Italian-Japanese cuisine in chic new restaurant within famous Swiss watchmaker’s flagship boutique
September 5th, 2014
Globally acclaimed by wristwatch connoisseurs since commencing his watch manufacture in Switzerland in 1991, Franck Muller and his eponymous brand have long had a strong following among watch collectors in Asia. Known as the Master of Complications, Franck Muller watches are famous for their unique fusion of complicated technical innovation with a boldly distinctive design aesthetic. Having opened the first stand-alone Franck Muller watch boutique in Tokyo back in 1992, further boutiques or Maison Franck Muller (House of Frank Muller) have been established in other leading cities.
And now, in conjunction with the June 2014 opening of his new flagship Maison Franck Muller in Hong Kong, the concept has further evolved to include, for the first time in the watch industry, fine dining within the brand experience of the boutique showroom. Set on the floors above the main showroom and within the four levels of the Hong Kong Maison are two separate fine dining restaurants – on the second floor FRANCESCO by FRANCK MULLER – serving a contemporary fusion of Italian and Japanese cuisines in a colorful, chic dining room – and on the floor above – EIGHTEEN SHARP – featuring contemporary Chinese cuisine fused with European influences.
Taking cues from the cuisine, Italian and Japanese design elements are harmoniously combined to create a chic, avant garde dining space. The restaurant decor has a colorful, contemporary elegance – sophisticated yet relaxed. Inspired by the brand’s signature Color Dreams watch collection, the fabric colors of the dining chairs are taken from the index colors on the dials of the Color Dream watches.
Signature dishes from the Francesco menu that exemplify the accomplished reinterpretation of traditional Italian cuisine with modern twists and Japanese influences include the Sashimi Octopus Salad which combines fresh Hokkaido octopus with mixed greens, wasabi pickles and homemade basil dressing; and the Linguini topped with Scallop Au Gratin, Japanese mushrooms tossed in homemade tomato sauce and topped with scallop au gratin. At the elegant black marble bar, classic and signature cocktails are complemented with a concise list of premium wines and champagne, served by bottle or glass.
Maison Franck Muller in Hong Kong is prominently located in the heart of the Causeway Bay retail area, directly opposite Times Square. Francesco by Franck Muller is open daily from midday until midnight – serving lunch and dinner. A Set Lunch Menu, updated bi-weekly, is priced from a very accessible HK$158 for 2 courses. Menu updates and seasonal specialties are listed on the Facebook Page.
