The scenic venue on the 26th floor of Central’s latest luxury build is helmed by Maxime Gilbert, the former chef de cuisine of Amber

On April 16, service will officially begin at Écriture, the newest opening from Le Comptoir, and there couldn’t be a more fitting location for a restaurant group that has made its name in artistic dining ventures. The new, 30-seater restaurant takes pride of place at the top of H Queen’s, the newest hub for some of the world’s top gallerists including David Zwirner and Pearl Lam, who have unveiled new spaces within the building. Much like other Le Comptoir venues, there is a considered focus on high-end art that informs the interiors, and for Écriture the inspiration comes from the eponymous series of paintings by celebrated Korean artist Park Seo-Bo.

Park’s works use the concept of a blank canvas as the foundation for creative thought, and the point from where powerful narratives begin. The venue, therefore, is kept simple—this is not a restaurant in the likes of Bibo or Djapa, with their loud and colourful street art aesthetic, but a venue that uses a palette of shimmering copper, creamy textures and black hardwood tables to give a sense of understated luxury. Delicate bonsai trees sat upon hardback books are a common feature on each table setting, bringing the mind back to meditative contemplation and the process of reading and writing. 

The wraparound windows (which can be pulled back to open up the space onto the terrace) offer spectacular views over Central and towards Victoria Harbour.

Tatler Asia
Above The private room at Écriture features a striking art piece from Park Seo-Bo (Photo: Écriture)

This particular restaurant has been on our radar for some time, considering that its executive chef is none other than Maxime Gilbert, formerly the chef de cuisine of Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental; he left the hotel in September 2016 to prepare for the opening of Écriture. Prior to moving to Hong Kong, Gilbert also worked at three of Yannick Alleno’s restaurants in Paris, Beijing and Marrakech and counts the French chef as one of his most important culinary influences.

See also: Yannick Alleno's Tips For Opening A World-Class Restaurant In Hong Kong

At Écriture, Gilbert will present menus that draw on French cooking techniques applied to Japanese ingredients. The pastry sous chef at the restaurant has been named as Monique Chan, who had been working at The French Laundry in California since 2015 until she recently joined the team at Écriture. 

A lunch menu will be available from HK$488 and a tasting menu is priced at HK$1,488 and may include dishes such as Hokkaido scallops contisée with black truffle cooked in a crisp beignet, or raw amaebi served with red onion jelly and beetroot feuillantine.

Reservations will be taken online only, and the restaurant is open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. 

Écriture, 26/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; ecriture.hk