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QUALITY O F LIFE IN A SERVICED APARTMENT Who wouldn’t want to live with the convenience and luxury of a hotel whilst having all the individuality and privacy of your own home?
P
art apartment, part luxury
who don’t have the time to make a new
a single general manager being able
reality
want to see anyone cleaning it,” Oscar
apartment
hotel living – this is the for
an
increasing
number of residents in Hong Kong, particularly expatriate
residents, who are choosing to base themselves in serviced apartments for the duration of their stay here.
These fully furnished apartments come complete with a number of comforting
touches, as well as the all-important cleaning service, might not be the norm in major Western cities, but are becoming
more and more prominent in major Asian centres. It’s
believed
that
Hong
Kong’s
demographics in particular lend the city to embrace serviced apartment living, with a high proportion of expatriate personnel and a relatively transient population.
“Serviced apartments are ideal for people Jetsetter Supplement Issue
home. They want a clean house, but don’t
Llinas, vice president of BilkeyLlinas Design, the firm responsible for some of
the interiors in Hong Kong’s Four Seasons place, said.
Standing next to the Four Seasons Hotel
to oversee both the hotel and serviced operations,
while
serviced
apartment residents also have the major
advantage of being able to access the
numerous facilities on offer to hotel guests, including restaurants, fitness centres and spas.
at International Finance Centre is Four
Four Seasons Place, first completed in
devoted
views of Victoria Harbour and Kowloon on
Seasons Place, a 60-story tower exclusively to
serviced
apartments.
It
represents the first time Four Seasons
included luxury serviced apartments as part of a hotel project.
The lure for hotel companies is obvious, they are able to leverage the hotel
2005, has 519 units, many with panoramic
the opposite shore. The sizes of serviced apartments within the complex varies
from studios totalling 547 square feet, or 51 square meters, right up to an 1,867-squarefoot, three-bedroom suite.
operation infrastructure at the same time
Every apartment has features like 42-inch
might be looking for a short or long term no
Four
as offering an alternative for guests, who fuss set up home solution.
Advantages for hotel companies include
plasma screen televisions and customized Seasons
three-layer
pillow
mattresses; residents also have use of the
hotel’s rooftop pool, health club and lounge.
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The suites designed by Bilkey Llinas include ebony wood inlays
and a selection of original Asian art, while the penthouses offer private lap pools and aromatherapy Jacuzzis with the Hong Kong skyline as the backdrop.
Four Seasons Place has been around for a decade, but Hong Kong already had a long history of serviced apartment
operations before it came on the scene.One of the earliest and most prominent properties, Pacific Place Apartments, first
opened in 1989, when a lot of multinational firms were opening
offices in Hong Kong and sending executives from around the world to staff them.
Swire Properties, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent
corporations, built Pacific Place Apartments to complement
Pacific Place, its office and retail complex, which covers five million square feet in the Admiralty neighbourhood.
The site now includes three hotels - Conrad Hong Kong,
Island Shangri-La and JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong - and Swire’s partial ownership of all three helped to secure hotelstyle services like complimentary memberships at the Conrad Hong Kong’s swimming pool and fitness centre for apartment residents.
The apartments are in two towers, Parkside and The Atrium, and range from 606-square- foot studios to 2,650-square-foot, three-bedroom suites.
“For those of us who travel, it is very important that we find a www.jetsetter.hk
PAGE 4 With interiors designed by acclaimed New
York-based firm Richardson Sadeki, the 28-storey tower comprises 111 elegantly
furnished suites with a hint of modern
contemporary style, offering a range of studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites and elegant penthouses.
Meanwhile, in Repulse Bay, Hong Kong’s
southside has its own architectural icon in
the form of the Norman Foster designed building, The Lily, for which the famous architect was inspired by the beautiful calla lily flower.
The unusual, award-winning Lily rises like a beacon over Hong’s Kong’s Rivieraesque Repulse Bay and has already been
labelled a symbol of luxurious living in Hong Kong.
The Lily features a mixture of serviced, and unfurnished apartments offered for
rent. With spacious dwellings starting in size from 2563-square-feet, all finished to a luxury standard, with top of the line
fittings and trimmings, the Lily offers two, three and four bedroom residences
along with penthouse, which clocks in at over 8,000-square-feet.
