LOCATIONAt the Peninsula Hotel on Salisbury Road in Hong Kong’s Kowloon district.
DETAILSGaddi’s restaurant exudes bygone 1920s glamour with giant Parisian crystal chandeliers, antique silverware and candelabras, and regal blue and gold upholstered chairs. True to its melting pot location, the glamorous interiors evoke an East-meets-West ambience with subtle oriental touches, like the famous Tai Ping Chinese-motif carpets and a 17th century wooden coromandel screen. The refined atmosphere is heightened with the discreet live band whispering nostalgic jazz tunes in the background. Waiters dish out oh-so posh niceties that recall the Peninsula’s repute for all things luxury, as does the strict dress code - don’t even think about arriving sans jacket and tie. Plenty of fine dining newcomers have given Gaddi’s a run for its money since its opening in 1953. Nonetheless, seasoned gourmands return to the opulent surrounds time and again for a taste of old Hong Kong’s colonial heyday.
FOOD & BEVERAGEClassic French fare with modern European twists is the culinary focus of British head chef David Goodridge, whose seasonally changing menus reflect the produce of Gaddi’s continental muse. The chilled leek purée with lightly whipped potato mousse and steak tartar cannelloni is a vibrant green entrée, gently poured from a gleaming silver gravy boat right at the table. A slice of butter-soft marinated goose liver terrine, neatly layered with confit candied pears, is served atop a thin layer of lemon coulis and dusted with walnuts. For main, try the renowned whole-roasted lobster – choose from Boston or Blue Brittany varieties - blanketed in its own lightly whipped jus, served with piquant semi-dried tomatoes, handmade linguine and Armagnac butter.