Foodie Issue 83: July 2016

ISSUE 83 | JULY 2016 | WWW.AFOODIEWORLD.COM

wanchai wanderings

Our guide to the best eats in SPONSORED BY

Wanchai

INTRO DUCTIO N

WANCHAI WANDERINGS CEO Lily Ng CTO Derek Kean Editor-in-Chief Alicia Walker Editor-at-Large Celia Hu Digital Editor Keshia Hannam Creative Director Helen Griffiths Designer Jen Paolini Foodie Club & Events Manager Hannah Chung Head of Sales & Marketing Joseph Kwok

No longer solely the district of the late, late party (although it is still an area that never sleeps) there are hundreds of reasons to visit before the witching hour, and for us, that begins and ends with delicious dining options. By no means exhaustive - due to the sheer brilliance of the Wanchai dining scene - we’ve had to focus on a main dining area, which we plan to expand on in our forum afoodieworld.com, but we aim to bring you as many of the options as we can fit within these mouthwatering pages.

Here, you will see the core area stretching from Star Street, down Johnston Road, including some of the offshoots, and halting down at Hennessy Road. It should come as no surprise that there is a huge selection of wonderful places to eat here in Cover image courtesy of the wanch. The district has changed Passion by Gerard Dubois mightily over the past decade and we’ve only highlighted some of the best places (big and small) to tempt your taste buds.

Client Engagement Manager Kathryn Riley

So read on for our recommendations for a mix of favourites from the down and dirty to the top-tier treats. Get wandering!

Sales Executive Philip Wong Junior Digital Editor Cheuk Fung Ng Interns Ellie Amias Barbie Lam Alison Wong

Alicia Walker, Editor-in-Chief alicia@afoodieworld.com

Foodie Panel

Food-loving folk who’ve helped us this month:

Published by Foodie Group Ltd., 1401 Wah Hing Commercial Building, 283 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, HK www.afoodieworld.com Printed by Teams Printing Co., Ltd.

If you’d like us to help you to promote your brand, please contact Joseph Kwok at sales@afoodieworld.com, 3791 2565

Foodie is published monthly, 12 times a year. The contents of the magazine are fully protected by copyright and

Bao La

Vinny Lauria

William Shu

With his new restaurant gaining plenty of hype, he's heating up the hearts of Wanchers, p.10

This popular chef is a part of the Wanchai community and wouldn't have it any other way, p.27

The founder of Deliveroo has expanded his home delivery service around the globe, p.20

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CONT ENT S

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Contents 04 WA NC H MAP One for the wall, this colourful depiction will make you crave the delights of the district

07 DINE UNDER T H E S UN, MOON, A ND STARS The Star Street precinct holds many stellar eating options

10 WA NC HAI WO R DS WITH B AO LA Chef Bao of Le Garรงon Saigon tells us how his mother influenced his cooking 02 afoodieworld.com

12 THE KINGDOM OF QUEEN'S ROAD EAST Dine like royalty along QRE

20 BOUND AND DETERMI N ED (P ROM OTI ON)

Deliveroo founder William Shu tells us how the company has come leaps and bounds

22 SI DE STREETS FULL OF GREAT EATS Because it's the backstreets that often have the best eats

10 17 SAIL DOWN SHIP STREET OR HIT UP JOHNSTON ROAD This trendy corner of Wanchai is a hotbed of eating action

CONTENTS

2 7 WANCHAI WO R D S WITH V I NNY LAUR IA Chef Vinny of Stone Nullah Tavern talks about his 'hood and his favourite places to eat

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DID YOU KNOW: Far from the culinary heaven it is transforming into, Star, Moon, and Sun Streets used to be home to Hong Kong’s first power plant and before that, a graveyard.

29 AC RO SS T HE TR AC KS Cross over the tram lines for these Lockhart and Hennessy hotspots

32 TA KE TO THE SK I ES ( PRO MOTIO N) Four new summer menus from the top of ICC for the best views and cuisine from TST

DID YOU KNOW: Being in close proximity to the sea, it's no surprise that Wanchai was historically home to fishermen.

Villagers lived clustered around Hung Shing Temple and worshipped its deity, the God of the Sea.

