Dragon Seal Restaurant & Bar     龍璽酒家  

My wife and I have been admirers of the culinary skills of Chef Wong Wing Chee for a long time, not to mention his creativity and innovation which wondrously transformed some very traditional Chinese dishes into global cuisine. As we were planning a trip to Hong Kong recently, we wanted to visit his new restaurant at 101/F International Commerce Center. From what I have read in other reviews, reservations must be made one month ahead as the restaurant has been very busy every day. A reservation was made for lunch via email and this was promptly attended to with the promise of a window table if possible.

Finding the elevators for Dragon Seal was made so much easier by one of the Ritz Carlton staff and a security officer. The elevator can take guests 1394 feet above the ground in 50 seconds. As soon as we got off the elevator, we were greeted politely by 2 hostesses who directed us to the bar area as the restaurant does not open will 1130 hr and we were a bit early. Unfortunately, there was no bartender in sight as I was dying for a Campari & Soda. My wife also bought some cakes from the pastry shop downstairs and the hostess volunteered to put them in the fridge for us. A few minutes later, we were escorted to a window table and the view would have been perfect in the night time.

Apart from numerous a la carte dishes to choose from, there were 3 set luncheons ranging $299 - $499 per person. We selected the $399 and a side order of BBQ pork. The BBQ pork might be appreciated by diners on a diet but we both found it too lean. The rest of the food looks like something from Alain Ducasse's Spoon and I mention this in a good way. There are 9 items each on our set luncheons which include chilled, marinated duck tongues which used to gross me out but they turned out to be delicious; another dish that is worth mentioning was the crispy lobster served on fried rice noodles, the BBQ pork belly and the organic beef rolls. Service was attentive, polite and yet unobtrusive. From what I can see, they almost have two staffs serving one table which can easily create confusion and when it is not busy, the staff might outnumber the patrons.

Last but certainly not the least, the decor is very much French inspired of which I think will create an aristocratic ambiance for any restaurant as long as the food is good and in line with the theme. The chairs are unfortunately cheaply made and seemed really out of place. And just before we left, one of the waiters reminded us of the cakes in the fridge and they were retrieved in no time. I am personally more impressed with this kind of thoroughness than having my tea refilled every two minutes.

As this is my first review on this forum, I really don't want to step on anybody's toes but there there is a review that I read recently which left me fuming. It would occur to me that he is more interested in impressing his partner than the quality, preparation and presentation of the food. He complained of the excessive use of MSG but I had no problem with this. He failed to get a window table but I did even though my reservation was made from Canada and I was only informed that I would be seated by the window should such a table became available. Just out of curiosity, I wondered if this forum member tried to find out the reason from the Manager or better yet, discreetly slipped $500 into the hands of the hostess and I guarantee you that oiling the palm works every time.

One of the most overrated and over charged chinese restaurant in HK!!!

Having my partner's bday celebrated in here was my biggest mistake....Booked and confirmed in person for a window seat table over a month ago and turned out giving me a table farest from window and nearest to washroom even i arrive the restaurant on time !!! What's the point of booking??

Since trying to impress my partner by the view was failed, I acrossed my finger wishing food would come up fine, but turned out even worse.

Most of the signature or recommended dishes listed in openrice does not exist, even signature dishes in the menu were not offered that night. (could you imagine half of the menu wasn't available on fri nite??)

Here's what we've ordered"

Yam with strawberry sauce - sauce taste good, but no different from strawberry jam, whole combination isn't bad but overpriced

Tempura shrimp with wasabi sauce - taste good but ordinary, many restaurants could do similar, they should do it right for the price tag

Their award winning dish (sorry i forget the name as it's sounds too fancy), a pot of rice in lobster/seafood broth with crispy chunks added -- taste not bad, but ordinary and salty, then nitemare came...Couldn't imagine after finishing the rice, i got so thirsty and craving for water whole nite !!! Even 2L of water before bed couldn't cure my tongue dryness

I would never trust food commercial or so call food expert interview.....A modern chinese fine dining should not use heavy MSG!!!

They concentrate in selling set dinner, please prepare even ordinary menu price might cost higher than michelin stars. And restricted choices from A La Cart menu makes it a joke. eq. signature BBQ pork sold out at 8?

Service level has no difference from any maxim chains.

Only go there if you want to pay huge bucks to spoil ur nite.

Bought 2 Rice Dumplings (粽) the other day. For the first one we steamed it for 20 mins and it was okay but a little bit salty. For the second we steamed it for 30 mins (cos we had taken it straight from the fridge). After opening it, we found that the rice was not cooked at all. The rice was still hard. It was not the same as the first one. Threw it away afterwards...terrible!

In order to have a great birthday celebration with my boyfriend, I've booked dragon seal on ICC two weeks in advance. Celebrating on the top of Hong Kong sounds so romantic.We didn't order sets, coz we want to have our own choice. (Although that means more expensive)Mantis Shrimps ~ Charcoal-grilled can further enhance the freshness and taste of the mantis shrimps. Quite surprisingly that only ONE was provided which is not so enough for two of us. Sliced Crispy Lotus Roots ~ this is the first time that i have tried this cuisine, taste sweet. This can be a great snacks for me. XDXD

Dargon Supreme Daily Soup ~ the cheapest soup among all with reasonable quality

Overally speaking, the food here is of good quality though it is not cheap as well. So if you are finding some luxurious food with good service and good view, it is kind of worthy to have a try.

Life is tough with work around me... Luckily, I am invited to Dragon Seal after work with my family. I can only say 1 word: Awesome!

I have to admit the fact that the price is a little bit out of range but it really worths it by the excellent service and the food quality. I am delighted by the great hospitality of the servers which edges to the standard of the 5-star hotel upstairs.

The food quality has a similar perfection with the neighboring Inakaya, as I am truly impressed by the fusion dish which I haven't tried that from other fine-dining restaurant before

Start the meal with the lucky grapes, not really grapes but they are white grapes serve with specially-made source... really a nice try-out!

The abalone soup have a strong taste of fish, combined with the luxury abalone which comes in a large piece and easy to grind.

The fried lobster served with a special herbs makes a perfect taste.

Regret I haven't brought my camera along! My dessert is the Fresh mango sago cream and grapefruit and red bean, excellent both in presentation and taste...

Do not expect too much for food quality unless you want to eat at100/floor.
Initially, I have large expectation but after I finished 1/3of the dinner, I totally disappointed.
The dinner is arranged to be in a private room which the dinner is comprised of around 9 courses.and the total value is over HK$30000 for 6 persons.
2 main dishes which cost most is 禾麻鲍16及鱼
The鲍鱼16head is actually 24-26 head. In which it was very small. I am telling the truth as I was in dried seafood industry. And the taste for fish is not attractive. All others are just normal food and no memories at all after that. Overall speaking, the taste for all food are too salty. And the presentation are not good too. I would believe and sure龙甫及西苑 are better than this restaurant.
I you want to treat it as a good dining place for commercial use, the food is not good for yr client. If for family, more better place to choose at that value. O will not go again

The view is great -- what you would expect on the 101st floor of the ICC -- but unfortunately that is the only thing good about the place. Many items on the menu are missing, the quality of the dishes are far short of what is expected of fine dining, and, to top it off, they charged us for a dish that they didn't have.

The decor also is somewhat disappointing and the carpet already looks worn, dated and dirty.

I wouldn't go back just for the view.