Gioconda Scott stars at Kitchen Savvy with irresistable Spanish Fare

It's Spanish month!!! Chef #giocondascott will be at Kitchen Savvy from Seville, Spain and joining the team to serve some irresistible Spanish fare!

Went to the preview at Kitchen Savvy and tried Gioconda Scott's dishes which were authentic yet served with a modern twist.

Here was what we had:

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[Gioconda Gazpacho Andaluz]

This was a refreshing chilled soup great on a hot day.
With the tones of appetizing tomato it definitely was a great start before dinner.
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[Bunuelo de Camarones]

The golden little morsels were just like non spicy Indian Pakoras with crispy crushed shrimps in it that gives it a lovely flavour from the coast.
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[Tortilla Espanola]

Looking like the usual Spanish Tortilla,  it had a minty twist to it with mint leaves.
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[Chipirones a la Plancha]

Fresh baby squids can never fail to impress and do not require much seasoning.
The texture of these were beautiful with a crisp skin and a delicate texture that gives in.
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[Pan Con Tomate y Jamon]

The pairing of ham and finely smashed tomatoes were flawless.
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[Empanada Chorizo y Cebolleta]

I loved the way,  Gioconda has given them a South American Empanada appearance.
Inside they were filled with chorizo which gives it a wild smoky flavour.
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[Presa Iberica with Smoked Paprika, Crispy Broken Potatoes, spinach with Chilies, Raisins and Pine Nuts]

The main dish was surprisingly comforting as it looked like roast dinner complete with roast potatoes and leafy glistening spinach.
My favourites had to be the potato and spinach which had a fiery kick complimented by the sweet raisins.
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[Almond Cake]

Finished with the almond cake which was loaded with finely grounded almond topped with cream fraiche.
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[Churros with Chocolate Sauce]

There was churros as well which was a nice way to end the meal.
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At Kitchen Savvy, they will be serving the Spanish Tapas Semi-Buffet and Spanish Set Menu during October.

Spanish Tapas Semi-Buffet Dinner every Fri & Sat this month from 6pm
HKD538 + 10%

Spanish Set Menu
1 - 31 October
Lunch & Dinner (Sun - Thur)
Lunch Only (Fri & Sat)
HKD468 + 10%

Reserve your table at Kitchen Savvy @ 3953 2213
View the menu @ www.hotelstage.com/kitchen-savvy/

Comforting food at de België

Previously tried Belgica in K Town so I knew the mussels were going to be good here because it is part of the same group.
de België is on the corner of Elgin Street looking small on the outside but spacious once you venture in.

That night, we had a bit of everything because they have other dishes as well as my beloved mussels.

Started with the Tomato aux crevettes and the pulpo a la gallega.
The Tomato aux crevettes were tender translucent shrimps in a delicious dressing encased in a tomato.

The pulpo a la gallega was tasty slices of octopus tentacle on top of new potato slices sprinkled with chili and paprika on a bed of creamy aioli.

It was a great start followed by the mussels.
Again, it was hard to choose because you could choose from mussels cooked in wine, beer etc.
I went for the beer as I was after strong flavours.
It was a huge pot of mussels served with their homemade fries that are fried twice to get that lovely texture.
The mussels were sweet infused with beer and they were free from grit and beard.
While I was eating them I thought I was lucky that the mussels were beard free but later the Chef told me they had removed the beard before cooking you can just enjoy them.

After the mussels, I had the herb roasted chicken.
The chicken was really comforting because it tasted how a roast chicken should taste, ie fully flavoured by the herbs as they were rubbed evenly and it was roasted just right.
The vegetables that came with it were fantastic because they were cooked thoroughly and flavoured in honey, something difficult in HK because the potatoes are normally too hard as the Chefs just grill them to save time.

Had a sweet ending which is hard in Hong Kong because it is really hard to get proper Western desserts.
The Waffle was done just right because it was not too sweet as the sweetness of the cream complemented it nicely and the Chantilly cream was fluffy and airy.

If you drink, I seriously recommend the coconut beer which I tried at the Belgica [other branch]!

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de België:
21 Elgin Street, Central, Hong Kong.
https://www.facebook.com/deBelgiehk/

The Mesmeric Myth Afternoon Tea Set

With origins from Madrid, Spain, ARTĒ Madrid was founded by a craftsman specializing in the creation of jewelleries for the affluent. 

ARTĒ Madrid, considered as one of the leaders in the fashion jewellery industry, operates near 70 shops in Europe, Greater China and other parts of Asia with more to come very soon.

The Mesmeric Myth Afternoon Tea Set at Supergiant Tapas & Cocktail Bar is the perfect collaboration of Mira Moon collaborates and ARTĒ Madrid.

ARTĒ Madrid’s Ocean Miracle Collection inspired afternoon tea has been portrayed with The Ocean Cupcake with chocolate fudge cake, delicate Carrot Cake Pop coated with baby blue chocolate and macarons served in a jewellery box.

The savouries are flawless with my favourite silky ham croquette while the smoked salmon has a sweet touch of honey and truffle!