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eat under the

Sun, Moon, and Stars The Star Street precinct holds many stellar eating options Giando

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SUN , MO ON, S TAR

Giando

L E GARร O N SAIGON With not a pho in sight, Le Garรงon Saigon is all about fragrant rice paper bundles bursting with fresh herbs. A celebration of Saigonese cuisine, the menu leans heavily towards fresh vegetables paired with sizzling grilled meats. Showcase your DIY talents by making your own rice paper bundle from the generous platters of fresh herbs, or sink your teeth into a juicy roast duck. We highly recommend the spiced hedgehog mushrooms, which packs quite a kick and can win over even the biggest meativore with its hearty taste.

12-18 Wing Fung Street, 2455 2499

Le Garรงon Saigon

B EE F & LIBE RT Y D EL I V ER E D BY

Get your burger fix with Beef & Liberty's bevy of juicy beefsteaks. The burgers use only grass-fed hormone-free beef from Tasmania, making it not only delicious, but a more nourishing indulgence.

We love wrapping our hands around the black pepper burger, a succulent sandwich with crushed peppers, caramelised onions, and raclette cheese.

There's also the Notorious P.I.G, a slow-braised pork burger with crackling and green apple slaw for those looking for more variety. Order the warm skillet cookies and cream for the greatest ending 08 afoodieworld.com

Beef & Liberty

SUN, MO O N, STAR

Elephant Grounds

to cap off the meal. The staff is warm and friendly, and the lively ambiance makes this venue super kid-friendly.

2/F, 23 Wing Fung Street, 2811 3009

E L E P H ANT G ROUN DS If you're looking for a cool, neighbourhood hangout, Elephant Grounds is your place.

Famous for their dangerously addictive ice cream sandwiches, EG churns out innovative and quirky flavours of the week as well as sip-worthy brews and lip-smackin' good eats. It's the perfect lazy weekend brunch watering hole, with tempting dishes like pan-roasted salmon, aburi short rib donburi, homemade ricotta, and spicy brown butter corn just to name a few. The Wanchai location has one flavour of ice cream sandwich throughout the week, with an additional flavour unveiled each weekend to keep things interesting.

8 Wing Fung Street, 2778 2700

Jouer

J OUER D E LIVE RE D BY

Jouer means "to play" in French, and there is certainly an air of whimsy in the Sau Wa Fong atelier. The beautifully decorated shop serves as the backdrop for Jouer's signature mini macarons, with quirky flavours like Chinese vinegar and ginger, mango pomelo, tom yum, Japanese mentaiko and kaya and salt. The gorgeous wooden macaron box is also a signature, and makes for the perfect gift for any sweet tooth. Besides retail, the brand also brings their macaron magic to special events such as weddings.

1 Sau Wa Fong, 2528 6577

SLI M' S True to its name, Slim's is really a skinny sliver of a bar. If you ever have trouble spotting it, just look for the massive cheerful crowd spilling out into the street. Known for their wide range of beers, Slim's also offers a hearty selection of bar snacks, from seasoned fries and nachos to pizza and burgers.

Just watch out for the mounds of peanut shells on the floor. Yep, it's that kind of bar!

1 Wing Fung Street, 2528 1661

GI AN DO A recent transplant from Fenwick Pier, Giando has reinvented itself in the space previously occupied

by Michelin-starred The Principal. The ethos behind the restaurant centers around the finest ingredients sourced from Italy's local farms. It's all about classic Italian flavours, where fresh handmade pasta reigns supreme.

Shop 1, Tower 1 Starcrest, 9 Star Street, 2511 8912 afoodieworld.com 09

I NTERV I EW

WANCHAI WORDS

Chef Bao La

Chef Bao La has become a firm Wanchai favourite with his creative flavours at Le Garçon Saigon. He tells us about his influences and where he likes to dine:

Can you tell us more about Saigonese cuisine and how it differs from other Vietnamese flavours? Le Garçon Saigon is a Vietnamese grill house – similar to the places you would find in and surrounding Saigon. Being in the south of Vietnam, Saigon is hot all year round – the humidity is similar to a Hong Kong summer, which perfectly suits food that is fresh and light. Because of the climate in southern Vietnam, fragrant herbs and leafy vegetables grow in abundance. We chose not to feature pho on the menu because just like how Hong Kong’s food scene is more than a bowl of wonton soup, Vietnamese food promises so much more than the classic bowl of pho. The spices and fresh nature of Vietnamese cuisine inspires me the most. Other South East Asian cuisines have fresh flavours, but Vietnamese cuisine is distinctive 10 afoodieworld.com

because of the seasoning that comes after cooking. Seafood is tossed with salts and served with an array of dipping sauces and vibrant herbs. It’s taking a beautifully fresh fish, frying or grilling it, and then adding even more flavour.