All the apartments at The Lily have
panoramic views of the sea and the green hills located in back of the property.
Facilities at The Lily include an indoor heated pool, a Jacuzzi, a well-equipped place that we like,” a resident, who has
lived in the Parkside tower of Pacific Place
for multiple one or two month stints, said. “The standard of accommodations
experience with easy access to every corner of Hong Kong.
“The launch of Taikoo Place Apartments
has become a major factor.”
represents the latest edition to the Taikoo
Brand new on Swire Properties’ Hong
Executive of Swire Properties.
Kong serviced apartment properties is
Place story,” said Guy Bradley, Chief
“Taikoo
August of this year.
Taikoo Place and enable us to better serve
Surrounded by a vibrant fusion of
commerce, entertainment and culture, these
contemporary
homes
are
set
to create an exceptional urban living Jetsetter Supplement Issue
Apartments
will
complement our existing portfolio in our office tenants as well as business travellers. It will help realise the full potential of Taikoo Place as a commercial
hub, setting new standards for business districts in Hong Kong.”
along with indoor and outdoor play areas.
In a more central location – only five
minutes from Central, atop Kowloon
Station, in fact – The HarbourView Place at the ICC megalopolis boasts a premium
address, a convenient 22 minutes from the
Taikoo Place Apartments, which will
officially start accepting residents in
Place
fitness centre and separate kids’ pool
airport (perfect for frequent travellers).
These serviced apartments also neighbour the
International
Commerce
Centre
(ICC), W Hong Kong and The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong and are also connected to the
iconic Elements mall, which offers plenty of entertainment and dining options, and upmarket retailers.
PAGE 5
All serviced suites are carefully and immaculately
designed for guests’ comfort, and offer spectacular views of the city and Victoria Harbour. Extensive
in-room provisions provide guests with the complete
package including LCD TVs, DVD player and KEF home entertainment system. Each premium suite also
features a kitchenette fully equipped with Nespresso
coffee machines, full range of tableware and utensils as well as a washing and drying machines.
The Harbour View Place boasts of impressive privileges
for guests, with an array of upscale facilities such as the rooftop heated pool and Jacuzzi on the 76th floor,
a 24-hour gym, sauna, lounge, reading corner with Internet access, and a multi-purpose function room.
Rooms include everything from studios to three-
bedroom suites, ranging in size from 464-square-feet to 1,623-square-feet.
For those who need to be within close proximity of their next retail fix, Gateway Apartments is located within Harbour City, Hong Kong’s most famous shopping mall, in the heart of TsimShaTsui.
Established in 1999, Gateway Apartments encompass
499 units across 14 floors within two towers – Sutton Court and Hampton Court. Apartment types range from studios to three-bedroom penthouse units with sizes from 712 to 2,931-square feet. Residents can
enjoy privileged access to the exclusive Pacific Club steps away from the Gateway Apartments.
www.jetsetter.hk
PAGE 6
A Home for All Seasons Enjoy a luxurious home away from home experience in the heart of Hong Kong at Four Seasons Place.
