Wineshark HK Restaurant Review - Kaika 海賀

This Japanese teppanyaki restaurant is located in The One in TST, and while it specializes in teppanyaki, there is also a sushi bar as well, but still the better choice would be going for its teppanyaki. 

After passing the sushi section which has got no window, the main teppanyaki area has a corner view with all windows, and in the middle features the teppanyaki counter in which we were seated on the day. The decor is nice, but I am sure if you are like us, the focus is on how the chef prepares the food all the time, and you might not have paid attention to other things.

We ordered the New Year and Valentine's Day Set ($2780 for two). The first course is Japanese Snapper Carpaccio. The thin-sliced fresh snapper is paired with a sweet cherry tomato, with small pieces of monkfish liver too. I like the two sauces accompanying, including pesto and yuzu vinegar, which enhance the taste profiles of the snapper. 

Then the chef started his 'show', preparing for Pan-Fried Foie Gras. The foie gras are so nicely seared to give a caramelized surface while the interior is still soft and moist. The chef also grilled some Brussels sprouts to put it in, after decorating the plate with a brush of balsamic vinegar. The carrot puree underneath the foie gras gave some acidity to balance the fat level, and along with a natural sweetness, it is highly complementary to the foie gras.  

Next is Teppanyaki Lobster with Herbs in Lobster Bisque. The live lobster is cut in half, and when put onto the grill the legs were still moving. After searing for a while, the chef put a bunch of herbs on the lobster and then adding some water before covering with lid to cook through. Then he prepared a butter sauce and scooping onto the lobster before serving, adding lobster bisque. The lobster meat is sweet and tasty, and the chef had already removed the shell from the claw to eat it easy for us. The lobster bisque is also rich and flavorful, and overall this is one of my favorites in the menu. 

Next we have the Sashimi 3 Types, including scallops, sweet shrimp and striped jack mackerel. The sashimi were all fresh and good in taste, and served as a good intermittent dish between the teppanyaki.

Then we have another signature dish, Teppanyaki Abalone with Herb Butter Sauce. The chef first used a piece of leaf on the hot plate before putting the live abalone on top, and then adding a piece of lemon on top, before putting a piece of kombu to cover them, infusing the abalone with the flavors of the seaweed. After it is cooked, the chef then removed the shell and cut it in halves, along with the liver, serving on the plate, together with grilled mushrooms. The chef then adds the butter and herb paste on the abalone, allowing the heat of the abalone to melt the butter to form the sauce, before putting some croutons on top. The abalone is tender and not rubbery at all, and the sauce is also a good match. Another must-try in my opinion.

Next is the A4 Wagyu Rib Eye. The chef asked for how well we preferred the beef to be cooked. And then seasoned it with salt and pepper. Seeing the skills of the chef in grilling the meat and then dicing it is like a show, and the caramelized skin with the juicy inside still brings saliva to my mouth when I write this. Pairing with salt, black pepper and mustard, the chef advised us to try the beef in original taste first, and there is also deep-fried garlic and some onion shreds with yuzu sauce to help balance the palate. Another great dish. 

The show continues with Fried Rice, Pickles, Miso Soup. The rice is cooked on the previous day so that it is sufficiently dried before cooking, and then the chef added different seasoning, before cutting the rice repeatedly to break up the chunks, making each grain distinct in the process. He then added some garlic and butter to the rice to add extra flavors. It was really good and together with the miso soup and pickles completes a wonderful and fulfilling meal for us. 

We have chosen Grapes with Wine Jelly as our dessert. The jelly is delicate but one can certainly feel the wine there, and there is also a yogurt and honey paste which adds the sweetness and a nice creamy note to the dessert. A good finale.  

There is also coffee or tea included, and the bill was $3,058. Considering the nice ingredients and how everything is nicely put together, I would say it is good value for money. The service is decent and the chef was a bit shy and did not interact much with us. But overall it is still a good teppanyaki and I certainly would recommend it.