Restaurant Guide 2015 by HK Magazine

Table of Contents Zone

Price Guide

$ $$ $$$ $$$$ $$$$$

Kowloon East, New Territories

Zone

Mong Kok and around

Less than $200 $200-$399 $400-$599 $600-$799 $800 and up

Price per person, including one drink, appetizer, main course and dessert. Prices do not include bottles of wine unless stated.

Zone

Tsim Sha Tsui and around P.40

Zone

Western District

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

Zone

Admiralty, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay

Tai Hang, Happy Valley, Island East

Zone

Southside

Zone

Outlying Islands

About the Guides p.04

Trends p.06

RAP p.08

Index p.88 Restaurant Guide 2015

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About the Guide

Who’s in Charge? HK Restaurant Guide 2015 is published by HK Magazine Media Group 302 Hollywood Centre,

Dear Reader,

233 Hollywood Road, Hong Kong Tel: 852-2850-5065

Yes, the HK Mag team went around town and gorged ourselves so that you could hold this guide in your hand. You’re welcome. If you’re just looking for the latest restaurants to check out, this guide ain’t for you. But what we can promise is an excellent selection of longstanding staples, hidden gems, and restaurants we proudly endorse— from every corner of the city. Restaurants with a "New Review" label mean we've been there within the past year. Chow for now!

Fax: 852-2543-4964

Editorial Editor-in-Chief | Luisa Tam Editor | Adele Wong Fact Checkers | Beatrice Wong, Nicholas Cheung

Adele Wong Editor

Marketing Marketing Manager | James Gannaban Marketing & Circulation Executive | Charmaine Mirandilla Accounts Services Executive | Sharon Cheung

HK Restaurant Guide 2015 is published by HK Magazine Media Group Copyright ©2015 HK Magazine Media Group. The titles “HK Magazine,” “HK Restaurant Guide 2015” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of the HK Restaurant Guide 2015 are the property of HK Magazine Media Group. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Additional copies of the Guide are available for $50. The Guide may not be distributed without the express written consent of HK Magazine Media Group. Contact the Advertising Department for ad rates and specifications. All advertising must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request.

4 - Restaurant Guide 2015

The In Crowd

The year in food fads. By Adele Wong

More Steak Frites You can always count on red meat and fries.

L’Entrecote de Paris Hong Kong 3/F, 46-48 Wyndham St., Central, 3182-0105.

Le Relais de L’Entrecote Garden East, 222 Queen’s Rd. East, Wan Chai, 2891-9080.

Steak Frites by Butchers Club UG/F, 52-56 Staunton St., Central, 2858-9800.

Steak Frites by Butchers Club

L’Entrecote de Paris Hong Kong

More Burgers

Sex (and Sexism)

Move over bao, the buns are back.

No PR plan? No problem. Just throw some boobs at the problem.

Burger Circus

Double D Burger

22 Hollywood Rd., Central, 2878-7787.

22 Wellington St., Central, 2881-1888.

Butchers Club Burger Shop 10, G/F, Rialto Building, 2 Landale St., Wan Chai, 2528-2083.

Street Meat

Big Fernand

Hooters (coming soon)

50 Wyndham St., Central.

Shop 2017, Podium 2, IFC Mall , 8 Finance St., Central, 6650-0552.

Burger Circus

6 - Restaurant Guide 2015

More American/ Street Food/Tacos Keep’em coming.

Americanos G/F, Pong Fai Building, 2 Lok Ku Rd., Sheung Wan, 5976-4730.

Cali-Mex 71 Wellington St., Central, 2511-4798.

Boomshack Shop B, G/F, Wo On Building, 8-12 Wo On Lane, Central, 2660-5977.

Aussie-style Coffee

Soft-Serve

A flat white, please!

Dairy products have never been this fashionable.

Elephant Grounds

Softree

11 Gough St., Sheung Wan, 2253-1313.

5 Caroline Hill Rd., Causeway Bay.

Brew Bros

Soft Creme

Shop F2, LG/F, 33 Hillier St., Sheung Wan, 2572-0238.

6-7 Shepherd St., Tai Hang, 2370-3205.

Ground Public

Shop F9, 1/F, Fashion Walk, 11-19 Great George St., Causeway Bay, 2897-1118.

I Cremeria

G/F, One Island East, 18 Westlands Rd., Quarry Bay, 2784-7900.

Oddies

Zai Fe

Shop 1F, G/F, 149 Wan Chai Rd., Wan Chai, 9155-5185.

24 Finnie St., Quarry Bay, 2169-3003.

Incredibly Specific Restaurants No choice is the new choice.

