Pardon My French
Between the constant thunderstorms and rain, spring in Hong Kong can be anything but al fresco friendly. Thankfully for those craving a bit of fresh air with your meal, Brim 28 is the perfect answer.
Situated between Wan Chai Ferry Pier and Gloucester Road, Brim 28 is home to over a dozen restaurants, cafes and small eateries which all feature covered, outdoor seating, making it a great place for a respite from the harsh weather conditions that are notorious to Hong Kong.
Chez Patrick Deli, located on the west side of Brim 28 with views of the Wan Chai skyscrapers (which look particularly good at night) and constant foot traffic for people watching, is certainly worth the short trek from Wan Chai MTR.
Don’t let the name fool you, other than the fridges at the back of the restaurant with various cheeses, meats, and condiments on offer, this deli looks anything but. The decor is very tasteful and very … a la mode, with the kind of relaxing simpleness you would expect from a French bistro.
Although the kitchen serves up traditional French fare such as cassoulets and coq au vin, we decided on appetizers and wine for the night. We started out with a platter of five artesian cheeses (HK$188) which was accompanied by a basket of french bread, onion jam and a handful of grapes and walnuts. Our picks were Saint Felicien, Reblochon, SellessurCher, Creme de Munster and Roquefort. All were fantastic, but my favourites were Reblochon, a creamy cheese with a fantastic nutty taste, and Creme de Munster, which had a smooth, velvety texture.
We also had the salmon rillette with croutons (HK$58) and tomato bruschetta with garlic and herbs (HK$48). Although the bruschetta was great, it’s the rillette that I was really impressed with. Mixed with dill and capers, the pate-like rillette had a great texture and just the right amount of seasoning. The truffled french fries (HK$58) were crisp with a hint of earthy truffle flavour, giving this otherwise run-of-the mill snack an extra kick.
There is a vast wine list featuring wines from across the globe, although, unsurprisingly, most hail from France. We started out with Le S de Sumeire, a 2012 Rosé from Chateau Elie, Méditerrannée (HK$62). This refreshing rosé was just right for the slighty humid evening. We followed this up with a glass of Muscadet 2011, a white from Domaine de la Noe in the Loire Valley (HK$66), which was equally light and fresh. We ended the meal with two very nice reds, a 2007 Savigny lès Beaune, Chandon, 1er cru Aux Fourneaux, Burgundy (HK$118) and a 2010 Chateau des Laurets, Puisseguin St Emilion, Bordeaux (HK$100).
Between the fantastic, affordable food and great atmosphere, I highly recommend giving Chez Patrick a try.
Open from 11am to 10pm daily
Happy hour from 4pm to 7pm with 50% off house wine and draft beer
