Living in Hong Kong 2016 - Wine & Dine

Chapter 4

Wine & Dine With relatively small kitchens in many homes in Hong Kong, going out for a meal – whether it is just for a quick bite or to enjoy a fine dining experience – is a very attractive option. Whatever your taste, you will find something that suits you down to the ground and for any occasion. For diners Hong Kong has it all.

WINE AND DINE

4 Hong Kong is culinary paradise. The city boasts thousands of restaurants, eateries and cafés in every price range, with new venues opening constantly. Not only are virtually all the cuisines and wines of the world represented in both casual and fine dining establishments, but products and produce from multiple cultures and countries are readily available too. As the people of Hong Kong often travel abroad and get to taste foods from different parts of the world, there is a demand for high quality – and sometimes even pricey – imported products in Hong Kong.

Dining standards in Hong Kong are high, and competition is intense. Hong Kong Chinese, to whom eating out is an integral part of social life rather like pub visits are to the British, are discerning and critical customers.

Levels of hygiene and cleanliness are relatively high: government inspectors have considerable power and are not afraid to exercise it.

Top chefs from Italy, Spain, France, Thailand, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, China and USA, indeed from the world over, gravitate here to helm kitchens in hotels and free standing restaurants to cook their native cuisines.

Hong Kong is a feast for any gourmand.

Interesting restaurants, good food and innovative chefs abound. There are many printed and online food guides, as well as food bloggers that will provide news on some of the latest and most favored eateries of the moment. But the best way to find out about new restaurants is to keep an eye open as you are walking, and you will find many street-level shops sometimes tucked away in alleys and on quiet corners.

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There are also “towers” of restaurants in buildings in the entertainment and dining districts around Hong Kong. For example, in Lan Kwai Fong in Central, SoHo and NoHo in Sheung Wan, Knutsford Terrence in Tsim Sha Tsui, and in areas around Times Square in Causeway Bay and Langham Place in Mong Kok, you’ll find clusters of restaurants, cafés and bars that take advantage of the heavy traffic of local customers and tourists looking for a good meal.

It is always worthwhile to scan the directory of buildings, shopping malls and the display signage and windows to see what is available.

The adventurous will be rewarded!

Adventure eating in Hong Kong means eating on the street. There are restaurants that serve everything from milk tea and toast to

clay pot rice or a bubbling hot pot meal on the sidewalk. Some will sell take-away for people returning home from work or to eat right on the spot. This is al fresco dining Hong Kong style. Some of the foods provided by these restaurants and food kiosks are delicious and great value for money. Street foods fuels Hong Kong’s populations of millions. Eating on the street is a truly Hong Kong experience and definitely should be embraced for its authenticity and economy.

Authentic Hong Kong foods are also available at the many cooked food markets around Hong Kong. These venues are the food courts for locals, and are often situated just above wet markets. Cooked food markets offer a wide variety of foods all in one location.

Different ethnic foods produced on the spot and in plain view by the proprietor, who may also be the waiter at various small stalls, are the norm. Some, such as the Queen Street Cooked Food Market in Sheung Wan, have attracted seasoned chefs who are taking advantage of the affordable rent to provide gourmet menus to loyal customers at amazingly reasonable prices. The ambiance is noisy, crowded and boisterous. If you want to experience something that is typical for Hong Kong locals, then take some friends, brave the noise and crowds, and have a meal or two at one of these eateries. Try out ABC Kitchen or Chautari Indian in Queen Street Cooked Food Market.

Fine Dining In addition to Hong Kong’s love of street food, fine dining has also caught on significantly in the city. The Michelin guide has helped to increase awareness of the culinary talent residing in our city.

In the kitchens of these prestigious restaurants are award-winning chefs assisted by highly-trained staff, using only the finest

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4 and freshest ingredients, often flown in from halfway across the world, to create exquisite dishes.

to make that 2:30pm appointment. Bon appétit!

Hot Spots Menus typically change with the season, and there are frequent special food promotion festivals surrounding delicacies such as white truffles and hairy crab. Some hotel restaurants feature visiting celebrity chefs at different times of the year.

There are many districts packed with numerous choices of restaurants. The variety is wide, ranging from casual and inexpensive holes-in-the-wall to elegant dining rooms overlooking the city, with stunning interiors to match (bring your credit card).

It’s a small wonder that a high proportion of top-rated restaurants in all local dining guides invariably include those of hotels.

Some offer master classes with resident or visiting chefs. Some offer superb variations of other Asian cuisines.

Districts with clusters of restaurants are found throughout Hong Kong. Some of these areas are well-known. Others are found in the large mega malls, next to office towers, as well as on the side-streets of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

These are not restaurants to rush through dinner. Every dish created takes time to prepare. If you’re planning dinner, allow time to savor the surroundings and often a stunning view of Hong Kong’s skyline if your restaurant is in a hotel along the harbor front. If you visit at lunchtime, don’t expect

Lan Kwai Fong, Central

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Lan Kwai Fong is Hong Kong’s signature restaurant and bar area. Most restaurants are frequented regularly by those that work around the area, tourists and locals who go there for their choice of over 100 bars, restaurants, clubs and shops. Any Friday night

in this area is a magnet for all those who want to start off their weekend with a cocktail or two or three. Lan Kwai Fong has events and parties, and is the place to go to for the New Year’s Eve countdown, Halloween, Rugby Sevens weekend and other festive days.

The newly reopened California Tower on D’Aguilar Street in Lan Kwai Fong promises to bring even more fun to the area. New restaurants and bars have taken up residence in the building. Wing Wo Lane, just off D’Aguilar Street, is a great spot for inexpensive al fresco dining, particularly for Southeast Asian food. Wo On Lane, just down the hill, has an interesting range of restaurants from the basic to the chic, along with some little boutiques. www.lankwaifong.com

SoHo, Mid-Levels Central SoHo is the designation for the area “South of Hollywood Road” with Old Bailey Street to the east, Graham Street to the west, Caine Road at the top (south) and Hollywood Road at the bottom (north). The commuter escalator allows easy access. Most restaurants and bars are on either Staunton Street or Elgin Street, but are now spreading out to Peel Street too. Most are small and atmospheric. www.ilovehongkong.hk

NoHo, Sheung Wan NoHo is the designation for a small area “North of Hollywood Road” and west of Aberdeen Street. This new hip area in Hong Kong is filled with small art galleries, casual restaurants, private kitchens and funky boutiques selling clothing and designer furniture. There are small and quaint restaurants on Gough Street and Kau U Fong.

This area is still growing, so the best thing to do if you want to explore and discover the “artsy” side of Hong Kong is to go and see what is there. To get there, go to Hollywood

Road, then turn and walk north on Aberdeen Street. Gough Street and Kau U Fong are perpendicular to Aberdeen Street.

Star Street, Wan Chai Star Street is behind Three Pacific Place in Wan Chai, and is becoming increasingly chic.

Many restaurants, cafés, bars, art galleries and shops offering lifestyle products such as flowers and furniture have set up business on Star Street as well as on Moon Street and Sun Street. www.starstreet.com.hk

Brim 28, Wan Chai Brim 28 is located north of Wan Chai near the China Resources Building, Sun Hung Kai Centre, Central Plaza, Harbour Centre and the Great Eagle Centre. It hosts a series of restaurants, eateries and cafés in the elevated platform area that connects these buildings. Most meals and menu items are moderately priced and reasonable. A recent much-needed renovation of shop exteriors and refurbishment of the area has given it a contemporary ambiance. It is a hustling and bustling place offering outdoor dining at lunch and dinner time for workers in the office towers around Wan Chai and Causeway Bay. www.brim28.com

Food Street, Causeway Bay Food Street at Fashion Walk has a variety of restaurants as well as boutique cafés to choose from. Nearby is the Pacific Coffee Emporium, which serves coffees and teas and light meal items, set amidst pleasant green surroundings. Many restaurants offer al fresco seating, ideal for watching the world go by. The range of cuisines has expanded as Fashion Walk and Food Street have grown.

Shanghainese, Japanese, Thai, Italian, French and Spanish cuisine are available, along with a delightful Hong Kong-style teahouse.

Food Street is situated in an arcade with entries from Great George Street, Paterson

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4 Street, Cleveland Street, Kingston Street or Gloucester Road. Located in the heart of Causeway Bay, Food Street is the ideal dining destination after a shopping trip. www.fashionwalk.com.hk

Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui Knutsford Terrace is a small lane sandwiched between the north side of Kimberley Road and the south side of Observatory Road. This is Kowloon’s own mini-version of Lan Kwai Fong, with a good selection of restaurants, bistros and bars.

It is an excellent venue for those who are shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui and want to go for some dining and nightlife nearby. To get there, from Nathan Road turn on Kimberley Road and walk for five minutes. There is a well-marked walkway and path – the Knutsford Steps – up to the terrace.

Malls and Office Towers ELEMENTS, West Kowloon Located in West Kowloon above the Kowloon MTR Station in Tsim Sha Tsui, ELEMENTS is one of the most lavish lifestyle shopping malls in Hong Kong and is a hub for entertainment and dining. There are many up-market restaurants and cafés and a supermarket. Right next door is the International Commerce Centre, the world’s eighth tallest building and a new icon of the waterfront, The Ritz-Carlton and W Hong Kong Hotel, where gourmet restaurants can also be found. www.elementshk.com

Festival Walk Right above the Kowloon Tong MTR station, Festival Walk provides shopping and casual dining for shoppers, office workers, as well as academics and students from nearby City University. Self-contained restaurants and a food hall with fast food outlets are available.

An international array of American, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese and Korean dining

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is available, along with many coffee shops including caffé HABITU, Agnès b. Le Pain Grillé and Pacific Coffee. The food court on the top floor of the mall offers a wide variety of meals. Since the mall is close to City University, students even get a discount at some stores. www.festivalwalk.com.hk

IFC The IFC mall is the tallest landmark on the Hong Kong side of Victoria Harbour.

