Retail in Asia

In Markets

The Upper House to open Salisterra in Hong Kong

The Upper House_Salisterra_Main Dining Room Night (1)

The Upper House launches its dining concept Salisterra at Level 49, opening on 17th April 2021.

SEE ALSO : Upper House opens a new dining concept Salisterra

Drawing upon the spectrum of colours and flavours from the Mediterranean, Salisterra will deliver a layered and social dining experience through its gastronomy, service and design.

Formed by the Latin words ‘salis’ for salt and ‘terra’ for earth, Salisterra will capture the richness of the Mediterranean with the warmth and familiarity of a neighbourhood bistro.

“We hope our guests feel brightness and lightness in this new experience. Joyfulness is a keystone of Salisterra.” said Yvonne Cheung, Director of Restaurants, The Upper House.

Helmed by London-based, Michelin Starred Chef, Jun Tanaka, the menu takes an expressive and seasonal approach with fresh, vibrant flavours that draw inspiration from the coastal cuisines of France and Italy. Classically trained, Jun’s dishes are founded on the principles of French cuisine with a focus on simple, sophisticated and sustainable creations.

Jun Tanaka, Collaborator, Salisterra, The Upper House
Source: The Upper House

In homage to Jun’s favourite food, over seven types of pasta are hand-crafted including Ossobuco Tortellini, Langoustine Ravioli and Duck Agnolotti. Viennoiserie are also made fresh daily in-house. Bold, satisfying vegetable dishes take centre stage, including Pickled Carrots with Coconut Yoghurt and Grilled Hispi Cabbage with Tahini.

A unique grill oven delivers distinct smoky flavours and succulent meats including Grilled Lamb Cutlets with Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Anchovy and Apricot Vinaigrette, and Japanese Baby Red Snapper with Lemon Confit, Miso, Fennel and Radish.

The Upper House_Salisterra_Langoustine ravioli (1)
Source: The Upper House

“To be able to work with such an iconic brand as The Upper House in one of the most vibrant cities in the world for my first ever venture outside of the UK, is a real honour and privilege. The idea that guests on the other side of the world will be able to experience the kind of food I love to cook and eat, in a beautifully designed space overlooking Hong Kong’s skyline feels surreal and humbling” said Jun, collaborator of Salisterra.

Salisterra’s gastronomy and refreshing drinks programme go hand in hand to create a seamless experience. The opening cocktail menu echoes the spring and summer seasons by blending herbs and spices from the region, whilst the thoughtfully curated wine menu explores smaller, sustainable producers and celebrates the historical significance of the Mediterranean vineyards.

The Upper House_Salisterra_Cocktail
Source: The Upper House

Adding another layer to the Salisterra experience is the integrated service style which allows greater interaction with guests. Semi-private tables are elevated to connect with the open kitchen as guests are presented with a specially created sharing menu. The private dining room set for 10 is designed as a kitchen space, where different flavour activations can take place – from chef cooking to wine tastings and pastry making. An island bar in the lounge encourages wine and spirit exploration.

André Fu has envisioned a bold evolution for the Level 49 space by introducing vivid colours to the design. Rich colours of terracotta orange, mud burgundy, mineral blue, dusty turquoise and golden caramel create five distinct spaces.

“The journey of Salisterra is rooted in the notion of modern authenticity. It is a curation of experiences that is highly layered, with moments of bold evolution to transport our guests into a world of earthy Mediterranean tones, intriguing textures and surprising geometries,” said André Fu.

Upon entering from the iconic Sky Bridge, guests are greeted by a full-height bronze gate with bold forms that juxtapose Hong Kong’s urban skyline with mid-century silhouettes.

Incorporating a sense of geometry, the main dining room is adorned with a bespoke five-metre chandelier that is made up of over 80 glowing glass lanterns reminiscent of the harbour below.

Adjoining the main social dining room, guests will discover three semi-private dining booths, each marked by an elevated counter table in Azul Montelli marble from Italy and a whimsical cut-glass globe pendant hung by a vast upside down copper cone base.

The Upper House_Salisterra_Semi Private Dining Room (1)
Source: The Upper House

Meanwhile, the private dining room at the rear is designed to present a chef’s table experience. Garnished with handmade ceramic tiles in a bronze patina glaze and a display of copper pans, it evokes the impression of a warm and welcoming kitchen.

At the opposite side of the dining room sits the long bar in rustic Brazilian burgundy marble, with adjoining bar booths that are accented with unique pendants composed of a vine of glowing half-spheres. The bar lounge is conceived as an oasis inspired by a world of olive trees, pistachio, and vine trellises, and alludes to a backstage “green room” where actors unwind and entertain. It is adorned by high gloss racing green lacquer and vivid Pevla stone much akin to the abstract landscape of Wes-Anderson’s cinematic world.

The upper house
Source: The Upper House

SEE ALSO : Pantone opens first store in Hong Kong

In a move towards implementing more sustainable practices, The Upper House has become a Founding Collective Member of Belu Hong Kong, with the installation of an in-house water filtration system. The Upper House initiated the first international expansion for Belu, a UK-based social enterprise. For a nominal charge, Salisterra guests will enjoy unlimited still or sparkling filtered water, helping to reduce the carbon footprint and single use bottles. Social impact is also created, with 100% of Belu’s profits given to global water charity, WaterAid, to help bring clean water to communities worldwide.