L
uxurious, sophisticated serviced apartments are becoming increasingly popular choices for long-term stays in Asia’s bustling metropolises, and in Hong Kong in particular, serviced apartments are the top choice for recent arrivals to the city. Four Seasons Place is one of the most established serviced suite hotels in Central, thanks to its unparalleled location next to the Four Seasons hotel and the impressive, popular offices and mall of the International Finance Centre. Offering panoramic views over Victoria Harbour and Kowloon, Four Seasons Place boasts a prominent Central waterfront location with great access to Hong Kong’s comprehensive transport system. The complex is directly connected to Hong Kong’s International Airport by the Airport Express trains, and the rest of Hong Kong is easily accessible thanks to the highly efficient MTR underground train system. Proximity to the iconic cross-harbour Star Ferry, a main public transport
Jetsetter Supplement Issue
interchange hub, taxi stands, VIP drop-off areas and ferries to outlying islands means that guests have a variety of transport options for accessing the furthest reaches of Hong Kong. Situated at the heart of one of the world’s most vibrant cities, Four Seasons Place offers a thoroughly cosmopolitan lifestyle. The energetic atmosphere of the Lan Kwai Fong and SoHo entertainment districts are minutes from the property, as are a variety of shopping, fine-dining and art attractions, all located in the bustling Central district. Minutes from Four Seasons Place, the IFC mall is a convenient hub of popular entertainment options, while the adjacent Four Seasons Hotel offers luxe dining and entertainment opportunities, including Michelin-starred French fine-dining at Caprice and happy-hour canapés and cocktails at the Blue Bar. Four Seasons Place features over 500 suites, ranging from 547sqft studios to 1,867sqft three-bedroom suites, and Penthouses that include private pools and terraces offering
PAGE 7
picturesque harbour views. Created by a group of worldrenowned designers, the suites features elegant, modern interiors and a wide range of in-room amenities, including Sealy Pillow-top mattresses, high-speed broadband internet, Blue-ray players, 5.1 Bose home entertainment systems, iPod docking systems, and 46-inch flatscreens. All suites are also equipped with a comprehensive IPTV system, which offers more than 100 movies in high definition, which guests are able to purchase in various languages, including English, Chinese and Japanese. The system also offers detailed flight arrival and departure information, along with a World Time clock for guests’ convenience. Contributing to the cosmopolitan lifestyle it offers, Four Seasons Place features a host of elite facilities, allowing guests a high standard of living, and respite from the hectic bustle of Hong Kong. Guests can relax at the heated rooftop pool, jacuzzi and sauna, or squeeze in a workout at the 24hour gym. For guests’ convenience, the complex also houses laundry facilities, personal storage space, a multi-purpose function room, a reading room with internet access, and a children’s playroom. Rounding out the myriad outstanding facilities at Four Seasons Place are exclusive 24-hour multilingual concierge services, housekeeping services, 24-hour in-room fine-dining,
limousine services, and free shuttle services to and from the Hong Kong Airport Express station. Finally, guests have access to exclusive, personalised service from a team of Orientation Specialists. This knowledgeable, well-trained team is on hand to organise social gatherings for guests, which may include anything from ceramic workshops and cultural events to cooking classes and heritage walks. At Four Seasons Place, guests are treated to an incomparable, prestigious lifestyle in one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities.
Atop Hong Kong Station, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong Tel: +852 3196 8228 Email: enquiries@fsphk.com www.fsphk.com
www.jetsetter.hk
PAGE 8
VIEW FROM THE TOP
The perfect home away from home, The HarbourView Place offers a sophisticated living experience and is perfectly placed to enjoy the best of Hong Kong.
A
true standout in Hong Kong’s robust property market, The HarbourView Place offers a one-of-a-kind view over the harbour, along with a prime location and direct access to Hong Kong’s comprehensive transport network, all in a package exuding style and sophistication. The HarbourView Place offers unparalleled levels of luxury for long-term guests and new arrivals to the city.
is its superb location just a stone’s throw from an extensive and efficient transport hub. Positioned between the 50th and 70th floor of The Cullinan II at the ICC megalopolis, this serviced suite hotel keeps company with some of Hong Kong’s best five-star hotels, including The RitzCarlton Hong Kong and the W Hong Kong, and is perched above the Kowloon MTR/AEL station, allowing for direct access to Central in 5 minutes, and the Hong Kong International Airport within 22 minutes.
