Elegant new bar and restaurant features imaginative cocktail creations and refined dining.
August 29th, 2014
Nestled on the third floor within the newly opened (June 2014) The Pottinger luxury boutique hotel, The Envoy is an inviting bar and restaurant where polished cocktails, elegant dining and civilised conversations offer a welcoming respite from the bustle of Hong Kong’s Central business district. Taking its name from the historic stone slab street onto which the hotel faces, named after the colony’s first Governor (and original British envoy to China in 1841), the interior design artfully references both the heritage of colonial era Hong Kong and Oriental influences in its refined and elegant decor. The Envoy is independently operated by the highly regarded Tastings group in a further collaboration with acclaimed local mixologist Antonio Lai – their other notable cocktail bars in Hong Kong including Quinary, Angel’s Share and Origin.
Accessed via the hotel lobby, The Envoy occupies the entire third floor with an “L” shaped space comprising the main bar section at the entrance – the long dark timber bar extends the entire breadth of the room, furnished with traditional dark timber paneling, unpolished timber flooring, muted neutral tones and comfortable leather bar stools. Beyond the bar space, facing out over Pottinger Street, the compact dining room has a more contemporary, refined elegance, distinguished by its bespoke wallpaper that recreates classic Chinese landscape artwork, and crystal chandelier. And opening out beyond the dining room, a spacious outdoor terrace deck overlooking the busy neighbourhood offers a more casual, laid-back setting for evening drinks and socialising.
Not surprisingly, with their impressive mixology credentials, creative cocktails are at the forefront of The Envoy’s attraction. Deploying both classic bartending technique and modern multisensory mixology, Antonio Lai and his team headed by Amanda Wan have crafted a terrific list of inventive, elegant libations. A strong selection of signature cocktails have a focus on tea-infused spirits, referencing the historic tea trading heritage of early colonial Hong Kong. Menu descriptions include historical anecdotes behind the inspiration of each drink, and the hallmark idiosyncratic presentation ranges across whimsical glassware to unexpected drinking vessels. Accomplished renditions of classic, and barrel-aged cocktails, round out the cocktail list. The well-stocked bar also offers a thoughtfully curated selection of NV and vintage champagnes, wines, and premium liquors.
An international cuisine that reveals Chinese influences is served daily in The Envoy dining room – encompassing an Executive Set Lunch, changed daily, available on weekdays; appetising bar snacks all day; plus a nightly dinner a la carte dinner menu. Stand out dishes include Roasted French White Cod Fillet with spring onion & Chinese rose, and wine cream sauce; Baked King Prawns Linguine with ginger spring onions & spicy tomato concasse; and Death by Chocolate with vanilla ice cream & longan dark rum compote.
The Envoy is open daily from 11:30 am to 2:00 am, with the Executive Set Lunch served weekdays from 12:00 pm; and dinner served daily from 6:00 pm. An Afternoon Tea Menu will be launched soon – check the Facebook Page for all menu and cocktail updates.
The Envoy interior & terrace
The Envoy inventive mixology
The Envoy international cuisine