Your mother was a major influence and offered insight on the menu at Le Garçon Saigon. What is it like working with her?

Mum is my inspiration and taught me everything.

When opening Le Garçon Saigon, I didn’t want to do it without her on the ground in Hong Kong.

She is my boss – whether offering guidance remotely, or visiting and lending her insight to our team.There is a little of Mum in all the dishes, from the rice paper rolls she taught me to roll when I was young to reviewing my recipes and checking that the flavours are precise. What features on our menu are the dishes I grew up with – the dipping sauces are our family recipe

INTERV IEW

and we would never rework them. If there was one dish that was inherently her, it would be the Canh ga – fried chicken wings with spiced salt and hot sauce mayonnaise. It’s one of the most popular dishes. She taught me the importance of having family at home, and at work – we are a very tight team and eat a staff meal together every day before service – this comes from her.

You make a lot of elements from scratch (e.g. shrimp head butter). Can you tell us more about the processes you go through to get the perfect flavours? We work closely with our suppliers to source authentic Vietnamese products. Each and every day we make dishes from scratch – we pickle vegetables, create charcuterie and, in the morning, prepare a set number of Cha Gio – fried spring rolls and nuoc nam dipping sauce. Our team prepares close to a hundred of these in the morning so they have the right amount of time to ‘dry’ before service to ensure a perfectly crisp result.

What's your favourite thing to eat during your down time? In my spare time, I love to hang out with friends and eat Chinese food. I might go to one of the dai pai dongs, or for a dim sum supper after service with other chefs in the Black Sheep Restaurants family. Our schedules are very similar and it’s good to come together outside of our kitchens. afoodieworld.com 11

THE KINGDOM OF

QUEEN'S ROAD EAST Dine like royalty along Queen's Road East 12 afoodieworld.com

Momojein

QUEEN' S ROAD EAST

Santorini Taverna

SA N TORINI TAVERNA This family-run Greek restaurant prides itself on authenticity. Having worked in big-name restaurants across Greece, Andreas Sourdas and his wife decided to bring their love of cuisine to Hong Kong with their first branch of Santorini in Soho.

Now, the restaurant has expanded to Wanchai, and offers the same classic flavours from souvlaki and moussaka, to lamb shank slow-roasted with vegetables and feta. Opa! 5/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen's Road East, 2887 8700

M O MOJE IN This isn't your average Korean barbecue joint.

Momojein is a fresh modern take on Korean classics, with time-tested flavours given a hip makeover.

There's plenty for fangirls to drool over besides the cuisine, as celebrity chef Lim Hee Won can almost double as a K-Pop star. We adore the kalbi hotteok, a chewy and crispy glutinous rice patty filled with tender beef and the whole kalbi marinated for hours and then grilled to perfection on the bone.

The clean, minimalist aesthetics ties in with the food to make Momojein a frontrunner in the wave of modernised Korean cuisine.

23/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen's Road East, 2789 1949

Momojein

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QUEE N'S ROAD E AS T

MyHouse

MY H OUSE

N ORTH E RN D UM PLIN G

D EL I V ER E D BY

Plump, juicy dumplings freshly plucked from a bubbling pot always warms the heart. It's difficult to find proper Northern Chinese food in this very Southern Chinese city of Hong Kong, but Northern Dumpling makes a solid effort at recreating these hearty flavours. All sorts of dumpling fillings are available, but our favourite has to be the classic minced pork with chives, and minced pork with cabbage. This is a humble, no-frills shop, but the flavours are anything but small.

