Located in Central, the modern izakaya AOAO has quickly gained popularity since its opening for integrating dining, art, and design into a cohesive space with creative cuisine. This time, AOAO is collaborating for the first time with the renowned whisky brand The Macallan, hosting a limited two-night dinner event featuring five Japanese dishes infused with The Macallan whisky, paired with five signature cocktails from the brand, creating a unique multi-sensory tasting experience.
The evening kicked off with a refreshing appetizer featuring seared salmon and layered sashimi pastry, paired with a signature cocktail named Watermelon Glow, crafted with watermelon, apple, and cold-brewed tea mixed with The Macallan 12 Year Old Sherry Cask whisky, highlighting its fruity notes and fresh tea essence. One of the main dishes that followed was the pork belly and asparagus roll, roasted with a garlic butter sauce made from The Macallan 15 Year Old Double Sherry Cask, paired with mentaiko chicken wings, and complemented by a drink made with pear juice, honey, and oolong tea, labeled Pear Honey Oolong, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that balanced warmth and complexity.
The third dish highlights fried corn and tempura nori rolls, paired with a garlic chili sauce and a plum sauce crafted from The Macallan 18 Year Sherry Cask. Meanwhile, Fiery Pepper Bloody Mary features a blend of three types of tomatoes, infused with sweet peppers and spices in The Macallan 15 Year Double Sherry Cask, showcasing AOAO’s fresh take on traditional cocktails.
The highlight of the main course is octopus tentacles slowly braised in a broth made with The Macallan 15-Year-Old Sherry Oak, paired beautifully with perfectly fried wagyu beef fried rice that’s succulent and satisfying. For the wine pairing, we’ve chosen The Macallan limited edition Art is the Flower, inspired by artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh. This exquisite spirit blends notes of raisins, figs, cherries, and orange peel, offering a rich and refined flavor.
The dessert segment concludes with a decadent chocolate mousse cake, perfectly paired with The Macallan’s latest Harmony Collection whiskey. This series, in collaboration with JING Tea, is crafted with inspiration from the fragrant Golden Phoenix single-origin Oolong, blending floral and fruity notes with a distinct tea aroma—an exquisite sweet finale to an evening of delightful cuisine.
AOAO
Location: 14th Floor, Mann Yuen Building, 38 Queen’s Road Central, Central
Reservation: Whatsapp 5506 5521 or Bistrochat
