Review: Rech by Alain Ducasse

What's it like?
One of the latest restaurants to join the fold at InterContinental Hong Kong hotel, Rech by Alain Ducasse promises a front-row seat to Hong Kong’s Victoria harbor. Walking into this fresh address, you’ll encounter nuanced nautical design details at every turn, from the champagne and sea-mist palette to the stone centerpieces, maritime-inspired artwork and driftwood-esque furniture. We particularly love the André Putman-designed half-moon loveseats by the harbor-framing windows, which are perfect for couples.

Who's there?
It comes as no surprise that a restaurant like Rech—from acclaimed French chef Alain Ducasse—should bring together food and wine enthusiasts from around the region. Surveying the room, you’ll notice a mix of couples and business dinners, all dressed to impress according to the smart-casual dress code.

How's the wine list?
Glancing at the wine list, all we can say is: Whoa! Rech takes its wine and bubbly seriously, drawing from a staggering cellar of more than 2,000 bottles. The sommelier has a handle on them all, a seemingly impossible task, and will light up your night with effervescent Champagne or a trip through lesser-known French wineries.

And the food?
As the first international branch of Rech—a popular French restaurant that first opened in Paris in 1925, later revamped by Chef Ducasse in 2007—the Hong Kong address champions premium seafood sourced from independent fishermen and seasonal ingredients. A concise two-page menu covers a selection of fresh oysters from France, raw fish and shellfish, shareable starters, seafood, meat, and desserts. There’s also a five-course signature set menu as well as a "Royal Platter" for two (essentially a mountain of chilled seafood plus a carafe of white wine) if you're having trouble deciding.

Each dish looks as good as it tastes, presented in homey ceramic cook pots (designed by Ducasse himself) or on hand-illustrated china made by Belgian ceramicist Pieter Stockmans. Too full for dessert? That’s too bad. The Mr Rech (hazelnut ice cream with chocolate sauce) and the XL Chocolate Éclair are divine. Whether you order a sweet from the menu or opt for the decadent camembert, the servers will shower you with petit-fours, and everything from homemade marshmallows and chocolates to freshly baked madeleines.

How's the service?
As polished as the stone centerpieces. The sommeliers and servers at Rech are helpful and hands-off at just the right times.

Final thought?
With its uplifting interiors and panoramic harborside views, Rech has “date night” written all over it. The subtle nautical atmosphere pairs perfectly with the seafood-centric menu, which you can enjoy with a choice of more than 2,000 bottles of wine.