Mi casa es su casa. MyHouse spells out instant laid-back comfort with a hefty dose of cool with its industrial chic decor and DJ tunes. It's like walking into the home of that super cool friend who seems to always throw the best house parties. Get the party hopping to the eclectic sounds of the house DJ, or get lost in your own world by choosing vinyl from the shelf and creating your own mix at the individual turntables conveniently located at each table. On the food front, we are obsessed with the gooey scarmorza. After all, who can argue against cheese wrapped in Serrano ham, drizzled in sweet sherry sauce? Good food and even better libations, MyHouse is where the party's at.

259 Queen's Road East, 3488 6110

26/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen's Road East, 2323 1715

M A HALO There's nothing quite like a tiki bar to amp up the laid-back fun factor. Walk into Mahalo and you instantly feel like you're on vacation with their 1970s retro chic Hawaiian-inspired decor, tropical blend cocktails, and easy-going vibes. There's barrels of aged rum negroni, massive bowls of Tahitian vahine cocktail to share amongst friends, or innovative individual cocktails like the St Barth's Babes, and plenty of pokĂŠ or grilled skewers to go around if you are feeling a little peckish.

29/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen's Road East, 2488 8750 14 afoodieworld.com

Mahalo

PRO MOTIO N

take in the charms and cuisine of

santorini

This family-run business opened their first eatery in Soho, which quickly became a haven for cravings for Hellenic home-cooking. This quickly led to their answering the demands of Hong Kongers and opening a second location in the heaving heart of Wanchai, delivering their traditional Greek cuisine to the cosy tables of Santorini Taverna.

This mom-and-pop shop makes classic home-style meals that are exactly what families back in Greece would be eating themselves every evening at their own kitchen tables, using ingredients sources right from Greece. The good-natured husband and wife team manage the kitchen and front of house respectively, and create the homey, warm-hearted, and welcoming atmosphere that permeates every aspect of their taverna. The charming dĂŠcor, authentic cuisine, friendly, family-run atmosphere will quickly make Santorini your go-to reliable favourite for big social occasions, romantic tables for two, and quick bites before heading out on the town. With a large terrace decorated in natural woods and cool blues, it is a true oasis to enjoy an evening overlooking the urban Wanchai landscape.

5/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, 2887 8700

S HI P ST R EE T AN D JO H N S TO N ROAD

Akrame

AT E L IER VIVANDA & A KR AME

Atelier Vivanda

D EL I V ER E D BY

If you fancy fine French food, that’s what this two Michelin-starred chef serves up in his beautifully minimalistic shop Akrame; but if it’s a more casual experience you’re after, head to the bistro Atelier Vivanda next door for a more chilled meal of meat and potatoes.

9 Ship Street, 2109 1768 9B Ship Street, 2528 5068

M OTO R INO Serving up Hong Kong’s favourite Neopolitan slices within the cool confines of this New York-style pizzeria. Plus they offer a heavenly happy hour on weekdays from 4 to 7pm offering a free pizza pie with any purchase of four beers.

Motorino

15 Ship Street, 2520 0690

H A M & SHE RRY & 2 2 SHIP S D EL I V ER E D BY

Both under the banner of acclaimed Brit chef Jason Atherton, these hot Spanish restaurants offer small plates with a modern twist. We can expect good things of Australian Aaron Gillespie, the new executive chef who has stepped in to take over the helm from Nate Green, who has opted to open his own shop.

1-7 Ship Street, 2555 0628 22 Ship Street, 2555 0722 18 afoodieworld.com

Ham & Sherry

PRO MOTIO N

TIMóN DOWN For Seafood and Tapas at Timón Seafood Tapas

Timón has a brand-spanking new menu showcasing their seafood tapas, from the succulent octopus and baby squid to the spicy clams with sherry wine and Ibérico ham that pair perfectly with their cod fish croquettes, black ink creamy rice with squid and prawns and gourmet cheese platter with manchego, a 48-month gouda, and 2013 comte. These are but a few of their enticing new dishes: anchovies, gazpacho, Ibérico crispy pork, we could go on and on, but you’re better off just heading over before your hunger overcomes your senses.

If you find yourself salivating for seafood on the weekends, their new weekend tasting brunch will fill you with small bites, like the scallop ceviche, crab meat cakes, baby spinach salad, and unlimited supply of Serrano Ham with a choice of Mains, from their fish or meat or creamy rice of the day before their truffles finish you off, and the option to add free-flow sangria, cava, wine or beer.

