cepage vs caprice in hong kong

[kann]

Which would you recommend if you can only go to one?

[klyeoh]

Caprice is where I had some really enjoyable dining experiences - great views, nice food, stellar service.

I'd never been to Cepage, though I know it's owned by the Les Amis Group from Singapore, which guarantees a certain level of quality & competence where French fine dining is concerned. Les Amis alumnus in Singapore include Justin Quek (executive chef from 1994-2004), who went on the run his own restaurant, Le Petit Cuisine in Taipei, then La Platane & Villa Du Lac in Shanghai, now cooking in Sky Park on 57 in Singapore. Another alumnus is Gunther Hubrechsen (Executive Chef 2004-2007), who now runs his own highly-acclaimed restaurant, Gunther's in Purvis Street, Singapore.

The very talented Italian-born Thomas Mayr, who took over from Hubrechsen at Les Amis in 2007, was subsequently sent to helm the Cepage in Hong Kong when it opened in 2009 - it was Les Amis' first foray outside Singapore.

Thomas Mayr left Cepage late last year, and was replaced by Sebastien Lepinoy (ex-L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon). Interesting to see how Lepinoy's cooking measures up to the high standards set by Mayr. One diner thought it was better - photos & review below:

http://rolandlim.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/cepage-revisited-with-new-chef-sebastian-lepinoy/

Chef Sebastien Lepinoy's bio-data is detailed below:
http://www.theworlds50best.com/region...

Definitely making Cepage one of my dining destinations on my next trip to HK :-)

[Charles Yu]

Thinking of having lunch at Otto 8 1/2 with Fourseasons on my next trip to HK. After reading your post, may be we'll change venue to Cepage instead. Less carbs., too! Guess you'll be joining us?! No?!

[klyeoh]

Why not both, Charles? Given only one choice - I'd say - go for Cepage. P.S. - But aren't Chow-trips to HK meant for experiencing the best of Cantonese cuisine where possible? :-D

[WilliamKCT]

Not even close. You will enjoy Caprice. Try their Bernard Anthony cheese aged 4 years.

[Charles Yu]

Caprice! Hands down! No western restaurant in HK can match Caprice's 'whole package'!! ( food, ambience, wine, service, view.....etc )

[TomEatsHK]

Ditto. Seconded. Etc.

Charles is right..

[kann]

Thanks...then Caprice it is! I've read much good review so it's a definite must-eat. I'll be in HK this weekend. I should call to reserve...

On a side note, we'll be dining in lung king heen, but can you recommend a good, reasonable priced dim-sum restaurant where the locals frequent? ambience is 2nd to good food. is tim ho wan worth it?

your thoughts on the chairman?

[TomEatsHK]

Fu Sing Causeway Bay branch - incredible for dim sum. Prefer it to LKH.

Chairman gets incredible reviews (with an occasion "it's ok") from a lot of people who have eaten there. I am going for my first time on Monday... but excited.

[PhilD]

Tom - Fu Sing : 1/F, 68 Yee Woo Street, Causeway Bay? Is it very different to the branch in Wan Chai (353 Lockhart Road, wan Chai) which gets the Michelin endorsement (bib not star)?

[TomEatsHK]

Causeway Bay branch is just better. I used to go to Wanchai but now go there instead.

Michelin endorsement in HK is... well... largely irrelevant

[PhilD]

Ended up at Fu Sing in Wan Chai (Causeway Bay was too far from our bus stop), but then realised we had been a few years ago. Dim Sum was as expected very good - highly enjoyable lunch, especially the BBQ'd pork.