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Good food at Pierre, Mandarin Oriental, ambiance could be better

This new French haute cuisine restaurant by Pierre Gagnaire at the Mandarin Oriental hotel had been opened for a few months when I made my visit on Saturday evening. The foyer has a peculiar look and feel of haute couture meets night club with those big LCD display of fade-in and fade-out images. What happened to just an elegant and dramatic floral arrangement?





The deco is coherent with predominantly dark tones. I took the menu degustation just to check out the breadth and capability of the kitchen. The wine list was OK - main stream catering for the ostentatious clientele.  The dishes were all well presented and executed - with the richer seafood dishes better than the lighter variety. The presentation of the dishes was very good - with judicious use of unusually shaped porcelain and arrangements.
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What was enjoyable? The generally well prepared and presented dishes, harbour view (if you have a window next to you).



What was not enjoyable? The sound level could be enhanced - it's too easy to listen in on other's conversations.





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