29 french fancies
French people have very high standards as far as cuisine is concerned. Even more so when we are abroad, as we pine for that perfect dish to transport us back home! Chinese people seem to enjoy French cuisine more and more. In fact, people of all nationalities tend to be investing more time getting excited about food. To be honest I really like eating at home but if I do go out then I like places where I can sit outside. We are lucky at Chez Patrick as we have an outdoor terrace.
The French Food Marketeer Caroline Boisson is marketing manager for the Chez Patrick Group, and before this was PR and events manager for the French Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. “There is a huge French community here in Hong Kong, I think this is the third biggest French expat community in the world. There are around 12,000 of us and many more on their way!
We have been open for three months. We have a fine dining restaurant too but here at the deli, we do takeaway, on-site dining and soon we’ll add an online shop. Of course there are plenty of very good French restaurants in Hong Kong. Many of the top French chefs are here like Pierre Gagnaire and Robuchon. But not all French restaurants are high-end. More and more bistro-style places are opening where the cuisine is more home-style, more traditional. People say French women are typically very slim. I am not sure that’s true but if it is maybe it’s because we eat quality, not quantity. I think Chinese women are much skinnier than us though!” Chez Patrick Deli 3 Star Street, Wanchai. T 2527 1408 Le French May runs from 15 April to 23rd June, www.frenchmay.com
gourmet getaway: vive la vietnam twitter.com/foodiehk // may 2011
There are French influences all over Vietnam thanks to its history as a French colony, so gourmet explorers should check it out for Le French May. Head to the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi – where Le Beaulieu restaurant has been serving up amazingly good Coq au Vin since 1901. Back on street level, you’ll find vendors selling fresh baguettes, called Bahn Mi, usually filled with BBQ pork, pate, chicken or cheese. www.sofitel.com