This almost new restaurant in Hong Kong, Mercedes Me, has everyone talking, an d for all the right reasons.
From the industrial style fit out complete with a latest model Mercedes Benz vehicle in the entrance to superbly presented Peruvian fusion food, and designer cocktails from a mixology team as good as you will get anywhere in the world, this stylish eatery called Mercedes Me really has it all.
This is the kind of restaurant you could easily walk past and not realise how fabulous the concept is inside, as the fit-out is decidedly low key, almost industrial. There are no red velvet chairs or roof top views here, and that’s another reason to like it. The urban colour palette of the interiors with concrete floors feels masculine but cars are masculine, so hey, it makes sense.
I dined there with my 9 year old twins, and we sat at a plush blue booth which would have been romantic had I been with alternative company, but was certainly warm and cosy for the three of us, and our waitress was brilliant.
The concept is that it this restaurant all about you, and the same standards you expect from the Mercedes Benz car brand are presented within the restaurant. Everything is as good as it gets, from the quality of ingredients to service and alcohol. Their in-house Champagne for example is Perrier-Jouet.
The menu could appear left field and slightly odd to diners unfamiliar with Peruvian food, but Chef Edgar Sunay combines the unique flavours and textures of Japanese, Peruvian and a touch of Spanish to create explosions of flavour. The menu has raw hot and cold dishes, and most of the main dishes are cooked – and it was difficult to choose.
Duck egg yolk with sobrassada, potato and crouton was full of warm, rich texture, and served in pale blue duck shells. The sea urchin with fig nori cracker, oyster leaf and ponzu, is the signature dish and was incredible. The Alaskan King Crab Leg with Hollandaise was amazing too. Drinking Pisco Sour’s with the Peruvian food took me straight back to Cusco, a South American town high amongst the mountains with some of the best Pisco Sour’s (think lime, egg white and spices) in the world -until now.
There are pork, beef and fish dishes – we chose the Australian ages wagyu skirt which was amazing, and sliced to share. The beef tartare was presented like an art piece, with cracked egg yolks on top and herbs spread throughout. Definitely an adults only dish though.
There are gorgeous desserts, and the Mercedes Logo appears on cappuccinos, cute!
Dinner here was amazing – and I hear the all you can eat AND drink brunch on Sundays is incredible. Next time!