The Pierside (for lobster and steak) G/F, Grand Fortune Mansion, 1B Davis St., Kennedy Town, 2398-1838.

Pinot Duck Meen & Rice

Shop G07, G/F, Stanley Plaza, 23 Carmel Rd., Stanley, 2772-0060.

Jack’s Fried Chicken (coming soon) 78 Catchick St., Kennedy Town.

Meen & Rice (for noodles and rice) Shop 113, 1/F, The Pulse, 28 Beach Rd., Repulse Bay, 2566-8886. Pinot Duck

Meen & Rice

Restaurant Guide 2015

-7

Something Like a (World) Phenomenon Dining in a big city? It’s all same same, no difference. By Adele “Snack That” Wong

[ Insert Fresh Prince voiceover ] Now, this is the story all about how The world’s big cities came to be identical towns And I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there I’ll tell you how these metropolises compare. The scope of this tale is much bigger, per se The truth is, the world’s cities are all losing their way They sell the same food now and tout the same names Although in the end, no one wins this game. Celebrity chefs: a dime a dozen these days They’ll be wherever you want’em, as long as it pays West End, East Village, Sheung Wan you say? Why not, sure thing—just make that First Class on Cathay! Local greasy spoons? They’re out of fashion Hipster concepts are everyone’s new passion Burgers, craft breweries and chefs with tattoos They’re here, there, everywhere—except Kathmandu…

❦

8 - Restaurant Guide 2015

❦ Cocktails that cost the price of a child Molecular mixology that makes the In-crowd go wild Drank this in London? Had it too in New York? Could’ve just stayed in Hong Kong, you big dork. Take note: “artisanal” is all the rage You made that cheese with your hands? You must be a sage! Single-origin coffee, organic teas The harder to source, the easier to please… As for fancy fine-dining and other big hits Michelin and World’s Best are all over that sh*t But look deeper into the lists and they all start to blend Into one giant, homogenous, incestuous trend. Deconstructed food on shiny white plates Is the global epidemic that’s hitting us of late And the big cities are naturally leading the charge At blurring the lines of the food world at large. The cool establishments of the Modern Age All follow one formula, to the page. It’s good and it’s bad, but mostly just sad That anywhere we go now, we expect the same to be had… Peace out.

Restaurant Guide 2015

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Zone

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

BÊP Vietnamese Kitchen

121BC It’s all about home-style Italian cooking and natural, artisan wines at this trendy minimalist spot—a Sydney import—on Peel Street.

British fare (or more like pan-European fare, since nothing is actually distinctively British) is served in a beautiful two-story space at the refurbished PMQ. While most items on the à la carte and brunch menus are solid, the desserts are out of this world.

8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana

Amber

Italian Shop 202, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Rd., Central 2537-8859 Mon-Sat noon-11pm $$$$$

French 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Rd. Central 2132-0066 Daily 7-10:30am, 12-2:30pm; Mon-Sat 6:30-10:30pm. $$$$

French 42-44 Peel St., Central 2395-0200 Tue-Sun 5:30pm-late $$$

This three-star Michelin restaurant by chef Umberto Bombana is the talk of the town. Chef Bombana’s unique brand of contemporary Italian cuisine is offered in the regularly changing lunch and dinner menus.

Chef Richard Ekkebus creates dish after dish of lipsmacking haute cuisine that keeps the diners coming back to this World’s Best Restaurants fave.

BÊP Vietnamese Kitchen Aberdeen Street Social

New Review

British G/F, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen St., Central 2537-8859 Daily 11:30am-11pm $$$$$

New Vietnamese LG/F, 9-11 Staunton St., Central 2522-7533 Daily noon-11pm $$

Chef Jason Atherton and restaurateur Yenn Wong have proven to be the perfect pair when it comes to nailing down restaurant concepts, and Aberdeen Street Social is no exception. Modern

Hongkongers love Vietnamese food. So why is it that one of the most popular Asian cuisines in this city is always overpriced or under-par? Enter BÊP—a comfortable, no-fuss restaurant offering

10 - Restaurant Guide 2015

up an open kitchen, good service and excellent food. The two clear standouts of the meal were the roasted suckling pig ($198) which had juicy and tender meat underneath a thick crackling skin; and the fresh, simple and extremely flavorful soft shell crab rolls ($78).

Aberdeen Street Social

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

BisteccA Italian 2/F, Grand Progress Building, 15-16 Lan Kwai Fong, Central 2525-1308 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$$$

High time for a trip back to Bistecca. This rustic LKF-ery is an Italian-style steakhouse with a touch of charm, and a whole load of beef. A chiller cabinet shows off the various cuts, so you can pick the slice which most appeals: They’re all excellently charred, and all cooked absolutely right. The signature “Fiorentina” cut ($998) is an enormous 32oz Australian wagyu T-Bone, tender and flavorful and perfect for at least three people. The Japanese A5 Kobe sirloin was, of course, absolutely butter-soft and packed with flavor.