The scones are crumbly and soft paired with cream and a rather tropical mango and paprika jam.

The Ocean cupcake is the star of the show being moist and rich.

The afternoon tea is available between Friday and Sunday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, priced at HK$348 for two persons. Every two guests will receive a complimentary ARTĒ Madrid signature Deseo Tote Bag (valued at HK$150) and HK$300 cash voucher during the promotion period upon patronage.

http://www.miramoonhotel.com/the-mesmeric-myth-afternoon-tea/

[Rustico] “Taste of Moments” Menu HK$880 available from 12 – 14th July

Rustico, helmed by chef Carlos Salvador Asensio is celebrating its 3rd Anniversary with a range of world class dining experiences.
“Taste of Moments” Menu HK$880 available from 12 – 14th July are highlights from Barcelona.

Here was what we had:

Gilt ceviche and tiger's milk, a refreshing start.

Coca “Vendimia” which was Whole Wheat Bread Topped with Garlic, Parmesan and Pine Nut Gelatine, and Dried Fruits', quite complex is taste when you burst the bubble in your mouth.

The Dried Fruits' seed Sticks with Japanese Miso was a fun teaser.

The “Ajo Blanco” Garlic-Hazelnut white Soup, Smoked Eel, figs was unique because you can really taste hazelnuts but there was a cheesy twist in taste.

The Manzanilla wine marinated raw Tiger Prawn served with Cherrie gelatine, mustard and Black Olive paste was too beautiful to eat.

I am personally not fond of sea cucumber because in Hong Kong, it is not the way how I like it but the Spanish sea Cucumber was fantastic because it was served on Potato puree with fresh Zucchini, Parsley-Pesto which tastes so much better.

The French Seabass, fresh lettuce, raisins and cashew nuts, Mango and Japanese curry Sauce was lovely with the touch of curry in the gravy.

For mains, I had the Stewed beef cheek served with red fruit and Daikon ravioli which was soft and gelatinous while the Daikon ravioli balanced the heaviness of the beef.

Dessert was Lemon cream topped with Curry foam and lemon sherbet, crispy coconut and crumble.

[RUSTICO]
D2 Place
Lai Chi Kok

Theatre of tapas by Pedro Sampler

The Tapa showcase begins with Chef Pedro Samper of the Basque Country whizzing his magic in the open bar kitchen.

If you think this is good, there is CUATRO MANOS - TWO CHEFS~~ 8 tapa menu from the creative minds of Pedro Samper and Jordi Valles of Catalunya. Available on the 17th and 18th September for $560 with 10% service charge on top.

Here was our personalised Theatre of tapas prepared by Chef Pedro Samper.

Each tapas was like an act from plays with different scenes.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
First act: Los Aperitvos
Watermelon sangria

The watermelon was so refreshing with sangria infused in it, the melon had sweeter tones.
It oozed out with alcoholic infused juices when you ate them tasting like sangria.

Olives, anchovies and Vermouth

Delicious big olives soaked in Vermouth which were juicy with a salty touch from anchovies and a bitter kick from the Vermouth.

Pistachio, foie gras and mango lollipops

The foie gras was extremely silky covered in delicious crushed pistachio which had a nutty and buttery taste.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
Second Act: Las Verduras y Mariscos
Red prawn carpaccio, ajoblanco, apple and pine nuts


This was amazing, the red prawns have a strong unami lobster prawn taste and it was visually stunning to watch Pedro patiently garnish it with passion.

Cucumber, king crab, sour cream, capers

Next was the cucumber which looked like a caterpiller filled with fresh crab with a creamy taste.

Marinated salmon and hokkaido scallop ceviche, avocado egg and crab caviar
This was wonderful and simple.

Lobster, spanish ox heart tomato, fresh almonds, gazpacho

The gazpacho was refreshing and had a pretty shade of blush orange.

The lobster chunks were fresh and meaty.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Third actL La Tierra
-xixa hori – chantarelles, 63 degree C egg, potato and black truffle

This was sensational because eggs and mushrooms are always great together especially the runny yolk mixed with the mushrooms and a luxurious hint of black truffle.

24 hour slow cooked ox tail, celery root, green peas, smoked eggplant
The ox tail looked interesting because it was shaped into a block yet the texture was soft and effortless to eat.

free range chicken stuffed with prunes, bacon and shiitake mushrooms
This reminded me of Christmas with turkey, bacon and cranberries.


The chicken was gorgeous with appetizing prunes and smokey bacon.
★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
fourth act: la fiest
Mojito and white peach

I loved the refreshing slush at the bottom which was sweet and soothing and the peach sorbet on top was fragrant.

Torrija and orange

This was my favourite because the blood orange sorbet had a really strong citrus flavour and the Torrija was soft and sweet dusted in delicious cinammon sugar.

Coffee, chocolate and baileys
These were huge pieces of chocolate with velvety filling shaped like a huge coffee bean.
A great ending to dinner with hot tea.

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★
The above dishes were cooked by pedro sampler

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★

Zafran
Basement, 43-55 Wyndham St., Central

★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★☆★