Pastis
Below par French bistro
The design team has done a great job converting a once-stale, neon-lit bar into this airy, rustic bistro – complete with curved wooden bar, tin posters depicting French life, and a charming half-French owner who also serves his customers their food. You could sit here all day with your beverage of choice, imagining yourself in a Paris cafe.
Just don’t expect the joyful mood to continue once the food arrives. Pastis may get an A for its authentic atmosphere and classic bistro menu, but the quality of ingredients – or rather, lack thereof – is alarming. With some tips on navigating the menu however, there are some gems to be had.
First, what not to have: the salads. The mixed greens and cherry tomatoes are the same as you’d get in any mid-range Soho eatery. This restaurant could be Italian, Spanish or Belgian – the only thing differentiating the salad from the next guy’s is the French spelling on the menu. Another thing to skip are the soups. In our case, the classic leek and potato ($50). Not sure how we managed to strike out twice in one issue with this dish (see St. George review, opposite). The soup might have come from a can; certainly the broth anyway.
All around us, French voices were praising the boeuf bourguignon ($120). It turned out to consist of glorious, melt-in-the-mouth beef cheeks, stewed to destruction with mushy carrots. The sauce was lightly seasoned and completely inoffensive. This dish will do very well. At this price, you’d be forgiven for thinking it a steal – but just wait till you see the child-sized portion. Yes, French chefs like to prepare amazing food in tiny portions. But this is a bistro – so you expect to feel full after your main course. Non?
The fish of the day (barramundi) was flash-fried and unevenly cooked – mostly for too long. At $120, we should have sent it back. Instead, we filled up on the bed of mushy carrots and spinach that came with it. With plenty of stomach space to spare, we finished with the fondant au chocolat ($45). A cakey case with a gooey, oozing chocolate centre. Show me a human being who would not like this.
This place has the right bones, but needs to rethink its food quality. Otherwise, Pastis will be just another Disneyland-level eatery, trying to pass off cheap produce as authentic food, and adding to the long list of sub-par Soho dining experiences.
Angie Wong
G/F, 65 Wyndham St, Central, 2537 5702. Daily noon-10.30pm. Meal for two: around $450.
18 Comments Add your comment
Personally had a great experience there. While the portions might be slightly small (but owner had warned us), food was surprisingly good for price and location. Beef Bourguignon was the best I had in HK, cheeses were amazing (if you like them smelly), and my girlfriend's Salade Niçoise very authentic. Her soup (mushroom) was a delight and clearly home-made. And for once in HK, a warm and true welcome...
Dear Angie, So surprised about your comments ! I ve been to Pastis several times since the opening early November and I ve never been disappointed... Food, Staff, Atmosphere, Music reminds me of my hometown and all the typical French brasserie and bistro... I really regret that you had such a bad experience there, and hope that you will give another chance to this good Pastis !
Love it. For its atmosphere, the adorable and charming boss, last but not least the amazing Boeuf Bourignon which Angie, is indeed supposed to be stewed... and the most ugly it looks the better it is... you're lucky yet, as in Pastis it still looks nice in the plates ! My rate: 5 stars.
I really enjoyed my dinner at Pastis. The owners are so friendly, the place is very cozy & the food is delicious! For once, a real authentic spot to eat in HK. Very good value for money. I will definitely recommend this place to my friends. Cheers!
Take this from someone that loves to travel to France once in a while... I loved dining at Pastis! Its unpretentious and cozy atmosphere will send you magically to the heart of France for the time of a dinner. What a delight to experience french cuisine gems (the foie gras poele is my favourite) served by two handsome french gentlemen... I am sorry my dear Angie that you can't obviously understand that in France it's all about quality... for an eat-as-much-as-you-can experience this is clearly the wrong place.
Angie, I usually find your food reviews to be reliable and I incline to trust you on this one as well. Judging from the style of writing (especially the fondness of the use of the dots ie ...) in the FIVE comments above, which incidentally all came within a short span of time (as we all know, Time Out HK doesn't usually get too many comments on its online food reviews, even less so when they ALL come within the same day or two), I have a strong suspicion that all five glowing comments were posted by associates of the restaurant. If my assumption is incorrect (I doubt it though), my apologies; if it isn't, then please stop because it is embarrassing and unseemly. One more thing I would like to add in relation to Pastis is their "we don't take bookings for after 7.30pm" - what's the deal with that?
