What is the true measure of a good restaurant? When you can’t get it out of your head long after you had a meal there. When you keep thinking of a reason to eat there again, even if it’s a plane ride away. That’s what I feel about Belon, the neo-Parisian restaurant on Elgin St., Hong Kong.
I was recently asked what I love about the place and what’s good. My answer? Everything. The dining experience is an easy A+. Chef Daniel Calvert knows how to serve a mean foie gras among innovative dishes like Momokomachi Oysters served with Champagne Mignonette. It’s always a surprise though what you will get at Belon. It has a daily printed menu, based on the season’s best catch, harvest, and ingredients. Forbes lauds Chef Calvert’s “dedication to sourcing and serving the finest ingredients, whether sourced in Hong Kong or in abroad.” You’ll know of it at the very first bite.
I also enjoyed the setting of the place. Intimate, relaxed, and French-inspired, the interiors were created by Sean Dix. The man is behind the look of many of Hong Kong’s beloved restaurants. This setup completes the experience. Overall, the resturant provides variety to Hong Kong’s diverse dining scene. Shared or singular meals are given a particular thoughtfulness. Note how they serve handmade bread which is naturally-leavened with some salted Channel Island butter. You won’t find any other place like this in Hong Kong.
As a I write this, I’m getting hungry. I surely want to go back and satisfy my craving for some good French-inspired food in Hong Kong. Talk about a trip worthy of a top-notch gourmand.