Two towers, IFC One and IFC Two, house offices with thousands of executives and workers. There are numerous casual and fine dining venues to serve hungry workers and shoppers. Dining at IFC mall offers a wide price range of snacks and meals, from a big Mac at McDonald’s, a take away hot meal at city’super, gourmet popcorn from Garrett for the cinema, hip French cuisine at Agnès b. Le Pain Grillé to Michelin-starred restaurants, Lung King Heen and Caprice at the Four Seasons Hotel. www.ifc.com.hk

Pacific Place In Admiralty, the place to go for a wide range of dining possibilities is Pacific Place. Along with access to several hotels, The Conrad, JW Marriott and Island Shangri La, and their food and beverage outlets, the mall provides casual, moderate and premium priced dining. Grappas is another for those wanting a casual Italian meal. If you are craving a European deli, then try Le Petit Café for fresh salads, sandwiches and bakeries.

Ye Shanghai, with its art deco ambiance and spirit of old Shanghai, serves up signature northern Chinese dishes such as xiao long bao (steamed pork dumplings). In the lower level, GREAT Food Hall offers basic and premium groceries and a mini-food court offering cooked and prepared foods for take away. The Café MET offers healthy made-to-order foods, as well as huge salads

with fine ingredients for the diet conscious.

COVA offers some of the finest coffees, and possibly the best cappuccinos in town. www.pacificplace.com.hk

Desserts and High Tea A lovely English tradition that remains in Hong Kong is the afternoon tea. Served at both older, iconic Hong Kong hotels and in some of the more recent arrivals, it is often accompanied by gentle, live music.

Think scones with clotted cream and homemade jam, dainty tea sandwiches and all manner of cakes. The Peninsula Hotel retains the lead in serving high tea in style. It is the place to go to impress and to indulge. A short wait may be involved, as no reservations are taken, but it will be well worth it. Many of the other premium hotels in Hong Kong and some standalone shops, such as TWB tea company in IFC, offer their own versions of high tea.

Coffee Grabbing a paper cup of java on the way to work is a ubiquitous sight these days in Hong Kong. Coffee consumption has grown, and the proof is in the proliferation of big name coffee brands – sometimes you can find three different chains all neighboring each other – as well as no-name standalone coffee shops in every district in Hong Kong. Fast food chains also serve coffee these days.

If you prefer something other than instant coffee or you like to brew your own espresso and cappuccino at home, you can find beans and ground coffee in most supermarkets.

Most specialty food shops in department stores and large hotels sell coffee in gift canisters. Most of the coffee shops sell ground or whole bean coffee, as well as coffee paraphernalia, from ordinary filter papers to sophisticated Italian espresso makers. Nespresso has a showroom in IFC and ELEMENTS, selling machines for the home and boxes of their no-mess coffee capsules.

There are many smaller, one-shop coffee retailers throughout Hong Kong. Many spring up in neighborhoods such as Sheung Wan, in malls and corner shop spaces. The large chain coffee shops have branch shops throughout Hong Kong.

Agnès b Le Pain Grillé In addition to being a well-respected fashion brand, Agnès b has extended its product and service offering with their Agnès b Le Pain Grillé and Café to offer quintessential French food to their customers. Their signature dishes include escargot, foie gras and entrecote. They have an excellent selection of champagnes from small producers, too. The food and drinks, as well as the ambiance and atmosphere, are French. Agnès b has several Le Pain Grillé restaurants and many Agnès b

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4 cafés around Hong Kong. www.agnesb-lepaingrille.com

HABITU HABITU is one of three dining concepts by the HABITU group. In addition to their boutique café that sells Italian-style coffees in a cozy eatery environment, the group also operates caffé HABITU the table, a gourmet café-restaurant; and HABITU Ristorante, offering Italian casual dishes such as thin crust pizzas and homemade pastas. www.caffehabitu.com

Holly Brown This bright and airy chain of coffee shops has expanded to multiple outlets throughout Hong Kong and also offers a selection of gelato ice cream to compliment your favorite cup of coffee. A delivery service is also available in addition to an online store. www.hollybrowncoffee.com

Pacific Coffee Pacific Coffee is a brand started in Hong Kong that offers American-style coffee.

There are hundreds of outlets in Hong Kong, found in malls and standalone street level shops. Their offering of classic coffee, latte and espresso is complemented with light snacks and sandwiches. Pacific Coffee Emporium recently opened up a shop in Causeway Bay’s Fashion Walk. Offering a younger look with a more extensive and unique list of products with specialty coffees. www.pacificcoffee.com

Pokka Pokka Cafe is a Japanese style café and restaurant. Pokka operations include cafés and traditional Japanese tonkatsu restaurants. Their coffees range from classic American blends, Italian espresso and Sumatra Mandheling to special variety coffees, such as Okinawa black sugar latte

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and Shinjuku café caramel. Pokka Café shops and restaurants are situated throughout Hong Kong in business and residential districts. www.pokkacafe.com

Simplylife Simplylife is a Hong Kong brand with many locations in major malls around the city. It has also recently expanded into Mainland China with shops in Shenzhen and Guangzhou. It serves freshly baked European-style breads, simple meals, pastas, a selection of teas and juices as well as alcoholic beverages. www.maxconcepts.com.hk

Starbucks Not surprisingly, Starbucks is one of the most visible and recognized coffee brands in Hong Kong. There is a Starbucks outlet in every major business district. Not only is it a place for American-style coffee and light snacks; it is also the place to get together with friends or have a casual business meeting. www.starbucks.com.hk

Local Taste Hong Kong has inherited a tea-house tradition believed to have begun in the 12th century. During the Song dynasty, scholar gourmets first codified the principles of imperial cuisine and coincidentally also identified the empire’s regional variations.

The venerable Luk Yu, on Stanley Street in Central, is a good example, but there are scores throughout the city.

Cha Chaan Teng - Hong Kong style café The Hong Kong styled café, cha chaan teng, is the traditional canteen for millions. The cha chaan teng is popular for snacks and meals at all hours of the day. In the mornings, the cha chaan teng typically serves the Hong Kongstyle milk tea – a thick strong brew of Lipton’s

red tea with equal measures of condensed milk and heaps of sugar – along with ham and egg sandwiches or a sweet bun for breakfast. During the day, cold or hot lemon tea with a bowl of macaroni or a dish of fried noodles is often ordered. At night, plates of sizzling steaks, chops or pan-fried shrimp served with rice or fries are the popular fare.

The menu is a mix of British favorites such as toast and jam, with local flavors such as fried rice or noodles.

Lan Fong Yuen Lan Fong Yuen, on Gage Street, in Central draws a daily line up of local customers and tourists waiting to try out their iconic milk tea and to take a photo in front of the iconic store front.

Mido Cafe Mido Cafe in Yau Ma Tei is a favorite spot for local film productions because of its vintage décor of ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s era tile and a panoramic window view of Tin Hau Temple Park. Like most cha chaan tengs, it is a family-run operation with several generations participating in the business.

Tsui Wah Tsui Wah Restaurant is a huge operation that started in the late 1960s and has become synonymous with Hong Kong’s local tea culture. The fast service and modern décor, reflect the changes seen in large cha chaan teng businesses. Tsui Wah on Wellington Street has a prime location next to Lan Kwai Fong, open 24 hours for the after-hours crowd, it is a favorite late night haunt for Hong Kong’s stars and celebrities.

Fine Asian Dining Hong Kong offers a dazzling array of Asian cuisines. Sample the aromatic herbs and spices of Thailand, Vietnam, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, the mezze of the Middle East,

WINE AND DINE

4 the inventive delicacies of Japan, the kick of Korea, and popular dishes from Taiwan.

Cultures converge, resulting in wonderful dishes from the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. You can satisfy all tastes and diets, from carnivorous to vegetarian to halal or kosher.

Filipino The best way to try this flavorsome food is through a friend working in Hong Kong.

Start with the popular adobo, a simmering stew of tender chunks of chicken or pork cooked in soy sauce, vinegar, bay leaf, garlic and whole peppercorns. An original “fusion cuisine” with influences from Malay natives, Chinese merchants, Arab traders, Japanese occupiers, Spanish and American colonialists makes for a unique multicultural hotpot. From the basic fish and rice in the provinces to the rich urban paellas and cocidos of Spanish origin, Filipino fare is a surprisingly satisfying culinary delight.

Indian South Asian cuisines include India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan, all characterized by flavored rice and rich curry sauces. Hong Kong’s Indian restaurants specialize in sumptuous flavors of the rich northern style. Lunchtime curry buffets, heady with the scent and taste of cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, coriander, mint leaves, ginger and garlic, are a popular way of enjoying this cuisine.

Staples of Indian cuisine are rice, atta (a special type of whole wheat flour) and at least five dozen varieties of pulses, the most important of which is chana (Bengal gram). Pulses are used almost exclusively in the form of dal, except chana, which is often cooked whole for breakfast and also processed into flour. Biryani is an elegant

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4 In western and central Indonesia, the main meal is usually cooked in the late morning, and consumed around midday. In many families there is no set mealtime and most dishes are made so that they can last and remain edible, even if left on the table at room temperature for many hours. The same dishes are then reheated for the evening meal.

dish from India prepared with different spices (cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, coriander and mint leaves), basmati rice, vegetables, potatoes and sometimes meat (beef, chicken, or lamb). Apart from ghee, ginger, onions, garlic and yogurt, the premium one includes saffron. It is served with raita (yogurt dip with cucumber) and curry. Hong Kong’s Indian community has a long history, and there are several very wellestablished Indian restaurants. Ingredients for Indian cooking are readily available in buildings in Tsim Sha Tsui, such as the Miramar Building and Chung King Mansions, and there are plenty of cheap and cheerful Indian restaurants within their walls. Look for the Indian vegetarian restaurants too.

