A newer casual sister restaurant to Madam Sixty Ate, over at Sal Curioso, the food is centered around Tapas sized dishes and larger Sharing plates with flair. Its modern Spanish and South American themed food and from us the customers point of view, we instantly compare it in our heads with it’s most obvious competitor 22 Ships - currently on everyone’s lips as the outright favourite of being the Best New Opening in 2012. We were invited to try out the food here and give some feedback to the kitchen privately, so I will be less critical than usual typing this out as they improve gradually to iron out the kinks!
The Madam Sixty Ate’s parent Dining Group opened this new Concept restaurant -
This invitational event is slightly different from normal tasting events as we were requested to give feedback to the kitchen directly rather than obliged to blog. No need to write yeh!! but they wanted genuine opinions so I will start firing away. I really appreciate this from a foodies point of view.
Inside is quite Spacious, perfect for Mid-Large Group Gatherings during X’Mas-
Treading up the Stairs to the main Dining Hall -
A Pineapple based Cocktail to start off the Night - $90
Vodka, Aperol, Pineapple, Passionfruit and Citrus.
White Gazpacho with Bacalao Croqueta – $42
Didn’t get the white gazpacho part as it was quite weak and not refreshing enough. The bacalao croquette was also too weak in salted cod taste. ~ 6/10
Squid Ink cracker with Prawn Tartare - $42
Served in a shot glass. Liked the prawn tartare.
Corn Crackers, Tomato relish, Goats Cheese & Cilantro Salsa – $50
Crunchy and a good snack. Could have more corns flavour. ~ 7/10
Some White wine to start off the night -
Innocent Bystander’s Chardonnay 2010. Made by one of the coolest wineries in Melbourne that I visited often on my weekends and bake and roast their own breads, coffees, wines, pizzas.
Swordfish Ceviche – $90
Raw and Seared swordfish, with Seville marmalade, Tequila candied kumquats, avocado mousse and Orange Tonic gel. Liked the raw ceviche better.
Salt Bush Lamb Albondigas – $55
This Australian lamb is packed with flavours and grazed on Salt Bush, which has a high salt content. Similar to Normandy's Agneau De Pré-Salé or Scotlands lambs which eat a Seaweed diet. This was packed with flavours and served with walnuts, braised chickpeas and melted foie gras within.
Peruvian Duck Confit Ceviche with Orange Tonic Foam, Duck Jus – $90
With Sweet potato Chili gel & Wafers, this Ceviche is actually cooked as per Peruvian tradition. Apparently some customers can’t understand why a ceviche is cooked, a similar analogy is when some people complain about certain Carpaccio dishes being cooked, when it can be..
Smoked BBQ Pork Ribs, Smoked Tomatoes, Chickpea Fricassee,
Carolina BBQ Sauce – $200 (Half Rack)
The smoked Truss tomatoes were the best. but I have got to say the Ribs were kinda dry and not very smoky, unlike their smoked tomatoes.
Molasses Suckling Pig Served with Cinnamon Pears and Mustard Fruit compote
- $130 per 100g
Our pieces were quite fatty and the skin a little soft… however the other side of the table got a separate dish that was said to be great! Consistency is the key. The chef slicing this pig up to serve customers should already know which pieces are ok crispened up. If it’s too soft upon slicing, please put it back into the oven to caramelise and crispen up further. Kitchens and Customers need better in-between communications! 
Roast Monkfish & Cockles – $255
I personally wouldn’t pay $255 to eat this but it was very good, one of the highlights on the night. I was secretly hoping for some Monkfish livers too... Came with crisp Pork Rinds and Olive Mashed Potatoes. The Cockles had some Thai flavours to it. I liked this actually but at this price point, I expected something extraordinary or a bigger portion. What is the point of the fried pork rind here actually?
A Malbec for the following Dishes -
Smoky and fruit bomb, this is considered a wine that is inelegant yet I actually think it paired well with a lot of food especially the ones with spices here.
Biscay Marmitako – $260
1 word. Needs more soup and compacted flavour. It’s a Basque dish and I know this looks fanciful but flavour always rules over presentation..
Green Chili Charred Organic Chicken – $275
With Squid Wafers and Pineapple & Ginger dressing. This was generally well received and a Thai inspired like creation.
Tunisian Spice Rubbed Lamb – $130 /100g
Obviously not the same Salt Bush lamb above, as the lamb flavour was missing. Served with Harissa flavoured yoghurt and Potato puffs, the latter probably over-fried dark. The lamb had too much fat attached and was too chewy than melty. One of the biggest disappointments on the night, as I really liked the flavoring of this dish.
Butter Milk Fried Chicken – $150
With Corn Ragout and Corn Fritters. I was rather surprised when the chicken came out looking like it had a brik-pastry wrapped around the chicken – it was certainly a 1st for me for a butter milk fried chicken. Liked the creamy corn ragout beneath, the Corn fritters were slightly floury-limpy and the chicken pieces weren’t very butter milk soaked. Apparently every person coming through the door is ordering this dish, so it had better be excellent… !
Tomato Salad -
4 Types of tomatoes from Australia served here. This was great and refreshing. Later on, Sal Curioso will start serving their Heirloom tomatoes grown in HK by the chefs themselves.
Sweet Wine to round off the night -
A Gros Manseng single varietal. Not too sticky which is great. I have always been a big fan of Gros Manseng sweet wines and I used to drink it at Cumulus Inc. (Melbourne) a lot. Great if you think the Balzacs and Sauternes and Vin Santos are a little overboard sweet syrupy!
An ending Digestivo drink -
Strawberry Spider – $90
Strawberries with around 4 different textures and Champagne float with Coconut Espuma foam.
Smoked Peanut Butter Pate, Rum Bananas, Hazelnut meringue Wafers,
Coffee crumbles and Banana Ice Cream – $90
Excellent and the best dessert by far.
Truffled Vanilla Rice Pudding – $85
With caramel pop corns, white chocolate ice cream, chocolate snow and truffle oil.
Rocky Road marshmallow Sundae – $90
With raspberry sorbet.
Potted Key Lime Pie – $80
Lime marmalade Coconut sorbet & Biscuits, Coconut crisps.
Volcanic Rock Broiler Grill -
Sal Curioso is a fun place to eat and the drinks are done well here too.
It is on the right track, but again people are comparing it directly to places like 22 Ships or even Socialito down the road. Who will come out on top? Or can they all be winners?
Price: Around HKD $300 – $400 per Person.
Ease of Access: 4/5 (Found opposite LKF and Fringe Club)
Food: Meal was by Invitation for Feedback
Opening Hours:
Mon to Sun - 12:00pm - 15:00pm, 18:00pm - 23:00pm
Address: 中環雲咸街32號2樓
2/F, 32 Wyndam Street, Central
Ph: 2537 7555
The food looks so delicious
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