Oakleaf

With a reputation for being one of Hangzhou's premier locations for foreign guests to get a taste of the good life, the Oakleaf Restaurant has made itself very comfortable in a vibrant city that is perpetually raising the bar, much to the delight of local gourmands. However, rather than resting on their laurels, the staff at Oakleaf have been working hard to create an atmosphere that brings foreigners and Chinese customers back for more every time, featuring a menu that has consistently been recognized and ranked as one of Hangzhou's most authentic offerings of foods that deliver comfort with a high level of style.

Our visit to the Oakwood Residence was highly anticipated, and as soon as we stepped out of the lift onto the third floor, we knew it was going to be a memorable meal. After being greeted by Chef Jonathan Wang, we took our seats and shared some stories about what the Oakwood has in mind for the near future. The Chef explained that a new initiative for 2011 would bring a full-featured international buffet with seafood, sashimi, and other proven favorites, along with Cantonese / Hangzhou cuisine (and tailor-made Chinese menus for VIP meals) to the ground floor in a matter of a few months, followed by an authentic neighborhood deli and coffee bar soon after that. We acknowledged the fact that this is big news, since Hangzhou is still a city in dire need of such facilities, and our collective opinion is that the Oakwood is amongst few venues that will always be able to fulfill everyone's expectations with a no-frills sense of style. The Oakwood is already known as an upscale community with serviced apartments, a restaurant, a gym, and a bar. With the addition of two new dining outlets, it will undoubtedly become known as one of Hangzhou's focal points for a wide variety of tastes in the local culinary scene.

The meal began with a hearty seafood cream soup served in a bread bowl. The creamy texture of the bisque was well-balanced and flavorful, with tiny shrimp making a perfect contrast to a ragout of large sauteed shrimp, scallops, and green-lipped mussels that were served on the side. Next came the highly impressive smoked salmon “sandwich” dish, a very inventive and creative item that really caught our attention. This entree is different from what most diners have come to know in deconstructed presentations, because of a table-side preparation that involves smoking the sliced salmon! Using a mixture of selected woods and gui hua (Osmanthus blossom) essence, the Chef produced a taste that was at once unique and exotic. Finally our third dish appeared, as a warm plate of asparagus lasagne with mounds of brightly-colored red sauce and cheese filled the area with its inviting aroma. Tender lasagne and bits of succulent scallop were a perfect combination, and we found ourselves dabbing and scooping the remaining traces of sauce, even though it was agreed that we were already quite full. As a surprise, the Chef presented a dessert plate with four perfectly-cut square miniature cakes, giving us a duo of vanilla and chocolate to contemplate as we finished our visit.

Oakleaf will bring a great deal of satisfaction to diners who are in need of a relaxed atmosphere that doesn't skimp on luxury. In addition, Chef Jonathan has made a real effort to deliver a menu that not only brings flavor and creativity to guests, but a seemingly lost sense of nutritional value that he says is a core value in how he designs entrees. We asked the Chef why he selected asparagus as the theme for his current offerings, with his reply simply being “I consider asparagus to be the 'king of nutrition' in vegetable selections this winter, so I'd like to offer our guests something that will bring them warmth from within.”

Special thanks to Chef Jonathan Wang, Kelly Cheng, and Chris Lin. Photo courtesy of Oakwood Residence Hangzhou. Full version of featured seasonal menu and prices listed below.

Location:

3F, No.28, Jiaogong road. Hangzhou //杭州教工路28号奥克伍德大酒店3楼 Tel: 0571 8899 3131

Service quality:

very good

Food quality:

very good

Price per head (RMB):

100-200

Environment:

very good

Feature dish or menu:

Steamed asparagus with smoked salmon and horseradish butter sauce

Lasagne with asparagus, scallops and fresh herbs

Asparagus and Parma ham rolls with mustard mayonnaise

Asparagus and shrimp cocktail

This article is brought to you by Best Food in China (www.bestfoodinchina.net ). Best Food in China is the first and leading English-medium website featuring reviews on food, cuisine and restaurants in China. For more information, please visit www.bestfoodinchina.net.

By Rueben Marley (bestfoodinchina.net)