Rating: ★★★★☆

Address: Shop 3101, 3/F, Tower 2, IFC Mall, No.1 Harbour View Street, Central 中環港景街1號國際金融中心商場二期3樓3101號舖

Telephone: 2393 3812

https://www.miradining.com/french-window/

French Window Brassier and Bar has got to be the most luxurious “brasserie” in town. Located in the prestigious mall IFC, one is led to the restaurant through a long, elaborate hallway. The blackboard menus may give the restaurant an informal vibe, but its tall ceilings and panoramic seaview will give away the fact that this is not an ordinary neighbourhood eatery.

An operation by Mira Dining, French Window was refurbished in 2014 and transformed from a luxurious fine dining restaurant into a more laid-back eatery. The menu now offers a selection of French comfort foods, as well as a selection of fresh seafood which is sometimes displayed at the restaurant’s ice seafood bar.

A 3-course set lunch at the restaurant costs $358, and the bar is a very popular venue for happy hour as the drinks are incredibly reasonably priced.

There are two of us at lunch and we share a special Moet & Chandon paired menu.

(1) Some seasonal oysters served with vinaigrette are brought to our table, and these are exquisitely fresh with mouthwatering, complex flavours. This is paired with Moet & Chandon Imperial ($448/ bottle).

(2) The lobster with wildberry dressing and black truffle scent ($298) is one of the most beautifully presented lobster dishes I have seen. The lobster meat is delicate and prsitine, and a subtle hint of wasabi helps draw out the sea fresh flavours. The black truffle scent, I am told, is deliberately meek so as not to overwhelm the lobster’s natural taste. This pairs with Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial ($688/ bottle).

(3) The pan-fried duck foie gras with jus, toasted brioche and gratinated turnips ($208) is a job well done. The foie gras is expertly pan-fried until gorgeously crispy, and the accompanying ingredients are well adjusted. The pairing champagne is Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 1995 ($2,288/ bottle).

(4) We applaud the crunchy suckling pig with dauphinoise gratin, braised endive and creamed mustard gravy ($338), which is magnificently crispy on the outside and still retains an inner tenderness and juiciness. It is paired with Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 1990 ($4,888/ bottle).

(5) The anis flavoured roasted sea bass filet, fennel confit in Pastis and potato mousseline ($328) wins us over instantly with its delicious taste and remarkable presentation. The suggested champagne is Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2006 ($688 / bottle).

(6) For desserts, the raspberry souffle ($88) will surely not disappoint, and is pleasantly light and airy and impressively smooth. This dessert can be paired with Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial ($688 / bottle).

(7) The apple thin tart ($88), served with vanilla ice cream, is an intant classic and we are delighted by its utterly crispiness.

(8) Lastly, the Celtic Cup ($78), a satisfying combination of housemade salted caramel ice cream, rum raison and breton cookie, rounds up the meal nicely.

French Window Brasserie and Bar is indeed one spacious and elegant restaurant, and the food at lunch is consistently good. Even though the prices can be steep, I would gladly pay a bit more just to be able to dine in this spacious, serene setting.