Indonesian The food of Indonesia reflects the variety of people living on its 13,000 islands.

Popular dishes are chicken or beef satays with peanut sauce for dipping. Gado Gado is a Dutch-influenced standard, a mixture of lightly cooked vegetables served with a spicy peanut sauce laced with hot chillies and coconut milk.

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Eastern Indonesia is more influenced by Pacific Island cultures, such as in Papua New Guinea and Timor, where meals are centered around other sources of carbohydrates, such as sago and/or grain. The most popular dishes originating in Indonesia, satays, are common across most of Asia. Beef rendang and sambals are also favored in Malaysia and Singapore. Soy-based dishes with tofu are also very popular.

Japanese Japanese food is extremely popular in Hong Kong, ranging in price and mood from little noodle shops to extremely refined dining venues in top hotels. The most popular Japanese food is sushi, a slice of raw fish or seafood on a bed of boiled rice. Another favorite, sashimi, is the raw fish by itself. Other menu choices are tempura (deep fried vegetable and seafood in batter), sukiyaki (thinly sliced beef and vegetables cooked at the table over a brazier), yakitori (meat barbecue on bamboo skewers) and teppanyaki (tender beef, seafood and vegetables grilled right

on the table). Many consider kaiseki the most memorable Japanese meal. An elegant and formal presentation, originally part of the Japanese tea ceremony, features a parade of wonderful, beautiful and seasonal mouthfuls.

Traditional Japanese cuisine is based around white rice. Anything else — fish, meat, vegetables, pickles — is considered a side dish to enhance the taste of the rice. Meals are named by the number of side dishes that accompany the rice and soup. The simplest Japanese meal consists of Ichiju–Issai (“soup plus one” or one-dish meal). This means soup, rice and one accompanying side dish, usually a pickled vegetable. A traditional Japanese breakfast usually consists of miso soup, rice and pickled vegetables.

Most common is Ichiju–Sansai (“soup plus three”) – soup, rice, and three side dishes, each employing a different cooking technique. The three side dishes are usually raw fish (sashimi), a grilled dish and a simmered (sometimes boiled) dish.

Steamed, deep-fried, vinegared or dressed dishes may substitute. This dish often finishes with pickled vegetable and green tea.

High-end Japanese food is found in almost all five-star hotels and at street sushi bars throughout Hong Kong. Japan is a top travel destination and the demand for authentic Japanese dishes has seen the set up of restaurants serving creative and innovative foods.

Ramen noodles remain one of Hong Kong’s favorite Japanese dishes, and ramen noodle shops have sprung up in many locations.

Not just a bowl of noodles, some shops offer refined and expensive menus, with soup bases that take a whole day to produce. One sure sign that the good reputation of a ramen

noodle shop has reached the masses is the long queue of patiently waiting customers outside. And no wonder. Some shops sell only a limited number of bowls per day, and a sure way to make customers want more is a “sold out” sign hanging on the door.

Sake, the elixir from Japan Sake (pronounced sahkay) is Japan’s national beverage, with 1,800 breweries turning out five different styles of sake for national and international consumption, much like wine is to the French. It is made of fermented rice, is usually between 15% and 17% alcohol, and is aged for six months in huge vats before it is bottled and released. But unlike wine, Sake is not bought to be put away and aged until it is improved. There is no such thing as vintage sake. Sake is meant to be drunk now. Ask for a little flask of sake to accompany your meal in a Japanese restaurant. Whether cold sushi, sashimi or soba noodles, hot tankatsu or terriyaki, there’s a sake to match every taste, texture or temperature because, and best of all, sake is very flexible and can be drunk hot or cold or tepid. It’s totally up to you and your palate.

Korean Marinated meats are grilled on tabletop hot plates and served along with vegetables, pickles and the ever popular, appetitestimulating kimchi, a spicy, highly seasoned, pickled cabbage. A symbol of Korea, kimchi was voted one of the world’s five healthiest foods for its abundant vitamins and dietary fiber, low calories and ability to reduce cholesterol levels.

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4 Garlic, ginger and sugar are the major Korean seasoning staples, as well as ginseng root, believed to have miraculous healing powers. Korean food derives its pungent flavors from combining sesame oil, soybean paste, soy, salt, garlic, ginger and chili pepper, which imparts its distinctive spicy taste.

Korean cuisine is based largely on rice, vegetables, fish, seaweed and tofu (dubu in Korean, soybean curd in English).

Typical Korean meals are named for the number of side dishes (banchan) that accompany the ubiquitous rice, soup and kimchi (fermented cabbage). Kimchi is the best-known Korean food and is served with every Korean meal. It stimulates the appetite, like pickle. Three dishes, five dishes, and up to 12 side dish meals are served, depending upon circumstances.

Soups in Korea vary in taste and potency and are flavored with vegetables and beef bones. Its soup culture was developed in response to famines and cold weather.

Arirang Korean Restaurant Offering authentic Korean barbecues, this restaurant has several outlets. Their menu also includes braised, stir fried, grilled and boiled dishes. www.arirang.com.hk

Nepalese/Tibetan Depending on the restaurant, there are several types of Nepalese food from Himalayan to Khas or Pahari cuisine.

Another type is Newar cuisine, which can be very elaborate and spicy. Rice is the staple food. Dishes include dal (lentil soup), spiced vegetables, chapatis and tsampa (eaten by the Himalayan people), which combines ground raw grain with milk, tea or water. Sweets and spicy snacks include jelabi, laddus and mukdals. Regional dishes include gurr, a Sherpa dish of raw

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potatoes, pounded with spices, then grilled like pancakes on a hot flat stone. Nepalese food is simpler and less spicy than Indian.

For Tibetan food, sample their thukba (thick soup) and momos (fried boiled stuffed dumplings). Tibetans eat goat, pork, chicken or buffalo, but beef is forbidden.

The national drink is chiya, a kind of tea brewed with milk, sugar and spices.

Nepal Cuisine Restaurant & Bar This award winning restaurant offers Royal Nepalese cuisine that has evolved into a variety of tastes, which can be classified as mild, medium hot, and very hot. Located in the SoHo District of Hong Kong Island. They also do outside catering and free home delivery. www.nepalrestaurant.com.hk

Thai A particular favorite cuisine in Hong Kong, emblematic of aromatic, often fiery, distinctive dishes, rich with fresh coriander, coconut milk, chillies and Asian basil, Thai food is available in most hotels and many freestanding restaurants. Kowloon City boasts a number of authentic Thai restaurants, catering to the large Thai population there. Similarly Wan Chai hosts a number of Thai restaurants catering to Thai nationals. Thai produce shops are situated in Stone Nullah Lane, with weekly deliveries of fresh Thai fruit, vegetables and herbs. Fresh coconut milk and freshly grated coconut flesh are sometimes available.

Thai food is known for its complex use of spices and herbs. There are many flavors and textures in a Thai meal. The result is an amazingly complex taste. Usually, a spicy dish such as curry is offset with two or three milder dishes that complement the flavor of the spices. Every meal will have

rice and meat, used sparingly as flavoring rather than as a core ingredient.

A proper Thai meal should consist of a soup, curry dish with condiments, a dip with accompanying fish and vegetables. A spiced salad may replace the curry dish. There must be a harmony of tastes and textures within individual dishes and the entire meal.

Vietnamese Vietnamese food is very popular in Hong Kong, and there is a full range, from highend restaurants to small shops and chains serving pho. The fresh, see-through rice paper rolls filled with crabmeat, vegetables and chives are another favorite. Casserole dishes featuring pork, chicken, beef, mushroom and vegetables are common.

Fresh mint leaves and the traditional fish sauce known as nuoc mam (pronounced nook maam) flavor many dishes. Pho is an iconic noodle soup of chicken or beef topped with fresh green herbs. Considered the national dish of Vietnam, it can be found throughout Hong Kong. There are a number of pho “chains” and a few upmarket Vietnamese restaurants, too, where it is served.

Since ovens are rare in Vietnam, cooking is done over open flame. Soup is essential to all Vietnamese meals. Rice is eaten in large helpings. The Vietnamese are very particular about their rice, and they cook it in a variety of innovative and delicious ways. Sticky rice is slightly sweet and very tasty. On special occasions a mixture of rice and spices is carefully wrapped and tied in grape leaf parcels, then cooked. To eat, you must untie the parcel and scoop out the rice.

Chinese Cuisines Hong Kong is understandably the world’s great Chinese food Mecca. Along the center of Chinese capitalism, intellectual freedom and enjoyment of life, Hong Kong considers all Mainland regions special, with superb examples of authentic cuisine that span virtually the entire range of China’s widely varying regional styles.

Regional foods in Vietnam are many and varied. The south has been influenced by the culinary arts of India, Thailand and France, and can be rather spicy. In the south, the food is always fresh, containing little or no fat, and very little is fried. Sliced chili peppers are a staple condiment at most meals. Coriander, lemongrass, mint, black pepper and a local basil-like herb called rau ram add light and subtle flavors. Fresh vegetables and fruits are characteristic of southern Vietnamese cooking. Northern cuisine, more Chinese-influenced, relies more on thickening agents, with a strong emphasis on sauces and warm spices.

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4 The many variations in Chinese culinary styles can be divided into four main categories: Guangzhou (Canton) in South China, Beijing (Peking) to the north, Shanghai to the east, and Sichuan (China’s largest province, bordering Tibet) to the west. Other distinctive styles include Swatow (Chaozhou/Chiuchow), the Kejia (Hakka) and the spicy Hunan cuisine from Mao Zedong’s hometown on the Mainland.

Common to all Chinese cuisine is a preference for utterly fresh produce.

Many still visit the wet market twice a day. The south, with its lengthy coastline and year-round growing season, is one of China’s most intensive rice and vegetable producing regions. Cantonese cuisine has the largest range of fresh vegetable, rice and seafood dishes. The harsh climate of the north limits the range of fresh vegetables available. Out of season, northerners rely on preserved produce and the dried flavor-enhancing ingredients for which their cuisine has become famous.

