The idea of Japanese izakaya cuisine mixed with a fine-dining experience is definitely something unique to try out, so we went to The Aubrey, located at the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong Hotel, for a weekend lunch.
Upon going inside…
The restaurant is on the 25th floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong Hotel. The entrance resembles a typical izakaya place but the touch of dark wooden walls and the paintings make me feel like I’m in a classic British style cigar lounge.
We walk past the bar while heading towards our table.
Our table is near the far inner left side of the restaurant, right next to the window. The photo below is the table across from ours. Despite the glamorous looking table opposite us, we enjoy our little small table next to the window overlooking the Victoria Harbour (oops, no photo for our table).
Starter: Charcoal chicken, a must have
For starters, we have the Charcoal Chicken Karaage with yuzu mayo sauce (HK$158). It’s extremely crispy outside and juicy inside. The yuzu sauce adds extra flavour to the beautiful texture. I like the monochromatic colour palette and am delighted to see it in a fried chicken dish. It’s visually appealing to me as well as culinarily. We get the Junmai sake to accompany our meal as recommended by the staff, and we don’t regret that.
We also have the Omakase Nigiri Platter of 6 kinds of sushi (HK$688), and add on a portion of Chutoro (HK$278) (fatter version of tuna) and Uni sushi (HK$318) (sea urchin). The sushi is scrumptious and very fresh and you can tell it’s sourced by fresh ingredients. Then comes the Saikyo Miso Smoked Cheese with pickled radish (HK$88). The smoked cheese was quite standard except the taste of miso is stronger, so nothing really blows me away.
Main: Wagyu is delicious!
For main courses, we have the A4 Miyazaki Wagyu Tenderloin 125g (HK$688), Miyazakigyu Bone Marrow (HK$118), Saikyo Miso Sablefish (HK$418) and Asparagus & Onsen Egg (HK$178).
The Wagyu beef is absolutely delicious. It’s tender and melting in the mouth. The bone marrow was so-so, I feel like having some miso flavoured animal fat. The sablefish is yummy with a rich flavour while the texture is a little towards the dry side. The asparagus and onsen egg is a palatable add-on. It’s a little underwhelming for what it is.
Dessert: Full of flavor
For dessert, we have the White Miso Souffle (HK$118). It’s the most interesting souffle I’ve ever had. The miso flavour is very rich and it’s almost like you’re having a main course for dessert. It also comes straight from the oven and I always like having hot dessert fresh. The green powder (matcha powder? Not sure) makes it a happy dessert, which gives me extra happiness. As you know, colour is important for food!
Service is attentive and friendly
Service is attentive, thoughtful and slow-paced. Slow as in relaxing and meditative, not the unattentive slow type.
Atmosphere and decoration: Elegant and modern
It’s an elegant setting of a five-star hotel with classic and vintage vibes. The decoration of brown and light green make the entire place stunning looking while balanced. The wooden texture makes you feel more relaxed and at ease while the paintings give some luxurious vibes. The green indoor plants add some extra modern touch.
The crowds consist of mostly locals (families and girlfriends having an afternoon hangout) who are well mannered. The glassware, cutlery and tableware are carefully picked.
The place isn’t loud, but you can definitely talk and laugh comfortably without worrying about being too loud.
Next time, I’m going to get this table and sit there for the entire afternoon with my girlfriends!
Menu
Here’s the menu we have.
Overall: Good place for a enjoyable, long Japanese izakaya meal
The food is delightful and tasteful. The charcoal chicken is our favorite and it’s mouthwatering. The wagyu beef is scrumptious and a must-try as well. Try their sake selection, as it will make the taste of the food even more interesting. The dishes are rich in miso sauce, and by the end of the meal, I do feel like I’ve tasted miso in all possible dishes and textures. The bar is renowned for its cocktails so I will definitely try out next time. The service is thoughtful, humble and not overdone. The Aubrey Hong Kong is a nice place to treat your family, good friends, and bring your business partners.
