Gastronomic delights from the South of France at Nissa la Bella in Sheung Wan

The South of France has a unique gastronomic profile. The region borders Spain to the south and Italy farther north, and is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea. This has a huge influence on the southern region of France, with more use of olive oil and a culture of seafood while retaining its French finesse.

We visited Nissa la Bella on one of those rare but fantastically fine autumn evenings in Hong Kong when the humidity is low and the temperature hovers around 20 degrees Celsius. Taking advantage of these perfect conditions, Nissa la Bella threw open its French windows, adding a European vibe to this teal and aqua themed interior complete with rattan chairs.

We first sampled the carpaccio de loup de mer (HK$158), a sea bass carpaccio served with trout roe and coriander. The lime juice brought out the briny flavour of the fish and the umami from the roe added complexity to a simple carpaccio. Next we tried the salade de poulpe (HK$138), a spicy octopus salad with fregola, pomegranate and lemon and chilli dressing. This is a classic French Riviera dish, and the sweetness of the pomegranate added to its complex textures.

Osso bucco (HK$278), is a classic dish from Lombardy but Nissa la Bella gave it Gallic flair. The braised veal was soft and the rich polenta with heavy cream added a touch of luxury.

We end the meal on a sweet note with nougat glacé au miel de Provence (HK$68), almond nougat ice cream with a hint of honey. For those craving the flavours of Nice, Nissa la Bella will not disappoint.

Nissa la Bella