From Ladies Nights every Wednesday and Rum Nights every Thursday, to nightly two-for-one happy hours, Timón has your evenings covered, especially with their new creative cocktail menu that ranges from ‘Daisies and Cobblers’ to ‘Dominant Sippers’, and will keep you finding the bottom of your glass and the most fun this town has to offer.

33 Ship Street, Wanchai, 2111 0484

P ROMOT I ON

BOUND +

DETERMINED Deliveroo has sprung into Hong Kong to solve home delivery meal dilemmas. After moving from New York to London, their mighty foundeRoo William Shu was surprised to find that it was nearly impossible to get great quality food delivered. So he made it his personal mission to bring great restaurants closer to their customers.

A few years later and Deliveroo are in 12 countries and 90 cities globally and expanding rapidly.

What's the story behind Deliveroo's kangaroos? Kangaroos are known to be incredibly protective of their young. At Deliveroo, we are equally protective of your dining experience.

How is Deliveroo influencing 'dining' and the perception of food delivery in Hong Kong?

Before we entered the market, Hong Kong didn't have a service provider that could achieve deliveries within an hour. We shattered that by offering 30-35 minutes deliveries and shocked the market, introducing quality food delivery, both in terms of restaurant quality as well as the service itself, to consumers. This quickly expanded the market of people that would consider food delivery.

How does Deliveroo fit into the new healthy eating lifestyle? We've been able to change the perception that delivery doesn't have to mean poor quality or unhealthy food. By working with restaurant partners such as Grassroots Pantry, MANA!, HOME: Eat to Live, and more, we have been able to provide a range of healthy options across the platform. For many of our customers, the Deliveroo app has become a part of daily life, enabling them to receive a healthy lunch or dinner within a convenient 32 minutes whilst on-the-go or at work. We recently took part in the "Reinventing Salads" campaign, which encouraged restaurants 20 afoodieworld.com

to reinvent and create special salads available exclusively on Deliveroo to promote healthy eating.

Have you had any extreme delivery challenges?

On April Fool's Day, we announced that we had purchased 100 speed boats to conduct sea deliveries during junk season. Funny as it was, we made this a reality for Dragon Boat Day by collaborating with PizzaExpress and delivering food to the junk boats viewing the races. It was a huge success. We have also been working on promoting outdoor deliveries to parks, event spaces and even boat piers. We are seeing a lot of large corporate orders that require a huge amount of coordination. Anywhere customers want us to deliver, we will get there.

How about your partnership with Daniel Lau and his edgy rooftop photography?

Daniel Lau and his crew at Exthetics are doing something unique and standing out for his work by pushing the limits. Their "whatever it takes" ethos resonates very strongly at Deliveroo as we aim to help redefine the food delivery experience and go out of our way to provide our customers with a terrific end-to-end delivery experience.

S HIP STR EET AND JO HNSTO N ROAD

Timón Seafood Tapas Bar & Restaurant

T I M Ó N SEAFOOD TAPAS BA R & R E STAUR AN T DE L I V ER ED BY

If thoughts of succulent crustaceans and flavourful fish fill your head, the tapas at Timón can quell that hunger within the walls of their colourfully mosaiced exterior.

combined house of fun in the evenings. Deligator offers cubanos and cuba libres while Djiboutii gives off an African vibe and Middle Eastern eats with creative cocktails.

2 Johnston Road, 3708 8508 2 Landale Street, 9449 0777

33 Ship Street, 2111 0484

T HE PAWN DE L I V ER ED BY

We can’t write a list about Wanchai and not mention this stalwart British restaurant. Housed behind the recognisable pillars of this colonial heritage building, The Pawn offers trumped-up versions of classic Brit dishes. With Tom Aikens's name behind their revamped menu, The Pawn lives on.

The Pawn

62 Johnston Road, 2866 3444

H O U S E O F QI If you crave the burn of good Sichuan, the moodychic interior of this contemporary spice house feeds you generous portions of face-reddening dishes teeming with toasted red chillies.

60 Johnston Road, 2527 7117

D E L I G ATOR & DJIBOUTI I We list these two together because they share both owners and an adjoining alleyway that creates a

House of Qi

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SIDE STREETS FULL OF GREAT EATS Because it's the backstreets that often have the best eats 22 afoodieworld.com

Pololi

SIDE STR EETS

The Butchers Club Burger

T HE B UTC HE R S CLUB DE L I V ER ED BY

Dry-aged beef burgers in a street stall setting.

