Scarlett Café and Wine Bar is a chic French eatery tucked away on Austin Avenue, on the edge of the Tsim Sha Tsui shopping district. A large bar occupies the ground floor of the two-story setup, with the second level providing additional seating, where the open kitchen allows diners to appreciate the food preparation. I was invited to try the new autumn wine-pairing menu at Scarlett while I was holidaying in Hong Kong in September, and I could not refuse an offer to mix pleasure and work.
Value French food and wine tasting
For a relatively modest establishment, Scarlett certainly presents a comprehensive wine menu of over 40 reds and 13 white wines, with a handful of popular champagne such as Dom Perignon and Moet et Chandon thrown in for good measure. I like how the wine selections were clearly differentiated between grape varieties and characteristics, such as Merlots being “smooth, soft tannins”, and the Cabernets are “rich and powerful, strong tannins and acidity”; Scarlett made it easy for patrons to select a wine based on their preferences.
Being a bar, Scarlett also boasts a wide selection of starters and appetizers from their kitchen. My companion and I ordered the G-board (HKD$298), which came with large portions of three types of cheeses and cold-cuts. The cheese board seemed to be really popular among patrons, with several other tables ordering it.
G-board (HKD$298), with three kinds of cheeses and three types of cold cuts. Photo © Justin Teo.
The signature Lyonnaise dish Quenelle de brochet gratinee (HKD$108), poorly translated as Pike Fish Dumpling, was suggested by the in-house sommelier to be paired with a white Chorey-les-Beaune (HKD$589/bottle), since the sauce also has the same Chardonnay in it. I loved the soft pillowy texture of the dumpling, which had a pleasant aroma, and the velvety white sauce was a great accompaniment. This may be an excellent dish for someone who does not like fish to try, as there is no bones to pick, and eating it was almost like eating a fluffy egg omelette.
Quenelle de brochet gratinee (HKD$108), Pike Fish Dumpling. Photo © Justin Teo.
We also ordered the Beef Tartar “A la Monmartre” (HKD$138), which I paired with Castel Roubine (HKD$267/bottle), a slightly dry and light rose. The slight citrus notes in the wine paired well with the lemony seasoning for the beef, especially apt since the temperatures were still rather warm in Hong Kong.
Beef Tartar “A la Monmartre” (HKD$138), served with potato wedges. Photo © Justin Teo.
The braised Kurobuta Pork Belly (HKD$138) was not on the suggested pairing menu, but we ordered it anyway. The gelatinous pork fats with green le puy lentils and carrots could have been washed down well with a dark fruity and medium bodied red wine; however several of the reds I wanted to try were only available in full bottles.
Kurobuta Pork Belly (HKD$138). Photo © Justin Teo.
Aftertaste
Scarlett presents an excellent value preposition for like-minded wine friends to hang out after office hours, with its comprehensive wine list and well-executed French dishes at affordable prices. Just be warned that service can be rather wanting from the seemingly understaffed operation. I also recommend a seat on the ground level, where the noise level would be more bearable compared to the din upstairs.
Scarlett Café and Wine Bar
2 Austin Ave Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
Phone +852 3565 6513
Opening hours: 7:00 am-12:00 am (Monday to Sunday)