Situated in the heart of Kowloon, one of The HarbourView Place’s key attractions
The prime location of The HarbourView Place means it also offers guests
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immediate access to the large number of international corporates located within the ICC complex, as well as the host of luxury shopping, fine-dining experiences and exciting entertainment options on offer at the opulent and iconic Elements mall. The HarbourView Place features 266 serviced suites, including studios, onebedroom suites, two-bedroom suites, three-bedroom suites, and presidential suites, ranging between 464sqft and 3,270sqft. Most suites offer stunning 180-degree views of Victoria Harbour and the city skyline. A team of renowned
PAGE 9 designers have had a hand in creating contemporary interiors which offer comfort and elegance along with stylish, comfortable furnishings. Enhancing the guest experience, suites are equipped with a wide variety of luxurious amenities, including pillow-top Sealy mattresses, widescreen LCD TVs, DVD players, stereo systems, KEF 5.1 home theatre systems, washing and drying machines, and fullyequipped kitchenettes that include Nespresso coffee makers, microwaves, refrigerators, induction hobs, kettles, toasters, glassware, tableware and utensils. A range of facilities and amenities offer personalised service for guests’ convenience. These include housekeeping services, 24-hour multilingual concierge service, a heated outdoor rooftop pool and Jacuzzi on the 76th floor, sauna, a 24-hour gym, a reading lounge with internet access, a conference room, and a laundromat. The HarbourView Place also offers a highly knowledgeable team of Guest Liaison Specialists who are on hand to host cultural and social activities which allow guests to gather and gain an appreciation for the local culture. These activities include heritage walks, coffee cupping classes, floral arrangement and Chinese tea appreciation. The Guest Liaison Specialists can offer all manner of practical assistance to new arrivals to the city, helping them settle in quickly and acclimatise to the city. Providing luxurious accommodation, worldclass amenities, and services that pay attention to even the smallest details, The HarbourView Place epitomises the ultimate luxury lifestyle while offering guests a home away from home.
The HarbourView Place Atop Kowloon Station, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: +852 3718 8000 Email: enquiries@harbourviewplace.com www.harbourviewplace.com www.jetsetter.hk
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YOUR GATE WAY
TO CONTEMPORARY LUXURY With exhilarating harbour views, world-class amenities and sterling service, it’s no surprise that the Gateway Apartments is one of Hong Kong’s most in-demand addresses
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T
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hey say location is the only thing that matters when it comes to real estate, and with Hong Kong’s Gateway Apartments, guests are offered an unparalleled position in one of the world’s busiest cities. Located on vibrant Canton Road, within the impressive Harbour City shopping mall and entertainment destination, the Gateway Apartments offers 499 elegantlyappointed suites and represents one of Hong Kong’s most coveted addresses. A wide range of apartment types are available at Gateway Apartments, presenting plenty of choices for Residents and an easy option for hassle-free living. Accommodation here ranges from the 712sqft Studios to 3-Bedroom homes measuring over 2,900 sq. ft., providing an ultimate luxurious living environment in the heart of the City.
Exclusive provisions with impeccable services
The Gateway Apartments exudes their own unique personality with lavish Italian-style furniture, textured fabrics, as well as hand-picked artwork by local and international artists. Magnificent in their own right, the spacious bathrooms come with spectacular harbour views, large bath rubs and high-powered massage shower heads. Offering full functionality and practicality, all apartments also feature IPTVs, home theatre systems with over 100 channels, and complimentary highspeed broadband internet services etc. A treat for all amateur master chefs, the apartments are also fitted with fullyequipped kitchens that leave nothing to be desired. With German-crafted cabinetry, branded appliances, and Nespresso coffee machines, entertaining is effortless here. The well-appointed accommodation here is complemented by very high standards of service. Guests can enjoy peace of mind knowing that professional housekeeping staff maintain the pristine condition of apartments, and that security is assured by a knowledgeable security detail. A multilingual Concierge team, renowned
for its excellent service, is on hand to help with any request.
Take time for yourself
As well as being a choice address, the Gateway Apartments also offers Residents access to an elite luxury lifestyle. Residents will be granted an exclusive membership to the Pacific Club, where they can enjoy exceptional recreation facilities including indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a heated swimming pool and a fully-equipped gym. A variety of dining options are also available here, with an Italian restaurant, a Chinese eatery, a Grillroom, and casual family dining, etc.
systems, and a filtration and sterilising system for waste water that reduces the disposal of chemical liquid each year. Other environmental features of the Gateway Apartments includes an electronic job dispatch system which reduces the use of paper, a state-of-theart air filtration systems, comprehensive waste-reduction policy, and eco-friendly products for housekeeping among others. Providing a unique blend of comfort, convenience, security and style, the Gateway Apartments provides the ideal home-away-from-home for families, business travellers, and long-stay visitors in Hong Kong.
