private kitchen

[Blue88]

hey all,

any views on le marron and le blanc?

otherwise, any views on other places that are byob/no corkage?

thanks!

[Blue88]

anyone? are private kitchens dying out?

[curlyv]

I've been to both of those and liked them both, but then I love French food. In theory Le Marron is a slightly posher version of Le Blanc. Service can apparently be a bit hit and miss, but I didn't have a problem.

There are also a couple of places in Sheung Wan on Bonham Strand in a building called the Pemberton I think.

One is Bonheur (french again) which is good, and there is another one elsewhere in Sheung Wan called Magnolia which is creole food I believe.

[Blue88]

thanks curlyv!

i've heard that le marron can be very noisy and lacks privacy.

i've also heard that le blanc is rather 'tacky' looking.

care to shed some light on these comments?

[Cwbguy]

Was in Le Marron a few weeks ago. Service was fine but food a little hit and miss.

Didn't really like seeing a minimum charge of $320 a head at the bottom of the menu, and tables were way too close together.

Starters were good, a duck confit main was well prepared but the "Magnificent roasted halibut in serrano ham" was an overcooked dry dish which at $220 is unacceptable.

[curlyv]

Le Blanc can look a bit odd as they screen off sections with bits of wood and material. Guess it's so they can change the size of sections depending on bookings. I'd go with the word rustic.

If you want somewhere that looks more proper restaurant like then I'd go with Bonheur.

[Blue88]

so would i be right in presuming that this is the order of preference in terms of food, service, ambiance and appearance?

1. bonheur
2. le marron
3. le blanc

[beachball]

so would i be right in presuming that this is the order of preference in terms of food, service, ambiance and appearance?

1. bonheur
2. le marron
3. le blanc

Between the three restaurants listed? Possibly - but there are many other/better French restaurants in Hong Kong.

[Blue88]

but are these better places byob/no corkage?

[Blue88]

any other suggestions for good private kitchens serving western food (other than magnolia)?