Café Siam Thai 2-3/F, The Plaza, 21 D’Aguilar St., Central 2851-4803 Mon-Sat noon-2:30pm, 6:30-11pm; Fri-Sat noon-11:30pm $$

The long-established Café Siam (which is part of the Eclipse group) is bright and comfortable, with simple furniture, pictures hanging on the light grayish walls and window seats that are covered with cushions. The menu is unmistakably Thai, and during lunch there are a variety of executive and regular lunch sets to choose from.

of local celebrities displayed in an album on a side table. Inside is an intimate space with purple walls and white-clothed tables. During lunch, dim sum is available, as is the regular à la carte menu. Our table ordered a mishmash of things and was very impressed by the quality of most of the dishes.

Chicha Peruvian 26 Peel St., Central 2561-3336 Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6pm-late $$$

Opened by resto veteran Concept Creations and backed by the Peruvian government, the restaurant’s credentials are strong. The staff are knowledgeable and the service is generally spectacular. The seafood causas with the mashed potato base and creamy sauces were a gooey mess of goodness, while the hard-shelled Peruvian fish tacos with aji rocoto (Peruvian chilies) provided mouthful after mouthful of crunch, zest and fresh meat.

Chôm Chôm Vietnamese G/F, Block A, 58 Peel St., Central 2810-0850 Mon-Fri 6pm-1am; Sat-Sun 4pm-1am $$$

Helmed by chef Peter Cuong Franklin, Chôm Chôm takes its inspiration from the bia hoi (street beer) culture of Vietnam. The menu is divided into different sections: small bites, rolls, salads, and charcoal-grilled goods. The Vietnamese Fried Chicken wings with garlic, coriander, mint and a sprinkle of lime juice were divine, with thin and golden crispy skin, juicy meat and a refreshingly tangy aftertaste. The grilled beef in betel leaf also won us over, with meat so tender and the combo of curry, shallots, peanuts and spring onion so aromatic and flavorful.

Ciak Italian Shop 327, 3/F, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Rd. Central 2522-8869 Mon-Fri 11:30am-10:30pm; Sat-Sun 11am-5:30pm $$$

Caprice French 6/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance St., Central 3196-8888 Daily noon2:30pm, 6-10:30pm. $$$$$

Filling in chef Vincent Thierry’s legendary shoes is chef Fabrice Vulin, with quite the resumé himself—the Frenchman has been head chef at various star-spangled establishments across the globe, including La Chèvre d’Or in southeastern France. Enter dishes with a Mediterranean f lair, plenty of fresh seafood, and a touch of the exotic.

Carbone Italian American 9/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St., Central 2593-2593 MonThu noon-2:30pm, 6-11:30pm; Fri-Sat noon-2:30pm, 6pm-midnight. $$$$

Carbone

Chicha

New Review

A New York-style Italian restaurant with mid20th century vibes, Carbone has long been serving indulgent dishes in the Big Apple. At the Hong Kong location, diners can expect the same classic New York-Italian dishes such as baked clams, linguini vongole and veal parmesan.

Celebrity Cuisine Cantonese 1/F, Lan Kwai Fong Hotel, 3 Kau U Fong, Central 3650-0066 Daily noon-3pm, 6-10:30pm $$$

Walk through the entrance, and you’ll see photos 12 - Restaurant Guide 2015

Amber

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

Ciak is the new casual dining venture by Italian chef Umberto Bombana of three-Michelinstarred 8 ½ Ozzo e Mezzo. Don’t get the wrong idea though: “casual” doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap” and even if you stick to the basics, a meal for two will still cost around $700. We could taste the freshness of the pasta in our lasagnette, and the rich, meaty sauce was a beautiful balance of fragrant sausage meat, rich tomato and tiny, tasty mushrooms, elevating a humble pasta dish into something delicious and evocative.

Cocotte French 9 Shin Hing St., Central 25688857 Tue-Fri noon-2:30pm, 6-11pm; Sat-Sun 11am-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

New Review

Cocotte is a cute NoHo eatery sitting right off the steps of Shin Hing Street. This upscale French restaurant has a casual neighborhood feel and a contemporary menu. We went for lunch ($168 per express lunch set) and tried out nearly every option that was on the menu. Standouts were a refreshing gazpacho, a juicy steak tartare, and a delicate fresh crab cake for starters, as well as a perfectly grilled steak for the main course. Cocotte is a delightful new approach to a cursed spot that has seen more reincarnations than we care to count.