We love their “Burger Takeovers” that feature chefs from different restaurants around the city transforming their cuisine into burger-form.

2 Landale Street, 2552 8281

KUNG C HIU NO O D LE The bright pink signage will draw you in, but you’ll stay for the generous portions of roast pork with scrambled eggs for less than $40.

1 Gresson Street, 2180 8615

P O LO L I DE L I V ER ED BY

Find the perfect balance of fresh nourishing ingredients and deliciously filling flavours with this urban Hawaiian poké shack.

4 Swatow Street, 3706 5641

BRE AD & BE AST DE L I V ER ED BY

Sandwiches! Great ones at that. For some bizarre reason, it’s not so easy to find a good one in this food-loving town, but walk the length of Swatow and you’ll find everything your sammie-filled dreams desire.

3 Swatow Street, 9120-6869

Bread & Beast

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S I D E ST R E E TS

La Rotisserie

KO KU RY U RA M EN

OMOTE SA N D O KO F F E E

You won’t find any innovative dishes at this small and modest shop, but the quality and taste is top-notch. Koku Ryu Ramen serves up both Tsukemen-style noodles and regular ramen, and they specialise in thick, goopy broth that is not too greasy, not too salty, and just perfectly umami.

Tokyo’s own beloved coffee shop has up and moved sticks to Hong Kong, landing in our very own ‘hood.

We feel pretty lucky, and if you love your coffee, you will too.

29 Swatow Street, 2915 2261

TA L LORE D EL I V ER E D BY

Sup, soup? We like Tallore’s attitude towards serving wholesome, hearty, and healthy food, all at reasonable prices. In a world where a bottle of pressed juice can cost $72, why pay so much just to be able to treat your body right? We recommend their chilli con carne. Plus, they offer a “souper set” ($78) and we are suckers for good food and good food puns.

24-25 Lee Tung Avenue

LE PAIN QUOT IDIE N Boulangerie fare made with organic ingredients from this Belgian brand quietly taking over the entire planet with their homemade breads and fresh, healthy options.

40-41 Lee Tung Avenue, 2520 1801

Shop D, 7-17 Amoy Street, 2327 8630

L A ROT ISSE R IE With a rotating menu to guarantee the freshness of their ingredients, French takeaway La Rotisserie is an easy to-go choice for a quick meal. The portions are generous, the roasted chicken skin is crispy (just the way we like it), the potatoes are fluffy, and, best of all, the price is right.

19 Amoy Street, 2527 8777 24 afoodieworld.com

Le Pain Quotidien

SIDE STR EETS

O P H EL IA This peacock-inspired bar has incredibly detailed décor, live performance art and creative cocktails, with one of the best outdoor-but-indoor areas in the city. It’s the place to display your own proud plume while taking in their opulent display.

1/F, 41A Lee Tung Avenue, 2520 1117

PA S S I ON BY G E R A RD D UBOIS From homemade casseroles and pizzas to freshly whipped up gelato and chocolate, this is a lunchtime dream. This two-storey eatery combines French patisserie, confiserie, and boulangerie into a casual counter-style cafe downstairs with a full service restaurant above. The newly-baked bread smells alone will pull you in from all the way down the block.

Passion by Gerard Dubois

Shop G11, G12 & F12A, Lee Tung Avenue, 2833 6778

STO N E NU L L AH TAVERN DE L I V ER ED BY

Fabulous American comfort food, one of the best restaurant sustainability programmes in the city, and a commitment to using fresh local produce, all from the cool people behind our Central-based faves Linguini Fini and Posto Pubblico. This is all on top of another very serious reason to visit, their crazy great “Beat the Clock” weekday happy hour starts at $1 at 5pm and doubles every 20 minutes until 7. SNT proves you can be no-nonsense about the earth’s issues and very fun at the same time.

Ophelia

69 Stone Nullah Lane, 3182 0128

Omotesando Koffee

Stone Nullah Tavern

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S I D E ST R E E TS

Maureen

Dim Dim Sum

M AU RE E N D EL I V ER E D BY

Chinese-style noodles played up molecular style, but without the crazy price-tag attached. This is an oldie but a goodie, especially if you like to have fun with your food.

