Wagyu beef rump brisket is the main course of Glenlivet Set Dinner at Madam Sixty Ate restaurant in Hong Kong. Photo provided to
Ideal place to meet 'mom' and 'dad'
A bite of Denmark
Everyone has heard of wine and food pairings, but at a recent outing, we sampled a whiskey paired with some beautiful food.
The venue was Madame Sixty Ate, the whiskey was the Glenlivet 18, and the pairing included drinking from a variety of Riedel glassware chosen to go with each drink and dish.
The meal begins with a refreshing cocktail called Blood & Sand made with Glenlivet 18, cherry brandy, rosso vermouth, and orange juice.
After cocktails, we were served a starter of smoked tuna, shallot soubise, black garlic, and radish. Fresh and light, the whiskey was served in a Riedel champagne flute with two parts Speyside Glenlivet sparkling water. According to Riedel distributor, Suresh Kanji, 70 percent of perceived flavors come from aroma, and with a champagne flute the aroma of the drink is concentrated by the narrow mouth of the glass. The whiskey hits the tip of the tongue first, and brings an initial sweetness to the mouth. Bubbles from the water act much the same way as those in champagne. Of all the pairings, this was the one that I enjoyed the most.
The next dish was game terrine, duck ham, pistachio, and tangerine tonic made from pigeon, duck, and foie gras. Rich and meaty, this dish was paired with Glenlivet 18 and 1.5 parts water in a Reidel Riesling glass. The sherry notes of the whiskey highlighted similar notes from the terrine which came with a sherry jelly.
Ideal place to meet 'mom' and 'dad'
A bite of Denmark
The main course was a Wagyu beef rump brisket, foie gras, Croque Madame, girolle mushrooms, and bacon fricassee.
A common pairing for beef is, of course, a burgundy wine and so the Glenlivet 18 was served with one part water in a burgundy glass. Apparently the design of this glass allows for maximum aeration to help the bouquet develop. The acidity of the whiskey balances the richness of the meat. The coffee soil sprinkled on the side of the dish was intriguing, with more sweetness and less bitterness than expected.
What would a whiskey-inspired meal be without cigars?
Dessert was cigar-scented dark chocolate ganache, almond cinnamon crumbs, and smoked vanilla ice cream. Decadent, smoky, sweet, and a complete indulgence, this dish was served with the Glenlivet 18 neat in a single malt whiskey glass.
Both the dessert and the whiskey presented bold flavors that help to end the meal with a bit of a bang.
The entire meal was fun and it's interesting to try, but just like wine, whiskey may not be for everyone. Overall, the quality of the food, the attention to detail in the restaurant, and the obvious thought and consideration that went into putting the pairings together make this experience worth trying.
If You Go
Madam Sixty Ate
Shop 8, 1/F The Podium, J. Senses, 60 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong. 852-2527-2558
Cost per head: HK$588 ($76) (plus 10% service charge); ala carte HK$400-600 ($52-77).
Recommended: The Glenlivet Set Dinner.
Orignal From: Whiskey inspired food pairing
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