Common Room Western comfort food 1/F, Wo On Building, 8-13 Wo On Lane, Central 2525-3599 Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm; Mon-Sat 6:30-11pm $$

New Review

Common Room has something for everyone:

It’s a gastropub and a cocktail bar serving tapasstyle dishes that are best for sharing. Garlicky sweet potato fries came paired with a chipotle buttermilk aioli sauce, and were crispy and not too salty, although they were a touch on the oily side. The wagyu foie gras sliders were great— the meat was juicy and not overdone. We loved the grilled bone marrow—well-seasoned, juicy and not a stingy portion either.

Cuisine Cuisine Cantonese Shop 3101-3107, Podium 3, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central 2393-3933 Mon-Fri noon2:30pm; Daily 6-10:30pm $$$$

Western 1-2/F, 32 Wyndham St., Central 2565-6788 Mon-Sat noon11:30pm; Sun 11:30am-3pm; 7-10pm $$$

New Review

Maximal Concepts’ Fish and Meat offers homestyle seafood and meat dishes in a hip and casual setting. The pan-fried Spanish octopus was tender and well-seasoned. We loved the slightest hint of spice, although some of us didn’t expect quite so much citrus in the dressing. The diavolastyle French chicken is supposedly cooked with lemongrass juice, but we didn’t taste it at all. Although we found our main meal fairly average,

Just entering this restaurant is impressive: a majestically designed hallway adorned with exquisite glasswork and a subtle, flowing fountain. Like neighboring restaurant The French Window, Cuisine Cuisine is part of the Miramar Hotel group. The menu is long and dishes beautifully presented. Try the Angus beef with broccoli, the hand-shredded chicken, bean shoots with crab roe, and fried rice with dried shrimp and sea urchin. The food is all delicious and the staff helpful.

Duddell’s Cantonese 3-4/F, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell St., Central 2525-9191 Mon-Thu noon-3pm, 6pm-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-3pm, 6pm-1am $$$$

Perched on the top floors of Shanghai Tang Mansion, this gallery-slash-restaurant-slash-bar offers posh Cantonese dishes in a spaciously comfy setting.

Fish And Meat

14 - Restaurant Guide 2015

Fish and Meat

Ciak

Cocotte

TIMES SQUARE FOOD FORUM The Dining Room of the City

10/F

11/F

12/F

13/F

ENMARU IZAKAYA YUN YAN Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant Lei Garden

Budaoweng Hotpot Cuisine Heichinrou Restaurant Shanghai Min MANZO ITALIAN STEAK HOUSE SML

Chungâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kitchen Zushi ANA PizzaExpress

Modern China Restaurant School Food Nha Trang Vietnamese Cuisine

Times Square is at 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Way (MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit A) Follow us: www.timessquare.com.hk

facebook.com/HKTimesSquare

App: Hong Kong Times Square

Hotline: (852) 2118 8900

WeChat: hongkongtimessquare

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Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

thank god for the desserts. The cheesecake was light and fluffy, with a sprinkling of sea salt and cracker crumbs, accompanied by a small scoop of raspberry sorbet. We loved the Tahitian ice cream too.

Gaucho Argentine 5/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Rd. Central 2386-8090 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$$$

Gaucho

New Review

A swish establishment with an over-the-top interior, Gaucho injects some welcome Argentine flair to the dining scene with a menu full of South American staples and a massive emphasis on meat. Our perfectly prepared churrasco de chorizo spiral-cut sirloin ($318, 300g) was smothered in a heavenly 48-hour garlic, parsley and olive oil marinade, but the plump, juicy and super-tender filet mignon medallions ($328, 225g) stole the show. Gaucho left a great first impression thanks to quality wine selections, excellent service and big fat Argentine steaks. Now if they could only turn down the music.

Glasshouse Asian fusion Shop 4009, 4/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central 2383-4008 Daily 11am-11pm $$$

New Review

Gaia group’s latest venture is a bold move away from its Italian roots. Housed in an all-glass venue on the top floor of IFC Mall, Glasshouse is a bright, noisy and cozy all at once. The dishes are nominally Asian, but you’ll find quirky western elements infused in most of them. We fell in love in with the delicious crab cakes full of flossed meat and crunchy veggies. The star of the meal was hands-down the squid ink “pad Thai”: essentially a pasta dish, but with a hit of Southeast Asian spices. The dried shrimp and the juicy, yolk-soaked al dente pasta were a match made in heaven. Glasshouse

