The influence of coffee is so far-reaching nowadays that it’s quite hard to imagine life without it. We order a cup to raise our spirit, to socialise; the aromatic beverage even demonstrates deep culinary potential in the hands of chefs. From 19 July to 2 August, boutique single origin coffee KAFA will make the first appearance in Hong Kong, featured in a special tasting dinner at Nicholini’s. Not only has chef Riccardo Catarsi created a menu filled with fragrant, roasted coffee flavours, the dinner will also be accompanied by coffee cocktails that highlight KAFA’s distinctive characteristics.
KAFA has its name derived from the beans’ origin in a small forest region in Ethiopia. The 100% Arabica coffee’s exceptional quality has a direct relationship with the area’s wonderful soil and climate, the artisan cultivation technique and the way they are hand-picked one by one. Such a production method stressing on the connection with the surrounding landscape means the KAFA beans are only available in small quantities, which makes them all the more precious.
Inspired by KAFA’s unique tasting notes, chef Riccardo harmoniously marries the coffee with the freshest produce in his menu. After sampling the welcome cocktail KAFA facon sangria, diners will be presented with scampi, roasted smoked leek cream, bell pepper brunoise and KAFA coffee dust. The dish is a beautiful work of balance, with just the right amount of the powdered coffee opening up an extra dimension to the delicate flavours of the scampi and vegetables. It’s followed by another drink “Coffeetail N°10 with Bombay Gin”, a rounded concoction to fully enliven the guests’ taste buds.
The tasting dinner continues with risotto with castelmagno and mascapone cheese, porcini mushroom and coffee sweet onion cream. The coffee adds a novel element to this otherwise classic pairing; its robust notes an appropriate complement to the porcini. It will be served with the Coffeetail Spritz infused by citrus peel and orange aperitif. The coffee’s strong fragrance also enriches another dish lamb loin with cherries, almonds and coffee polenta. The dessert is composed of coffee macarons, chocolate rum mousse, lemon sponge; white coffee ice cream and sugar cane crumble, dazzling diners with its complex layering. Chef Riccardo names it dolce ponce after the iconic drink from his hometown Livorno, made with a part of rum and a part of coffee, sugar and lemon peel.
The tasting dinner highlighting KAFA coffee will be available at HK$1,080*. While not publicly on sale, KAFA coffee is now served exclusively at Nicholini’s and Conrad Hong Kong as a perfect conclusion of the dinner or a midday morale booster. In addition, the guests who opt for Nicholini’s tasting dinner during the promotion period can also take home a set of coffee cup and saucer by Lavazza, an elegant vessel for a freshly brewed cuppa.
Nicholini’s
Address: Level 8, Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2822 8801 | Online Reservations: ConradDining.com
Subject to 10% service charge