Above: At God’s Window, Mpumalanga
Above: At the England-Germany game, and Brazil-Chile game
Above: Spot the odd one out. Safari in South Africa (excuse the sheep)
Above: Bald Eagle enjoying a glass of beer with his brother.
Above: Sticky pork pancake at Graskop
Up to five days ago, I never knew of the existence of The Krug Room. We were having drinks in Hong Kong, and Mr. B (our fine dining guru) suddenly mentioned The Krug Room. “There are only THREE Krug Rooms in the world,” he said calmly, “and one of them is located right here in this hotel!”
“So why haven’t I heard of it?” asked Hua. “I dine here all the time.”
“Because,” Mr. B lowered his voice conspiratorially, “there is a secret passageway that leads to the room, and you have to spend a lot of money to be able to dine there.”
He had me at Krug.
Equipped with that information, Hua masterminded a special visit to The Krug Room sans food. We were led through the back door of a restaurant which appeared to lead to the main kitchen. A few steps later, we were at an inconspicuous doorway which opened into a private dining room. My jaw dropped at the sight.
Designed by Marc and Chantal, the room is tasteful and chic, probably to reflect Executive Chef Uwe Opocensky’s progressive gastronomy. The floors and chairs were constructed from the same oak that was used to make the champagne barrels, while the light fittings were cleverly made from Hermès plates stacked at different levels. The tableware was specially designed by Hermès for The Krug Room with calligraphy designs of chinese poetry. The menu, specially created by Chef Opocensky daily, is scribbled on a slate wall, and if my meal at the one Michelin starred restaurant, Mandarin Grill + Bar (also helmed by Chef Opocensky, blog post to follow soon), is anything to go by, then I am confident that the Chef’s interpretation of food at The Krug Room will knock anyone’s socks off.
The Krug Room is said to house the largest collection of Krug champagnes outside of France. Dinner guests can view the preparation of the food through a glass window that separates the dining room and the kitchen, and food is personally served by the chef himself.
The price? From HK$1,988 per person for a 14-course meal with one glass of Krug champagne. And if you’re feeling really frivolous, Thomas Keller (French Laundry/Per Se) will be a guest chef at the restaurant in November and prices are rumoured to be in the vicinity of HK$5,000 per person.
I. Will. Dine. Here. One. Day. I suppose I should count myself lucky to have been able to just touch the furniture in the Krug Room. To think that it all started with one bit of gossip over some Bellinis one morning in Hong Kong….
The Krug Room
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
For reservations, call: +852 2825 4014 or email: mohkg-krugroom@mohg.com.
Maybe I need some rehab, or maybe just need some sleep
I’ve got a sick obsession, I’m seeing it in my dreams
I’m looking down every alley, I’m making those desperate calls
Im staying up all night hoping, Hit my head against the walls
What you’ve got boy is hard to find
Think about it all about it all the time
I’m all strung up my heart is fried
I just cant get you off my mind
Because your chang, your chang, your chang, is my drug
Your chang your chang your chang
I said your chang, your chang, your chang, is my drug
Your chang your chang your chang
Won’t listen to any advice, mamma’s telling me to think twice
But left to my own devices i’m addicted its a crisis!
My friends think I’ve gone crazy, my judgment is getting kinda hazy
My status is gonna be affected if I keep it up like a love sick crackhead
Because your chang, your chang, your chang, is my drug
Your chang your chang your chang
I said your chang, your chang, your chang, is my drug
Your chang your chang your chang
I don’t care what people say
The rush is worth the price I pay
I get so high when you’re with me
But crash and crave you when you are away
Because your chang, your chang, your chang, is my drug
Your chang your chang your chang
I said your chang, your chang, your chang, is my drug
Your chang your chang your chang
Heyyy heyyy your chang, your chang, is my drug
*******
The 1kg bak chang filled with sticky glutinous rice, salted egg yolk, pork belly, roast pork, lup cheong, green bean, chestnuts, dried shrimp, lotus seed, dried oyster and chestnut. Made in conjunction with the Duanwu festival. Love love love it. RM20 per piece.
Restaurant Yook Tho Yin
No 13, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama,
Petaling Jaya.
Tel: 03 – 7729 6534
Also check out A Lil Fat Monkey’s blog.