Sustainable Living
The Gateway Apartments also allows Residents to enjoy the knowledge that they are doing their bit to help the environment. The property is committed to providing a green living environment for Residents, and features one of Hong Kong’s most advanced solar heating
Tel: (852) 2119 3000 Email: enquiry@gatewayapartments.com.hk Address: Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Hong Kong www.jetsetter.hk
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LUXURY LIVING IN
GUANGZHOU
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PAGE 15
The Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou offers a series of sumptuously-appointed apartments that offers long-stay visitors to the city a real home-away-from-home feeling.
P
roviding a luxury living experience in the heart of Guangzhou,
the Apartments at the Mandarin Oriental are a unique collection
of residential spaces offering a high-end lifestyle in one of China’s
most dynamic cities.
Residents can choose from three styles of apartments. The Two-Bedroom Apartments accommodate up four people over 1,610sqft; the ThreeBedroom Apartment cater for up to six people in 1,990sqft; while the
most opulent option, the Extended Three-Bedroom Apartment, offers an
expansive 2,690sqft for up to six people, where all rooms feature ensuite bathrooms with opulent vanities, stand alone showers, and deep bathtubs.
Each stylish apartment boasts contemporary aesthetics married with Oriental-inspired design features, while floor-to-ceiling windows flood
each apartment with abundant natural light, and a plethora of highend amenities make these are some of the most luxuriously-appointed apartments in Guangzhou.
In the open-plan living area, residents enjoy elegant timber flooring, an
expansive dining space, plush sofas and ottomans, 46-inch Sony LED TVs, and an interactive entertainment system. The designer island kitchen in
each apartment comes stocked with Nespresso coffee machines, induction
stoves, a refrigerator, oven and dishwasher, a washer and dryer, a full complement of utensils, Schott Zwiesel glasses, Narumi crockery, and silver cutlery. In the bedrooms, king-size beds are dressed in top-quality
linens and draped with goose-down pillows and duvets, while the ensuite bathrooms feature oversized bathrooms and spacious walk-in showers.
All the luxurious amenities in the apartments are complemented by a
weekly maid service that ensures your space is kept pristine at all times. Residents of the opulent apartments also have access to the amenities at the lavish Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou. Whether it’s the range of food and beverage options offered by the property’s five outlets, the indulgent treatments at the hotel’s spa, or the wellness facilities at the state-of-theart gym and outdoor pool, residents are assured a completely luxurious lifestyle.
Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou 389 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510620, China +86 20 3808 8888 www.mandarinoriental.com www.jetsetter.hk
PAGE 18
A MAN’S WORLD Words by Casey Hall
THOUGH SPAS IN GENERAL DON’T HAVE THE MOST MASCULINE OF REPUTATIONS, THERE ARE AN INCREASING NUMBER OF SPAS IN HONG KONG CATERING TO MEN SPECIFICALLY.
I
t sounds like every man’s fantasy, to be totally immersed in a bath full of beer. This dream can become a reality at Hong Kong’s numerous Sense of Touch spa outlets (www. senseoftouch.com.hk), where the award winning “Cheers to Beers” treatment has been catering to an increasing number of satisfied male clients over the past five years. “Bathing in beer has throughout history been known for it’s properties to soften skin and complexion. Beer is also a wellknown home remedy for dull hair as beer rinses add body and shine to lifeless locks,” Anna Treier, founder and managing director of Sense of Touch spas, explained.
top of the line products of Gentlemen’s Tonic
And those concerned about walking out into the street smelling like a brewery needn’t worry, the beer used in the bath is an extract and is blended with aromatherapy oils rich in vitamin B – which is crucial for healthy, strong hair, nails and skin. The Cheers to Beers Treatment starts with relaxing dip in the aforementioned bath, followed by a barley scrub and a 60-minute deep tissue, stress-relieving massage from $1,780 for a total of two hours of very manly pampering. Another welcome option for Hong Kong’s well-heeled menfolk is the British import, Gentlemen’s Tonic (www.gentlemenstonic. com), which opened its first international branch here in 2011.
