Pouring Enchantment
The history of this renovated three-storey masterpiece lends a touch of mystique to one of the city's most romantic settings. But while the surroundings are disarming, the prices are not. Those willing to spare the expense will find it a delightful experience. Torn over what dishes to order as we sat by candlelight on the patio, we discovered that if you don't want to do the thinking, the sommelier will prepare a pairing menu for you based on your preferences, offering tasting instructions and pairing explanations as well. Most glasses of wine run between ￥40-60, the most expensive being ￥180. We began with the House-Cured Salmon with honey mustard dill sauce (￥95), a nicely harmonized dish rendered more impressive when paired with a dry white Marques de Ricale Reuda 2006. The Variation of Foie Gras (￥158) followed, a well-presented selection of terrine and pan-seared foie gras and the more inventive creme brûlée and praline covered versions, the latter creamy, flavorful and by far our favorite of the four. An accompanying glass of Trimbach Gewerztraminer 2005 with a heady nose of lychee and rose was the perfect complement. Next, olive oil poached black cod (￥98 starter, ￥178 main) offered an ample portion of tender cod with caper-chardonnay-velouté all atop a citrus potato mash and was, in short, to die for. Then proceeded a juicy beef tenderloin with braised oxtail (￥218) in a merlot glaze. Mains are largely without accompaniments but you can order a range of side dishes from about ￥40 up. We then finished off with a frozen cappuccino (￥55) topped with a tangy berry sauce whose bitterness helped cleanse our palate. While it may not be for the light of wallet, this venue affords a level of intimacy and detail that makes for a truly enchanting evening.

Trista Baldwin

Add: 1-2/F, Wine Residence, 57 Jiangyin Lu ½¬阴路57号1-2楼
Tel: 6318-0057