Rating: ★★★★☆

Address: 51 Graham Street, SOHO, Central 中環蘇豪嘉咸街 51 號

Telephone: 2645 9828

https://www.facebook.com/saamhk

SAAM, the restaurant on Graham Street that opened in October 2014, first caught my attention a few months ago when several of my friends decided to organise their birthday dinners there, and it is easy to see why – the interior of the restaurant is inviting and cosy, and due to its small size (it seats around 15-20 people) you can easily book up half the restaurant or even the entire restaurant for your dinner party.

This restaurant is helmed by chef-owner Patrick Dang, and the menu offers a range of modern European dishes which are fun, innovative and inspiring. Since September this year, the restaurant will introduce a special themed tasting menu every 2 months on rotation. As September is the back-to-school season for most students, chef Patrick ingenuously designed “A School Day” tasting menu, at $638 for 5 courses and $788 for 7 courses, which brings back many childhood favourite dishes but with a twist.

(1) We are presented with an amuse-bouche of salmon tartar, which is well adjusted and very appetising.

(2) The first course is a “Nutella & Toast“, which is surely a favourite amongst children as well as adults! The crispy toast which encases black truffle and chocolate is a wonderful surprise, and is utterly scrumptious. On the left is a chopped up scallop crudo, which although is tasty, is perhaps not the best match with the nutella toast.

(3) Next, the breakfast staple “Cereal & Yoghurt” is my favourite dish of the night. A homemade, savoury granola is sprinkled over a smooth and richly flavoured foie gras parfait; the flavours are exciting and delicious, and the crunchy and creamy elements nicely balance each other out.

(4) This “Sausage & Egg” is very deceptive, as there is neither egg nor pork in it. The dish actually comprises butternut pumpkin and coconut mousse, served with a lobster and shrimp “sausage” and madras curry flakes. I enjoy the herbal notes of the dish.

(5) A deconstructed “Fish & Chips” follows. Instead of deep fried fish, sitting in the middle is poached turbo, which is soft and fresh. The “chips” are in the form of two potato biscuits, and the two balls are actually deep fried balls of tartare sauce. This dish is creative as well as delectable.

(6) The “glutin-free noodle soup” turns out to be sliced chicken meat served in an abalone broth, and this Asian dish is simple and comforting.

(7) The “School Roast Dinner” is presented next, and the Wagyu short rib is juicy and tender.

(8) There is nothing more classic than a “PB&J“. Here at SAAM, however, it is served in the form of peanut butter parfait, grape jelly and a roasted banana pudding, and they go very well together!

The “Back to School” menu is adorable and tastes very attractive. You will definitely be full if you order all 7 courses, but I wish there are some carbs in this menu as our “noodles” have been switched for chicken meat. This menu is only available until 31 October and I can’t wait to find out what their November menu will be!