Dining: L'Entrecote De Paris Restaurant

Lunch, Dinner, Coffee and Drinks (upstairs at: 3/F 46-48 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, Phone +852 3182 0105)

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The next time you're in Hong Kong's hip Soho area and want to impress someone, (including YOURSELF!) take them to L'Entrecote De Paris for a fine French-style gastronomical adventure. L'Entrecote De Paris opened in 2014 with a launch-party that was clearly a "who's who" of the fine dining, fashion, modelling, film and television worlds. Anyone who is anyone in Hong Kong was there (including Goldrush) and it was probably one of the most welcoming and best-organised opening parties for any restaurant we've ever seen. At the helm are Benjamin Pitet and Mathieu Lemoine, masterminds of French cuisine.

Remember, at L'Entrecote, while the keyword on the menu is "Steak" (and it's superbly cooked, high quality fare; arguably, it's the best steak available in Hong Kong) the chicken, duck and seafood options are just as tempting. If you are indeed a steak-fan, just ask the friendly waiters for your options in terms of how the steak can be prepared for you and then sit back and watch the magic truly happen, French-style. What's in the steak's "secret sauce," you ask? Well, you have to guess!

For those vegetarians out there, the array of non-meat dishes is strong and includes mouth watering pasta dishes, divine salads made from the freshest ingredients that will leave you nourished and replenished with every mouthful. Naturally, the dessert, fresh fruit and cheese platter selection is also superb.

When restaurant representatives got in touch with Goldrush Magazine editor in chief, Christina Morrison and photographer, Josh Armstrong, they immediately sensed that they were in for something special as soon as they set foot inside the door.

Ahead of their appointment, the restaurant staff called to make sure that any special menu-requests were take care of.

The team from L'Entrecote also wanted to make sure that any needs of Josh, the photographer, were seen to, in terms of the lighting and so on.

"What impressed me from the first instance," says Josh, "is that there was a focus on detail. Whether or not that attention to detail could last throughout our dining experience, however, remained to be seen."

Christina tells me that as soon as she and Josh arrived, they were warmly welcomed by friendly, unobtrusive staff, who offered to take their coats and guided them to the best table in the house. Spotting not one but about five celebrities from Hong Kong's uber-hip (and uber-competitive!) fashion, modelling and media scenes at the next table, Christina and Josh realised they were in the best of inner-city company (and this was just on a regular weeknight!) To top it off, they also ran into some old friends (from the mid-90s, before most of you were BORN, I bet!) and of course, the waiters didn't mind that there was a lot of table-hopping, mingling and joie de vivre because, after all, the atmosphere of L'Entrecote de Paris is all so FRENCH, mixed with that laid-back, welcoming Cantonese style of Hong Kong. Without any further ado, the affable maitre de expertly detailed the evening's specials and then proceeded to offer a selection of the world's best wines, champagnes and also soft-drinks (for those that partied waaaay too hard in the mid-90s) and the scene was set for a feast indeed.

Goldrush recommends that you try the trimmed Entrecote steak (with the "secret sauce," of course) with an organic garden salad, with walnuts. The Raviole de Royan (with French Blue Cheese cream) is also a must. Even the fries are absolutely perfect. What makes each dish stand out? It's the freshness and the use of organic produce, plus the sheer level of experience behind the chefs involved, whom have trained with the world's best, in Paris). Finish off your experience with the "Tatin Sisters" apple pie (with vanilla ice-cream) or the Creme Brulee (to die for; plus you're definitely already going to the gym tomorrow, right? Right). Coffee connoisseurs will be delighted with the full, rich flavour of L'Entrecote's blend and for those among you whom are of the sommelier persuasion, the wine list will more than satisfy your every requirement.

The layout of the restaurant includes a lounge area, bar, dj area, a great area for dancing and mingling, with stunning 1920s French style interior decor. You will feel as though you've been transported to a hip Parisian cafe, complete with a black and white tiled floor, leadlight / stained glass window details, comfortable seating and wood panelling effects.

Time seems to stand still in L'Entrecote and you can forget about your cares while you sink into your chair and enjoy their full cocktail menu and the unbelievably delicious flavours in every single bite of the exquisite, yet unpretentious, surprisingly affordable, cuisine. The service is impeccable. You will feel immediately at ease and in the background, you'll note the ambient tunes provided by L'Entrecote's own in-house dj (on various nights of the week). Goldrush Rating: * * * * * (Five Stars)

L'Entrecôte De Paris operating hours: Lunch: 12pm to 2.30pm Dinner 7pm to 1am (11pm Kitchen's last order)

French Cuisine L'Entrecote De Paris 3/F 46-48 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong Phone +852 3182 0105 Email :bookingledp@gmail.com http://lentrecotedeparis.hk/