JIA Group welcomes you to the home of Louise, its latest restaurant, in partnership with Asia’s Best Chef, who is also ranked No.18 in the World’s 50 Best restaurants, Julien Royer and The Lo & Behold Group. Now open, this beautiful, two-floor heritage property in the gardens of PMQ has been transformed under the creative eye of interior designer André Fu and his studio AFSO and Yenn Wong, CEO of JIA Group. It is designed to emulate the chic, colonial home of a fictional expatriate French lady named Louise, who has travelled the world and finds herself in Hong Kong entertaining guests with exceptional food, style and panache.
Returning to his roots, chef Julien Royer reimagines traditional French classics for Louise’s menus. Through a culinary philosophy that champions exceptionally sourced ingredients, guests can expect two distinct ambiances in this thoughtfully designed restaurant, from relaxed, atmospheric all-day casual dining in the Parlour to a full à la carte menu in the Dining Room. Bringing his vision to life is acclaimed Executive Chef, Franckelie Laloum who has known Royer for over six years and has worked with him to deliver a menu that encapsulates convivial French dining. Taking on the role as Executive Chef at Louise, Laloum relocates from Tokyo, where he earned the renowned Ritz Carlton hotel’s Azure 45 its first Michelin-star. At Louise, this culinary duo aims to invoke the joy of sharing a meal prepared with beautiful ingredients and honest cooking.
As you approach the house, you are welcomed by rich green succulents – cacti, palms and lush trees which fill Louise’s subtropical garden terrace. Through the metal-screened foyer, a nod to Hong Kong’s heritage-styled windows, you enter Louise’s home through a veil of velvet curtains to the intimate Parlour where you are immediately greeted by a cabinet of specialty charcuterie and cheeses from MOF cheese artisan Xavier Bourgon – available all day to be enjoyed with one of the 24 wines by the glass. The impressive wine list is a culmination of expertly selected French classics as well as boutique wineries in lesser-known French regions and other wine countries.
In addition to the Cold Cut and Cheese Bar, the Parlour’s menu includes tasty dishes that you would find chef Royer enjoying on his day off including Pâté en croûte, Croque ‘Louise’, homemade gravlax using Ōra King salmon, ‘Polmard’ beef tartare with French fries and creamy Prat-Ar-Coum Oysters. In the Sweet Corner a selection of homemade French pastries and Mama Royer’s freshly baked Madeleines and traditional Cannelé will satisfy any sweet tooth over coffee with friends.
Entering the Dining Room, one is greeted by a space truly evocative of her passion for good food and conversation. Agate consoles, mango yellow sofas and pale olive velvet curtains with dusty pink trimming, all juxtapose against each other to express Louise’s persona. Guests are encouraged to make themselves at home as Louise offers a sumptuous selection of appetizers, main courses, sharing plates, desserts and cheeses. A notable inclusion is the caviar specialties menu with the Angel hair pasta, Kristal caviar, black truffle, kombu dish hitting a high note.
While sourcing ingredients from his home town of Auvergne and other parts of France, Royer has also looked to Hong Kong for some delicious organically farmed local produce including Sautéed Hong Kong frog legs, parsley, garlic crisps and Roasted Hong Kong yellow chicken, Niigata rice ‘en cocotte’ with an option of black truffle, both which are set to be firm favourites. However Royer has gone home for sweet inspiration, with an ode to his mother featuring highly on the dessert menu with “Mama Royer” yoghurt cake, ice cream and confit lemon as well as introducing a number of French classics including Madagascar vanilla mille-feuille and raspberry sorbet and a reimagined version of Tart Tatin with Madagascar vanilla cream.
Breathing new life into an existing heritage property, the approach for Louise was one which remained sensitive and respectful of the building’s innate history yet transports diners back in time, to the ever-hospitable home of Louise.
Reservations can be made online at www.louise.hk or email [email protected]
Louise
35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
+852 2866 0300