Exquisitely decorated venue combines seafood culinary excellence with an enticing cocktail bar

September 22nd, 2012

Situated in a discrete corner space on the lobby level of the luxurious Island Shangri La, Hong Kong hotel in the heart of the Admiralty business district of Hong Kong Island, the Lobster Bar and Grill is a popular dining and cocktail destination attracting an eclectic and unpretentious clientele of local office workers, shoppers from the adjacent Pacific Place Mall, and hotel guests.  The Lobster Bar and Grill under Chef Kevin Lee serves with panache a modern seafood-centric cuisine- firmly rooted in the classic dishes, but updated with innovative twists.  And at the bar, recently arrived Bar Manager and head mixologist Agung Prabowo has introduced a new selection of masterful cocktails to entice the most discerning drinkers. Live jazz music is a feature nightly after 8pm- adding an upbeat tempo to the evenings. The cocktail bar with its warm tones and discreet service is an appealing haven for cocktail connoisseurs to imbibe delicious drinks made from the finest quality ingredients.

 The main bar space with the featured black marble bar counter, and elegant lounge seating opposite.

The beautifully executed interior of the Lobster Bar and Grill exudes an atmosphere of relaxed sophistication, with the room loosely divided  into two main sections- the bar area with its warm timber flooring and imposing bar counter, and the adjoining elegant dining section, subtlety delineated from the bar area by its soft grey carpeting. In the dining section, full-height floor to ceiling glass windows flood the room with natural light and offer partial harbour views. During the day the room has a bright, airy feel, and in the evenings, the retro-styled blue glass conical luminaires suspended from the ceiling provide a subdued lighting effect. The matching soft blue shades of the patterned wall coverings and blue leather upholstery of the dining chairs comfortably blend with the warm mahogany timber utilised throughout the interior.

In the bar section, the impressive long, curving bar counter is fashioned from mahogany and topped with black marble. Mahogany framed bar stools, plushly upholstered with a vibrant blue leather, line the length of the bar, inviting patrons to settle in and soak up the atmosphere at the bar, and interact with the bartenders whilst devouring their drinks. Comfortable fabric covered sofas are arranged along the facing wall, beckoning a more laid back setting for socialising with friends.

Black marble high-table matched with luxurious blue leather upholstered bar stools.

The impressive showcase bar exudes the consummate style of a sophisticated cocktail lounge

THE DINING ROOM

Lobster Bar and Grill serves lunch on weekdays and dinner six nights per week. The lunches are a popular choice for the business crowd from nearby office towers, whereas the evenings see a more relaxed dining environment, elevated by the unobtrusive tunes of the performing jazz musicians. Signature seafood dishes include Lobster Bisque – with a rich broth that captures the essence of ocean-fresh lobster; Lobster Tartare on Cucumber with Lemon Yoghurt Dressing; and Maine and Spiny Lobsters prepared Thermidor style. In addition to the seafood dishes, the menu also features pastas, vegetarian dishes and grilled prime cuts of beef and lamb. A new Bar Snacks menu of tapas style dishes has been recently introduced, with suggested pairings that compliment the signature cocktails.

The dining room section of Lobster Bar & Grill- understated elegance with blue leather and warm timbers featured.

Section of the dining room with curved banquette seating, and with oversize “portholes” that look into tropical aquariums

Looking across the dining room floor towards the bar

The curved banquette booths are highlighted by the views into the tropical aquariums set in behind the wall.

SELECTIONS FROM THE COCKTAIL MENU

The Beverage List at Lobster Bar and Grill features selections of classic cocktails based on gin, whisky, rum, tequila, vodka, etc- encompassing old-time favourites such as Moscow Mule; Mai Tai; Americano; Old Fashioned; Bellini; and London Gin Martini. Recently introduced signature cocktails feature classics that have been updated with innovative twists, plus freshly conceived concoctions. The Beverage List has an impressive range of aged Single Malts, plus blended whiskys from Scotland, and other selections from Japan, Ireland, Canada and the America. Champagnes, wines, draft and bottled beers and premium spirits all feature in the well stocked bar.

Bar Manager and head mixologist Agung Prabowo preparing the Sherry Oak Barrel Negroni.

SHERRY OAK BARREL – NEGRONI: Hayman’s Old Tom Gin, Dolin Rouge Vermouth, Campari,  & Bitters. Aged one month in oak cask.
Suggested Tapas pairing- Prawn Satay

EASTSIDE – Tanqueray Gin, Lime juice, sugar syrup, mint leaves and cucumber slice.
Suggested Tapas pairing- Gillardeu Oysters 3 pcs

PENICILLIN #3 – Blended Scotch Whisky, ginger honey syrup, lemon juice, yuzu juice, Ardbeg single malt 10 years.
Suggested Tapas pairing- Marinated Pork Skewer

ELDERFLOWER DIABLO – Don Julio Blanco, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave nectar. Blackberries.
Suggested Tapas pairing- Pan-seared Beef Balls 

SELECTIONS FROM THE BAR SNACK TAPAS MENU

 Gillardeu oysters – 3pcs fresh French Atlantic premium oysters

Prawn Satay- with peanut sauce

Barbecued Marinated Pork Skewer

Pan-seared beef balls- with spicy Jalapeno sauce with coriander

AFTERNOON TEA SET

An attractively priced Afternoon Tea Set has been recently introduced at Lobster Bar and Grill– served only on the weekends. The lavish sets feature a number of savouries with lobster ingredients, plus generous portions of the traditional scones, sandwiches, pastries, and cakes. Offering exceptional value is the option for two persons to add a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne for an “all-in” price of HK$788 – effectively providing the Set plus champagne for less than the List Price of the champagne bottle by itself.

Served on Saturday & Sunday afternoons only, from 3pm ~ 5:30pm .

Set includes-

Rye bread and mascarpone rill with lobster
Crispy cones with lobster tartare and caviar
Barbecued lobster and truffle bun
Lobster and avocado sandwich
Warm golden raisin and plain scones, with strawberry jam, orange jam & clotted cheese
Selection of French pastries, cake and cookies
Selection of Ronnefeldt teas or Lavazza coffee
HK$238 for one person; HK$428 for two persons
For two persons- served with bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne-  total set HK$788

Lobster Bar & Grill at Island Shangri La, Hong Kong

Address:  Lobby Level, Island Shangri La, Level 6 , Pacific Place, Supreme Court, Central. Hong Kong
MTR:  Admiralty station
Reservations: +852.  2820 8560
Website:   www.shangri-la.com/hongkong/islandshangrila
Facebook Page:   www.facebook.com/islandshangrila
Twitter: @IslandShangriLa
Opening hours:
Cocktails:  Sunday to Thursday  3:00 pm  ~ 01:00 am    Friday & Saturday  3:00 pm ~ 02:00 am
Lunch:  Daily  12:00 noon ~ 3:00 pm
Dinner:  Daily  6:30 pm ~ 11:00 pm
Dress code:  Smart casual