Herbivores Vegetarian 35 Staunton St., Central 2613-2909 Mon-Fri noon-11pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm $$

The “green” food movement is gathering steam within Hong Kong’s restaurant juggernaut. A fresh-squeezed mango juice started the meal off right. Loaded with mushrooms and veggies, the savory, creamy pumpkin carbonara was the perfect antidote to a chilly, drizzly day, while the intriguingly named “Spicy Temptation” (a chili-infused chocolate mousse with hazelnut) didn’t quite live up to its ambitious name but nonetheless added a bit of kick to what could have been a fairly mild meal. Herbivores

16 - Restaurant Guide 2015

Contemporary European cuisine with Spanish inspiration T: 2253 7111

www.zurriola.hk

Traditional and creative tapas dishes ideal for sharing with a choice of over 40 sangrias T: 2147 0111

L18, The ONE, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

www.tapagria.hk

Zurriola

Tapagria

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

Ho Lee Fook Chinese fusion 1-5 Elgin St., Central 2810-0860 Tue-Sun, 6pm-midnight $$

New Review

HLF is a cheeky, modern take on Chinese cuisine, courtesy of Aussie Chef Jowett Yu (of Ms. G’s and Mr. Wong in Sydney). The venue consists of a ground floor open kitchen decked out in mahjong tiles, and a dark and funky basement dining room. We totally dug the Yunnan-style steak tartare ($138) with a tangy soy sauce base, served with crispy prawn crackers for extra texture. The sang choy bao ($128) with gigantic lettuce leaves and marinated cucumbers on the side left us wanting more. Our stir-fried cauliflower and Brussel sprouts dish turned some boring veggies into a savory hit with a bit of a kick, thanks to the bacon chili jam.

Inagiku Japanese Restaurant Japanese 4/F, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance St., Central 2805-0600 Daily 11:30am-3pm, 6-11pm $$$$

Inagiku IFC is the second branch of the renowned Japanese restaurant. The venue is vast, with high ceilings, great views of Victoria Harbour, a simple sushi bar in the middle and lots and lots of space. From tempura and sashimi to teppanyaki and udon, Inagiku’s got all the bases covered. No matter what you go for, it’s a safe bet that there’ll be some scrumptious sashimi involved. All in all, we most relished our pale-pink, deliciously fatty toro and generally all things that were raw. The tempura was very nice, too, with crisp and fluffy batter combined with fresh prawns and crunchy veggies.

came with much softer noodles than we’re used to, but the mild soup base had layers of flavors. The appetizers were very satisfying: The deep-fried chicken cartilage ($32) was perfectly seasoned, and the fried gyoza dumplings ($28) were delicious and incredibly crispy.

L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon French Shop 401, 4/F, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Rd. Central 2166-9000 Daily noon-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm $$$$

One bite of L’Atelier’s set-course dinners and you’ll understand why Joel Robuchon was named Gault Millau’s “Chef of the Century” and why his Hong Kong outpost is awarded three Michelin stars. The super-chef emphasizes the simplicity and authenticity of his food. Each dish is wrought with exquisite finesse and precision—an ordeal on plain view in the open kitchen, the centerpiece of every L’Atelier from New York to Tokyo.

La Loggia Pain Grillé French 3/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central 2508-0798 Sun-Thu noon-11:30pm; Fri-Sat noon-12:30am $$$

Inagiku

Jashan Indian 1/F, Amber Lodge, 23 Hollywood Rd., Central 3105-5300 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$

While the menu may not win any awards for innovation—focusing mostly on friendly staples such as chicken tikka, crispy pakoras, masalas, and curry dumplings—Jashan’s chefs are masterful in execution. The delicious lamb vindaloo gets a special shout-out as one of the best we’ve had in all of Hong Kong. Also worthy of recommendation is the range of delectable desserts, especially the gulab jamun (deep-fried milk ball) and ras malai (cottage cheese in cream).

Kanda Japanese Noodle Japanese Shop 1, G/F, King Ho Building, 41-49 Aberdeen St., Central 2964-0966 Tue-Fri noon-4pm, 6pm11pm; Sat noon-11pm; Sun 1-6pm $

New Review

This new ramen place just above PMQ on Aberdeen Street offers Tokushima ramen: a regional specialty known for its distinctive pork and soy sauce broth. The classic dei lung ramen ($88), with two slices of melt-in-your-mouth tender pork and an onsen egg, 18 - Restaurant Guide 2015

L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

La Vache

This resto at the Agnès B. flagship store has exquisite interiors—a sexy lounge opens into the adorable “Library” area, inspired by Le Fumoir next to the Louvre, one of Agnès’ favorite restaurants. This particular Pain Grillé focuses on seafood imported directly from France.

crispy slivers of gold, and not a soggy strand in sight—were periodically revealed from the kitchen on silver trays, and piled high on our plates. It’s not haute cuisine; it’s steak. It’s fries. It’s deliciously simple.

