Initially started to satiate the plant-based cravings of OCT-Loft’s uber-hip vegetarians, T Guan Commune has since reopened in March as an omnivore establishment. Owned by the same people as Herbivores in Hong Kong, they still offer a separate, completely non-meat menu along with their new carnivorous options.
More than a restaurant, T Guan Commune is a collective that also runs an organic farm in Huizhou (T-Farm), a design team and a party planning service.
From first entry into the T Guan Commune compound, the commitment to design is apparent. The gate opens onto a large patio surrounded by trees and small shrubs. A koi fish pond lies in the center, lined on both sides by a boardwalk of sunken wooden planks and wicker tables and chairs.
Inside, the restaurant contains a large room with giant white chairs and tables. One of the more interesting features is the cloud hanging to the left of the main door. A motor inside makes it turn and shift like the real thing, but be forewarned: touching is not allowed.
As for the food, start with the burdock with sesame (RMB25) and the cold-stirred sesame salad with pubescent wheatgrass (RMB68). The burdock tastes exactly like kettle corn, lightly sweet and strangely addictive. True to its name, all the ingredients in the pubescent wheatgrass are young or baby vegetables – onions, tomatoes, greens– covered with shaved radish and a light soy sauce. This dish showcases some of the best of T-Farm’s produce, and each bite rings with crisp freshness.
Want to keep it vegetarian for the entree? Go for the truffle and mixed mushrooms risotto (RMB78). Slightly creamy and combining six varieties of mushroom, the rice has a rich buttery flavor with a hint of black pepper and a smoky truffle taste that hangs on the palate.
Those wanting meat should order the wagyu beef (RMB168), presented overflowing out of a rice nest with asparagus, button mushrooms and BBQ sauce, and the sweet and sour pork with strawberries (RMB78). Both dishes have no bones, a soft yet firm consistency and taste mildly sweet – and this from a restaurant which just started serving meat!
For dessert, try the tiramisu potting (RMB35). Served in a real flower pot with a delicate cookie and coffee crumble on top, it’s a mildly chocolaty option for meal’s end.
Price: Approx. RMB150-200
Who's going: Environmental conservationists, vegetarians, people who Instagram their food.
Good for: Artsy lunch, baby vegetables
// Listing.
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