The Fabulous & Beautiful (Branch 281) celebrated International Women’s Day with a luncheon at Hong Kong’s newest European hot spot, 12,000 Francs on March 11. The talented Chef, Conor Beach, prepared a beautifully thought out menu using both traditional and contemporary techniques such as pickling, potting, smoking, fermenting and vacuuming.

The welcome canape, a Beetroot Tartine, Raspberry and Herb Yogurt Smoked Potato & Kimchi Croquettes, was some introduction. Paired well with the Cuvee Intense Brut, A.R. Lenoble, Champagne, France, the group were starting their celebrations in style!

The rest of the menu followed in sharing style, which was perfect for the diners to catch up and introduce new arrivals. The Starters included Straccialtela (Pulled Cheese) with sun dried tomato, curry leaf, chili and fried garlic and Cured Salmon with fennel, preserved lemon and garlic chive and all paired with a wonderful 2014 Chardonnay, Saint Aubin, En Remilly, 1er Cru, Domaine Bachelet-Monnot, Burgundy, France.

We have yet to get to the mains, which included Short Rib Pastrami (spiced and brined, 36 hours Angus rib on bone with spicy kraut salsa, barley and pea shoots) and a delicious Black Cod (slow cooked fillet with broccolo bortlotti beans, heirloom carrots and kale) which were both paired with two great wines: a 2013 Syrah, Saint-Joseph, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Côtes du Rhône, France and  a 2013 Syrah, Saint-Joseph Selections, Domaine Jean-Louis Chave, Côtes du Rhône, France.

To finish off the afternoon’s celebrations, the ladies enjoyed Better Than Nutella – a warm chocolate hazelnut mousse, bread pudding and milk & honey sorbet accompanied by a very lovely Dow’s Port 20 Years Old Tawny. Huge thanks to restaurant owner, Bronwyn, who welcomed our group and told us a bit about her story and passion for restaurants, as well as Maria Miles-Vinall (Food Master), Jennifer Quasdorf (Wine Master) and Kiki Simonsen (Secretary/Treasurer).

Copy and image supplied by Samantha Jayawardane