The space has opened just in time for Christmas, with beautiful lifestyle items curated by—and some designed by—Lau herself
With her graphic design background and keen eye for detail, chef Vicky Lau has always been known for her beautiful creations both on the plate and beyond—her restaurant, Tate Dining Room, has won multiple awards not only for her food but for the interiors, and her latest project is another one that ranks high on the aesthetics scale.
Taking over the Poem Patisserie space—where Lau used to sell an array of cakes and patisserie items—is Date By Tate, a new lifestyle store and bakery where visitors can ogle over bespoke creations by Lau and pastry chef Graf Kwok, as well as a curated selection of luxury gift items, ranging from artisanal tableware to apparel designed by Lau. The latter includes a stylish trench-style apron and—our personal favourite—the simple black market bag that includes insulated pockets (ideal for holding items that need to be chilled) and built-in bottle dividers to make holding your groceries much more streamlined. Come 2021, there will also be a range of dinnerware designed by Lau available for purchase. In the meantime, the collection of Japanese silverware by Blue Leaves is also designed with the Asia pantry in mind, with little dishes ideal for holding XO sauces and other condiments, while Sugahara Glassware presents functional, beautiful options for everything from beer to champagne.
A number of the restaurant’s signature cakes have been kept on the menu, thankfully—such as the Chinese ink-inspired Ode to Shan Shui (Earl Grey mousse and sponge, Osmanthus goji berry jelly, crunchy rice, tea sable, and white glaze)—and must be ordered at least two days in advance.
Takeaway items that are worth trekking over for include Kwok’s Sheung Wan chocolate brioche, which resembles a cupcake but delivers more complexity thanks to the buttery dough and fruity, not-too-sweet chocolate frosting piped into an intricate flower design; the Chinese almond madeleines (available freshly baked at 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:00pm daily); and fermented tofu cake that is baked in the style of Basque burnt cheesecake.