Amber is of course the kind of place where the waiters won't pull out their private instruments from the back staff room and sing you an impromptu happy birthday song, and the other patrons won't clap the beat and then call out 'Hooray!' when your Mum says 'Hip Hip!'. No - they're busy speaking French, talking Finance, or celebrating wedding anniversaries. But despite the lack of singing, with Husband and Mum and Dad around me providing plenty of grown-up Birthdays Cheers, I was feeling happy, if not admittedly a bit Birthday weary. Being 30 now I seem to fade quickly. Perhaps it was the fact that we were on to our 4th bottle - I should stop thinking like an old person.
We left feeling wonderful. Mum was kissing unborn babies and I was ready to happily fall into bed. The service had been exceptional - to the point where beyond the cheese and the fantastic wine man, there is nothing to mention because it was all so smooth and below the radar, but with quirks of appropriate personality shining through. The plates are their own with an interesting off-center pattern, and the booth we were offered felt so private while still being connected to the other experiences of the restaurant around us. It was a magic place to celebrate getting old (older).
Sometimes I don't really know what a review will say until it's been said on the page. I wish I had more to say about the food - what more can I say but that it is vegetarian and so wonderful. The vegetarian menu changes monthly, so no doubt you can have your own experience and not need to compare notes with mine. Am I too easily pleased? Is it a bad thing that I enjoy every special place I eat my vegetables in? Well I don't think so - I hope not! What a pleasure to have these treats in life. Of course there are more important things, and perhaps it's reckless to spend this money on food, but I enjoy the frivolity and spectacle of the eating experience - we all need to eat and I happen to choose to eat vegetables exclusively. I'm so glad places like Amber have the doors open to me! You might say: "Why shouldn't they!" and yes, well I agree, but also I'm just blessed to enjoy these special meals with special people, so we'll leave the philosophical debate about vegetarian dining equality for another day.
Address: 15 Queen's Road, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong
Phone: +852 2132 0066
Web: http://www.amberhongkong.com/
Truth be told, I got a bit sick of eating. That's not to detract from the amazing evening we had at Amber - actually it's the most opulent (read: expensive) meal I've ever had, and completely deserves it's spot amongst the best 100 restaurants in the world, and it's two sparklers. . . but after the 30th birthday of a lifetime (or the one and only of my lifetime if you want to be witty) I just couldn't do it anymore. . . for a while. . . 'food' being 'it'.
Now I'm getting back in the saddle, and the recollection of Amber is something very special.
I booked Amber because I was so surprised and pleased to find a vegetarian menu published online, alongside their regular menu. No questions necessary. I called to book, being careful to confirm the exact wording of the chocolate birthday greetings I wanted to reserve (Dear Myself!) and then looked forward to it for a week or so (in the meanwhile, eating A LOT of other birthday food and buying a new birthday top for the occasion).
Arriving at Amber is like walking into a secret space. It's dimly lit, aptly decorated in Amber tones and rich woods, and was delicately adorned with yellow orchards while we were there. The space is welcoming yet private and the waitstaff glide around effortlessly like dancers on ice.
We ordered champagne to start, and were immediately romanced by the Somalier, who my Husband told me has quite a reputation preceding him. He was discreet yet obviously excited about his trade, and his love for his stock was contagious - almost a shame to take those bottles from his collection! Before the night was over we took his recommendation more than once - my first ever Austrian Pinot was one happy result!.
We started our eating adventure with a procession of palate cleansers and lolly-pops that were fun and tasty, and in between each morsel we were offered as much homemade bread as we liked. I have a feeling the bread basket would have been bottomless, but I put an end to it in anticipation of other flavours to come.
We each started with a variety of heirloom tomatoes and a fresh beetroot salad before moving on - I had the risotto and my Husband had the white asparagus. I didn't get the chance to try the asparagus - due to the fact that I wasn't offered any by said Husband who seemed to be enjoying them to himself, however my risotto was exceptional. It was buttery and round without being too rich or heavy, and it had fresh parsley, onions and wild mushrooms spread throughout. I've not had risotto so light like this before - it was truly something different. Likewise I didn't share any of my prized risotto, instead enjoying it all to myself, which is a statement in my family.
Following dinner we saw some more complementary mouthfuls sent our way from the kitchen to cleanse our tasting senses, and then we moved on. . . cheese and desert!
Cheese was a real event. The waiter wheeled a black lacquered cabinet over to our table, and then before we knew what was happening - whack, whack, whack! - he unfolded the top of the cabinet in such a way that let us know he meant business. He then went on to explain each of the cheeses available... when I asked 'How many can I choose?' he said 'As many as you like. And don't worry... I'll be generous'. His remark was so charming, genuine and cheeky - such a lovely gesture, despite the fact that I hardly needed generous portions of food by that point! He was pleased to see we didn't go past the Stilton. The black cheese cabinet was packed up and moved back into the shadows with such stealth that I'm left imagining how it actually was removed - I was too busy ogling my cheese family to notice.
For desert we had some lovely things. Honestly I don't remember this part. I do remember I was feeling euphoric, and we were drinking sticky wine by that point. Oh, and also I was wishing myself a heart-felt happy birthday again, knowing that it was getting to the end of the day and soon it wouldn't be my Birthday anymore. Amber is of course the kind of place where the waiters won't pull out their private instruments from the back staff room and sing you an impromptu happy birthday song, and the other patrons won't clap the beat and then call out 'Hooray!' when your Mum says 'Hip Hip!'. No - they're busy speaking French, talking Finance, or celebrating wedding anniversaries. But despite the lack of singing, with Husband and Mum and Dad around me providing plenty of grown-up Birthdays Cheers, I was feeling happy, if not admittedly a bit Birthday weary. Being 30 now I seem to fade quickly. Perhaps it was the fact that we were on to our 4th bottle - I should stop thinking like an old person.
We left feeling wonderful. Mum was kissing unborn babies and I was ready to happily fall into bed. The service had been exceptional - to the point where beyond the cheese and the fantastic wine man, there is nothing to mention because it was all so smooth and below the radar, but with quirks of appropriate personality shining through. The plates are their own with an interesting off-center pattern, and the booth we were offered felt so private while still being connected to the other experiences of the restaurant around us. It was a magic place to celebrate getting old (older).
Sometimes I don't really know what a review will say until it's been said on the page. I wish I had more to say about the food - what more can I say but that it is vegetarian and so wonderful. The vegetarian menu changes monthly, so no doubt you can have your own experience and not need to compare notes with mine. Am I too easily pleased? Is it a bad thing that I enjoy every special place I eat my vegetables in? Well I don't think so - I hope not! What a pleasure to have these treats in life. Of course there are more important things, and perhaps it's reckless to spend this money on food, but I enjoy the frivolity and spectacle of the eating experience - we all need to eat and I happen to choose to eat vegetables exclusively. I'm so glad places like Amber have the doors open to me! You might say: "Why shouldn't they!" and yes, well I agree, but also I'm just blessed to enjoy these special meals with special people, so we'll leave the philosophical debate about vegetarian dining equality for another day.
Address: 15 Queen's Road, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong
Phone: +852 2132 0066
Web: http://www.amberhongkong.com/
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