The Japanese do many things very well – mass production cars, samurai swords, kinky sex and yes, beef, and new Hong Kong hotspot Wagyu Vanne is bringing the best Wagyu cuts to Causeway Bay’s iconic Tower 535.
The second in a trilogy of new restaurants branded as ‘Gosango’, Wagyu Vanne combines some of Japan’s best beef with the timeless tradition of Yakiniku grilling. Themed as a sophisticated multi-sensory dining experience, Wagyu Vanne – like new sibling J Pot – will serve coveted Hiyama Kuroge Wagyu (in its Hong Kong debut), beef so good it will bring a tear to even the most stoic Shogun’s eye.
Century-old Hiyama is one of Japan’s most revered butchers and meat suppliers and its cuts will be grilled to perfection by dedicated ‘Wagyu Consultants’ at each of the restaurant’s intimate tables, which are sequestered behind frosted glass panels inspired by traditional Japanese shōji dividers. Renowned for its fine grain and superb marbling, Kuroge Wagyu is famed for its rich flavour and intense aroma, making it a grill lover’s best friend.
This new beef haven is helmed by acclaimed DJ and celebrity chef Vanne Kuwahara, founder of Tokyo’s acclaimed “Yoroniku” restaurant Ebisu, a favourite among Japanese celebrities, in his first Hong Kong restaurant concept. Arriving guests can peruse the beef selection in glass-lined cabinets and watch the intricate butchering process before delving into the dining room, dressed in leather, marble and naked timber, to order from a la carte and tasting menus that give subtle Western twists to classic Japanese preparations.
The Deluxe Hiyama Wagyu Menu by Hiyama x Vanne is a true show-stopper; the multiple-course tasting menu presents Hiyama beef in a variety of ways, from salt-crusted Wagyu short rib and Wagyu oxtail soup to Wagyu pappardelle Bolognese and an A5 Wagyu Chateaubriand that’s cooked in front of diners and paired with truffle potato foam.
Maintaining his passion for music, chef Kuwahara will also curate Wagyu Vanne by Gosango’s music program, which will include some of his own tracks.
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