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Sense of Touch’s Tropical Garden
Gentlemen’s Tonic Available all over the world
This male-focussed grooming and relaxation destination has attracted a steady stream of time poor professionals in Hong Kong, roughly split between local Hong Kong, Mainland Chinese and expat men. According to director, Chris Bonnefoy, Gentlemen’s Tonic Hong Kong’s most popular treatment packages include The Rubio, a 180-minute, $2,100 package consisting of a haircut and finish, wet shave, express facial, hand treatment and neck, scalp and shoulder massage. Another favourite is The Hemingway, which runs 120 minutes and is priced at $1,700 for a Bloody Mark, aromatherapy facial and neck, scalp and shoulder massage – billed as the perfect antidote to a heavy night of drinking and bull-fighting in honour of its nomenclature.
Sense of Touch at Repulse Bay
“Clients have used such terms as ‘fantastic’, ‘relaxing’, ‘brilliant’; the feedback has been very positive. Also, many wives and girlfriends have wanted to treat their special man to some pampering and these treatments consistently hit the right note when they’re looking for special presents,” Bonnefoy said. www.jetsetter.hk
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www.jetsetter.hk
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BUSINESS LUNCH
with a Side of Privacy Hong Kong offers multicultural cuisines from all over the world, but where can you pamper your valued customers and close your next million-dollar deal. Business lunch in Hong Kong can be predictable – comfortable seating, good food and fine wine come standard, but what about the option of privacy with more space between tables and private room dining? Here are some recommendations for the best restaurant experiences in town for truly impressing your clients.
Sanka
Chef Yasunobu trained in UkaiTei, a one starred Michelin restaurant in Tokyo. Half of this venue is given over to teppanyaki tables, plus two private teppanyaki rooms, which each hold six people, or can also be combined to seat as many as 14 diners. Three types of sashimi are served at Sanka, including thinly sliced Wagyu beef served with scallion; lightly seared tuna served with Japanese micro leeks; and scallop with a slight yuzu-flavoured soy sauce. The texture is firm and the yuzu soy brings out the sweetness of each morsel. Usually a very difficult ingredient to master, Amori abalone is another specialty at Sanka. When overcooked, the abalone turns rubbery, making timing a most important factor. Chef Yasunobu carefully wrapshis abalone in kelp and covers it with a thick layer of sea salt, in order to retain its natural juices.
Sanka’s Dining Room
Yet another highlight are the premium Kuroge Wagyu sirloin steak and premium Kobe Wagyu steak. The Japanese are well-known for beautifully marbled beef which melts in your mouth like butter, seared in high heat to get the crispy outer crust and lightly seasoned with salt and pepper so you can taste the original flavour of this rare piece of meat – served medium rare of course!
Tel:852-34602285
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Inside L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Executive chef David Alves manages this world-renowned, three-star
rice garnished with green asparagus, 36-month aged Iberico ham, morel mushroom and concentrated chicken juice.
Though the La Jardin dining room is priced, on average, at least one hundred dollars more per person than the standard L’Atelier section, it’s worth it to impress an important client meeting.
The whole dish is well balanced with the chicken stock flavour dominant, while the morel gives off the smell of the forest, while the ham adds a bite and saltiness to compliment the morel and asparagus.
Michelin restaurant in the heart of central Hong Kong.
For a bigger group, or fine wine tasting, there is also the option of booking one of two private rooms, which house eight to ten people each. Summer time is the best season for French white asparagus, or L’asperge Blanche, emulsified with miso into this airy soup like appetizer, sprinkled with espelette pepper.
The Le Canard de Challans also comes recommended. Made up of duck morsels, first sous vide then pan-fried. The result is a flavour best described as gamey in a good way, well seasoned with a minute amount of fat beneath the skin. Served with seasonal cherry stuffed with almonds and the signature mashed potato – silky, buttery goodness rounding out this must order dish.
