Style icon and now successful restaurateur, Bonnie Gokson has added some new treats to her range of decadent deserts at SEVVA, the ultra-chic and fashionable restaurant atop Princes Building in Central.
Within its first year, elegant patisserie Ms. B’s Sweets has remarkably sold 7,388 of Ms Gokson's 'Original Crunch Cakes', along with another 6,260 of her 'Marie Antoinette’s Crave' cakes and other temptations.
These include such classics as Lemon Meringue Pie, which is one of the most popular cakes on the menu; old-fashioned Apple Pie with Shaved Cheddar; Passion fruit Tart; Ginger Cheesecake and Chocolate Fudge Cake, laced with marmalade.
SEVVA's recipes set the benchmark for desserts in Hong Kong. The brand has become so popular it is now being expanded with a range of sinful new recipes. Ms Gokson has spent a long time perfecting the taste and texture of each and every one of the treats:
'COCO' is coconut mousse on light coconut sponge with coconut macaroon and fresh whipped cream.
'DIVINE' is chocolate truffle on triple chocolate sponge with blackberries, raspberries and strawberries.
'CASINO' is espresso mousse on light coffee sponge with Italian meringue topped with dark chocolate cocoa beans.
'MARRAKESH' is almond sponge with pistachio butter cream.
'PAZZO' is vanilla sponge and milk chocolate mousse layered with chocolate meringue sticks.
'PRUNE AND EARL GREY' is prune cake with Early Grey jelly.
Prices range from HK$400-450 for 500g cakes to HK$650-750 for 1,000 g.
In the case of Ms. B's Sweets, the style-setting concept sought "a display that says luxury without appearing out of sync with the down economy".
In collaboration with award-winning New York architect and designer Tsao & McKown, the brand's visual identity centres around a giant 5-foot vintage Venini chandelier, one of a pair that graced the British Embassy in Rome in the 1950s. Satin-smooth icing, jewel-toned berries, pastel pastries and alluring chocolate are all enhanced by the chandelier's candy-box coloured light and delicate detail. To prevent glare on the main display case, Ms Gokson explained: “We back lighted the case and used mirrored shelves, so light bounces back from the mirrors to highlight the cakes.” As in many small spaces, mirrors also play a strong supporting role, with mirrored ceiling panels reflecting images of the shop’s wares, a wink at the elaborate ceilings of historic chateaux.
"Establishing a warm yet elegant ambience was essential," she added. "We wanted to set a sensory tone since the shop is at the arrival point of the restaurant. The light and colour work together to make it warm and alluring.” Ms. B's Sweets compliment a quintessential East-meets-West experience at SEVVA, with traditional regional Asian cuisines and western fine dining plus a calendar of classy live music and entertaining talks at the penthouse-style venue with a vast terrace overlooking the breathtaking harbourside panorama of Central.
