Maison ES

Maison Es is the latest passion-project from Esther Sham, the woman behind North Point’s successful Ta Pantry. Esther’s new boutique restaurant, easily overlooked down the little dead-end Electric Street, off Wan Chai’s Star Street. Maison Es is the kind of quaint French bistro that Hong Kong’s romantically-minded set will die for, all pastel-shades, chanson, and of course delectable dishes. And in terms of cuisine, while Maison Es is avowedly French-orientated, you can still find Sham’s delicate, personal touch at work here in a few subtle fusion delicacies.

Esther Sham’s latest foray into Hong Kong’s boutique dining scene is the tastefully understated but surprisingly spacious Maison Es, a French restaurant with a decidedly bistro vibe that can be found, if you know where to look, down Electric Street, a cul-de-sac off Star Street in Wan Chai. From the outside, you’d be forgiven for mistaking Maison Es for a florist, with its pastel frontage and tin buckets of roses and oriental lilies. Inside is a blissful affair, an atmospheric space that can accommodate up to 68 guests. And it’s worth mentioning that, because Maison Es’ forte is to host private kitchen-style dining events, as well as workshops and demonstrations in a cosy, separate room that doubles as a kitchen space.

Taking a step towards a true restaurant (whereas Esther’s previous space, Ta Pantry, was exclusively private dining), Wan Chai’s Maison Es offers an a la carte and set lunch menu, bursting, quietly, with signature dishes that are wonderful demonstrations of Esther’s ardent Francophilia. Lobster carpaccio immersed in chilled tomato water and escargot and champignon a la bourguignon two such French delicacies, but then there’s Esther’s penchant for considered fusion cuisine – this is Hong Kong after all. Take the crispy foie gras and fig wontons drizzled with sweet balsamic, for instance, or the yuzu duck breast topped with daikon salad, for two East Asian-French connections. Match all this with over 140 wines, most of them French and many of rare vintage, and you can be certain that this rather special Electric Street restaurant is going to need your bookings well in advance.