InterContinental Hong Kong has just unveiled an elegant and sophisticated new look at its 1-Michelin star Cantonese restaurant Yan Toh Heen, following the restaurant’s total renovation.  Created by CSL (Chhada Siembieda Leung, Ltd., a subsidiary of Chhada Siembieda Design Group), Yan Toh Heen’s new design is inspired by a refined contemporary Chinese residence with dramatic décor and stunning views of Victoria Harbour.

Jade, a beloved symbol of purity in Chinese culture, features prominently throughout the interior design, with a dramatic wall at the entrance made of the restaurant’s original jade place settings. A jade wine table houses exclusive vintages, while jade “birdcage” partitions, positioned by alcoved banquette seating areas, create intimacy within the residential style ambiance.

New attractions await gourmands on the culinary front also, as Yan Toh Heen’s new menu builds on the restaurant’s heritage, solid culinary experience, worldwide recognition and dedication to offering truly creative top quality Cantonese cuisine.  The menu showcases the finest Cantonese cuisine using traditional cooking methods to prepare Yan Toh Heen’s signature dishes, all-time favourites, as well as new creations. Dishes are presented in a contemporary style and are made with the finest ingredients and top quality seasonal products sourced locally and around the world.

Heading the Yan Toh Heen kitchen, with over 27 years' experience with the hotel and 14 years at the helm of Yan Toh Heen kitchen is Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai. Chef Lau has created a selection of exciting new dishes which build on his vast knowledge of the Cantonese culinary arts and showcase his evolving cuisine and inspiration. 

More about the Elegant and Intimate New Design

Paying tribute to the restaurant’s heritage and signature hand-carved jade place settings, the entrance features a dramatic back-lit wall comprised of Yan Toh Heen’s original jade place-settings and napkin rings. In fact, jade, a beloved symbol of purity in Chinese culture features prominently throughout the interior design, along with shades of Amber and Imperial Gold, symbolic of ancient Chinese dynasties.

The design concept is to take guests on a journey through history, both that of China and Yan Toh Heen. Guests walk through an entrance of hand-carved jade (a tribute to Yan Toh Heen’s past) before transcending into the new era of Yan Toh Heen, with the restaurant’s new modern design still evoking an emotional link with the past.

At the restaurant’s entrance, there is a black marble pond where the Yan Toh Heen logo will be reflected onto a pool of water from an abstract art piece depicting a Chinese gemstone seal and ink pad.

Guests pass through a wine cellar with a jade table that houses selected collectable wines vertically displayed under glass. The table resembles a jade box with a crystal treasure showcased beneath the glass. A mirrored cabinet transforms into transparent glass as one approaches (thanks to a ceiling censor), revealing a display of exclusive wines.

Above the central living room / dining area is a unique shimmering abstract ceiling feature, like a prism, made of mother-of-pearl in a zigzag pattern. Its sheen reflects the light and movement of the currents in the nearby harbour. Its shape and form resembles undulating waves.

Screens made of semi-translucent pale green onyx are inspired by Chinese birdcages found in traditional Chinese homes. These jade “birdcage” partitions help to create privacy in the alcoved banquette seating areas.

To the left of the central living room / dining area is a “study / library” area with mock bookshelves made of a wood veneer, creating the look of traditional Chinese stacked books which were bound with threads. With its ashwood veneer walls and floors and light grey marble top tables, this area provides a more relaxed area for dining, with comfortable arm chairs. 

The restaurant will showcase two significant art pieces which have been commissioned especially for Yan Toh Heen. For the main dining area acclaimed Korean artist Ran Hwang is creating a 3-dimensional abstract art piece using pins and buttons. Ran Hwang is a New York based Korean artist, whose work has been exhibited internationally – from Paris to Beijing and from Switzerland to Seoul.

The second commissioned art piece, entitled “Visionary of Tai Chi” is by Taiwanese artist SHU Yuan Huilli, who is now with the Tainan National University of the Arts Doctoral Programme in Art Creation and Theory in Taiwan.  Displayed in the private room to the left of the entrance, the painting is made of mineral pigments on gold dusted Husan paper.  

