The time: 4:00 PM
The watch: Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open
Recently, on a whim, we decided to go eat in downtown Cincinnati at a different restaurant, but when we got there, they were sold out. Ok…time for a new plan. Then, we saw it.
In the heart of Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine district, Quan Hapa brings bold Asian flavors to the table with a spirit that’s both adventurous and exacting. Its name, derived from the Vietnamese word for “local restaurant” and the Hawaiian term for “mixed,” reflects the soul of the place: a joyful mashup of cultures, ingredients, and energy. For this visit, I chose a timepiece that shares that same balance of vibrancy and craftsmanship: the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open.
I love Asian cuisine, so we decided to give it a shot. And it did not disappoint. Let me take you on a journey of what we enjoyed.
First, we started with the Cucumber Kimchi Slaw. Cool, crunchy cucumber slices are lacquered in bright, spicy kimchi glaze, resting atop a lively slaw of cabbage, carrots, and sesame. It’s a punchy starter that primes your palate while cutting through the summer heat. Much like the Chronomaster’s openworked dial, this dish lays its components bare, each element visible, nothing hidden, everything in motion.
Next, was the Tempeh Bacon Okonomiyaki. A showstopper on Quan Hapa’s menu, this Japanese pancake is a plant-forward version of a street food staple. Topped with a fried egg, tempeh bacon, and swirls of Japanese mayo and tonkatsu sauce, it’s savory, smoky, and rich in umami. Okonomiyaki, literally “as you like it,” is described as a savory Japanese pancake, a Quan Hapa original since 2012, and here it celebrates both tradition and imagination. Like the Zenith’s El Primero movement, this dish is engineered with precision but delivers with flair.
Finally, the Chicken Katsu with Garlic Noodles. A comfort dish with edge, this bowl layers juicy and crispy panko-breaded chicken over a bed of Japanese garlic noodles. The noodles are pan-fried in butter, loaded with chopped garlic, finished in a soy sauce-based sauté, and topped with parmesan and green onion—bold and savory by design. Just as the Chronomaster Open features layered textures and measured contrasts, this bowl finds its balance through intention and execution.
The Pairing
Quan Hapa plays with contrasts, spice and chill, crunch and cream, heritage and innovation. The Zenith El Primero Chronomaster Open does the same. It showcases its legendary movement through an aperture at 9 o’clock, revealing the intricate rhythm within. This harmony between exposed complexity and seamless function is echoed in each dish. Here, flavor doesn’t just arrive, it ticks forward, unfolds, and lingers.
With its tri-color subdials and crisp chronograph lines, the Chronomaster is unmistakably El Primero but stripped of anything extraneous. The open dial is not just aesthetic but celebratory, revealing the watch’s beating heart, a perfect parallel to Quan Hapa’s fearless approach. Both the watch and the restaurant invite you to look closer, taste deeper, and experience more.
This and many other timepieces are available at Bespoke Luxury Heroes, where we can source any luxury watch your heart desires.
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