Mr & Mrs Fox is one of the openings that generated the most buzz this summer. Not only because the kitchens are helmed by Joey Sergentakis – former chef de cuisine at the sophisticated Café Gray Deluxe – but also for the fact that it occupies three storeys of the new Taikoo Place Apartments. That’s some hard to come by real estate (read: expensive) and goes to show the kind of deep pockets Swire Restaurant Group really has.
Separated into three distinct components, the bottom floor belongs to Mrs Fox. The high ceilings, exposed brass piping, bare concrete columns and long, wooden, communal tables facilitate a jovial vibe where diners tuck in within close proximity of each other. Up above is Mr Fox, more of a sit-down affair, showcasing dry-aged Australian Angus beef from the renowned Rangers Valley. The top floor of the establishment is a private dining area that seats 24 people called the Den.
Sitting down at Mrs Fox we find a one page menu categorised into raw, charcuterie and plates, the last of which lists the more substantial items such as soups, salads and burgers. The prices are quite wallet-friendly with hand-cut fries in barbecued spices going for just $35. We select the crispy tandoori squid ($70) and corn and foie gras arancini ($90) to start. The squid is well battered and crumbed in Dukkha-like spices that add an exotic aroma to the dish. The arancini is a treat, crusted with cornmeal instead of breadcrumbs. These dinky rice balls have an extra mealy interest in the bite, with generously portioned foie gras and a mushroom garnish breaking up the richness.
Seeking something more substantial we put in an order for the pumpkin cavatelli in smoked ricotta ($90). The chewy pasta is immersed in fragrant sage butter and the addition of pomegranate adds a spot of acidity to balance the heavy flavours. Lastly, we select the lamb sausage, styled after a merguez from North African cuisine. The meat is well seasoned, without any gaminess, and comes with quite a spicy kick, which even the coriander crème fraiche can’t do much to abate. A solid item on the menu.
The best part of the meal is the bill, since during the restaurant’s soft-opening period everything is half price. Even without the discount, the prices are more than reasonable and the portion sizes aren’t small either. If you’re near Quarry Bay looking for a place to rest your heels, complete with a relaxed vibe and good food, there isn’t a more ideal dining spot than this.