Restaurant Petrus

Address : 56/F, Island Shangri La, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty.
Tel：2820 8590

If romance is what you're after, Petrus is the place to go. Entering the restaurant is like stepping back into a bygone era of French sophistication and elegance. In addition to its unobstructed view of Victoria Harbour, the place is impeccable - opulently draped windows, Impressionist art, dome-shaped ceilings and crystal chandeliers all set the mood. It is no surprise the restaurant staff has seen multiple marriage proposals take place here.

Restaurant Petrus epitomises the art of classic fine dining. First of all, there's the wine list with over 950 choices, so splurge and impress your date with a wine pairing for the Menu Gourmand. Then there's the menu, which highlights original flavours of seasonal products with the use of spices or condiments. For instance, the bright green watercress and lettuce soup with bacon wrapped chicken wings tastes just how it should and excels as a delectable start to the meal. (True, anything wrapped is bacon tends to be amazing, but the combination with the watercress soup is exquisite).

From the cold appetizers, the rock lobster salad with vegetable barigoule and coral jus is a medium to hearty starter. Every bite really is just so good. The pan-seared duck liver from the hot appetizers is soft and tender, served with mashed potatoes and a sauce that brings the whole dish together deliciously.

After more and more flawless wines come to the table, the nightly A Symphony of Lights show commences at 8pm, and of course Petrus has a front row view of the dancing beams of light over the harbour from the 56th floor. At that time, the mains arrive with a choreographed "Voila!" The steamed Dover sole, placed atop young spinach and lightly creamed mushrooms, actually has a very strong taste, owing to its original quality. Meanwhile, creamy "Aligot" mashed potatoes that are some of the best around, thanks to their timely recipe that uses a hard-to-come-by cheese, accompany the juicy grilled Sisteron lamb.

Since chocolate is often linked with romance (the Aztecs believed it was even an aphrodisiac), choose something sweet from the dessert cart and remember when you look at the bill that dining at Restaurant Petrus is a memorable occasion.

Cafe de Paris Address : G01 B1, Water Margin, Discovery Bay Plaza, Lantau. Tel：2987 8203 The Eiffel Tower, champagne, the Seine - all things French are seeped in romance, so it is no wonder that Cafe de Paris, overlooking the beach at Discovery Bay, is a great place for a little amour. Part of the one-year-old Water Margin alfresco dining destination, Cafe de Paris is a stone's throw away from the Discovery Bay Pier. The whole area, connected by a tree-lined promenade facing Tai Pak Beach, has a very romantic European character. To set the mood even more for love, the outdoor seating areas are privy to a nightly fireworks show put on by nearby Hong Kong Disneyland, and during the week of Valentine's Day the beach is covered in glowing candles.

The Verandah

Address : 1/F, The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay, Island South.
Tel：2812 2722

Some couples prefer to break away from the city for a little romantic time alone. The Verandah is an escape reminiscent of the grandeur of colonial times. The restaurant's name explains it all - imagine a veranda with wood panelling and twirling fans, tables lit by candlelight, swaying palm trees and Repulse Bay beach. If that doesn't scream romance, I don't know what does.

Even in the presence of other patrons in the restaurant, the atmosphere is intimate. You can reserve a table for the dreamy sunset, and there is a sommelier on hand in case you're afraid of making the wrong wine decision in front of your date.

While The Verandah's ambience is colonial, its menu is rather contemporary. The moment you sit down, you are immediately asked what type of champagne cocktail you prefer. The meal kicks off to an aesthetic start with a trio of petit Verandah appetizers. There is Scottish salmon topped with foamy cauliflower mousse and caviar, and yellow fin tuna with black truffle tapenade, but the Boston lobster with mango and avocado salsa was our favourite. The trio tasting again comes up with The Repulse Bay soup degustation, three little cups of delectable lobster bisque, tasty truffle and wild mushroom cream soup and homey guinea hen consomme.

Before the mains, an apple sorbet with Calvados cleanses the palate, and you're ready for more. This is where The Verandah becomes up close and personal with its signature dishes. The Repulse Bay black pepper steak is cooked right in front of you on a makeshift stove top. Its aroma reinvigorates your appetite and the steak is known to elicit an "mmmm" from diners. Along the same lines, the Dover sole is carved at the table on a silver platter and placed on your plate alongside poached potatoes and glazed green asparagus.

Save room for The Repulse Bay ice cream souffle, which challenges your notions of cooking. Somehow the outer Grand Marnier souffle is baked, but the vanilla ice cream inside stays frozen. Even though The Verandah is an insanely romantic setting, you still may not be willing to share. Make up for it with a saunter around Repulse Bay after dinner.