November/December 2017 AsiaSpa 81that something this good relies purely on
Surabaya honey and orange blossom custard
for sweetness.
It was difficult not to have hefty
expectations for dinner, given the
introduction to Chef Hauchon’s ingenious
creations. But of course, he delivered,
blowing the mind with watermelon ‘treasure
box’ with dragonfruit and cherry tomatoes,
with the unexpected addition of sambal that
made this starter next level. The smoked
beetroot tartare continued along the same
vein, description of cucumber sour cream
watercress and beetroot gel not quite doing
the beautifully plated dish justice.
For a hearty main, the sweet potato in
coconut curry with green papaya salad and
a sweet chilli cashew tuile is a bit like a
cuddle, warm and comforting. But desserts
are where Chef Hauchon really shines. As
someone who used to think non-chocolate
endings were a waste of time, his coconut
and rose, rambutan, green papaya and
lemongrass sorbet, made me a convert.
That being said, I still manage to inhale his
artisanal raw Balinese truffles.
TA K I NG PAUSE
In the same way the eatery staff are characters
in the Fivelements story, therapists are an
integral part of the experience, handpicked
for their nurturing dispositions. Trained to
see each treatment as an opportunity to
give through touch, they are healers in their
own right. The Bali Usada Muscle Release
is chosen for me, a firm massage withMoon, who combines deep kneading with
stretching and joint mobilisation to ease
tightness from the gym.
On the second day, Komang performs
the Spice Island Tribute which begins with a
Balinese boreh scrub made from powdered
rice, clove and ginger to slough away dead
skin and improve circulation. A detoxifying
green clay body mask is applied, left to work
its magic in the steam room preceding a
Balinese massage, after which I am bundled
back to the real world in a cocooned haze.
The two days were a revelation. I was
surprised at how quickly I experienced the
same peace that usually means boarding a
plane somewhere tropical. The greenery and
blissed-out vibe feels like you could be in a far
off jungle anyway. It makes sense in a city like
Hong Kong where levels of stress and burnout
are tremendous – that these are the people
who need it most. And without the need to
commit to a week-long cleanse, it’s a fast track
to wellness, but without cutting corners –
an exciting prospect for the city dweller.
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