Le Port Parfume La Vache Steak frites 48 Peel St., Central 2880-0248 Daily 6pm-late $$

On the menu at La Vache: a crunchy green salad with walnuts and a light, tart dressing, an appetizer which really does prepare the appetite. So what else is included? One large rib-eye steak, or “entrecôte” cut, and all the fries you can eat for $258. We asked for steaks that were medium and medium-rare, respectively. The staff blissfully ignored us and brought them all out perfectly cooked instead, set on a tray over a candle flame. And warm dinner plates? Big bonus. The house sauce was a rich, meaty Béarnaise, perfect for dipping. Piping hot fries— 20 - Restaurant Guide 2015

La Loggia Pain Grillé

French Shop C, 6-10 Kau U Fong, Central 2824-3018 Daily noon-2pm, 6-11pm $$$

New Review

Owned by the guys behind the excellent Bistro du Vin in Kennedy Town, Le Port Parfumé (“Fragrant Harbor” in French) is a bistro with a mission: fresh, wild-caught seafood. Hence the charmingly nautical interior and the daily-changing chalkboard menu. The rack of slow-cooked lamb spare ribs ($250) was superb: crusty and herby but falling off the bone, in a sweet rich sauce on a bed of fresh peas. La Vache

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

L’Entrecote De Paris

Since 2009, Liberty Private Works has been providing incredible contemporary French dishes each night by executive chef Vicky Cheng and currently offers a 10-course chef’s tasting menu with optional wine pairing.

Linguini Fini Italian 49 Elgin St., Central 2387-6338 Daily noon-3pm, 6-10:30pm $$-$$$

L’Entrecote De Paris

L’EntrecÔte De Paris French 3/F, 46-48 Wyndham St., Central 3182-0105 Mon-Sat noon-2:30pm, 7pm-1am $$

New Review

L’Entrecôte de Paris is one of the numerous steak frites restaurants that have been popping up left, right and center in Hong Kong. On the menu are steak frites or salmon (both $268), served with a walnut salad starter. Expect tender, buttery slabs of steak, which come with a juicy pink center—exactly how a well-prepared steak should be. Visiting on a weeknight, the place wasn’t too packed, which is always a plus when going for a meal for two.

Liberty Private Works French fusion 26/F, 11 Stanley St., Central 5186-3282 Mon-Sat 7:30-late $$$$$

22 - Restaurant Guide 2015

New Review

Popular Italian resto Linguini Fini has moved from its dim, loft-like space inside the L Place to an enormous open-fronted spot next to the escalators on Elgin Street. It’s kept its casual menu of home-cooked, family-style dishes and added a few extra to boot. The renowned homemade spicy sausage ($108) was delicious, with a moreish chili and oregano mustard that we’d love to have the recipe for. The new Radiatore alla Vodka ($148) was lip-smackingly rich with spicy ‘Nduja paste, fresh tomato, chunky mozzarella, basil and vodka. The signature 10hour roasted pork belly ($218) achieved just the right balance of crunchy skin and pull-apart meat.

rib—melted in the mouth. Finally came the mighty baos. Our pork belly bao was awesome: two bun halves coating the slow-braised pork belly, leek and shiso red onion salad, sesame dressing and “hoisin ketchup.” The chicken bao with black vinegar glaze, Sichuan mayo and napa cabbage coleslaw was also excellent.

Makumba African 2/F, Ho Lee Commercial Building, 38-44 D’Aguilar St., Central 2810-5300 Mon-Fri noon-2:30pm, 6-11pm; Sat 6-11pm $$

The menu at Makumba is West African-based, drawing on Sengalese and Cameroonian dishes such as fish or chicken fricassée, chicken mafe (a spiced peanutty stew), and the classic “chicken

Little Bao Chinese fusion 66 Staunton St., Central 2194-0202 Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight $$$

Originally a stall at the Island East Markets, hipster joint Little Bao has now expanded to its own space on the SoHo/PoHo border. The dumplings—made with slow-braised beef short

Linguini Fini

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

DG,” a casserole of chicken, veggies and plantains. And though it might be a tad greasy for lighter palates, the food is superbly made and a happy diversion from all the western fare in LKF that seems to come from the exact same kitchen.

