Fine Dining Restaurant Cepage Opens in Hong Kong

CÉPAGE is named after the French wine terminology meaning a "blend of" or "variety of" grapes. CÉPAGE will bring to Hong Kong the same award-winning "blend" of exquisite French-Mediterranean fare, one of the region's finest wine lists and personalised service, as has made Les Amis Singapore's most legendary fine dining restaurant for the past 14 years.

Located on the stylish Starstreet, CÉPAGE is spread over three stunning levels - blending old world opulence with cutting edge design. Adding the perfect final touch is an elegant rooftop bar providing guests the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong. The façade wows guests upon arrival, boasting floor to ceiling windows on each level affording a glimpse into the elegant interiors created by Kay Ngee Tan Architects in a renovation costing over HK$14 million.

Drawing inspiration from classic European architecture, Tan modelled the design of CÉPAGE on 18th Century French villas with a modern touch throughout, using attention grabbing art works by Mao Tong Qiang.

Guests are greeted with a grand floor-to-ceiling back-lit onyx marble wall leading into the plush bar area. The bar is cosy and welcoming, seating merely 13 guests, and is set to be one of Hong Kong's exclusive places to enjoy the best wines in town. Traditional 'Chester' style armchairs in warm hues of burgundy velvet fabric set the scene, encouraging guests to indulge in a fine vintage. The highlight of the bar is the dramatic red wine cellar finished with timber panelling evoking a sense of history.

The main dining hall, seating 42 guests, is on the first level and features timber arches complementing the glass façade, each embellished with 100 year old antique chandeliers hand picked and specially flown in from Europe. The first level also features two private dining rooms seating 4 and 6 guests and a sleek white wine cellar.

Attention to every detail is evident at CÉPAGE from the traditional ceiling panels, to the roses and glassware. The finest linen napkins, Cocquet crockery, First Series glasses and Laguiole knives are all used to enhance the dining experience.

Occupying the entire third level is an exclusive private dining room perfect for up to 14 guests. The eye is immediately drawn to a regal chandelier above the dining table at the centre of the room. Luxe wallpaper and an L shape wall panel adds a theatrical finishing touch.

At the helm of CÉPAGE will be the same award-winning team that has assured the success of its Singapore counterpart. Resident Chef Thomas Mayr promises light and contemporary dishes, focusing on quality ingredients which complement the local climate and palate. Director of Operations Randy See, voted Sommelier of the Year at the annual World Gourmet Summit for three consecutive years, will also be overseeing the team in Hong Kong, assuring great service, cuisine, attention to every detail and a truly cultural experience.

Chef Mayr, who has worked his way through the ranks of numerous Michelin-starred restaurants in Italy and Germany, takes his sumptuous offerings to a new level using the freshest quality ingredients from the best sources worldwide. “I keep the dishes relatively simple to let the ingredients speak for themselves,” says Mayr.

Mayr’s A la carte menu combines the classics with the new. Les Amis Singapore classics remain on the menu such as Cold angelhair pasta with Aquitaine Caviar, Japanese kombu and white truffle oil (HK$250); Wild mushroom risotto, pan seared foie gras and langoustine (HK$230) and Celeriac and Japanese organic egg yolk ravioli, truffle jus with seasonal mushrooms (HK$220). Whilst new delicacies grace the menu such as Carpaccio of live Scottish diver scallop, citrus fruits and Iranian Beluga caviar (HK$540); Angel hair, Alaskan crab, chilli Nduja de Monte Poro with lobster oil (HK$340) and Pyrenean milk-fed lamb rack, eggplant caviar, roasted pearl onion, cherry tomato confit (HK$620).

A set lunch menu allows guests to sample the delicious menu at great prices: HK$290 for two courses and HK$360 for three courses. For those willing to go the whole nine yards, a Gourmand Lunch menu is available (HK$460) comprising of a four course tasting menu. A Menu Degustation (HK$1320) treats guests to a seven course taster of the best CÉPAGE has to offer.

CÉPAGE also boasts the BEST wine collection in the city, comprising over 2,100 wine labels with competitive prices, in a spacious, temperature-controlled cellar. The emphasis on wine pairing means that food can be tailored to the chosen wine, and of course the other way round.

Situated in the up-and-coming Starstreet in Wanchai, and still only a stone's throw from Central and Causeway Bay, CÉPAGE provides a secluded hideaway for connoisseurs of fine food and wine in the heart of town.

Address: 23 Wing Fung Street
For reservations: (852) 2861 3130