Farm eats from Belgium
Updated: 2016-10-14 10:37
By maggie beale(HK Edition)
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Popular at any time of the day, Le Pain Quotidien (LPQ) is located at one end of the very prettily re-vamped "wedding card street" in Wan Chai. It's a most befitting setting for this traditionally themed outlet, offering hearty dishes based mostly on homemade bread - the staple of food eaten by farmers in Belgium.
The LPQ franchise was conceived by Alain Courmont, a descendent of Belgian grocers. It seems he was strongly influenced by his grandmother's cooking as he often stayed with her at the busy hotel she ran near a train station in Huy, Belgium.
As a young boy Courmont was often put on a high chair to have him parked out of harm's way. It was from this vantage point he would watch his grandmother cook. The smells and tastes absorbed during childhood remained in his memory, as these things do. So when he opened his own restaurant some years later, Courmont was disappointed that he could not find a source for traditional breads that would have the authentic flavor of grandma's baking skills. As a result he was left with just one option: "to make my own!"
Now, with more than 235 restaurants in over 18 countries and regions since the brand was launched in Brussels in 1990, LPQ does that with aplomb and more.
Breakfast and brunch include typical Hong Kong favorites such as Belgium waffles with organic jam, fresh cream and berries. There are several veggie delights such as scrambled organic tofu with chia seeds that might make a satisfying start to any day.
Prices range from a simple organic croissant at HK$28 and butter brioche at HK$24 to a full meal Tartine set breakfast at around HK$190, including tartine garnished with farmer's cheese, strawberries, blueberries, sesame seeds and peppermint with a side of honey, orange juice and choice of hot beverage organic breads at HK$115.
Or there's The Angler, that comes with an organic croissant or pain au chocolat, organic bread, organic soft-boiled egg, smoked salmon, rustic tuna salad, homemade herb ricotta and organic granola parfait with seasonal fruits for just HK$155
All pastries and breads are made with unadulterated flour and without additives.
As with any meal what you drink with the food will impact the degree of satisfaction you derive. LPQ has a good range of drinks on offer, including a variety of coffee - organic, mocha, latte - as well as Belgian hot chocolate (wonderfully delicious!), green and herbal teas and cold pressed juices.
There's a fine mid-morning pick-me-up in the almond butter berry drink in which the ingredients are: fresh berries, banana, organic chia seeds coconut milk and almond butter. It comes at HK$60.
The setting has a very clean aspect, with large windows letting the light in. The tables and chairs are fuss-free, all made from natural wood. The service is fast and the menus are clear and self-explanatory. And the pedestrian-only walkway just outside adds a charming aspect to the whole area.
We could do with many more niche areas for high-quality food like this in Hong Kong.
(HK Edition 10/14/2016 page8)