The signature Duck & Waffle, before the maple syrup was appliedDuck & Waffle
Shop 1081, Podium Level 1
IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street
Central
Tel: 2267 6338
Grub: Contemporary British cuisine from small bites to large plates to fancy desserts.
Vibe: “Fancy and refined” best describes it. In one of the most prestigious locations in Hong Kong, the restaurant broadly replicates its original London cousin with beautiful marble tables, shiny gold ceilings, and comfortable mood lighting during the evening.
Who to take: Your closest friends. With the environment best suited for a relaxing chat on a special occasion, being there is a privilege that you would only want to share with your friendliest pals. If you are fortunate enough to have many close friends, there is room for that too.
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What’s hot: The signature Duck & Waffle (HK$230), faithful to its name, is a confit duck leg laid upon a waffle and topped with fried eggs and maple syrup. While the combination is certainly out of the ordinary, the clever folks behind the dish have somehow managed to make dish taste surprisingly well, with the crispy duck blending in with the sweetness of the waffle and the syrup. For maximum enjoyment, it might be wise to ask one of the friendly waiters to help you debone the duck, though.
The Steak & Chips (prices starting at HK$335) is also a dish worth sharing with your friends. Although the steak was no better nor worse than what you’d expect from any top-tier restaurant, the chips, meticulously shredded, fried multiple times, and put back together again had a special texture to them that was particularly enjoyable to feel and taste.
Small snacks are also available to complement the mains. We particularly liked the Bacon Wrapped Dates (HK$110) with its crispy outer core and soft, warm centre. The Cheesy Fried Polenta (HK$80) with its black truffle sauce also offered a similar sensation for less.
Desserts-wise, the PBJ Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwich (HK$80) stood out with its highly Instagram-able aesthetic. The ice cream and peanut butter, when eaten with the macaroon bottom, were exceptionally tasteful. At a relatively accessible price range, we also thought that it’d be a good choice for light afternoon tea for two.
What’s not: While we are unsure what the booking situation is at this point, the restaurant was relatively packed even on a Monday night so it might be best to make a reservation ahead of time if you can’t stand queues. The restaurant can also get slightly noisy, with the ambient music occasionally covering the voice of your friend just across the table.
Cost: Snacks are HK$60-HK$120, large plates are HK$195-HK$800, and desserts are HK$65-HK$150. Non-alcoholic drinks are HK$48-HK$88. In our view, the large plates offer the most bang for your buck if you are sharing with your friends.