Extensive wheat, corn and sorghum farming is concentrated in the north, and the use of staple grains other than rice, often in the form of noodles and bread, is a distinctive feature of northern cuisine.

Innovative Chinese While Hong Kong chefs are particular to fresh produce, they are also experimenting with ingredients imported from all over the world. Top quality meats such as Kurobuta pork from Japan has been made into the local version of barbecue and roast pork.

Waygu beef is now used in many Chinese dishes, and the addition of black truffles to any menu item is a big draw for diners.

The new normal has chefs pairing Chinese menus with wine, creating innovative dishes that marry their distinctive flavors.

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Beijing (Peking) Cuisine Beijing was home to the Imperial Court of China, and its influence is visible in many of this region’s impressive dishes, such as the famous Peking Duck. This cuisine uses more meat, particularly mutton, and places greater emphasis on dumplings and deep fried foods. A distinctive feature is the hot pot (or “Mongolian hot pot” in winter), a type of fondue that uses boiling stock instead of oil. It is served in a big chafing dish, its contents shared by all at the table.

Substantial, strongly flavored meals, as well as sizzling and often spectacular platters, are characteristic of northern cuisine.

Cantonese Cuisine This is by far the best represented regional cuisine in Hong Kong. Cantonese cooking is known for its imagination and culinary versatility, evident in quick snacks or elaborate banquets, usually flavored with soy, hoisin or oyster sauce.

A good Cantonese dinner is a balanced presentation: vegetable, meat and a large variety of seafood dishes simply prepared by steaming or poaching, served with a subtle sauce of light vinegar, minced ginger and scallions. Specialties are seafood, abalone, steamed fish, roast pork, stir-fried vegetables and fried rice.

Dim Sum Dim Sum, a range of tasty bite-sized morsels, is traditionally part of yum cha (which literally means “drinking tea”, an important daily social event) and is served from early morning to noon, at lunch, and in many restaurants until 5pm. Between sips of tea, one eats a seemingly endless array of dumplings, fried or steamed buns, glutinous rice in lotus leaves, roast pork and spring rolls. Bamboo steamers of dim sum are wheeled among the tables and served

on request. Portions are small, so you can sample a terrific variety at one sitting; It’s best to eat with a group. If your appetite permits, don’t miss out the Cantonese style noodles and fried rice. Congee, a rice porridge, is sometimes on the menu. Many hotels offer buffet selections of dim sum to provide a wide variety for those who may have difficulty choosing. Dedicated “all day” dim sum restaurants have also become popular in the city. A reason for this is the popularity of Tim Ho Wan, a dim sum specialist serving a limited menu of high quality food at economical prices. In fact, it’s the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world. It has several locations around Hong Kong, including one on the podium at Hong Kong Station in Central.

Siu Mei (Barbecued meats) Barbecued meats are a local favorite.

These siu mei shops often display racks of barbecued pork, goose and steamed chicken hanging at the ready for an entering customer’s inspection and purchase.

Take-out lunch boxes full of steamed rice topped with cut meats can be purchased at these shops almost any time of the day.

Some of these shops double as restaurants, and plates of the same may be purchased and consumed on the premises. Almost all Chinese restaurants will have barbecue meats on their menu. Plates of several types, such as barbecue pork and goose, may be ordered and presented together as an appetizer.

Wonton Noodle Soup There are many iconic Hong Kong foods.

One of the most iconic is the humble and hearty bowl of wonton noodle soup. The wontons are typically filled with shrimp or pork, with noodles that are thin and firm, in a clear broth. The humble wonton noodle soup recently gained celebrity status when

a few local shops selling the soup appeared in the Hong Kong edition of the Michelin Guide. Wonton noodle soup is sold in every part of Hong Kong with some of the best in Wellington Street in Central.

Wonton noodles are available at: • Mak’s Noodle, 77 Wellington Street • Tsim Chai Kee, 98 Wellington Street • Tsim Chai Kee, 153 Queen’s Road Central

Chaozhou (Chiuchow/Swatow) Cuisine Famed for its excellent seafood dishes, specialties of this unique style of cooking include steamed eel and sautéed whelk, duck and lemon soup and braised goose. To stimulate the appetite before a Chiuchow meal, tiny cups of strong, astringent “Iron Goddess of Mercy” tea from Fujian Province are served. Chiuchow is also famous for its delicious pan-fried noodles.

Although dessert does not generally feature in Chinese cuisine (fresh fruit traditionally finishes a Chinese meal), bird’s nest with coconut milk is a superb exception. But it is generally considered a delicacy and is expensive in most restaurants.

Hakka Cuisine Perhaps the least well-known cuisine – the famous salt-baked chicken often thought to be Cantonese is in fact a Hakka dish.

This cuisine is noted for its bean curd and use of salted vegetables, and its black herb soup is greatly favored locally. Hong Kong used to have a limited selection of Hakka restaurants, but the number has increased in recent years.

Shanghainese Cuisine For two months each autumn, hairy crabs from a large lake near Shanghai are the highlight of Chinese dining. Steamed

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4 and served with ginger tea and vinegar sauce, this delicacy has a passionate and enthusiastic following among Hong Kong’s Cantonese and Shanghainese residents.

Shanghainese cuisine uses a great range of fresh produce, as well as many preserved vegetables and pickles. Selections of cold starters are a famous form of Shanghai antipasti, and varieties of eel dishes are popular, though rather greasy.

Xiao Long Bao Shanghainese favorite xiao long bao (steamed pork dumplings) are available at all restaurants that have a Shanghainese menu. Some local street level shops in Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui make them at their store front windows to entice hungry diners. Other casual restaurants serve these up as a mainstay of their menu. There are many restaurants where you can find a steaming bamboo basket of xiao long bao in most major malls that serve the classic dumplings.

Xiao long bao are available at: • Crystal Jade www.crystaljade.com • Din Tai Fung www.dintaifung.com.hk

Sichuan Cuisine The spicy and fiery food typical of this region is strongly flavored with dried chili, Sichuan’s tongue-numbing peppercorns, spring onion and garlic. Sichuan smoked duck or pigeon in camphor and tea are dishes of note. Specialties like braised eggplant, pork dumplings and dry fried string beans are all served with spicy sauces. Dan dan mien (spicy noodles) and ma po do fu (tofu in spicy sauce) are two iconic dishes.

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Shark’s Fin Soup Hong Kong diners are increasingly becoming aware of their “green” responsibilities, and with the active campaign against shark’s fin soup, this once “must-have” menu item for Chinese banquets is now off the menu at many top hotels and premium restaurants. Although Hong Kong is still the hub of the shark fin trade, the appetite for this ingredient is fading fast. The younger generation especially are avoiding shark fin, as it is no longer “cool” to have this expensive dish offered to guests at wedding banquets.

International Dining Hong Kong’s vast and varied international dining scene is unrivaled in the world today. Chinese chefs have begun to earn Michelin stars, upping the ante with regards to Cantonese food in particular.

And for world-class chefs in world-class surroundings, Hong Kong’s list of vibrant fine-dining establishments includes such legendary kitchen wizards as Joel Robuchon, Nobu Matsuhiso, Pierre Gagnaire and Alain Ducasse. There is also a burgeoning scene of high performing independent restaurants, with a number gaining stars and awards.

Starred chef or not, diners at any of Hong Kong’s renowned restaurants are certain to enjoy the usual culinary creativity, superb ingredients, freshest produce and

impeccable, professional service that make fine dining in Hong Kong the oh-so-special experience it is.

Some popular dining establishments include:

Outback Steakhouse With seven locations around Hong Kong, Outback Steakhouse is renowned for its high quality food and service, generous portions at moderate prices and casual atmosphere suggestive of the rustic Australian Outback.

All dishes are freshly made, with only the finest ingredients and recipes selected, from original appetizers to great Outback steaks. www.outback.com.hk

Tam. In the Town Club, the newly renovated Forty Niner, is a New York-style café where members can enjoy classic American favorites such as prime rib (perhaps one of the best in the city), burgers and traditional Asian dishes. At the Country Club, the Bay Café serves a large selection of Western and Asian favorites and an international buffet on weekends and public holidays. Non-members may go to these restaurants by invitation and with payment of any service by a member. www.americanclubhk.com

Bostonian

Located at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers in Nathan Road, Kowloon, this classy seafood eatery has a great harbor view for a romantic evening. www.sheratonwine-dine.com.hk

The Bostonian at The Langham Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui has long been a well-known American-style restaurant. A favorite place for seafood and steaks, The Bostonian has a reputation for its lively atmosphere and superb menu items, such as Boston lobsters.

American-sized portions are standard, and their wine list is suited for pairing with their extensive menu. www.langhamhotels.com

Pierside Bar & Restaurant

Lawry’s

Oyster & Wine Bar

Situated in the upper lobby of the Royal Pacific Hotel & Towers in China Hong Kong City on Canton Road this elegant and cozy restaurant has great views of the Hong Kong skyline. www.sino-hotels.com/hk/royal-pacific

Lawry’s The Prime Rib is one of the most well-known restaurants in the USA. The Hong Kong Lawry’s restaurant maintains the brand’s classic heritage and traditions. Their signature USDA prime rib is hand-carved to suit a diner’s taste and served tableside from Lawry’s famous Silver Carts. The American Dining service is impressive and makes Lawry’s For those who are craving a taste of home, especially those who want a good steak, there the perfect venue to celebrate special are several good restaurants that will serve a occasions. Lawry’s is located in Hutchison House, Central. www.maxconcepts.com.hk thick slice of grade-A beef. These range from familiar names to chic five-star hotel dining to more relaxed, family atmosphere restaurants. Ruby Tuesday With eight locations, Ruby Tuesday is Specialist suppliers can deliver top cuts to famous for its succulent premium ribs, your home. mouthwatering burgers and steaks and The American Club indulgent desserts such as Ruby’s very own The American Club has several restaurant chocolate tall cake. Their simple philosophy venues in their Town Club in Exchange of offering guests great food at a great price Square, as well as at the Country Club in Tai in a fun and friendly environment makes it a

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4 popular destination for casual dining. www.rubytuesday.com.hk

• La Taverna www.latavernahongkong.com

Ruth’s Chris

• Nicholini’s www.conraddining.com

Ruth’s Chris steak houses can be counted upon to provide thick USDA prime steaks cooked exactly the way you like it. Ruth’s Chris has huge Cowboy Rib-eyes, T-bones and Porterhouses for two on their menus.