11 Hing Wan Street, 2915 2261

S ERGE E T L E P HOQUE Sporting their first Michelin star this year, as well as our Foodie Forks Chef of the Year title, this fine French is found juxtaposed in the grit of the Wanchai market. Its casually beautiful design is loved by all who choose to feast their eyes, and taste buds, within its cool confines.

Serge et Le Phoque

Tower 1, The Zenith, 3 Wan Chai Road, 5465 2000

CA PI TAL C AFÉ This is a no frills, old-school Hong Kong-style diner.

It's cheap, it's fast, it's good, and nothing's written in English, so you know it’s legit. Their scrambled eggs, fried with Hokkaido milk and topped with black truffle, are a hot pick.

Shop B1, G/F, Kwong Sang Hong Building, 6 Heard Street, 2666 7766 26 afoodieworld.com

DI M DIM S UM Freshly-made dim sum at easy-going prices. Bring some friends and share your meal to sample all the yum cha staples as well as specialty goodies Dim Dim Sum has to offer. The oversized mushrooms are, in fact, stuffed baos (hey, it fooled us!) and the piggie buns will make your Instagram and Snapchat very happy.

7 Tin Lok Lane, 2891 7677

INTERV IEW

WANCHAI WORDS

VINNYLAURIA Established as an institution in Wanchai, Stone Nullah Tavern has entrenched itself in the

best food in Hong Kong, but pretty undiscovered considering how f**king good it is.

community with its consistent friendliness, fun-loving attitude, delicious New American food and unbeatable happy hour deals. Much of this is down to chef Vinny Lauria and his special brand of inspired dining experiences. He gives us

You’re well known for your sustainability and ecological practices in your restaurants. How did this become a passion project for you and how has it evolved over time? It's just a way to cook for me. My father always told me, "There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. You make the choice." It's the only way to me. As I educate myself more, I continue to find ways to get better at it. And I have a lot of people around me now that inspire that.

his take on the neighbourhood: How’s the vibe of Wanchai different from other parts in Hong Kong? It's a great juxtaposition of old Wanchai and new Wanchai. We feel very nestled into a special neighbourhood in Hong Kong. It's one of the oldest neighbourhoods on the island.

Any new projects coming up for you? Linguini Fini is expanding. We have people coming from other countries to work with us in Hong Kong. It only drives the creativity of the flagship Hong Kong shop. There is a lot that happens every time I visit Hanoi and Manila. It drives my inquisition. Makes me ask, what more can I do? What resources have I not reached here in Hong Kong?

Would you compare Wanchai to any similar districts in other big cities? The energy on Stone Nullah Lane is special. We all walked into the space and instantly were transported to Brooklyn. We looked at each other the first time we saw the space and just felt the vibe.

Where is your favourite place to eat in Wanchai? It's on the border of Wanchai and Causeway Bay. You can find me at Lee's Family Chicken or Ichiran a lot of nights. Some of the afoodieworld.com 27

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GET CONNECTED WITH JEBSEN FINE WINES We are delighted to extend to you the following benefits by registering on our online store www.jebsenfinewines.com.

10% off Online Shop prices (Discount applies on wine & other beverage products, except beer and allocated products) ONE FREE Riedel Apple Decanter (value at HK$495) and ONE FREE bottle of Robert Mondavi Twin Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon with first order above $1,000 Priority bookings to our events and first access to exclusive allocation wines.

To register, please go to www.jebsenfinewines.com/customer/account/create/ st and input the customer code “MDM2016� to enjoy the above benefits before 31 August 2016.

across the

Tracks

Cross over the tram lines for these Lockhart and Hennessy hotspots The Optimist

afoodieworld.com 29

HEN NESSY ROAD

Quest by Que

K A M ' S ROAST G OOSE The crispy skin and juicy meat earned this little gem a Michelin star right after it opened. It’s known as one of the best for roast goose in Hong Kong for a reason, and even if it’s not your personal fave, it’s undeniably delicious.