Mama San Balinese 1/F, 46 Wyndham St., Central 2881-8901 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

New Review

Aussie chef Will Meyrick’s popular and ubertrendy Mama San comes from Bali to Central. Not as roomy and high-ceilinged as the mothership, Mama San HK still remains faithful to the original décor, complete with MS Bali’s signature wall mural. Service was generally fantastic. Cocktails were strong and refreshing. The deep-fried prawns (complete with heads and shells) and the uniformly golden, crispy-skinned suckling pig stood out with feisty flavors. The accompanying sambal sauces were another plus. Man Wah

Man Wah Cantonese 25/F, The Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Rd. Central, 2825-4003 Mon-Fri noon-3pm; Daily 6:30-11pm $$$$

Straight-up Cantonese fare with an amazing harbor view in an atmosphere of old-world elegance. What more can we say? If you’ve never been before, make a point of going sooner rather than later.

Manchurian Candidate Sichuan 5/F, Winner’s Building, 37 D’Aguilar St., Central 2522-0338 Daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:30-10pm $$

Mott 32

If you’re wandering around a rundown building in the middle of LKF in search of this Sichuan private kitchen, then you’re in the right place. If you’re a first-timer, your instincts are probably telling you to double-check the address, but ignore the urge and let the scent of chili peppers lead the way to Manchurian Candidate. Dinner started off with a spicy chicken and chili dish, which augured well. The highlight was the friedand-battered prawns, juicy from head to tail.

Mott 32 Cantonese B/F, Standard Chartered Building, 4-4A Des Voeux Rd. Central 2885-8688 Daily 11:30am-3pm, 6pm-midnight $$$$

Mama San

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New Review

Mott 32 is restaurant group Maximal Concepts’ first foray into Chinese cuisine, and like its other restaurants, it’s dark, dramatic and reeks of exclusivity. There are two popular signature dishes at Mott 32: the Peking duck, and the Iberico pork char siu. We couldn’t try the duck

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

but we did go crazy over the char siu, which was sweet with a crispy caramelized top, though it erred on the lean side. The sweet and sour pork with aged balsamic was another easy win: the sweet-to-sour and meat-to-batter ratio were just right, and the aromatic vinegar was a wake-up call for our noses.

NamKeeH Noodles 1/F, Kai Tak Commercial Building, 66-72 Stanley St., Central 2536-0221 Daily 8am-9pm $

With its clean and vibrant upstairs digs full of single-seaters—each thoughtfully equipped with an iPad—and the standard claustrophobically spaced tables, NKH isn’t a space for lingering. You’re only eating noodles here, choosing from a soup base, noodle type (from rice vermicelli to soba), and toppings. The lunch sets also come with a free drink and choice of starter, and takeaway saves you 10 bucks per order.

Neighborhood Western 61-63 Hollywood Rd., Central 2617-0891 Mon-Sat 6-10:30pm $$$

New Review

Chef and restaurateur David Lai has opened up a hidden little resto off Hollywood Road, serving upscale, sharing-style panEuropean dishes in a minimalist space. The

Peking Garden

food is by and large excellent quality, from the charcuterie platter laced with lardo slices ($139) to the juicy deep-fried frogs legs ($115); from the simple handmade tagliolini drenched in butter ($130) to the hearty pork belly daily roast ($155). We went during white truffle season and were able to top off our pasta with waaaay too much of the stuff getting it at cost (roughly $27 per gram). Fancy food at less-than-fancy prices? Sign us up!

Peking Garden Chinese Shop B1, Alexandra House, 16-20 Chater Rd., Central 2526-6465 Daily 11:30-3am $$$

This famous-with-tourists restaurant tucked into the basement of Alexandra House is known for its signature Peking duck and other Chinese delicacies. The restaurant is also known for its Beggar’s Chicken, which has to be ordered days in advance.

Pololi Hawaiian 35-39 Graham St., Central 2755-8099 Mon-Sat 11:30am-9pm $

Peking Garden

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New Review

This takeaway shop (with a few seats for dining-in) is a healthy alternative to greasy Americana. It serves poke: raw, cubed and marinated seafood salad from Hawaii. Here’s what

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

Sichuan House

Restoration

you do: Choose between salad, rice or a mixture of both. Then select two proteins out of eight choices including tuna, octopus and tofu. Wash down with a Hawaiian craft beer. First-time customers can taste-test every protein before selecting two to go in the takeaway bowl ($90). Our favorites are two types of tuna: one is marinated “Hong Kongstyle” (soy sauce and cucumber) and the other is the slightly spicy “wasabi mayo.”