Along with the meat, their menu provides internationally inspired appetizers, sides and comfort food desserts, such as bread pudding with whiskey sauce. In addition to its island shop in Admiralty, Ruth’s Chris also has a location on Mody Road in Kowloon. www.ruthschris.com

Italian Dining The Michelin Guide recently noted that some of the best Italian restaurants outside of Italy are in Hong Kong. This isn’t a surprise.

Italian dining has been a favorite for locals as well as for visiting guests and expatriate residents. All price ranges and atmospheres, from casual to premium dining, are found in the many Italian restaurants in Hong Kong.

Restaurants which serve Italian cuisine include: • 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA www.ottoemezzobombana.com • 208 Duecento Otto www.208.com.hk • Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel www.shangri-la.com/hongkong/ kowloonshangrila • Gaia www.gaiagroup.com.hk • Grissini Grand Hyatt www.hongkong.grand.hyattrestaurants. com • Isola www.gaiagroup.com.hk/isola • Jamie’s Italian www.jamieoliver.com/italian/hongkong

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• Tosca www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/ HongKong • Zeffirino Ristorante Regal Hong Kong www.regalhotel.com/regal-hongkong-hotel

Pizza Pizza is a favorite meal for locals and expatriates living in Hong Kong. Some pizza makers and restaurants keep to their Italian roots with classic thin or thick crusts topped with slices of meats and premium cheeses. Other pizza makers have localized their menu to cater to the Chinese people’s love of ingredients like corn and squid. Some of these pizzas are very

“exotic”. Best for you to know exactly what is put on top before you order. Don’t assume that all pizzas will come salty and savory.

Pizza places with some offering delivery include: • Paisano’s Pizzeria www.paisanos.com.hk • PizzaExpress www.pizzaexpress.com.hk • Pizza Box www.pizzabox.com.hk • Pizza Hut www.pizzahut.com.hk

Desserts Chinese-style desserts include those served in Cantonese restaurants, which sell red bean soup and different sweet syrups

with fruits, gelatin and tapioca. Chinese bakeries offer a variety of baked sweet pastries and desserts snacks. Mango and cream filled crepes, and mangoes rolled in glutinous rice are delicious. The Hong Kong classic egg tart is a favorite to many. Some bakeries offer the traditional Portuguese egg custard tart, a cultural icon in Macau and which in recent years has become a favorite here too. Chinese desserts are also available at restaurants serving dim sum. The steamed sponge cake and sweet bean paste pastries are often eaten as part of the dim sum meal, but they are also delicious treats as a dessert.

Ice Cream and Gelato If you have a sweet tooth for ice cream, there are many choices in Hong Kong.

Some boutique ice cream brands are providing unique offerings, such as liquid nitrogen frozen products, and soft ice creams made with delectable chocolates.

Haagen Dazs is the best-known gourmet ice cream with their own retail store.

Their branded ice cream is also for sale in convenience stores and supermarkets.

XTC and Pappagallo are two brands selling gelato and sorbetto. Primo Artisan Gelato offers gelato imported from Europe. Some of the premium gourmet shops, such as Monsieur Chatte and il Bel Paese, also offer gelato in their shops. Most all these brands also make cakes and have retail shops everywhere.

Cakes Many people in Hong Kong are passionate about cakes and love to find a reason to buy them for almost any occasion. It is not uncommon for an office worker to buy a box of cakes from their favorite outlet just to celebrate it’s Friday. For special occasions

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4 such as birthdays and anniversaries, special cakes can be ordered from hotel pastry kitchens, local cake shop chains and some independent restaurants.

restaurants available here. In the fast-paced food and beverage industry, the guide noted the increased richness and diversity of cuisines available in both cities.

Shops specializing in cakes, cupcakes and cookies: • Cake-A-Licious www.cakealicious.com.hk

The 2016 guide includes 6 three-star restaurants and 16 two-star restaurants.

In Hong Kong, there are now 6 three-star, 14 two-star and 51 one-star restaurants, while Macau has 2 two-star and 5 one-star restaurants listed.

• COVA www.cova.com.hk • Kisses Cupcakes www.kissescupcakes.com • Lady M www.ladymhk.com • Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong • Passion by Gerard Dubois www.passionbygd.com • Petite Amanda www.petiteamanda.com • Sift www.siftdesserts.com

Chocolates Hotel bakeries and independent shops produce delectable, high-quality, handmade chocolates, with packaging to die for. They are great for gifts as well as a personal treat! There are also many small premium chocolatiers selling chocolate products and providing tastings in homes and offices.

Keeping track of who’s in and who’s out is a challenge, but GODIVA Chocolatier is a leader in providing premium chocolates and festive gift packages. They have retail shops in IFC Mall, Times Square and throughout Hong Kong.

Michelin Guide Hong Kong and Macau The latest edition of the bilingual Michelin guide for Hong Kong and Macau reflects an improvement on the quality and choice of

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The guide also lists the best restaurants offering excellent value for money, with simple shop restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau included. These basic, local food stalls make up around 20% of the guide and include Cantonese, Chiu Chow, dumplings, dim sum, Indonesian, Japanese, noodle shops, congee eateries, ramen, roast meats, Spanish, Shanghainese, Thai, and Vietnamese food stalls. Also featured are Bib Gourmand restaurants, chosen by the inspectors for their good value. These restaurants are particularly popular for those looking for great food at an affordable price.

Chinese Diners There are many different styles of Chinese restaurants and diners. Some local eateries are small and offer great value for the locals who depend on them for most of their meals. Many of these are noisy and bustle with quick turnover business. Other restaurants offer atmosphere and a good dining experience. Whatever budget, taste or environment you prefer, there is a Chinese restaurant to suit everyone’s palate.

Banquet Halls Usually occupying several floors, these important social centers serve morning, afternoon and Sunday dim sum. Sunday can be a half-day excursion for the entire extended family, which may total 10 to 20

people. They also double as the venue for one of the great occasions in Chinese life: wedding banquets.

The hospitality industry spends lavishly in the creation of themed spaces for banquets.

Some still use traditional red and gold color schemes, with gigantic relief sculptures of dragons and phoenixes.

At banquets, diners eat in groups seated at round tables. Dishes are placed in the center of the table and each guest helps themselves with a serving set of chopsticks and utensils brought with the dish. These shared plates may also be served by the waiting staff and placed on individual plates. In a banquet, the rice and noodles are usually served in individual bowls.

Aberdeen’s famous floating restaurant, Jumbo Kingdom, is a palatial three-story banquet hall. Blazing with light after dark, it displays incredibly ornate and opulent banquet-hall decor, replete with million-dollar chandeliers. Shuttle boats to the restaurant leave regularly from Aberdeen Main Pier.

Dining With a Difference Junk trips and the hiring of a traditional tram are popular Hong Kong party options. Sail to a nearby island for lunch or dinner, or take a tram around the island. These can be catered or you can bring your own food and drink and party on board. Traditional wooden style junks can be hired for a day; some boats are more basic and you have to bring your own food and drink. Get your friends to bring a dish or bottle and have a great day out.

Saffron Cruises Saffron Cruises has one of the largest fleets of junk boats in Hong Kong and are ideal for all occasions. From the three red sails of their Chinese sailing junk to motor cruiser yachts

ideal for birthday parties, cocktail dinner parties, corporate days out or just fun days on the water with your friends. www.saffron-cruises.com

Haute Chinois International competition has led to the creation of haute Chinois restaurants, which adopt the French nouvelle style for presentation and service. Most are in hotels, but some are independent. Here, dishes tend to be plated individually (rather than shared from platters in the center of the table) and are served sequentially rather than all in one go (or just according to which one emerges from the kitchen first). Some make their own version of “XO” sauce – with dried scallops and chillies.

Sea Food Centers These eating places have enormous, and usually rather slimy, glass-walled seawater tanks of fish and crustaceans (a source of endless fascination to visiting children).

English-speaking managers or waiters are generally happy, during slack periods, to expound on the virtues of the various fish swimming in their tanks and advise you on what to order. A lot of these restaurants are now concentrated in popular tourist spots such as Sai Kung, Lamma Island, Cheung Chau, and at the Aberdeen wholesale fish market (and the retail fish market across the road).

Street Stalls — Dai Pai Dongs Assemblages of street stalls, known as dai pai dongs, are effectively outdoor versions of noodle and congee shops – Hong Kong’s answer to street cafés. Sociability among regulars can be combined with a quick snack from early morning to late at night, the latter being the more leisurely time. The food is generally good, although occasionally greasy and rarely hygienically prepared.

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4 According to research, they originated with cooked food stalls, which after World War Two were issued with a dai pai (“big license”) – and so nicknamed dai pai dong: “big license stalls”. The stall was a movable wagon with a food-serving unit on wheels.

In front of the unit was a long bench upon which three small stools were installed.

Other equipment included two folding tables and eight folding chairs.

Their popularity grew during the 1950s, which saw massive immigration from China, with many people living in basic huts that had little or no space for cooking. These food stalls served the general public. Dai pai dong culture can be said to have grown alongside that of Hong Kong and is truly a local cultural heritage.

A network of dai pai dongs covers the city, and you are seldom far from one of their encampments – a cluster of stalls in a side street, or an alleyway between main streets, usually in a busy, crowded area.