Seems like there is a war going above. It’s really funny. I don’t doubt the possibility that the comments are written by the associate of the restaurant, but I also wonder who would write a comment on timeout on a Monday afternoon, where everyone should be at work... I guess to know if it’s good or not, we would have to try it by ourselves. Just one advice to Angie, if I were you, I would study a little more about French bistro before writing anything about it.
Looking for some places to go during my next stay in Hong-Kong, and this one certainly stands out, mostly by the number of comments and arguing. Eating chinese food is one of the highlights of my trip, but I'll need a place to feel like home when I need to. For its location and apparent true French atmosphere, I'll definitely try this Pastis and will see if the salad is as bad as a Mickey Mouse plastic one, or not. I know what a Niçoise is, and will check on that one. More than quality or quantity, the priority to me is being served with a smile, and from the comments, Pastis seems to deliver steady warm welcome and service. I'll let you know when I get back from HK !
I think this review is a little harsh. I was impressed with Pastis - the atmosphere was great, and the food was all very good, especially the rilettes (which I can't believe was not mentioned here). The Toulouse sausages and beef bourguignon were also both very enjoyable and I thought decent-sized portions. I've recommended it to a number of people and will continue to do so. It struck me as a refreshing and unpretentious change to the many nondescript 'French' restaurants cluttering Hong Kong.
I am French and have been to Pastis many times already. My true feeling is the Time Out review was indeed a little harsh but quantity IS an issue in Pastis... The smiles of the 2 French guys do help to digest the bill(certainly high for what you end up eating)! If I was still hungry after a set lunch, no doubt my boyfriend was too! Make salads and starters a little bigger and add veggies or side dishes to the main dish and we'll start coming back!
I am French and have been to Pastis many times already. My true feeling is the Time Out review was indeed a little harsh but quantity IS an issue in Pastis... The smiles of the 2 French guys do help to digest the bill(certainly high for what you end up eating)! If I was still hungry after a set lunch, no doubt my boyfriend was too! Make salads and starters a little bigger and add veggies or side dishes to the main dish and we'll start coming back!
My dear Scotch, kindly note that I am neither French, nor an associate of Pastis. I have been to Pastis once again recently and noticed they have increased the size of their dishes, so would invite you to try it out and judge by yourself rather than reading harsh reviews from someone who I assume does not know a thing about French bistro.
Love it too. I lived in france for a while and find Pastis is one of the best bistros in town in terms of atmosphere and food. I feel like havaing dinner at my bf's grandma place in the south. Also the price is good for a comfort dinner and good time. I definitely recommend it for someone who miss/experience france.
When I read Angie Wong's bad review, I was about to cancell my booking there. We went there anyway... 2 Stars only?. It's a little bit harsh indeed...The food we had was nice, the salmon as the main dish was cooked perfectly well. But I do agree with previous comments, the quantities were too small.
Dear Angie, i am very surprised abotu this review... i am french from south of France and i have been to Pastis several times because the food taste like in my hometown... regarding the portion i feel that reasonable, as you might know, in France we do not just have a main course with a glass of tap water, we usually enjoy the whole meal. And i am always happy to have some space in order to enjoy the excellent "fondant au chocolat"as dessert!
Having stuck up for Pastis in the face of this tough review a little while ago, I take back my support for the place. Four of us stopped by for an after-dinner coffee late last night. Coffee at a cafe - legitimate you would think. But the owner obviously resented that we declined to order dessert. In fact, he was pretty surly: "Thanks for coming," he said sarcastically, then a few minutes later shoved the bill onto the table without a smile. Whether you're spending 200 dollars or 2000 dollars, you expect a minimum level of service. This was not service - and I won't be going back to Pastis.
Well if the waitor makes a decent HK standard watoring service, it is at least better than resto in France^^
Well, Angie, you certainly have no idea of French cuisine....I suggest you take a trip to South of France ( where I come from). Portions are small but the taste is good and the guys friendly.
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