The Enticing New Menu

Dim Sum

At lunchtime, enjoy the delicate handiwork and artistry of Yan Toh Heen’s chefs, who create classic Cantonese dim sum with an innovative and fresh perspective, using ingredients from around the world.  New Dim Sum include Yan Toh Heen’s Superior Dumplings, a beautifully presented selection featuring a Steamed Garoupa Dumpling with Shrimp Roe and Peppercorns, a Steamed Scallop Dumpling with Gold Leaf and Bird’s Nest and a Steamed King Crab Leg Dumpling with Green Vegetables.

Six special sauces are served with the Dim Sum. These include Yan Toh Heen’s new “house-blended” soy sauce - collaboration between Chef Lau and the famous soy sauce company “Kowloon Soy Company Ltd., created exclusively for Yan Toh Heen. Marinated with conpoy, dried shrimp and squid, this special soy sauce has a rich seafood flavour.

Main Dishes

Characterised by authentic Cantonese flavours, main courses are prepared with respect to time-honoured traditional cooking methods while utilizing seasonal produce at its very best and the finest quality ingredients sourced from around the world. Not-to-miss new dishes include:

·         Crispy Pork Fillet with Mandarin Zest

·         Crispy French Quail with Spicy Salt and Herbs

·         Steamed Cod Fish with Garlic, Preserved Olives and Herbs

·         Wok-fried Beef Shoulder Chops with Fresh Fig Sauce

Advance Order Signature Dishes (24 hours advance order)

Yan Toh Heen’s signature Peking Duck has a new presentation and enhanced selection of condiments and sauces which include pear, cucumber, red chili, scallion, yuzu and pineapple and traditional seafood sauce, osmanthus plum sauce and black garlic chili sauce. To retain the warmth of pancakes, a heated bamboo basket is used. 

Other specialty advance order dishes include Fortune Chicken, Braised Fish Maw with Sea Cucumber in Oyster Jus, and Barbecued Whole Suckling Pig. 

Specialty Soups, made with the finest core ingredients and abundant dried seafood and herbs to strengthen the texture and bring richness and intensity, include Double Boiled Sea Cucumber and Figs with Morels and Lobster & Asparagus with Fungus in Chicken Broth.

Desserts use Oriental ingredients with a chic modern approach and a sweet balance of “east meets west”. Amongst the new creations are Basil Dragon Pearl served with Frozen Panna Cotta and Ginger Ice cream and Coconut Black and White Rice Pudding served with Frozen Lemon Grass Ice Cream.

Showcased on the restaurant’s extensive tea selection are 50 years Pu Er, Mt. Phoenix Daffodil and Lychee scented Longjing, a brand new type of tea, specially made for Yan Toh Heen.

“Huangjiu”, Chinese yellow wine, is featured prominently on the wine list. This traditional beverage is also presented in a new way with a variety of contemporary cocktails made with “Huangiju”.

For the following information, please click on the links below:

• Detailed Design Story of Yan Toh Heen
• More Information on the New Yan Toh Heen Menu
• Yan Toh Heen a la carte lunch and dinner menus
• Images of Yan Toh Heen at InterContinental Hong Kong

For a full selection of images of InterContinental Hong Kong, visit www.flickr.com/photos/InterContinentalHongKong                                                                          

Yan Toh Heen, Lower Level

InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

Restaurant Reservations: + 852 2313 2323 / E-mail : fb.hongkong@ihg.com

Tel: +852 2721 1211 / Fax: +852 2739-4546 / E-mail: hongkong@ihg.com

www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com / www.intercontinental.com

For further press information, please contact:

Carole L Klein

Director of PR & Communications

InterContinental Hong Kong                                

Tel : + 852 2313 2335 / Fax : + 852 2721 5964                
E-mail: carole.klein@ihg.com