Another specialty is L’euf de Poule – a fried egg on crispy cracker like pearl
Website: www.robuchon.hk; Tel: +852-21669000
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Amber at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental
Celebrating the 10th anniversary of this hotel, the private dining rooms at Amber are waiving their minimum charges during lunch until further notice. The two-starred Michelin chef, Richard Ekkebus, describes his cuisine as French classic with an inventive twist. The Pigeon ‘au sang’ is a prime example, with the bird pan roasted to retain the moisture and flavour from the bone while the leg meat is preserved and shaped into ‘cromesqui’, garnished with Fukuoka spring vegetables and salmis sauce.The green pea purée pairs nicely with the blood sauce and pigeon meat, creating multiple depths of flavour. Meanwhile, the line caught red mullet features anexquisitely delicate piece of fish seared in its skin, then served with its own juices cooked perfectly with the centre slightly rare. Garnished with semolina gnocchi, raw violin zucchini, orange dust and sea urchin rouille on the side.
La Saison by Jacques Barnachon’s Tomato Tartare
Don’t miss out on the cheese cart, or Chariot de Fromages. It features more than ten different kinds of unpasteurized and matured cheeses by Bernard Antony. Website: www.amberhongkong.com; Tel: +852-21320066
La Saison by Jacques Barnachon’s Marbled Wagu Tenderloin
‘La Saison by Jacques Barnachon”
A stylish restaurant hidden in the hustle and bustle of TsimShaTsui that serves up contemporary French cuisine. La Saison is Michelin-starred chef Jacques Barnachon’s first outlet in Asia. He is known for creating more than one hundred foiegras recipes and isa recognized foiegras expert. Chef Florian Muller is the right hand man of Jacque and is permanently based in Hong Kong to oversee the restaurant when Jacque is away. French for “season” La Saison changes its menu every six weeks and only uses the freshest produce. It also has a deluxe dinning room, which seats 12, available at $6,000, and gives diners a unique view of the chefs at work. For a light starts, try the Strawberry & Tomato Salad, which sees a lusciously ripened tomato sitting on a thin bed of black quinoa, seasoned with natural juices and basil oil. The addition of cucumber flowers isnot only pleasant to the eyes, but also add a pleasing aroma and a refreshing taste. Foiegras is what La Saison’s main man does best, so it makes sense to partake in the Duck Foie Gras Terrine while you are here. Veins are meticulously removed from the foiegras, which is prepped and served cold with mango chutney, figs and crispy bread. Well seasoned and very silky, a must try from Chef Muller.
Dynasty Club, Imperial City
If you’re well connected enough, take advantage and make a booking at Dynasty Club, Imperial City. This prestigious, members-only club offers one of the best dim sum and Cantonese stir fry experiences in town, with a 180 degree view of Victoria Harbour, not to mention the spacious setting and ballroom-style dining rooms,which can easily fit 50 people or more. Be sure to order the steamed pork and shrimp dumpling(siumai). This thin, round wrapper filled with pork and topped with shrimp is one of the best examples of siumaiin Hong Kong. With the juicy pork and small chunks of meat for texture. The shrimp, meanwhile, is not overly cured, which retains its umami taste. Another favourite dim sum option is the steamed pork bun(cha siubao), which comes soft and fluffy with yeasty aroma surrounding the dough wrapping. Pieces of barbecue pork seasoned with soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil are housed within, but this dish is all about the fluffiness of the bao.
Also recommended is the Miyazaki A4 beef tenderloin, which features well marbled beef, thickly-sliced and seasoned with a rich mushroom sauce, which complements the fattiness of the beef and adds extra oomph to this dish. Served with morel mushroomsand creamy mashed potato for an earthy taste sensation.
The quick stir fry brackish water prawns(gay wai ha) in scrambled egg sauce with flat rice noodle, features a chickenbased stock, mixed with scrambled egg and flash stir fry of prawns, which is then poured over a bed of very hot stir fry noodles. The soul of this dish is the noodles, which are perfectly cooked before the quick stir-fry with oil and are ideally serving with the edges slightly toasted.
Website: www.lasaisonbyjb.com; Tel: +852 2789 8000
Website: www.dynastyclub.com.hk; Tel: +852-28241122 www.jetsetter.hk
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NE IG HB O R H OO DS ON THE RISE
BEYOND THE OBVIOUS ATTRACTIONS OF CENTRAL, TOURISTY TSIMSHATSUI AND THE NIGHTLIFE OF SOHO, THESE UP-AND-COMING AREAS ARE INCREASINGLY LURING IN-THEKNOW CROWDS
Charming Kennedy Town For over a century, Kennedy Town was known mainly as the
place animals were slaughtered after arrival at the nearby pier.
