FRANCIS West
The team behind FRANCIS recently expanded to Soho bringing with them flavours of the MaghrebFive years after FRANCIS captivated diners in Wan Chai with the tastes of Tel Aviv, restaurateur James Ward, chef Asher Goldstein and sommelier Simone Sammuri have opened FRANCIS West in Soho with a focus on North African flavours.
Maghreb-inspired menu
The specially curated menu includes dishes such as Mashwiya (Tunisian grilled salad), Stone Baked Frena (a Moroccan flatbread), Raw Tuna with argan, almond and yellow gazpacho and Lamb Merguez and FRANCIS classics such as hummus, beef cigars, smoked carrots and Knafeh. Apart from the Maghreb-inspired menu, a playful selection of wines, exclusively sourced from the coastal regions of the Mediterranean, is designed for an exotic evening dining experience. Sammuri has expertly selected wines from highly regarded historic producers alongside young winemakers in the emerging low-intervention scene.
The Big Brunch
As well as offering a laid-back dinner experience inspired by Melbourne’s contemporary dining scene, FRANCIS West has recently launched a brunch menu on weekends accompanied by an excellent selection of cocktails, wines and Turkish sodas.
The Big Bunch offers sharing-style mezze to start and a choice of a main course from a selection including Seafood Couscous ($240), Israeli Shakshuka ($140) and Steak & Eggs ($220). Add $150 to the price of any main dish to enjoy the brunch experience.
What we thought:
Hong Kong Living headed to FRANCIS West in early August 2023. We tried the new brunch menu. The flavour in the Seafood Couscous blew us away, and the ‘Steak & Eggs’ was a highlight with tender lamb steak, perfectly cooked crispy eggs and rich harissa potato. The Vermouth Spritz with ‘orange wine’ vermouth is a must, as is the Knafeh (fried mozzarella, vanilla and pistachio topped with Greek yoghurt ice cream). Also, the ambient playlist deserves a mention.
FRANCIS west, Felicity Building, 42 & 44 Peel Street, Central, francis.com.hk/francis-west
