MENU - Explore the Spice Route

Brought to you by ONCE UPON A TABLE . sat 28 may 7pm.

Ginger

Lime Martini with fresh ginger, soda and coriander ice cubes

Nutmeg, Paprika and Fennel

Artichoke Dip with Nutmeg, sour cream and cheese

Smoky Babaganoush with Paprika and walnut

Warm homemade Fennel flat breads

Sumac

Turkish Gurvadagi Salad with fresh tomatoes, parsley, crunchy walnuts, pomegranate molasses & sumac

Paired with crisp, hoppy European style Numazu Lager from Baird Brewery , Japan

Panchphoron ( Indian 5 spice blend)

Prawns steamed inside a tender coconut with Indian 5 spice

Paired with malty, yeasty Juniper Pale Ale from Rogue Ales, Newport, USA

Olive Oil and Spice Tasting

middle eastern Olive Oil with Za’tar

italian olive oils with Paprika and peperoncino

Mustard

Boeuf Bourguignon with an Indian spice mash and dijon mustard

Paired with 2009 Jean Foillard, Morgon (AC),Côte du Py

Sage

Seasonal watermelon and sage granita to refresh the palate

Cumin

New Zealand lamb Chargrilled Xinjiang Style with cumin, served with cool cucumber and spring onion pancakes

Paired with 2008 Domaine des Dimanche, Coteaux du Vendomois

Saffron.

Persian Baklava spiced with cardamom and drizzled with saffron infused rosewater syrup

Served with fresh mint tea or coffee

Explore the Spice Route

Once Upon A Table’s next secret gathering takes a journey along the Silk Road’s Spice Route. We’ve scoured the globe for exotic spices that unearth the richness of this trade through their intriguing tales and flavours.

Join us on Saturday the 28th of May for Explore the Spice Route - an evening of story telling, discovery and surprise as we share a 7 course sensorial menu paired that has been carefully with a selection of wines and artisinal beers.

Cost per head $550 – includes 7 courses with wine and artisinal beer to match

To RSVP please email onceuponatable@gmail.com on the 12th of May between 12noon and 3pm. The first 14 guests to reply will be invited.

(please do not RSVP before this date/time - we need to keep our guest list fair!)

Menu details to be revealed shortly

Around the World in 8 Wines

Our most recent secret gathering - Around the World in 8 Wines - was experimental in many ways, which made it stand out for us. And judging from the feedback, our guests loved it too. We partnered with The Kitchen Nomads and Fred Lam a genius photographer (check out some of Fred's pro pics below) which we thoroughly enjoyed. We tried a new venue - a spacious, converted warehouse right at the end of the Island Line in Chai Wan. And we focused the evening on wines from uncommon parts of the world which we then paired with an eclectic mix of delicious food. We were fortunate enough to have Africa2Asia sponsor a sensational South African Delheim Pinotage and S&D German Wines donate undiscovered "boutique wines" from Germany.

Elisa once again captivated guests as she took them on a journey to unusual wine regions, giving them the opportunity to experiment and discover new variations of classics. Who knew, for example, that a Rose could be gold coloured or that a Pinotage is exclusively produced in South Africa? Check out the pics below to get a feel for the fabulous night it was!

An early start as we prepare for the evening ahead

Magic hands, kneading away

Wrapping up the home-made ricotta in roast veg deliciousness Little details... (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

Last minute timing review - one guest described this as "German prescision"!

The table is set, and we're nearly ready... (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

The "Passport" we created for each guest included detailed tasting notes on each of the wines that were served as well as the menu we created to match with the wine - a nice little memento (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

The finishing touches (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

Elisa recaps her notes before guests arrive (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

Getting ready to lay out the home-made bread. A German seed load, French baguette and Italian focaccia (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

Cocktail preparation before our guests check in (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

After checking in, guests mingle and warm up in the "Sky Lounge" as the sun sets over Victoria Harbour

A Cubano daiquiri with fresh lime and home-made Columbian plantain chips topped with guacamole and shavings of black truffle set the tone for a sensational evening. Tip* if you cannot get black truffle a bit of truffle pate on top of freshly made guacamole is simply divine! (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

Our lovely guests engrossed in their "passports"

Elisa tells guests about this white wine from the Argentinian region of Torrontes

Our first course, a zingy Thai salad being plated

A David Thompson inspired spicy Thai salad with chargrilled seafood (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

Local seabass ceviche topped with zesty pomello segments, mini BBQ corn cobs and a salty homemade ricotta finished with paprika and lime (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

48 Hour - slow cooked mutton skewers marinated with coriander, ginger, chilli (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

Our guest, Silvia exploring her passport!

Plating the home-made ricotta & roast vegetable parcels

Icy- fresh, home-made rock melon granita enhanced with a French pineau to cleanse the palate ready to be served

Guests taking a breather

Chocolate & cardamom mouse, topped with home-made hazelnut praline served alongside home-made rosemary & honey ice-cream finished with a home-made berry jam

Finishing the meal with a selection of French cheese ....