226 Hennessy Road, 2520 1110

THE OP T IMIST A new favourite haunt of Wanchers for after-work drinks in the stylish bar before heading upstairs for grilled Northern Spanish cuisine. The asador-inpired dishes of seafood and meat will keep you coming back for more.

Zahrabel Dining Club

239 Hennessy Road, 2433 3324

Z A HR ABE L DININ G CLUB Family-style Lebanese food served to share amongst friends and spend hours enjoying. It may be members only, but it’s also free to join.

25/F, 239 Hennessy Road, 5503 9181

Q U ES T BY Q UE It’s no secret we are fans of chef Que Vinh Dang and his creative cuisine inspired by the seasons and delivered with a flourish. We recommend Quest to all we meet.

28/F, 239 Hennessy Road, 2554 0888 30 afoodieworld.com

The Optimist

HENNESSY ROAD

Pirata

P I R ATA This Italian eatery is brought to you by the same owners as The Optimist, and this version brings home the comfort cooking that Italians do so well: meatballs, fresh pasta, panna cotta, and oodles of enthusiasm and passion poured into each and every dish.

29/30F, 239 Hennessy Road, 2887 0270 Wooloomooloo

WO O LOOMOOLOO The stunning view and rooftop terrace make this a necessary addition, although it’s not the height alone that will have steak-lovers floating on cloud nine.

31/F, 256 Hennessy Road, 2893 6960

J OY H I NG ROASTED MEAT Small and grubby, Joy Hing is a Wanchai institution and their char siu is no joke; it's soft, succulent, and so tasty it'll make your tongue dance with joy.

Block C, G/F, 265-267 Hennessy Road, 2519 6639

KI N ' S KITC HE N Classy Cantonese cuisine expertly prepared and without any artificial ingredients clouding the reliably divine dishes.

5/F, W Square, 314-324 Hennessy Road, 2571 0913

Mizunara: The Library

MI ZUN A RA: T H E LIB RARY This hard-to-find whisky bar is quietly elegant and offers meticulous service and very laboriously created cocktails. It’s very cool, and very hard on the wallet, but the drinks are perfection if you’re in the mood for a high-end tipple.

4/F, Kiu Yin Building, 361-363 Lockhart Road, 3571 9797 afoodieworld.com 31

P ROMOT I ON

TAKE TO THE SKIES THIS SUMMER Dining atop ICC showcases some of the best views and cuisine in the city.

Feast your eyes on the latest summer menus:

RYUGIN This renowned Japanese restaurant recreates a Tokyo dining experience here in Hong Kong. Their new summer offerings include a Cold Crab and Abalone dish designed specifically for the HK climate along with a Japanese Eel offering. The chef says that every dish contains a very specific flavour that is unique and exists apart and unaffected from the other ingredients to produce a sensational flavour experience.

Tel: 2302 0222

INAKAYA Sweeping views and elegant cuisine, Inakaya has a new summer kaiseki menu with Cold Junna, Sea Urchin, Asparagus, Arima Japanese Eel and a light and flavoursome Conger Eel Tea Pot Soup. It also includes Ayu Fish, Deep Fried Tanaba Crab Leg and Teppanyaki Lobster and Lobster Congee to feast on while keeping cool in the heat.

Tel: 2972 2666 32 afoodieworld.com

PRO MOTIO N

DRAGON

SEAL

Famed for it’s excellent Cantonese cuisine and floor-to- ceiling windows, Dragon Seal’s new summer menu offers fresh seafood from Sabah to transform into a mouth-watering dish of Steamed Mantis Prawn with Yellow Wine, as well as a Hong Kong favourite of Pan Fried Dumplings with Cabbage, Mushroom and Pork and Deep Fried Spring Rolls with Australian Oyster and Mustard. All in a beautifully designed setting overlooking the vibrant scenery of the city.

Tel: 2568 9886

SKY BOSS One of the signature dishes on the new summer menu is one of Hong Kong’s most revered traditional recipes for Deep Fried Chicken in Homemade Shrimp Sauce that retains the beloved flavour of the dish but is jazzed up with a new presentation. Braised Grouper, Braised Abalone and Braised Sea Cucumber are also signatures at Sky Boss from their Michelin-starred chef, and is coupled with a high-level service that should accompany fine Chinese cooking.

Tel: 3955 1755 Sky Dining 101 101/F, ICC, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon