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French ¨p©Ðµæ

La Fete - BEST kept secret. Located at St Francis Street Wanchai (near Star St.)

I have tried them 3 times and by far (I have been to about 5 different French food "private" places), it is the best value for money with excellent ingredients and genuine French provisional cooking. The owner/cook is French.

No lunch. Dinner $320 per person (guaranteed to be satisfied). Must book in advance as they keep minimal stock to ensure freshness. Corkage can be waived. Excellent starters, HUGE seafood platter, superb soup (tasty lobster bisque and heavenly Mushroom soup), tremendously delicious main courses (2 types per table to be shared - have tried salmon in capsicum sauce, baked pork loin, minty lamb steak, French chicken, steak), BEST dessert ever (esp. creme burlee)!

The base menu is set but you can make request if there are particular food items you favour. If they can get the ingredients, will cook for you.

:lol:verygood::D:hamsup::butwiggle::clap:

Thank You for the info.  :)

Were they previously operating in CWB, Russell St. just opposite Times SQ ?

IF so, I'd totally agree with your comments.

Would be nice if you could give us their phone number.  Thanks, :)

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-6-15 16:32 µoªí
Thank You for the info.  :)
Were they previously operating in CWB, Russell St. just opposite Times SQ ?
IF so, I'd totally agree with your comments.
Would be nice if you could give us thei ... [/quote]

Yes, I believe so. The Chinese "waiter" is an ex-Peninsula chef for over 20 years and he knows so much! Ambience of this new restaurant is very good too! The number is 28935891.

Well worth your effort! :lol:givemefive::D:butwiggle:

¦^´_ #3 peninsula ªº©«¤l

Seems attractive! Do you know if they would open on Sunday night?
Is it good place for 4-5 people to seat long and chat? I mean a 2-3hrs at least.
You know, sometimes you go to a restaurant but the background music is so loud..i hate it.

thank you buddy, I am gonna to try it.

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-6-15 17:43 µoªí


Yes, I believe so. The Chinese "waiter" is an ex-Peninsula chef for over 20 years and he knows so much! Ambience of this new restaurant is very good too! The number is 28935891.

We ... [/quote]


THANK You, I shall be going soon :)

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-6-16 08:00 AM µoªí



THANK You, I shall be going soon :) [/quote]


I have been to their Russell Street joint three or four times and first couple of visits, I thought it was good because it was good value in terms of quantity.  And as usual, "good value" does not equate to "delicious".  On top of that, the building/elevator was like a ghetto, and the ambience was old.  I haven't gone back for 5 years.

I would call this joint an OK eatery (assuming they have better facility in their new address), but if you look for quality, NO!!  There are many better choices elsewhere.

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]dejavu2003[/i] ©ó 2007-6-16 11:04 µoªí
I have been to their Russell Street joint three or four times and first couple of visits, I thought it was good because it was good value in terms of quantity.  And as usual, "good value ... [/quote]
I cannot agree with you. The seafood platter is one of the best I have sampled. This new place has good ambience, excellent for long chit-chat.

So which ones do you recommend? The usual 5 to 6 stars hotels' outlets? Please recommend some. Thanks.:o:soldier:;P:wondering::reading:

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-6-16 08:00 µoªí
THANK You, I shall be going soon :) [/quote]
Please give a report later, OK? Hope you'll enjoy. :beer::D:lol:$

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-16 01:21 µoªí
Seems attractive! Do you know if they would open on Sunday night?
Is it good place for 4-5 people to seat long and chat? I mean a 2-3hrs at least.
You know, sometimes you go to a restaurant but t ... [/quote]
Yes, they open on Sunday and can cater for private party up to 40 people. But if on any night, there are not more than 10 people, they will not open. I went on a Monday night and there was just enough for them to operate!:o:soldier::handshake

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-6-16 04:04 PM µoªí

I cannot agree with you. The seafood platter is one of the best I have sampled. This new place has good ambience, excellent for long chit-chat.

So which ones do you recommend? The usual 5 to 6 ... [/quote]


This is definitely not the worst ¨p©Ðµæ I have been to, althogh it's definitely not among the best.  I said it's an OK restaurant for good value, if the place has better facility than the old Russel Street joint.  Try Mirepoix although they are currently undergoing renovation.

I won't compare them with the usual 5 and 6 stars hotel restaurant.  They are in different league.

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]dejavu2003[/i] ©ó 2007-6-16 17:04 µoªí
This is definitely not the worst ¨p©Ðµæ I have been to, althogh it's definitely not among the best.  I said it's an OK restaurant for good value, if the place has better facility than the old ... [/quote]
No need to argue. Our tastebuds will be the final judge. Let others make comments later la.

Just came back from Ces't Bon Telford Garden. Really disappointing except for a couple of dishes.

Everybody would know you can expect good meals if you are prepared to pay $600 to $800 per head.
:P:blowme::hamsup::soldier::butwiggle:

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-6-16 16:05 µoªí

Please give a report later, OK? Hope you'll enjoy. :beer::D:lol:$ [/quote]


Yes! Sir :)

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-6-16 08:07 µoªí

Yes, they open on Sunday and can cater for private party up to 40 people. But if on any night, there are not more than 10 people, they will not open. I went on a Monday night and there was just e ... [/quote]

Just curious, do you mean if their reservation list is less then 10ppl, they will close? I think this is quite disappointing if somebody planned to go there one night but it will not open cos of not enough customers? :'(:nono:

Besides, if the food is so good, why so few ppl go there? Is it just newly opened so not many ppl know the place? :L

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-17 20:30 µoªí
Just curious, do you mean if their reservation list is less then 10ppl, they will close? I think this is quite disappointing if somebody planned to go there one night but it will not open cos o ... [/quote]
Not much publicity. They cannot afford to open if less than 10 people make reservation in any night as costs will be too high. Besides, they don't keep a lot of food to ensure freshness and buying for less than 10 people is not worthwhile. If you pick Friday or Saturday, I am sure there will be enough people.

Go try and tell us if any good. :o:soldier::):lol

how about the wine list

Are they have a good wine list for customers to choose?

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]winelover[/i] ©ó 2007-6-18 16:27 µoªí
Are they have a good wine list for customers to choose? [/quote]
OK list but better to bring your own. :lol;P:hamsup::o

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-6-18 04:40 µoªí

Not much publicity. They cannot afford to open if less than 10 people make reservation in any night as costs will be too high. Besides, they don't keep a lot of food to ensure freshness and buyin ... [/quote]

Ok, will bring along some friends and try once. :P
Do you think it is a good place to celebrate a good fd's birthday? :lol:D

By the way, any parking space? I don't think I can find one easily at/near star street??  :L

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-20 00:20 µoªí
Ok, will bring along some friends and try once. :P
Do you think it is a good place to celebrate a good fd's birthday? :lol:D
By the way, any parking space? I don't think I can find one easi ... [/quote]
Don't drive.

Yes, very suitable for birthday and quiet chit-chat as well!;P:P:):hamsup:

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-20 12:20 AM µoªí


By the way, any parking space? I don't think I can find one easily at/near star street??  ... [/quote]


If you drive up to Star Street, and turn right and go downhill at Cine Citta, there's a multi-storey car park on the right between Star St and Queen's Road East.

You can call up La Fete to find out.  I think the Chinese guy's name is Yves.

©O¶¡³¥³£¦nÁô½ª0¤U, ÁöµM¥u«YÅT§Ú¤½¥q«á­±, ¦­¨â­Ó¤ë«e­¹¹L, «Y­¹«ü©w®MÀ\, §Ú¦a¨â­Ó¤H, Salad, Soup, ÀY½L, ¤@¤jºÐ®üÂA«÷½L, ¥Dµæ«Y¿N鷄¤Î¦Ï¥¶, ²¢«~, ¦a¤è²Ó²Ó, ¦ý­øºâ§½«P, ¤£¹L¦n¶Â0¤U, ³Ì¾A¦X±¡«Q, ¦¬¶OHK$320, ¥H­¹ª«¤ÎÀô¹Ò¥i¥H±µ¨ü, ­È±o¤@¸Õ.

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-6-20 04:38 µoªí

Don't drive.

Yes, very suitable for birthday and quiet chit-chat as well!;P:P:):hamsup: [/quote]

Good! Thanks for letting me know. :P
There should be some good things around that area. I know more and ore restaurants open in that place so what else worth trying? :loveeyes:

Do you know a famous restaurant nearby for eating ³â¨F?  :loveeyes::lol

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]dejavu2003[/i] ©ó 2007-6-20 07:59 µoªí



If you drive up to Star Street, and turn right and go downhill at Cine Citta, there's a multi-storey car park on the right between Star St and Queen's Road East.

You can call up La Fete to ... [/quote]

Ic, thanks!
I just read from the net that Cine Citta got a good selection of wine, but expensive. Have u been there? v:P

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-21 12:17 AM µoªí


Ic, thanks!
I just read from the net that Cine Citta got a good selection of wine, but expensive. Have u been there? v:P [/quote]


I used to go to Cine Citta regularly but have not been there in the last couple of years for meals - and I don't know why.  Last time I went there was for a fashion show in Aug 05. They did have a good selection of wine but can't remember if they were expensive or not.  But their price is always on the high side.  Three years ago, I tried to book the venue for a company function - cocktails and snacks - and they quoted me something like $200K for a 5 pm to 8 pm for 100 people.  

I like Italian, so I like the place and it's worth a visit if you don't mind paying a little more.

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-21 00:08 µoªí


Good! Thanks for letting me know. :P
There should be some good things around that area. I know more and ore restaurants open in that place so what else worth trying? :loveeyes:

Do you know ... [/quote]

Another restaurant I quite like in this area is Ingredients, nice atmosphere, medium expensive if you order their $500-$600 five course set dinner menu (changed monthly).

Attached below was their set menu found in my e-mail inbox. Everything was quite good, I especially liked the fish and the chicken main courses.  Chicken was surprisingly tender and juicy.

--------------------
ingredients¡K¡Ka restaurant
pre-order set dinner menu
april 2nd-may 6th
available all week

cold ginger infused pumpkin soup with cranberries and chives
-------------------
pan fried king prawn with garlic and chilies, served with vermicelli salad and cilantro vinaigrette
------------------
lime mango sorbet
------------------
pan fried new zealand fillet of lamb, marinated with fennel and mint, parsnips and vegetable ragoux, served with spicy ginger chili peanut sauce and mint oil

or
deep fried lemon grass infused fillet of grouper, pine nuts, dried fruits-lime zest couscous, caramelized endives, served with sour plum sauce

or
oven baked chicken breast stuffed with swiss chart and enshallots, served with poached celery and madeira chicken foie gras sauce
--------------------
seasonal greens with grape seed oil dressing
---------------------
tapioca sponge cake with lime pave, ginger infused truffle chocolate with amaretto vanilla sauce
---------------------
reg tea/coffee


hk$560 per person
cake charge of $100 for up to 2 lbs
(we make cakes on premise)
10% service charge is added to the total bill

:)

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-6-21 13:06 µoªí
Another restaurant I quite like in this area is Ingredients, nice atmosphere, medium expensive if you order their $500-$600 five course set dinner menu (changed monthly). . [/quote]
Yes, there are lots of restaurants around that area.

However, for this price, I prefer Le Fete anytime. Their foods are really quite decent and genuine and I have sampled enough times to form an opinion ... ;P:P:hamsup::butwiggle::o

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]dejavu2003[/i] ©ó 2007-6-20 16:53 µoªí



I used to go to Cine Citta regularly but have not been there in the last couple of years for meals - and I don't know why.  Last time I went there was for a fashion show in Aug 05. They did h ... [/quote]

Do you think the restaurant is still there? :P:lol

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-6-21 05:06 µoªí


Another restaurant I quite like in this area is Ingredients, nice atmosphere, medium expensive if you order their $500-$600 five course set dinner menu (changed monthly).

Attached below was ... [/quote]

Thanks for the info. Personally I like foie gras for dinner. Do you know any good place? :loveeyes:

(Although I know its not healthy eating foie gras, just once a month is acceptable i think.) :P

*ahem* it's not foie gras, it's just foie gras "sauce".

about La Fete, it's nice to find a nice and cozy place for good French food, i like t-shirt + jeans too much to eat at Brasserie on the 8th more than once a year...  since the chef is from Peninsula, i assume the food is mainly more traditional style?  which is why i like Cammino, from a bad service/need renovation badly hotel like Excelsior, this Italian restaurant's dish quality is only barely below MO's Pierre(MO's got good hands, but they're cheap on their ingredients), at probably 1/5th the price...  and it's cozy, and the manager's nice.

ps.  is Ingredients another trendy fusion place? set menu is just a little too much peanut + vermicelli salad + lime zest + ginger infusion (Thai influence) for my taste, if i want to eat western...  and they don't switch for a month? eww...

on the other hand...alphagirl, if you want good laksa, there's Simply Thai(®õ²³æ), the elevator is next to President Theater's ticket booth.  they're on the 3rd floor, and they have an outdoor area.  pretty decent Thai food.  Padang(¤ÚªF) next to JP Theater has good Indonesian food, but their laksa is a little cheap on ingredients.

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-22 12:06 AM µoªí


Do you think the restaurant is still there? :P:lol [/quote]


Why not?  I have not heard that it closed.

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]moxfactor[/i] ©ó 2007-6-22 01:11 µoªí
*ahem* it's not foie gras, it's just foie gras "sauce".

about La Fete, it's nice to find a nice and cozy place for good French food, i like t-shirt + jeans too much to eat at Brasserie ... [/quote]

Yes, Ingredients is a trendy but comfortable place. Its fusion cuisines are nicely done, not overly "fusion" if you know what I mean.  Other then the monthly set menu, it does have an extensive regular menu you can oder from. They said the set menu is intended to give new customers an introduction to their style and specialties.

Anyway, I do think La Fete was nice when it was at Russell St., I had pleasant evenings there, and I'll soon vist their new place.

:)

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-22 00:15 µoªí


Thanks for the info. Personally I like foie gras for dinner. Do you know any good place? :loveeyes:

(Although I know its not healthy eating foie gras, just once a month is acceptable i think ... [/quote]


I don't think a decent pan fried foie gras is that difficult to make.   Nicely done foie gras is quite common place among HK restaurants IMHO.  The problem is I can't remember a single such place to recommend to you !

:(

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-22 00:06 µoªí
Do you think the restaurant is still there? :P:lol [/quote]
It's still there but I would rate it a touch above average. Not for me!;P:D:hamsup::o

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-6-22 15:23 µoªí
I don't think a decent pan fried foie gras is that difficult to make.   Nicely done foie gras is quite common place among HK restaurants IMHO.  The problem is I can't remember a single such p ... [/quote]
Agreed. Despite a 50/50 affair at Cest Bon, their pan fried foie gras was really good. Nice big juicy piece cooked to perfection.:o:D:hamsup:;P:verygood:

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]moxfactor[/i] ©ó 2007-6-21 17:11 µoªí
*ahem* it's not foie gras, it's just foie gras "sauce".

about La Fete, it's nice to find a nice and cozy place for good French food, i like t-shirt + jeans too much to eat at Brasserie ... [/quote]

Thanks for your suggestion. I have been to Simple Thai before, the place is rather crowded and noisy. Not quite comfortable sitting in there. But outdoor is good, but not for summer. :P

I like laksa very much. Not easy to find good ones in HK. :L

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-6-22 07:23 µoªí



I don't think a decent pan fried foie gras is that difficult to make.   Nicely done foie gras is quite common place among HK restaurants IMHO.  The problem is I can't remember a single such p ... [/quote]

It's ok. I remembered I tried twice at the oyster bar (@sheraton). The first time was nicely done, juicy, soft & crispy on the surface. The 2nd time was overcooked, dry & hard. What a waste! Even worse, I found a moving worm in the oyster shell, so disgusting! :L:'(

I should have complaint...but I didn't cos I didn't want to ruin the night on my fd's birthday!! :P

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-6-22 08:43 µoªí

Agreed. Despite a 50/50 affair at Cest Bon, their pan fried foie gras was really good. Nice big juicy piece cooked to perfection.:o:D:hamsup:;P:verygood: [/quote]

Yummy! :loveeyes::P

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]alphagirl@[/i] ©ó 2007-6-22 23:31 µoªí
Yummy! :loveeyes::P [/quote]
Tell me if any good after you have tried. Thanks. :o:givemefive:;P:D

We went to La Fete last week.  Yes, it is excellent value for money ($320 net per person). The food was ²Ê²Ê¦a but good and tasty, and you get lots and lots of it (make sure you would go there very hungry).  :verygood:

However, I do not think it is a good place for a romantic evening.  It was quite noisy with about 20+ diners at the time. The restaurant¡¦s rather low ceiling didn¡¦t help.  I¡¦d much prefer the old Russell Street place with its airy high ceiling (found in older buildings.) The same rustic decor worked very well then, and now it is quite out of place.

I left the place feeling a bit hectic from the noise.  To conclude, I asked my dinning partner how she liked the dinner, she said she liked it and definitely would go back, but it has to be in a long time.

:)

Note: A $50 corkage came with the bill. The waiter in his t-shirt and jeans offered to ask on my behalf the owner/manager to waive it, but I said never mind. Total bill came to $690 plus discretionary tip. ļ

[[i] ¥»©«³Ì«á¥Ñ ¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£ ©ó 2007-7-10 09:44 ½s¿è [/i]]

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-7-9 18:12 µoªí
We went to La Fete last week.  Yes, it is excellent value for money ($320 net per person). The food was ²Ê²Ê¦a but good and tasty, and you get lots and lots of it (make sure you would go there very ... [/quote]
As I said, seafood was best, followed by the appetizer, dessert and soup. The main courses can be considered "rough" but good nevertheless. Everything was top-notch 100% FRESH! Did you go on Friday or Saturday? Avoid those nights and you can have a quiet meal (the 3 times I tried were all pretty nice). My friend just went last week and said it was packed on Friday night.:o:lol;P:):hamsup:

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-7-9 21:08 µoªí

As I said, seafood was best, followed by the appetizer, dessert and soup. The main courses can be considered "rough" but good nevertheless. Everything was top-notch 100% FRESH! Did you  ... [/quote]

I went on Saturday.
:)

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-7-9 06:12 PM µoªí
I¡¦d much prefer the old Russell Street place with its airy high ceiling (found in older buildings.) [/quote]


But did the access and the dilapidated elevator of the old Russell Street place bother you?  And also Men and Women using the same toilet....

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]dejavu2003[/i] ©ó 2007-7-10 17:36 µoªí



But did the access and the dilapidated elevator of the old Russell Street place bother you?  And also Men and Women using the same toilet.... [/quote]

I thought the old building was charming, and I didn't know it had an elevator.

I didn't know men and women had to share same toilet, as I didn't have the need to use it, nor did I have a chance to check out the one(s) at this new place either. :)

Anyway, I prefer a more refined surrounding than......

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-7-10 06:20 PM µoªí


I thought the old building was charming, and I didn't know it had an elevator.

I didn't know men and women had to share same toilet, as I didn't have the need to use it, nor did I have a cha ... [/quote]

When I said elevator, it is commonly referred to as Lift here.

Charming?  If you refer to inside of the restaurant, it's a matter of opinion.  But if you refer to the access, from ground floor, the lift leading to the 3/F, no way.  That place was like ghetto.

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]dejavu2003[/i] ©ó 2007-7-10 18:59 µoªí


Charming?  If you refer to inside of the restaurant, it's a matter of opinion.  But if you refer to the access, from ground floor, the lift leading to the 3/F, no way.  That place was like ghetto.  [/quote]

:D:D Ha Ha, Yeah, Okay you are right. :D:D

May be we'd talk more about it TOM pm? :)

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]¥i·R¦Ñ¹xµ£[/i] ©ó 2007-7-10 08:11 PM µoªí


:D:D Ha Ha, Yeah, Okay you are right. :D:D

May be we'd talk more about it TOM pm? :) [/quote]


Yeah - in a more refined surrounding.

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]dejavu2003[/i] ©ó 2007-7-11 01:27 µoªí
Yeah - in a more refined surrounding. [/quote]
People move on so you cannot compare apple to orange ...

Definitely, this place is not the best but definitely not the worst by a long margin!:P;P:hamsup::butwiggle:

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-7-11 09:25 AM µoªí

People move on so you cannot compare apple to orange ...

Definitely, this place is not the best but definitely not the worst by a long margin!:P;P:hamsup::butwiggle: [/quote]

He's looking forward to a more refined surrounding, and we are going to one tonight.  Why?  Do you have a problem with that?

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]dejavu2003[/i] ©ó 2007-7-11 11:50 µoªí
He's looking forward to a more refined surrounding, and we are going to one tonight.  Why?  Do you have a problem with that? [/quote]
NO MAN!:slap:

Where are you going? The standard 6 stars hotels???? :wondering::oh::reading:

[quote]­ì©«¥Ñ [i]peninsula[/i] ©ó 2007-7-11 12:15 PM µoªí

NO MAN!:slap:

Where are you going? The standard 6 stars hotels???? :wondering::oh::reading: [/quote]

no, just Yung Kee.