Since the slaughterhouse closed in 1993, the area seemed quite content to carve out a niche as a quiet residential neighbourhood.
Until now, that is. With a newly opened MTR line making
Kennedy Town more accessible than ever, this up-and-coming
corner on the western edge of Hong Kong Island is the perfect mix of old and new.
For those looking for the area’s classic charm can check out the old Lo Pan Temple, first built in 1884, and dedicated to the Chinese patron saint of construction workers. Jetsetter Supplement Issue
Though some local residents are less than thrilled about the influx of new chain stores and cookie cutter apartment blocks that come along with gentrification, there is still plenty of
charm left in the area, with its hillside terraces and a sweet F&B scene.
Daytime diners should check out classic yum cha place, Sun
Hing, which has been attracting crowds with its bargain baskets for years. Coffee lovers can get their Italian-roasted bean fix at espresso stand, The Cofftea Shop where a manually
operated espresso machine pumps out old school cups of joe. Hip young things from the University of Hong Kong campus get
their books from the University of Hong Kong Press bookstore
and get their drink on at Belgica, a low-key Belgian beer bar on Hau Wo Street.
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After Dark In Sai Ying Pun This is one of the oldest areas in Hong Kong and its compact street were first laid in the 1880s – when they were home to more than a few brothels and opium dens, as well as the British military, when they first arrived on the island (the name translates to “Western Camp”).
Aberdeen’s Art Scene On Hong Kong Island’s south side, Aberdeen was once a fishing village. Today, the area is still home to plenty of sampan, junks and a massive floating restaurant, but now that sea-faring life sits alongside high rises and housing projects – as well as Ocean Park on its eastern end, with a world class aquarium and other amusements. The biggest buzz about Aberdeen, however, is as home to a thriving art scene. In a city that is fast becoming the envy of art-loving capitals around the world, Aberdeen is a highlight of Hong Kong’s artistic world. Among the best Aberdeen art offerings are Gallery EXIT, which has been shocking the establishment since opening in 2008. It’s a welcome contrast to the comparatively safe world of Hong Kong art, with risky video and performance art pieces a particular forte. The centrally located, shopfront building attracts a well-educated and enthusiastic young crowd.
Since the military and good time girls moved out, Sai Ying Pun remained relatively low-key for decades before the inevitable pull of gentrification reached even this far-flung corner. In the last three years, Sai Ying Pun has become a gourmand’s paradise – and a welcome respite for restaurateurs looking to escape oppressive rental prices. KamKee Café has a menu loaded with classic fare such as egg sandwiches and glasses of hot beef stock, as well as dinnertime options such as wok-fried chicken and potato salad. Basic, well-done Western meals are on offer at The Awakening, including roasted vegetables, quinoa salad and chicken wings. Grassroots Pantry specialises in vegetarian dishes made with locally grown ingredients, and then there is Stack, which specialises in an unusual combo of pancakes and cocktails on Third Street. Their selection of cocktails feature Chinese tipples such as Ng Ka Pei, a herbal liqueur and thedécor is vintage Hong Kong (think neon lights and terrazzo floors).
At the very south west of Hong Kong Island, Ap Lei Chau is a tiny island with a large population of industrial buildings. It might not be the most obvious place for a gallery but, since opening in 2011, Feast has been a welcome addition to the area. Like the area it’s housed in, this gallery has an industrial feel, with white walls, high ceilings and polished concrete floors. It boasts a rare amount of space in such a compact city and prominent artists, including Marlène Mocquet and Rashaad Newsome, have graced its walls with their world-class works. Rossi & Rossi gallerist, Fabio Rossi, teamed up with Asian contemporary art specialist Jean-Marc Decrop to launch Yallay Space in 2013. The gallery features artworks by contemporary artists from all over the region, from East Asia to the Middle East. www.jetsetter.hk