ULTIMATE COMFORT FOOD BY MICHELIN STARRED HARLAN GOLDSTEIN IN HONG KONG! IT OPENED ON 6 DECEMBER 2014 AND ALREADY IS AN ICON OF DELIGHTFULLY RUSTIC AND AFFORDABLE COMFORT FOOD AND THE RESTAURANT IS NAMED---YOU GUESSED IT---"COMFORT"!

KEE@FSWMAG.COM

Celebrity Chef Harlan Goldstein’s COMFORT

Brings “Food for Friends” to Lan Kwai Fong

New relaxed, casual dining concept opens on December 6

Celebrates Michelin star for second year running at

flagship restaurant Gold

Celebrity chef Harlan Goldstein today celebrated the award of a Michelin star for the second year running at his flagship restaurant Gold with the opening of a more casual and informal restaurant concept named COMFORT.

Designed for easy-going gatherings against the backdrop of hip R&B music, COMFORT introduces satisfying “food for friends” in a relaxed European loft-style venue at 5/F Grand Progress Building, Lan Kwai Fong.

 Chocolate mousse with popcorn

 Chicken wings

 Duroc prok ribs

 Pork belly bao

Bruschetta

“COMFORT stands for a comfortable dining experience in a cheerful, convivial atmosphere,” said the entrepreneur-chef. “The whole concept is created to make guests feel relaxed.”

In keeping with the chilled, welcoming ambience is a menu of “tasty, satisfying cooking that I serve to friends and family – personal favourites from my experience around the world that I love sharing”.

At equally friendly prices, with starters from HK$78-HK$178 and main courses from HK$148-HK$248, every dish has a story to tell from Chef Goldstein’s cooking career, from a European grounding with American and Asian influences.

Among signature dishes are Crab Meat-Crusted Salmon with Lobster Cajun Sauce that he “learned to cook in New Orleans in 1985” and “My Tai Tai’s” Beef Brisket Curry”, a “Sunday favourite”.

English Pork Sausage with “My Bubble & Squeak Mash” and H.P. Gravy is a surprise on the New Yorker’s hot list:  “I might be American, but it’s one of my favourites,” he explains.  While slow-Cooked Beef Cheek with Mash and Gravy is his mother’s recipe and “it doesn’t get better than this”, except perhaps for his “Uncle Antoine’s Fisherman’s Soup “.

Grilled rib-eye, striploin and fillet steaks are affordably priced from HK$258-HK$388, and Italian favourites (HK$158-HK$168) include Tiger Prawns Bucatini, Clams Linguini and Rigatoni with Wagyu Beef Bolognaise.

Especially for groups are dishes for sharing, from Slow-Cooked Duroc Pork Ribs (HK$198) to Boston Lobster in Black Pepper Sauce with Fried Buns (HK$440) that he “learned to make from Uncle Raymond in Singapore”.

Asian favourites range from “Melt in Your Mouth” Pork Belly Bao Baos (HK$98), steamed buns marinated in brine for 24 hours and glazed with sinful hoi-sin sauce for a Chinese twist and served in a traditional dim sum steaming basket, to Japanese Wagyu Beef Croquettes (HK$108).

The global hot list of starters extends from Serranao Ham and Goats Cheese Pita Pizzas (HK$88) to  crispy beef balls, hot & spicy Patatas Bravas (HK$68) that are “one of my favourite dishes from Spain”, Dutch Frikandel Sausages (HK$78) and “The Best Bruschetta You’ve Ever Had” – with Truffled Chicken Liver, Baccala Mantecato and  Caponata (HK$98).

Signature desserts are also home-style, from Waffles with Nutella Ice-Cream and Orange Jam (HK$68) to “Old School” Apple Crumble (HK$68), Dark Chocolate Mousse with Amaretto Cherries, Honeycomb and Crispy Popcorn (HK$68). ‘Harlan’s Nitrogen Dessert Creation of the Day” (HK$98) is a daily surprise and an alternative to dessert is Farmhouse Cheese Board, With Fruit Bread and Jam (HJK$128).

