MARGO and KYLE & BAIN Arrive in Hong Kong

MARGO is an intimate brasserie-style modern European dining concept, headlined by Chef Mario Paecke, former Chef de Cuisine at SOMM. It is set to open its doors at the end of June at The Galleria on Queen’s Road Central.

Tucked away on MARGO’s mezzanine level is KYLE & BAIN, an American martini bar helmed by Leading Nation’s multi-award-winning Beverage Director, John Nugent, who led The Diplomat to achieve the #20 spot on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2021, as well as winning the London Essence Best New Opening Award 2021.

MARGO

MARGO’s focus is on elegant intimacy. Chef Paecke wants the restaurant to tell a vibrant story of modern European cuisine with eccentricity, flamboyance and style.

Chef Paecke’s 23-year culinary career began in Germany, leading to a stint as Chef de Cuisine at two-Michelin-starred Luce d’Oro in Krün, before being discovered by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group in 2007. There, he refined his culinary techniques and eventually led his own team as Chef de Cuisine at SOMM. There is a naturalistic approach to his cooking style, in which original flavours of ingredients are simply enhanced using traditional European culinary techniques.

With the use of local ingredients, Chef Paecke strives to serve quintessential dishes that are light and fresh on the palate. Inspired by his travels, the chef will bring about novel flavour profiles from various regions of Europe. For example, his 12-month-aged organic tilapia is paired with grilled peaches, chanterelle mushrooms and verbena-champagne sauce on mashed potato.

By enhancing the natural flavours of high-quality ingredients, MARGO will offer contemporary European cuisine with German influences from Chef Paecke’s native origins. For example, the chef will provide a modern take on Berlin’s currywurst, a classic comfort food of bratwurst, with a fun spin on the irresistible curry ketchup sauce. Another traditional German dish, königsberger klopse will be made with tender veal meatballs with a creative pairing of delicate Norwegian langoustine with a fresh and creamy caper sauce.

Plan to enjoy the bistro-style dishes at MARGO with a selection of curated wines, all hand-picked by experienced Head Sommelier Elvis Lo.

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KYLE & BAIN

Hidden away on MARGO’s mezzanine level, KYLE & BAIN is the latest whimsical speakeasy cocktail bar headed by Leading Nation Beverage Director John Nugent.

In the late 1800s of colonial Hong Kong, ice was a luxury. In order to escape the humid climate, giant ice blocks were shipped at vast expense from the frozen ponds of New England, passing the Cape of Good Hope, before finally reaching their destination at the Fragrant Harbour. It wasn’t until two entrepreneurs and inventors, William Kyle & John Bain, patented the first ice machine that ice became an affordable commodity in Hong Kong.

Paying homage to ice-machine inventors William Kyle & John Bain, Nugent has created a concept bar nearby Ice House Street showcasing colonial-inspired creations, offering a neighbourhood gastropub for martini lovers to call their second home.

Stay tuned for MARGO and KYLE & BAIN’s official openings at the end of June.