Whey

I savoured Barry’s cooking over at Beet. When Whey just started up, I paid them a visit. Back then, they were all about that Singaporean-inspired fine dining scene, but to be honest, it felt a bit forced and commercialised — just not for me. Fast forward two years, and unexpectedly, a friend made a reservation at Whey. Figured I’d give it another shot, this time with zero expectations.

The Singaporean flavours he’s known for worked their magic. The whole meal was enjoyable, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

Here’s where things take a bit of a dip. The pastry dishes fell short of the mark. They tasted kind of stale, lacking that fresh punch. It seemed like they were pre-cooked, left hanging around, and then warmed up before serving. And you know what? Even after requesting seconds of the bread, I left the restaurant still feeling hungry. It’s a bit disappointing, especially considering I paid over HKD 2200 per person. I had hoped to leave completely satisfied. What’s interesting is that a friend asked me about my standout dish of the night, and strangely enough, I drew a blank. None of the dishes stuck in my memory. So, while dinner was nice and definitely enjoyable, it didn’t make a lasting mark.

I enjoyed the suggested red wine; it complemented the menu wonderfully throughout the evening; as well as the complimentary sweet wine that accompanied the desserts. It paired beautifully with the courses, and I’m genuinely appreciative of this thoughtful gesture. Speaking of the pace, I’ve got to mention this: the initial courses took their sweet time arriving. And to be honest, my glass was rarely filled — a bit more attention to keeping my glass full would have been appreciated. As we were heading out, we realised that Whey has been awarded one Michelin star.

Address: UG/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central