The specialties differ from restaurant to restaurant, but one of the things to try is called congee, or jook, a porridge made of rice. It’s used for breakfasts, but can be eaten any time of day. They may add meats and seafood to this, as well as preserved or salted eggs. Chinese pastries (yao tieo) and Chinese cannelloni (cheung fun) are also served for breakfast. Also popular are the western-style ones serving the Hong Kong styled milk tea, coffee, toast and chicken wings. Be prepared for long queues during busy hours. Lunch is usually quick and simple: barbecued pork and rice (cha siu fan), and wonton noodle with shrimp dumplings. Nights are for siu yeh, leisurely late snacks, or a more serious meal.

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Al Fresco Dining There are some places for al fresco dining in Hong Kong. However because of regulatory and space restrictions, venues are limited.

Even when dining at restaurants that have outdoor spaces, smoking is strictly prohibited, unless areas are designated and well-marked for this purpose. It is generally not acceptable to bring pets to eating establishments by most restaurants as it is against regulations. The only exception is made for dogs serving as guides for the blind. There are a few pet-friendly dining venues, and it is best to check in advance with any restaurant before bringing a pet.

Cooked Food Markets/Centers There are over 25 licensed cooked food markets located in many urban areas in Hong Kong. They are managed by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and vary in size and food types. They all have multiple vendors who offer basic Cantonese style congee and noodles alongside others providing Thai, Indian, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisines. Their popularity is due mainly to being very inexpensive, fast service and excellent value for money.

• • • • •

Centre Street Market Hung Hom Market Mong Kok Cooked Food Market Queen Street Cooked Food Market Wan Chai Market

The full list of cooked public markets and cooked food markets/centers can be found on the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department website under the section “Pleasant Environment”. www.fehd.gov.hk

Secrets of the Chinese Kitchen Of the eight Chinese cooking methods, the most common one in Hong Kong is wok cooking. This large, shallow cooking dish and

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a razor-sharp cleaver are virtually the only tools a Chinese cook needs. With the addition of bamboo steaming racks, fitted baskets or wire strainers, the versatile wok can be used to stir-fry, deep-fry, pan-fry, roast or steam.

To produce such a diversity of food with so few tools is culinary art in action, and a visit to a Chinese kitchen is a wonderful experience.

Certain basic spices, herbs and sauces are fundamental. Ginger is considered essential. Sweet soya pastes are used to season roast pork. Oyster sauce enhances seafood. Tart plum sauce cuts the grease and fat of roast goose. Sweet plum sauce complements roast duck, quail or pigeon.

Light soy sauce replaces salt.

Table Etiquette Chinese diners eat in groups at round tables from a shared array of mixed entrees, except for rice and noodles, which are usually served in individual bowls.

Single portions are smaller than in the West, although the variety is greater.

The host at a round dining table sits opposite the door of entry. The next most honored guest will be seated to the left. If the host has any doubts about the correct order of precedence for his guests, he will seat them on the basis of age.

Chopsticks need skill, but local etiquette is generally relaxed: “As long as the food gets into your mouth,” an old hand coaches. The socially accepted method for eating rice is to bring your bowl close to your mouth and quickly scoop the rice into it with your chopsticks; this is difficult for the foreigner and so simply lifting portions of rice to the mouth from the bowl held in the other hand is perfectly acceptable. Do not attempt to eat rice from a bowl sitting on the table – no one else will, and it is considered impolite.

If invited to dinner by a Chinese friend or colleague, the host may honor you by placing choice delicacies (a fish head, a chicken foot, a piece of bright orange

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4 intestine) on your plate. Hearty appreciation is your only option.

Small pieces of food are taken and put into an individual dish or atop a bowl of rice.

There are not usually napkins but small hot and cold towels will be handed out before, during and after the meal. Soup is the last course in some occasions, and fruit signals the end of a large banquet.

Most banquets consist of up to 12 courses: cold dishes followed by four to six main courses, soup, rice and/or noodles, and dessert. Tables are usually set for 12. At banquets and weddings, brandy or whiskey served in water tumblers precedes and accompanies the meal, but red wines have increasingly been accepted into the Chinese banquet tables in recent years. Soft drinks, beer and tea are also served.

Ordinary domestic meals are different in that rice is the main staple, and the separate dishes are all on the table at the same time and pieces are taken to flavor the mouthfuls of plain rice.

advice on how to balance and complement different dishes, as well as what is in season and what isn’t, a central consideration in fine Chinese dining.

Many restaurants now offer discounts for credit card holders and promotional coupons. Check the benefits before you pay the bill.

Chinese Tea While wine has certainly become popular with almost everyone, there will always be tea. A tradition for centuries, Chinese love their tea for many reasons. Its caffeine boosts energy, stimulates the central nervous system and overcomes fatigue. It is thirst-quenching, as the amino acids in tea enhance production of saliva to stop thirst. Rinsing the mouth with tea after brushing teeth helps prevent tooth decay. It also contains fragrant oil to combat bad breath and cures ulcers in the mouth. The polyphenol content helps dissolve grease and break down fats in the body. Aside from that, it tastes and feels good, which is why tea leaves sell for up to thousands of dollars, and there are endless varieties and qualities.

Exploring the Menu Most major restaurants offer set dinners of good value and provide a fairly representative sample of the cuisine’s distinctive style. The Chinese/English a la carte menu is divided into meats and poultry, seafood, soups, rice dishes, noodles and vegetables. In small local restaurants with no English menu, point to what you want among the barbecued meats on display. Your choice will automatically be accompanied with rice (fahn) or noodles (mein).

When planning a formal banquet or a special meal, it is advisable to consult the restaurant manager the day before for

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Oolong, green tea or other teas delicately scented with jasmine, chrysanthemum or rose petals are an integral part of any

Chinese meal. They used to be served without charge in restaurants, but that’s no longer true. Most restaurants now charge for tea they serve. Indicate an empty pot needs refilling by cocking its lid half open.

Taken straight, never with milk or sugar, tea ideally complements highly flavored Chinese dishes, both as a palate cleanser and as an aid to digestion.

Lock Cha Tea Shop Lock Cha Tea Shop offers 70 types of tea leaves and hosts in-shop tastings and classes with nibbles. The main store is in Sheung Wan. www.lockcha.com

Ming Cha Ming Cha is quite upmarket and also has many branches across Hong Kong. www.mingcha.com.hk

Ying Kee Tea House Ying Kee Tea House has many lovely shops all over Hong Kong, providing premium and economically priced loose and bagged Chinese tea leaves. You can spend as little as HK$ 30 for a bag of fragrant Jasmine or 20 times of that for an aged Pu-er. www.yingkeetea.com

Fast Food Eating quickly is a way of life for everyone in Hong Kong. Taking long lunches is not the custom, where as grabbing something fast and eating it on the run is more typical.

For dinners, of course, it is different. In the business districts around Hong Kong, the typical lunch break is one hour, usually between 12 noon to 2 pm, and with having to find something to buy and a place to eat it, fast is the only way to go.

There are many fast food restaurants serving local foods. Maxim’s, Fairwood and Café de Coral are local favorites and the most visited

restaurants. A bowl or plate of noodles can be ordered and eaten in minutes. The same goes for a rice box topped with some barbecued meats.

For western-style fast food, the choices are endless and the varieties abundant.

Spaghetti House and Pizza Hut offer localized menus of pasta, salads and pizzas, which can be ordered as meal deals for two or more. For subs and burgers, there’s McDonald’s, Burger King and Subway, with meal deals that please everyone. Classic sandwiches are available to grab and go at Delifrance, Pret a Manger and Oliver’s Super Sandwiches.

Healthy Lifestyles Vegetarianism often accompanies organic lifestyles. Aware of the growing appetite for vegetarian cuisines, supermarkets are increasing the variety and novelty of what’s on offer. Organic produce markets with locally produced vegetables have been springing up in various neighborhoods.

Farmers Markets The affluence of residents, and the increasing incidence of food scares (particularly with food imported from China) have driven the wide acceptance and demand for locally grown organic foods. Currently, there are several seasonal outdoor organic produce markets, which operate periodically throughout the year. It’s always best to check their websites for dates of their next market. These markets sell locally produced vegetables fresh from the farmers’ fields, including green vegetables, eggplants and cucumbers. Organic chicken, fish and eggs are also available from small local producers.

Star Ferry Pier One is at the Star Ferry Pier in Central.

Organized by SEED (Sustainable Ecological

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4 Ethical Development Foundation), the farmers market provides a channel for customers to buy local organic products directly from local farmers at a low price.

Every Wednesday (except Public Holidays) from 12 noon to 6pm at Star Ferry Central Pier No. 7. www.starferry.com.hk

• Providence Family Farm www.providence.hk • Vegetable Marketing Organization www.vmo.org

Dedicated Organic Grocers

Organic farmers sell their produce direct to consumer at several weekend markets in the New Territories. www.hongkongfarmersmarket.org

Specialist grocers providing organic produce and health food alternatives are fast becoming a common sight in neighborhoods all over Hong Kong. As Hong Kong becomes greener and more health conscious, many shops, restaurants and providers of organic products are sure to spring up.

Tai Po Farmers Market

Eco Shop

Tai Po Farmers Market, near Tai Po Tai Wo Road, operates Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

Eco Shop in Sheung Wan has organic produce and beauty care products for the whole family and pets. www.hkecoshop.com

Tuen Mun Farmers Market

Health Essential

Tuen Mun Farmers Market is on Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun at the 2nd Crossroads International Crossroads Village. This one operates on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

Health Essential in Central was a pioneer in the provision of natural, organic, allergyfree and additive-free foods and beverages.

They have a broad range of products and offer online shopping and delivery service.

