French chef Franckelie Laloum, renowned for his culinary expertise and a deep respect for fresh, high-quality ingredients, is set to open Lala, a new French restaurant in Hong Kong. The restaurant will open its doors near the SoHo district on February 8, marking a fresh take on French dining with a relaxed, approachable atmosphere.
A Childhood Surrounded by Freshness
Laloum’s passion for food began in his childhood, growing up in Provence in the south of France. His father ran a bistro, where everything was prepared fresh, without the need for a can opener. “Food was eaten fresh, like cherries I devoured until my lips and clothes were stained red,” recalls Laloum. “Maybe I ate too many cherries as a child, because today I’m allergic to them,” he adds with a smile.
This focus on fresh ingredients is at the heart of Lala’s menu, which features classic French dishes, such as vol-au-vent, pâté en croûte, and frog’s legs, alongside modern takes like Angus beef tenderloin flambéed with kampot pepper sauce and charcoal-grilled turbot with Hollandaise sauce.
A Modern Take on French Classics
While French cuisine is known for its rich flavors and heavy creams, Laloum is bringing a lighter, more contemporary touch to some of its classic dishes. “French cuisine has such a rich history, but some of the older dishes don’t suit today’s palates,” Laloum explains.
At Lala, premium ingredients are the star of the show. “We source our langoustines from New Zealand, the truffles from France, the caviar from China, and beef from Australia,” Laloum says. The restaurant aims to celebrate French cuisine by creating a space where guests can enjoy fine food in a relaxed setting—perfect for both special occasions and casual meals.
The Menu: Fresh Ingredients, Timeless Techniques
The dining experience at Lala begins with a vol-au-vent, not the bite-size hors d’oeuvres of the past, but a towering pastry filled with sweetbreads and juicy langoustines. Other highlights include frog’s legs smothered in a vibrant parsley and garlic sauce, and a beautifully crafted pâté en croûte encased in a golden brown crust.
Laloum, who has worked at some of the world’s top kitchens—including the three-Michelin-star Maison Pic in Valence, France—brings his expertise to this new venture. He also served as chef de cuisine at Jade on 36 in Shanghai and led Azure 45 at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo to its first Michelin star.
A Relaxed, Approachable Dining Experience
The concept behind Lala is not to reinvent French cuisine but to make it more accessible and less intimidating. Co-founder Michael Larkin explains, “We didn’t want it to be an intimidating fine-dining place. Lala is for everyone, whether it’s for a business lunch, an intimate dinner, or a family meal on Sunday.”
The casual vibe extends to the atmosphere, where diners can enjoy great food and service in a comfortable, non-elitist environment. The restaurant will also offer an alternative drinks menu for those who have adopted an alcohol-free lifestyle, though details of the offerings remain under wraps.
A Passion for Sharing Knowledge
Laloum is committed to passing on his knowledge of French cuisine to the next generation of chefs. “If any of the staff ask me for a recipe, I will share it—and I hope they will share it with others,” he says. His passion for teaching reflects his experiences working under some of the world’s most respected chefs, including Anne-Sophie Pic, whose restaurants have earned more Michelin stars than any other female chef.
A New Chapter in Hong Kong’s Culinary Landscape
Lala marks Laloum’s first solo restaurant venture. He joins forces with Larkin, a hospitality expert with a global career, including work in Hong Kong with Jia Group and the creation of award-winning concepts such as Quality Goods Club and Artifact Bar. With the help of pastry chef Natalie Leung, who previously worked with Laloum at Louise, Lala promises to offer a complete French dining experience—complete with a stylish art deco bar.
A striking mural by Hong Kong-based French artist Elsa Jeandedieu further enhances the restaurant’s unique ambiance, blending French elegance with a playful, modern vibe.
“I want to introduce a new generation to the beauty of French cooking,” Laloum says, “making it approachable, fun, and perfect for every day.”
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