A wide selection of HK$88 cocktails especially created by Harlan Goldstein complement the menu, including Brown Derby with Makers Mark Bourbon, grapefruit cordial and wild honey, Harlan’s Sipping with Absolut vodka, lemon, cucumber, Angosture bitters & ginger, and Martinez with Bombay Sapphire gin, sweet Vermouth, maraschino and orange bitters.

The drinks menu also includes American craft beers, Swedish Rekorderlig premium ciders and a wine list of affordable, personally selected New World wines from Spain, Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand and the US – many available by the glass from HK$68, or from HK$380 a bottle.

Interior design is by Kinney Chan from Kinney Chan & Associates (KCA), who also designed the award-winning Gold and Strip House by Harlan Goldstein.  The 1,980 sq. ft restaurant seats 65 and is available for private parties and dinners for up to 54, or cocktail parties for up to 75.

COMFORT’s opening is not only celebrated with flagship Gold by Harlan Goldstein retaining its Michelin star in the 2014 Michelin Guide to Hong Kong & Macau.  It is just one of four other new restaurants being opened by Harlan G over the coming months into early 2014.

His restaurant empire is also expanding into Causeway Bay with Penthouse by Harlan Goldstein and Sushi To by Harlan Goldstein, with spectacular views of Victoria Harbour from atop new commercial complex Soundwill 2 Midtown. 

Showcasing contemporary European fare, Penthouse by Harlan Goldstein soars above Causeway Bay with stunning panoramic views over Victoria Harbour from a 6,800 sq ft venue on the top 30th floor of Soundwill Plaza II- Midtown.

While Sushi To by Harlan Goldstein breaks new culinary ground, teaming up with Chef Maeda Norihisa to create an innovative modern Japanese dining destination combining traditional cuisine with dynamic flavours and a modern twist. It is named after Harlan Goldstein’s business partner Simon To, who worked closely with him to launch Gold by Harlan Goldstein and Strip House.

EE DA LEE by Harlan Goldstein (“Italy” in Chinese) is also opening in mid-2014 with the refurbishment of California Tower in Lan Kwai Fong, the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s nightlife since the early 1980s.

Retro-style steak house Strip House by Harland Goldstein, which formerly occupied the COMFORT venue in Grand Progress Building, is meanwhile moving to a new location, yet to be announced.

COMFORT by Harlan Goldstein is located at 5/F Grand Progress Building, 15-16 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong.  For reservations, please call (852) 2521-8638.

For more information about Gold by Harlan Goldstein and Harlan Goldstein’s COMFORT, please visit www.gold-dining.com or www.comfort-dining.hk.

About Harlan Goldstein

Located in Hong Kong’s most dynamic entertainment and dining area, Gold by Harlan Goldstein is Harlan G’s first “Harlan Goldstein” branded restaurant. Opened in November 2010, Gold has become a “must-go” dining experience for its sophisticated décor and diverse contemporary European menu with a few touches of Harlan’s Lower East Side New York roots.

Harlan’s approach of respecting the ingredients ensures natural flavours are enhanced through his favorite cooking techniques such as slow cooking and smoking.

In May 2012, Harlan returned to his New York roots with retro-style steakhouse Strip House by Harlan Goldstein in Lan Kwai Fong.

The venue was taken over by COMFORT in December 2013.

In 2014, Harlan G will add four additional restaurants to his portfolio, including Penthouse, EE DA LEE and Sushi To by Harlan Goldstein.

Harlan G is no longer affiliated with any other restaurants in Hong Kong, including Harlan’s at The One in Tsim Sha Tsui, H One, The Box, and G Bar.

Interior design is by Kinney Chan from Kinney Chan & Associates (KCA), who also designed the award-winning Gold and Strip House by Harlan Goldstein.  The 1,980 sq. ft restaurant seats 65 and is available for private parties and dinners for up to 54, or cocktail parties for up to 75. Finger licking good chicken wings Pork belly bao bao The best bruschetta you ever had!  Slow cooked Duroc pork belly  Chocolate mousse with crispy pop corn