Gin-Cantonese Pairing

I got to give them credits for being creative – a Chinese degustation dinner where gin is the theme. With dining restrictions still looming because of COVID, one has to think of new ways to lure customers back to the dining table and in this case, I sure was curious enough to give it a shot at Conrad Hong Kong when Chef Wan of Golden Leaf collaborated with the local gin distillery Two Moons for some dishes prepared using their products. 

Gin may be somewhat neutral in terms of taste but all its unique characteristics came from the herbs and botanicals infused in during the making process, and that made this a versatile ingredient to work with in terms of adding a sense of aroma. And that’s what Chef Wan attempted to do in a few dishes in the menu that made use the gin in some ways and form. For example, the drunken chicken roulade which was served as part of the appetizer platter - with Shaoxing Wine being the traditional marinate to this cold appetizer dish, chef added a hint of refreshing aroma using gin; or the savory hot dish of sauteed prawns, where chef sprayed the calamansi gin on the tiger prawns sauteed and finished with the sweet yuzu glaze, giving it a bit of kick and extra citrusy. 

And for other dishes, we just enjoyed the pairing with the gin, either served neat, on the rocks or mixed with tonic. I particularly enjoyed the matching of the braised sweet and sour soup with seafood with gin served on the rocks – just good with the alcohol kick for the balance of acidity and spiciness. Roasted crispy pigeon was another dish I love, especially we each had half by ourselves and they were brought to our table piping hot, crispy on the skin and juicy on the meat. 

We finished with a few desserts, including the yuzu-honey jelly infused with calamansi gin, and also the pair of petit fours (egg tart and sesame tongyuan). Overall, not bad as the first try - and I certainly look forward to more collaborations like this to bring us something different and new.

(Dinner was by invitation based on a special menu) 

When? January 4 2022
Where? Golden Leaf, Conrad Hong Kong, Lower Lobby, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
Menu Highlights? Braised Sweet and Sour Soup with Seafood and Chilies
Drinks?
Two Moons Distillery Signature Dry Gin
Two Moons Distillery Calamansi Gin
Web:
(Golden Leaf): conraddining.com/en/golden-leaf
(Two Moons Distillery) www.twomoonsdistillery.com