Sky 726: French Cuisine and Panoramic Views in Mong Kok

Low-key French Fusion Above the Busy Streets

If your impression of Mong Kok is just bargains at the Ladies Market, sneaker stores and street food, it’s time for an update. Here’s a little tip: surprise your family/friends/date with this hidden gem in Mong Kok – who says you can only find fancy French restos in Soho? Located on the top floor of 726 Nathan Road Building, Sky 726 overlooks an underestimated view of the skyline.

It’s quite an unfamiliar view but an interesting one from high up at Sky 726! The interior is wisely designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, chic, hand-painted murals and an LED light bar counter in the centre, which work perfectly together with the panoramic views of Mong Kok to create a sense of spaciousness.

We were welcomed with a couple of cocktails, and as the Sky 726 team prides themselves on their Gin cocktail recipe, my first choice was Kaffir & Lemongrass (house infused lemongrass, Hayman’s London Dry Gin, homemade kaffir lime syrup, fresh lime juice and tonic water). It was refreshing, summery and just what I needed to start a meal. After swiping through their digital tablet menu (super handy), I was tempted to try their signature cocktail – Sky High (what happened to ‘just one drink’?). They had me hooked with the dreamy cream on top… I’d recommend this drink as a dessert for a sweet treat.

On the recommendation of the owner of Sky 276, we went for Pan Seared Sous Vide Hokkaido Scallops with Celeriac Puree & Wild Mushrooms ($178) and Pan Grilled Foie Gras with Green Peas Puree & Caramelised Onions ($158) to whet our appetites. Sky 726 specialises in sous vide, a French slow-cooking method in which food is prepared in temperature-controlled environment for longer than normal cooking times. The scallops were well-cooked and almost meaty, and we could immediately tell the difference from the unique cooking method as they were so soft – it’s a must-try! The caramelised onions matched perfectly with the strong flavour of the foie gras, too.

Expectations for the mains were already set high after the appetisers, and when the Tiger Prawn Risotto with Lobster Brown Butter ($178) and Torched Sous Vide Miso Salmon with Confit Fennel & Yam ($186) came out, it was even more apparent to us that Sky 726 doesn’t mess around when it comes to perfecting traditional French cuisine with carefully selected ingredients. If you’re a risotto fan like myself, then Tiger Prawn Risotto will no doubt impress you with the thick, creamy Lobster sauce that went so well with the rice – I loved it. The Torched Sous Vide Miso Salmon was hands down the best cooked salmon I’ve ever heard (given that I’m not a big fan of cooked salmon) – it was mouthwateringly juicy, tender on the inside and well-torched on the surface and I was pleasantly surprised by the complication of textures (a true love at first bite).

We were already so full by the time we finished the main courses, but there’s always space for dessert, right ladies? We had a go with the Pomelo Fruit Sorbet ($60) and Lady in Red – marinated mix berries with vanilla, mint and strawberry sorbet ($75). We could taste the freshness of the fruit in these homemade sorbet, and we were lucky that they had the pomelo flavour available as it’s usually hard to get. The fruity, refreshing and guilt-free sorbet put a satisfying end to our meal. Their dessert menu is seasonal and we were told that they serve crème brûlée and chocolate lava cake in winter – another reason to visit again!

It’s not that hard to find a place with spanning city views, creative cocktails and quality food in Hong Kong – but they usually come with a hefty price tag. If you’re on a budget but looking for affordable luxury, Sky 726 will make sure you have a wonderful dining experience without breaking your wallet.

Sky 726, 25/F, 726 Nathan Road, Mong Kok, Hong Kong, www.sky726.com