Hong Yau & Sara's Double T.
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Our visit to AMÂLIA was a delight. We had no trouble securing a 6:30 pm slot for two when we booked two weeks in advance. Our table offered a clear view of the open kitchen and the hardworking chefs. Overall, the meal showcased a creative menu, friendly staff, and an experience worthy of its one Michelin star.
Food
- Both of us chose the LE GRAND MENU AMÂLIA, an eight-course tasting menu that concluded with petit fours. Hong added the €20 Kristal caviar supplement to the scallop dish. The menu felt well-balanced overall, though it leaned noticeably toward seafood.
- Every dish displayed varied textures and multiple layers of complementary flavours. The ingredient combinations were highly creative, with some surprising pairings that worked beautifully.
- Standout dishes included:
- The RED MULLET ‘À LA BOURGUIGNONNE’, a clever reinterpretation of the classic beef bourguignon. Perfectly cooked red mullet sat atop tender beef wrapped in sour spinach—an unexpected fish-and-beef pairing that tasted extraordinary.
- The FROZEN PEAR dessert, served with a Dijon mustard caramel sauce. Hong was initially sceptical about the mustard, but it cut brilliantly through the richness of the goat cheese mousse.
- The SPICY SCALLOPS featured a single scallop with nduja, watercress, and ginger sauce. Unfortunately, the scallop was slightly overcooked and had a rubbery texture—a disappointing miss for an otherwise promising dish. When we mentioned it, the staff handled the feedback gracefully and thanked us. The caviar supplement, while tasty and harmonious, ultimately felt unnecessary.
- The black-lemon smoked butter for the bread was delicious but arrived mid-meal with no explanation. We were left eating plain bread for quite some time, unsure whether the delay was intentional.
Service
- The main hostess was exceptionally warm, spoke perfect English, and showed genuine passion for the food. She happily elaborated on dishes that intrigued us and recommended a non-alcoholic Amaretto Sour to pair with the 70% CHOCOLATE dessert—it was a surprising and delicious match.
- The team was generally friendly, attentive, and welcoming.
- A few servers had limited English, which occasionally made dish explanations unclear and led to some details being lost in translation.
- Minor issues: our water glasses often went unnoticed, forcing us to refill them ourselves throughout the meal. There was also a long, awkward wait for the bill—tables who asked after us were served first.
Atmosphere
- The seating was quiet and intimate, with a minimalist yet professional décor.
- Table lamps placed directly in the centre of the table looked elegant but disrupted the intimate feel and made conversation awkward across the light. We ended up moving the lamp to one side for most of the evening.
With an updated menu, perhaps we could return again for a future visit! :)
/ double takes by Sara and Hong Yau /