Orders can be placed by fax, phone, email or in person at their shop in Central. www.health-essential.net

Hong Kong Farmers Market

Hong Kong Markets Organisation Hong Kong Markets Organisation is committed to promoting the best fresh produce grown by Hong Kong’s most dedicated organic farmers and handcrafted goods made by local artisans. Each weekend, both local and international vendors set up market stalls at selected locations throughout Hong Kong. The set up is for the whole family, with music and activities for all ages. www.hkmarkets.org

Delivery of Organic Vegetables Some companies deliver a range of fresh produce to homes (vegetable boxes full of seasonal fare) with a minimum order.

Delivery are available from: • HomeGrown Foods www.homegrownfoods.com.hk

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Just Green Natural and Organic Shop Just Green Natural and Organic Shop has shops in Discovery Bay, Lamma Island, Central and Wan Chai. They are an environmentally friendly company selling healthy products while supporting local and ethical businesses. www.justgreen.com.hk

Organic Produce and Restaurants While all the supermarkets in Hong Kong carry organic products imported from all over the world, there are now numerous organizations and small retail shops providing locally grown organic produce for the market. ThreeSixty in ELEMENTS

is one of Hong Kong’s largest suppliers of organic and natural foods. Many small local organic farmers have just started producing and selling produce directly to consumers and through local small farmers markets. Some will deliver to your door. However, there is no regulation regarding this burgeoning industry, so there is no guarantee that produce provided by these farmers is actually organic.

farming within the community. A variety of programs are offered, including a leisure planting plan package that provides members with monthly use of seed, seedlings, fertilizer and irrigation. Of course you get to keep all your own produce. Details are provided in the members services section of their website. www.tc.ymcahk.org. hk/organic_farm

MANA! Fast Slow Food

A growing number of people are switching to plant-based diets for health reasons.

As a quirky way of getting the best of both worlds, entrees maybe wheat-gluten-based, but are prepared to imitate the look, texture and taste of various Chinese meat dishes.

Lock Cha Teahouse in Hong Kong Park serves excellent vegetarian dim sum. For contemporary Shanghainese vegetarian food, there’s Kung Tak Lam at the World Trade Center in Causeway Bay. Regardless of what cuisine they serve more restaurants in Hong Kong have options for vegetarians.

MANA! Fast Slow Food on Wellington Street in Central is the first of its kind in Hong Kong to inspire diners to be conscious consumers and to choose sustainability over fast and furious. They serve food that “doesn’t cost the Earth.” Their menu offers choices for vegetarians, vegans and those who need a gluten-free diet. www.mana.hk

Posto Pubblico Other restaurants such as Posto Pubblico in Soho have a strong commitment to organic products. Posto Pubblico uses organic and natural farm-fresh produce sourced locally from homegrown foods. Their meats, poultry and eggs are hormone free, and all dishes are prepared without MSG. www.postopubblico.com

Grow Your Own Organic Produce The Green Patch The Green Patch supports the flourishing community of local food growers.

Microgarden kits for balconies, complete with organic soil and seeds, can be purchased from the Green Patch website. www.thegreenpatch.hk

Tung Chung Green Organic Farm Tung Chung Green Organic Farm was established by the YMCA of Hong Kong as a social enterprise that fosters organic

Chinese Vegetarian Restaurants

Halal Foods Muslims have diverse cultures, but food restrictions are common among them all.

Here in Hong Kong, Muslims come from India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Africa, the Middle East and China. Each have their own food traditions according to their own culture.

Halal simply means “allowed, lawful and permitted” for food, action and deeds, although now the word is associated with consumable goods. Muslims avoid food and beverages that are Haram, meaning “not permitted”. Alcohol and pork are considered as Haram (forbidden, or not Halal), so no consumption or food prepared with it is allowed. Even pork by-products, such as leather, may not be used.

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4 There are many Halal certified food outlets and restaurants in Hong Kong. An updated list is available on the Islamic Union of Hong Kong website. www.iuhk.org

Kosher Meals The Jewish community has two kosher restaurants: one has an authentic New York style deli menu, and a range of kosher wines; the other offers pizza, pasta and dairy and a retail supermarket that offers kosher groceries and products from all over the world, as well as prepared dishes appropriate for Jewish festivals. www.jcc.org.hk The United Jewish Congregation of Hong Kong holds a Shabbat Dinner every Friday night at 7pm. www.ujc.org.hk

Wine for Everyone Hong Kong as a wine hub is an ideal place to ship wines to and from. A large percentage of wines imported to Hong Kong are reexported, mainly to China and Macau. This level of trade has proven a boon for the logistics and storage industries. There is massive need for the recruitment of service personnel knowledgeable in wines. The wine industry involves auctions, distribution and consumption. This market involves the commitment of thousands of companies and people.

Where to Buy Wines Supermarkets Every large supermarket in Hong Kong has its own wine section, usually selling everyday drinking wine. Supermarket chain Park-nShop, which includes International, TASTE, Great and Fusion, all have their own in-store wine section. Wellcome, Market Place by Jasons, Oliver’s and ThreeSixty also have their own in-store wine section. All branches of city’super have a premium wine section.

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Because of the tremendous growth of the market, many small boutique importers have set up businesses in Hong Kong. Many are so small that wines may be sold from homes or offices and often only online. There are also many large distributors who not only supply the city’s bars and restaurants, but also have direct sales available by phone or online.

Wine Retailers There are many small retailers often selling special food products as well as wine. Some may only have one retail shop, while others have multiple branches.

Wine Retailers include: • il bel Paese www.ilbelpaese.com.hk • Oliver’s www.oliversthedeli.com.hk • Monsieur Chatte www.monsieurchatte.com

Specialist Wine Distributors There are many large specialist distributors that focus on wines from a particular region or country. For example, Golden Gate Wines is an importer of American wines.

• Golden Gate Wines www.goldengatewine.com Retailers with shops around Hong Kong selling only wines abound.

These specialists sell all types of wines, and some sell premium and expensive wines from Bordeaux or Burgundy.

• Ponti www.pontiwinecellars.com.hk • Rare and Fine Wines www.rarenfinewines.com.hk • Watson’s Wine Cellar www.watsonswine.com

Where to Drink Hong Kong’s drinking legislation allows alcohol consumption pretty much anywhere, including public places. If you buy and bring your own, you can drink it at the beach, in a park or on the streets. Alcohol, including wine, mixed cocktails and beer, are sold in almost all convenience stores too.

If you would like service and ambiance with your alcoholic drink, there is no shortage of wine bars that have sprung up to take advantage of people’s increasing curiosity about wine.

Watson’s Wine Cellar’s Central branch has its own in-store self-serve wine bar.

You can buy a credit card and then try out various wines by the quarter, half and full glass. Other wine bars do the same with special refrigeration that keeps opened bottles of wines fresh and drinkable. It is

easy and casual. You pick your wine, put in the credit card and then buy a pour or two.

Most of these wine bars also serve simple snacks. Look for these, as many come and go, near Lan Kwai Fong, Soho and Tsim Sha Tsui.

Many restaurants and bars offer “wine buffets” where you can try out a range of preselected wines in unlimited quantities.

Be warned, though, not to drink and drive.

Hong Kong’s drink driving laws are very severe.

Where to Wine and Dine There are many wine and dine events in Hong Kong, with more being planned and hosted all the time. Be alert for promotions on wine talks, fairs and festivals.

Lan Kwai Fong Street Carnival The annual Lan Kwai Fong Street Carnival is held in Hong Kong’s most youthful entertainment and dining area. With dozens of booths offering delicious foods, beers, interactive games, marching bands, dancers and various other street entertainments, this is one of the liveliest festivals in one of the trendiest places in Hong Kong. It absolutely cannot be missed. www.lankwaifong.com

The Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival Organized by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival is an annual event. The most recent festival offered a world of food, wine, entertainment and performances, with both wine and food booths. The festival celebrates the diversity and caliber of Hong Kong’s many restaurants.

Local restaurants participate, vying for various culinary awards. In addition, funfilled events include a carnival, cooking exhibitions and culinary seminars.

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4 Information on the next Hong Kong Wine and Dine Festival can be found on the Discover Hong Kong website. www.discoverhongkong.com

Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair The Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s International Wine and Spirits Fair held annually in November attracts thousands of exhibitors from every major wine producing country and region. The first two days of the fair are usually opened for trade. On the third day it then opens to the general public.

For a small fee and a glass in hand, anyone (over the age of 18) can taste a variety of wines. At the fair, not only are thousands of wines available for tasting; many distributors also sell their wines right on site. Most of these sales are at cost or just above cost.

Many are not yet available in Hong Kong. A great wine find of a super priced vintage or a bottle of rare wine from a small producer at the fair is a common occurrence. One thing to bring to this fair is a very large suitcase with rollers. www.hktdc.com/fair/hkwinefair-en

Where to Learn about Wine With this encouraging atmosphere and vibrant economy, a plethora of wine clubs, wine dinners, wine classes and wine fairs are available for all those who seek to learn more about wines. Importers, shops and retailers offer regular wine dinners and tastings. If you are interested in getting updates about events and you don’t mind receiving many of emails about promotions, just leave your contact details with the wine sellers.

(The UK Wines and Spirits Education Trust), either for certificate purposes or just to educate your palate. There are programs to attain the professional skills and attitude for the marketing of wine. Classes are offered at different levels: Foundation, Intermediate, Professional and Advanced Certificates.

WSET courses are offered by AWSEC (Asia Wine Service and Education Centre), the Open University of Hong Kong, and Mochetto Food and Wine.

AWSEC also offers classes for general wine education, qualifications, courses and certification from other wine organizations around the world, including Barossa Wine School, Bordeaux Wine School and Burgundy Wine School.

Where to Store Your Wine With the boom in wine imports, wine storage has become one of the most rapidly developing ancillary businesses of the wine trade. Crown Wine Cellars on Shouson Hill, one of the most prestigious cellars in Hong Kong, offers a state-of-the-art facility.

