The Seafood Room is the latest addition to Hong Kong’s seemingly never-ending conveyor belt of new eateries. While the majority pass by without exciting the interest – or patronage – of the city’s increasingly informed and critical legion of foodies, once in a while one proves a worthy and welcome addition to the Asia World City’s repository of remarkable repasts. The Seafood Room is one such exception.
Click here to see The Seafood Room on video
With centre stage taken by James Cornwall, its New Zealand-born executive chef, his flair for simple dishes and high quality ingredients has clearly found the perfect place to shine. Starting his career in Wellington, the New Zealand capital, it took a move to London to bring him to the gastronomic fore. Just three days after arriving in the British capital back in 2007, his potential was spotted. He was immediately snapped up as the demi chef de partie at J Sheekey, one of the city’s best-regarded seafood restaurants.
Reflecting on bringing his experience of all things marine to points far further east, he says: “Seafood has an important role in Hong Kong’s daily life and one I feel that we can really build on, especially with our harbour views and unusually interactive dining experience.”
Cornwall’s new eatery – the first venture into Asia by Russia’s Bulldozer Group – is located at the very top of Tower 535 on Jaffe Road. It boasts 8,000 square feet of dining space, with an additional 2,000 outside on its terrace, complete with panoramic views and a chic shisha bar. Overall, it can seat some 235 diners, though only 45 of them will get to enjoy the terrace-side harbour views.
From carpaccio, sashimi, tartare, ceviche and seafood platters to hot dishes, pasta and meat, the Seafood Room prides itself in only offering the very highest grade of local and imported fresh and live seafood. It’s also served in a reassuringly unpretentious style.
Besides the feted cuisine, there is also the opportunity to peruse the restaurant’s fantastic art collection. A stylish addition to the decor and a conversation piece par excellence, the collection is valued at more than US$1 million. The works on show include contributions from George Condo, the noted American contemporary artist, Japan’s Takashi Murakami and even Hollywood takes a bow with a stunning work from Adrien Brody, the Oscar-winning star of The Pianist and American Heist.