影片
更多
2015-08-05
6840 瀏覽
First time to the Public; arrived at about 1.30pm for lunch with two friends.My first impression of Public, when I entered, was “Big”. It was very spacious, not just of the size of the venue, but also between tables, with sufficient walking space for waiting staff. Nowadays, even in expensive restaurants, tables are placed so close to each other that there’s hardly enough room for skinny girls to squeeze into the seats, not to mention safety hazardous walking space for waiting staff with four to
My first impression of Public, when I entered, was “Big”. It was very spacious, not just of the size of the venue, but also between tables, with sufficient walking space for waiting staff. Nowadays, even in expensive restaurants, tables are placed so close to each other that there’s hardly enough room for skinny girls to squeeze into the seats, not to mention safety hazardous walking space for waiting staff with four to five plates of food in both arms. The restaurant was undeniably noisy, with some 20 tables of guests chattering away at almost the same time, but because the tables are comfortably spaced, my friends and I found enough privacy to talk heartedly.
The décor is fashionable with a long red sofa seat, some beige half-circle sofa seats for 4 person tables, and the bar area right at the entrance. The full length windows, occupying one side of the restaurant, provided brilliant natural sunlight and a 180 degree hill side view; MAGNIFICIENT! Too often have we emphasized sea-view and forgot about Hong Kong’s beautiful green nature. The view itself brings serenity and peacefulness to the mind, perfect preparation for gastronomy delight.
I arrived first, while waiting, I ordered a regular coffee. Public serves Illy coffee; finally a break from Starbucks; an obvious proof that Public is not a Maxims Group restaurant. I later confirmed with the waiter that Public is a Swire Group restaurant.
Maxims meet your competitor!
The Illy coffee (HK$28) came in a nostalgic Coca-Cola-can red coffee cup, and, with a miniature milk bottle, 75% filled with warm coffee milk. I don’t drink coffee with milk, but I love milk. First sip of the milk; rich, full, can this be real milk? Second sip, I believe it’s real milk, but I didn’t bother to confirm.
When my friends arrived, the waiter brought us 2 sets of menus each. One page a la carte menu, with a one page drink menu at the back, also a one page set lunch menu with two courses and three courses selections. The menu is not extensive yet it consists of cuisines from India, Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam, Italy, French, North America, and Britain. A disappointment was that there’s only one vegetarian dish, the Mixed seasonal vegetable Curry with rice/ naan bread.
The desert menu seems impressive enough, serving Apple Crumble and Crème Brulee; never expected that from a mid-priced range eatery.
Our order included, Lobster Brisque, Mixed seasonal vegetable Curry with rice (the only vegetarian dish), and Artichoke & Lemon Risotto. The last dish was not a vegetarian dish as it is cooked with chicken stock.
The Lobster Brisque (HK$60) was rich and not too salty, but lacked that bitter lobster taste.
The Mixed seasonal vegetable Curry with rice (HK$85) also includes a zesty mint sauce and a sweet mango chutney sauce. The dish was adjusted to Hong Kongers’ appetites, thus not too spicy nor salty, and most importantly, not too greasy. As such, it’s not authentic. I was quite satisfied with the vegetables, they tasted fresh; not the withered and frozen taste one normally finds in a restaurant that doesn’t specialize in vegetarian dishes. One thing to better the experience would be to use Indian long rice instead of pearl rice.
The Artichoke & Lemon Risotto (HK$105) has also been adjusted to Hong Kongers’ appetites. Again, not as creamy and greasy as it should be, thus not authentic, but appropriate for a lunch, after which one is forced to sit in a cubicle for another 4 to 6 hours. What I liked about the risotto was that its artichokes did not have that “canned/ bottled” taste.
And I am very happy that I didn’t feel a dry quench after the meal, which is evidence that Public did not use cheap seasoning and oil. In fact, Public provides Himalayan table salt and Peppercorn table pepper, very CLASSY!
My verdict of the food is Satisfactory. Although it is not extraordinary, and definitely not authentic, it is sincere, and much better than similar-price-range Simply Life.
Finally, I must talk about services. The waiter was very attentive. When ordering, I told the waiter that we would be sharing. Normally, in a busy restaurant, the waiting staff would not give much thought to my remark, but this waiter immediately brought us 3 plates for our convenience of sharing our lunch. This little gesture brings that difference in a restaurant that includes customer service as one of its agenda.
Swire group will be opening a steak house soon in Taikoo Apartments, Mr and Mrs Fox; for sure I will put it down in my must-try list.
張貼