Crown Wine Cellars is the first underground “club” in Hong Kong. Since its opening in 2003, wine connoisseurs have entrusted their precious collections to Crown Wine Cellars, lured by the optimal conditions of the temperature- and humidity-controlled units, and a guarantee by the Wine Storage Certification Program. The cellars are located at a former military site that served as an ammunition and weapons storage There are many classes or diploma programs depot prior to World War II, which was declared a UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage offering qualifications as a professional Site in 2007. sommelier or on wine connoisseurship in Hong Kong. Wine merchants, wine Crown Wine Cellars comprises an ensemble companies and wine educators in Hong of cellars and bunkers for cellaring and Kong offer wine education under the WSET

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a conservatory that offers space for entertainment and catered events. While membership is in the hundreds, more than 50,000 people have visited the club. Crown Wine Cellars offers a Silver membership to people wishing to test the club for a day. www.crownwinecellars.com

Asian Food & Wine Pairing Learning how to match Asian food with wine is a hot topic here, particularly since meals are not consumed in a series of specific courses, and heavier dishes might well be followed by something lighter, or a meat dish might be followed by fish. It is best, then, to open bottles of both red and white (or rosé) wine, and think about not only aroma and flavor but the weight of the wine, too. A big red, which perfectly matches a steak, may be too powerful for a dish of stir-fried bean with broccoli.

Steamed clams with a touch of ginger and

coriander would call for a subtle white wine, but take those same clams and prepare them in a black bean sauce with a touch of chili, and you would be drinking a mediumbodied red. Lighter foods, like simply prepared chicken, seafood and fish dishes go well with whites in general. But once a spicy, heavy, tomato or creamy sauce is added, the wine choice changes.

Wine Trends, Wine Auctions Since slashing the tax on alcohol in 2008, Hong Kong has risen to become the most important wine center in the world for auctions and trade in fine wines, having surpassed New York and London. Hong Kong has became the largest wine auction center in the world. This is why Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Acker Merrall, Bonhams and Zachys are all major players here. Many companies specializing in fine wines have also flocked to Hong Kong to set up business.

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California Tower

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California Tower 32 D’Aguilar Street Central, Hong Kong Hotline (852) 2453 7950 Enquiry marketing@lkfgroup.com Web www.californiatower.com Soaring 27 floors above Central, the iconic California Tower is proudly home to the city’s finest restaurants, clubs, lifestyle and creative commerce.

Headlining a wide variety of cuisines ranging from Japanese, Italian, and Korean, California Tower features world-class restaurants including CÉ LA VI, Ciao Chow, Fovea, Jinjuu, Mercato by Jean-Georges, Ore-no Kappou

by Ginza Okamoto, Porterhouse by Laris, and Townhouse.

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Being the pulse of Central and the entertainment empire of Hong Kong, the Tower houses two distinguished nightclubs – Zentral and Fovea, both offering unique nightlife experiences.

The tower also offers lifestyle outlets such as PURE fitness, featuring world-class innovative workout facilities and TIGI by Il Colpo hair and nail salon to complete your look. Additionally, Mettā transforms California Tower into an innovation hub by bringing together entrepreneurs, startups and forward-thinking companies in their members-only clubhouse. Topping it off, the iconic LOFT22 boasts an expansive column-free event space, hosting the most exquisite events in town.

With spacious open terraces, high ceilings and breathtaking views, it is a destination unlike any other.

Conrad Hong Kong Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong Tel (852) 2521 3838 Fax (852) 2521 3888 Email hongkonginfo@ConradHotels.com Web ConradHongKong.com/ConradDining.com

selection of whisky, premium cigar and cocktails.

Serving exquisite Afternoon Tea delights and themed buffets with live music entertainment, Lobby Lounge is an ideal venue for a private meeting or a relaxed drink with friends.

Pacific Bar overlooks the Hong Kong skyline and is a tranquil oasis with for after hours rendezvous.

Celebrated for its homemade cakes and pastries, Cake Shop also prepares freshly brewed coffee and on-the-go breakfast to get you through the morning. No matter what your palate desires, a memorable dining experience awaits.

Conveniently located in the heart of Hong Kong Island, Conrad Hong Kong boasts 6 awardwinning restaurants and bar.

Golden Leaf serves authentic Cantonese cuisine and weekend dim sum breakfast in a graceful ambience. Delivering the distinctive tastes of Northern Italy and the signature homemade pastas, Nicholini’s has been named “The Best Italian Restaurant Abroad” by Italy’s Commissione Centrale.

Brasserie on the Eighth serves FrenchContinental dishes in a vibrant open kitchen setting complemented with an extensive salad counter and dessert selection. Offering indoor and outdoor poolside seating, Garden Café specialises in lavish buffets offering divine Southeast Asian and Internationalonrad Hong Kong favourites. Garden Café Terrace is perfect for those seeking a break from the frenetic urban life by offering an extensive

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Suppliers for Wine and Dine

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Arirang Korean Restaurant 3/F, W Square, 314-324 Hennessy Road Wanchai, Hong Kong Tel (852) 2506 3298 Fax (852) 2506 4284 Contact Miss Kim 1A, Kowloon Centre, No.33 Ashley Road Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Tel (852) 2956 3288 Fax (852) 2450 4678 Email contact@arirang.com.hk Web www.arirang.com.hk Contact Miss Choi Full menu restaurant, ideal for all occasions and a popular family destination.

Enjoy Famous BBQ meats and Delicious vegetarian choices in our beautiful shops.

Golden Gate Wine Co Ltd 1404 Bonham Trade Centre 50 Bonham Strand Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Tel (852) 2891 8181 Fax (852) 2891 8608 Email sales@goldengatewine.com Web www.goldengatewine.com Contact Fifi Kirstein Golden Gate Wine is Hong Kong’s premier importer of California, Oregon and Washington fine wines, importing over 80 brands and 380 handcrafted wines as well as a selection of beer from HK Beer Co. We also offer a small selection of wines from outside the USA to meet all your wine needs. We offer direct delivery to private clients, hotels, restaurants and clubs.

• Fine Wine Club • Wine Dinners • Wine Tastings • Corporate Events Golden Gate Wine is also excited to have launched The Private Wine Company – making custom label wines for customers’ celebrations!

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Nepal G/F., 14 Staunton Street, SoHo Central, Hong Kong Tel (852) 2869 6212 Fax (852) 2521 9108 Email info@nepalrestaurant.com.hk Web www.nepalrestaurant.com.hk Located very close to the famed Mid-Levels escalator in SoHo, Nepal Restaurant has been serving diverse and flavorful varieties of Nepalese cuisine since 1995. The ambience of the restaurant is simple yet elegant inspired by exotic Nepalese décor. Using the finest imported Nepalese herbs, spices and high quality ingredients the menu blends the taste of centuries old tradition served in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Most popular dishes includes Momocha (steamed meat dumpling), Bhenta Tareko (lightly sautéed aubergine), Luiche Rana Pariwar (barbequed chicken breast), Khasi Kathmandu (tender lamb in spicy cream rich sauce) and Pulao (saffron flavoured rice). There are many more to suit everyone’s palate, non meat eaters have a good selection of over 30 vegetarian dishes. What is to drink? Well the adventurous could try a bottle of imported Nepalese beer or selected fine wines from all over the world at reasonable price.

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Outback Steakhouse Unit 1115, 11/F, Houston Centre 63 Mody Road,Tsimshatsui East, Kowloon Tel (852) 2189 7308 Fax (852) 2189 7332 Email enquiry@outback.com.hk Web www.outback.com.hk Contact Mr. Eden Wong – Operating Partner Outback Steakhouse is an Australian-inspired steakhouse restaurant beloved worldwide.

We pride ourselves on serving up variety; our unbeatable steak cuts are complemented by delicious choices of chicken, ribs, seafood, and pasta at a price for everyone. Our strategy?

We’re the leader of the pack by emphasizing consistently high quality delicious food delivering a warm, welcoming environment.

Our generous portions are moderately priced.

Our casual atmosphere couldn’t be more transporting – it’s like you’re right there in the Australian Outback.

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Ruby Tuesday Restaurant Shop 1002, 10/F, World Trade Centre Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Tel (852) 2895 1628 Fax (852) 2890 7264 Shop Unit P26, Telford Plaza Kowloon Bay, Kowloon Tel (852) 2376 3122 Fax (852) 2757 3623 Shop 23-25, Level 12, MegaBox Kowloon Bay, Kowloon Tel (852) 2866 0228 Fax (852) 2877 6128

For delicious authentic American style cuisine, Ruby Tuesday caters for the whole family offering all your favourites including Ruby’s signature Colossal Burger*, Fork-Tender Ribs, a build-your-own Fresh Garden Bar and the decadent Chocolate Tallcake.

Ruby Tuesday is the perfect place to arrange your next business lunch, birthday celebration or family gathering.

Make your reservation now!

Shop 304, 3/F, Silvercord Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Tel (852) 2892 0883 Fax (852) 2892 0632 Shop 507, Level 5, New Town Plaza Phase 1 Shatin, New Territories Tel (852) 2699 2838 Fax (852) 2699 0332 Shop 245-247, Level 2, Tsuen Wan Plaza Tsuen Wan, New Territories Tel (852) 2832 9268 Fax (852) 2832 9881 Shop 112, Level 1, East Point City Tseung Kwan O, New Territories Tel (852) 2871 1828 Fax (852) 2877 6233 Email info@rubytuesday.com.hk Web www.rubytuesday.com.hk Facebook www.facebook.com/ rubytuesdayhongkong/ Instagram www.instagram.com/rubytuesdayhk/

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Oyster & Wine Bar 18/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers 20 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel (852) 2369 1111 Fax (852) 2739 8707 Email fbhk.00482@sheraton.com Web www.sheratonhongkonghotel.com More than the stunning view of Victoria Harbor and the island’s impressive skyline, this signature fine-dining restaurant offers an electric ambience with a selection of jet fresh oysters and seafood from around the world. Choose from its extensive wine menu to complete the exceptional sensory experience.