Once Upon A Table with the Kitchen Nomads - what a great team we made! (photograph courtesy of Fred Lam)

Around The World in 8 Wines - Menu

Discover 8 wines from 8 regions around the world and enjoy a global 8 course menu prepared to elevate and enhance the quality of the wine. We’ve partnered with the Kitchen Nomads so the evening is set to be a world-extravaganza, so pack your bags and get ready to go!

Saturday 2nd of April 2011

Check In @ 17h30 in the Sky Lounge for Sundowners
Cubano daiquiri with fresh lime
Homemade Columbian plantain chips with guacamole and shavings of black truffle

Take Off….

The Whites – A Tour of Latin America

Argentina - Torrontes
Food Pairing: A David Thompson inspired spicy Thai salad with chargrilled seafood

Chile - Sauvignon Gris
Food Pairing: Local seabass ceviche topped with zesty pomello segments, mini BBQ corn cobs and a salty homemade ricotta finished with paprika and lime

The Roses – A Taste of Europe

Germany - Pinot Noir Rose
Food Pairing: 48 Hours - slow cooked mutton skewers marinated with coriander, ginger, chilli

France - Pero Longo Rose
Food Pairing: A triptych of homemade ricotta balls wrapped in grilled ribboned vegetables topped with toasted pinenuts

Breathe & Cleanse
Fresh melon granita enhanced with a French pineau to cleanse the palate

The Reds – From the South of Italy to South Africa

Italy - Gaglioppo
Food Pairing: Vitello tonnato - chilled veal slices served with an anchovy and tuna sauce

South Africa - Pinotage
Food Pairing: Cheese Discovery

A Smooth Landing

Coffee

Chocolate cardamom mousse served with a homemade ice-cream flavour surprise

Cost per head: $650

This includes 8 wine tastings that will be explained as well as 8 global dishes and a whole lot of surprises!

Around The World in 8 Wines

Once Upon A Table’s next secret gathering reignites the glamour of travel as we take you on a journey of discovery and adventure in Around the World in 8 Wines.

Discover 8 wines from 8 regions around the world and enjoy a global 8 course menu prepared to elevate and enhance the quality of the wine. We’ve partnered with the Kitchen Nomads so the evening is set to be a world-extravaganza, so pack your bags and get ready to go!

Your captain for the evening is our own sommelier, Elisa. She will guide you on this journey, explaining the background of the regions and the intricacies behind each wine to be discovered. Expect to travel across the globe from Argentina to Chile, Germany to France, Italy to South Africa.

Around the World in 8 Wines takes off on Saturday the 2^nd of April, 2011.

Check in promptly at 5.30pm and then join us in The Sky Lounge for sun downers, nibbles and flight details before we take off.

Spaces are limited to 14 Explorers. If you’d like to join us ticket booking opens on Monday the 21^st of March between 12noon and 3pm. The first 14 people to email us will be guaranteed a seat on board. – Watch this space for a reminder of when to email!

Cost for an Around The World Ticket is HK$650. This includes 8 wine tastings that will be explained as well as 8 global dishes and a whole lot of surprises!

Let There Be Brunch!

Our 5th secret gathering, Let There Be Brunch was a huge success! Guests were welcomed in from the grey wet weather with slippers, the morning paper and a feast that lasted way into the afternoon. Highlights included home-baked corn mufins, vodka, dill and beetroot cured gravalax, homemade baguette (they sure beat shop bought!), an unusual but delicious cocktail entitled "Diamonds & Dust"- muddled strawberry's topped with prosecco and sprinkled with bacon dust, baked eggs served Greek & Spanish style, delectable French Toast , heavenly cinamon swirls and "Strawberry Kisses" to finish. Check out the photographs below!

The table is set and we're ready to welcome guests

Let there be Brunch!
Preparing the ramekins for baked eggs 2 ways - Spanish style, with piperade and jamon & Greek style with spinach and feta

Guests tucking in

Vodka, dill & beetroot cured gravalax

Angie worked her magic in the bread department - she managed to rustle up these beauties...

Homemade baguettes baked to perfection, ready to slice

Angie slicing away at the freshest French baguette this side of France :)

Delicious homebaked corn muffins

Morning Glory smoothie shots

Smoothie mama

Busy in the kitchen

Argha spicing up the guacamole

Glasses prepped for Diamonds & Dust

Sprinkling on the dust

The Brunch Club

Cinamon Swirls from heaven - so moreish our guests couldn't get enough of them.

Graeme proudly showing off his fluffy slices of French Toast covered in maple syrup and fresh fruit...yum!

Each guest received a little jar of Gran-Oh-La at the end of brunch ...a little Monday morning treat.
Post Brunch debrief....the team finally grabbing a bite to eat!

Click below for details of "Let There Be Brunch"