Adventure #186: Lupa (with wine tasting)

Lupa, a rather well known restaurant, has opened its door in Hong Kong for a couple of years now.  As the reviews were generally mixed, I never made an effort to try it out.  Today, Amorosso Fine Wines organised a wine pairing dinner there.  And the organiser, Luca, told us that an Italian chef from Rome was in town and had designed the menu for the tasting. So, it seemed like a good excuse to finally sample the dishes at Lupa.

The wines we would be tasting were from 2 vineyards owned by the same family - Isole and Olena. One in Tuscany and the other up north in Piedmont.

Today we were joined by Betty and Samson. Great for some long overdue catching up.

When we got there, we were served canapes while we mingled with the other guests. With the canapes, we were served Propieta' Sperino - Lessona, Nebbiolo & Vespolina "Rosa del Rosa" ~ Piemonte 2011.  The rose was light and refreshing.  Good with starters and kinder on the empty stomach.

For starters, both G and I opted for the house marinated salmon on crispy carasau bread with sour cream and chives instead of the seafood salad with white polenta and herbs.  Small dish but refreshing.
Paired with Isole e Olena's Chardonnay "colleczione de Marchi" ~ Toscana 2011. Usually not a white wine drinker but this one is light and went really well with the salmon.

Once again G and I both chose the beef tartare with quail egg with tarragon, mustard sauce and crutons, rather than the smoked duck breast with salted butter, black bread and soya shoots.  This dish looked very appetizing but didn't taste good.  The beef pieces were too chunky. Disappointing.
Pair with Isole e Olena's Sangiovese "cepparello" ~ Toscana 2007 Magnum.
Although the dish was disappointing, the wine was good. The owner said 2007's vintage was good but all made into magnums.  He said many customers preferred the 2008 which we tried next.

For the 3rd course, we chose guinea hen ravioli over gorgonzola (a kind of cheese) ravioli.  This dish was better than the last but nothing great. 
As the owner said earlier this dish was paired with the 2008.  And indeed we prefer the 2008 to the 2007 magnum. The 2008 has a fully body which I preferred.

Look at the wine we tasted! By now, we were rather tipsy......

G and I went our separate ways on the 4th course. I chose Oxtail meatballs, gnocco alla Romana and candied celery.  An intersting dish but not very nice.  The meatballs were a little sweet, a very unusual taste which we didn't quite like. The gnocco were ok.
Paired with Propieta' Sperino - Lessona, Nebbiodo & Vespolina ~ Piemonte 2007. By now, I can't really taste what is what but my favourite so far is still the 2008.



G chose lamb saddle with lardo, chopped zucchini with a mint and yogurt sauce.

I had plum tarte for dessert.  I think this was by far the best dish of the night!
Dessert was paired with Isole e Olena's Malvasia & Trebbiano "Vin Santo del Chianti Classico" ~ Toscana 2004

The other dessert was chocolate budino. I didn't taste it but it looked rather boring.

Overall, we thought the food was not up to standard.  The restaurant was nice and the wines were good. Not likely to return again.

Lupa
3/F, LHT Tower
31 Queen’s Road
Central