Rakuen Japanese 4/F, Shop E, Ho Lee Commercial Building, 38-44 D’Aguilar St., Central 3102-2255 Mon-Sat 5:30pm-2am $$

This cozy little Okinawan outfit is part of the EN group and has been serving happy customers for more than five years now. The fact that it has stood the test of time speaks volumes on its own. We wolfed down a plate of caviar-like sea grapes; a platter of golden, savory fried fish cakes; a round and delectably sticky block of peanut tofu with soy sauce; heavenly deep-fried camembert; a saucy and flavorful sautéed eggplant dish; chewy grilled ox tongue skewers; and a warm-your-belly squid ink rice with an oozing egg on top. 28 - Restaurant Guide 2015

sliders), including three gourmet varieties. We were impressed with the Moo Moo’s flavor combination: a beef burger topped with grilled pineapple, teriyaki and ginger.

Restoration Creole 1/F, 63 Wyndham St., Central 2536-0183 Mon-Thu noon-11pm; Fri-Sat noon-midnight; Sun 6-10:30pm $$$

Dining Concepts alumni Jack and Kathlyn Carson chose to go back to their native New Orleans roots with Restoration. Eager to try everything, we went family-style at our table and ordered the best cocktail shrimp starter any of us had ever had; gumbo, blackened catfish, Southern fried chicken, a slightly plain jambalaya and number of sides. The standout dishes were the blackened catfish served on a plate with warm and flavorful popcorn rice and the huge helping of Southern fried chicken.

Rockabilly American 12 Lan Kwai Fong, Central 2869-0099 Daily 5pm-1am $$

Sanche

New Review

Though the name may bring 1950s rock ‘n’ roll to mind, this two-story LKF gastropub doesn’t overdo the theme. Downstairs, Rockabilly is set up pub-style (it used to be the Whiskey Priest, after all), but you can spread out a little with comfy seats upstairs. There are 11 types of sliders ($122-138 for three sizeable

Sanche Korean Shop C, 32 Gage St., Central 2628-3248 Mon-Sat 11am-midnight $$$

New Review

Central’s Gage Street is becoming a foodie destination, and Sanche is one of the more exciting openings on the block. We were strongly urged to get the chicken kangjung: a delicate, peppery batter encasing tender, boneless morsels of chicken, with a fiery homemade dipping sauce to go alongside. We weren’t that excited about the sound of the pepper pancake with chungyung pepper, Korean leek and clams, but it was juicy, crispy and straight-up phenomenal.

Sichuan House Sichuan 7/F, M88, 2 Wellington St., Central 2521-6699 Daily 11:30am-midnight $$

New Review

We enjoyed the classy décor at Sichuan House: all clean lines, mirrored walls and subtle Asian

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

Sichuan House

Social Place

Sichuan House

touches. The Mouth Watering Chicken ($128) was chilled, tender and boneless, nicely soaking up the Sichuan chili sauce. Dan dan noodles ($68) weren’t as heavy as we’re used to, with a thinner, saltier peanut soup and a generous portion of minced pork. The winner was the lamb shank with cumin ($188), a leg of lamb (practically melting off the bone) rubbed in spices. We scooped it all up. Well portioned and very reasonably priced for Central standards. Bonus points for atmosphere and attentive, friendly service.

Social Place Chinese 2/F, L Place, 139 Queen’s Rd. Central 3568-9666 Daily 11:30am-3pm, 6-10pm $-$$

New Review

Contemporary Chinese is the name of the game at Social Place. The food is high-calibre, affordable, and delectably innovative. Steamed buns might 30 - Restaurant Guide 2015

come in the shape of mushrooms ($36), but they tasted divine despite the gimmicky appearance. We devoured our colorful spiced eggplant starter ($38); an extremely fragrant chung yao gai (chicken with oil and scallion, $58) topped with feisty ginger and coriander; a savory Chinese fried pancake ($33) that had us begging for more, and a host of other dishes.

Sogno Café Western Flat 2D, 2/F, Welley Building, 97 Wellington St., Central 2757-9878 Mon-Fri noon-9:30pm; Sat noon10:30pm; Sun 1:30-9:30pm $

New Review

Among the crowded lunch spots in Central is this relatively hidden upstairs café. There are only five items on the lunch set menu, which is in Chinese only. We liked the Korean-style spicy squid with the rice ($78), with a slightly zesty mild kick that

Social Place

complemented the squid. Portions are just right— not so big that you’re stuffed and not so small that you feel out-of-pocket. The dishes provide no surprises but if you’re in need of a quick bite on a busy day, then Sogno fits the bill.

Souvla Greek 1/F, Ho Lee Commercial Building, 40 D’Aguilar St., Central 2525-9192 Daily noon-midnight $$$

Souvla, a Greek restaurant by Concept Creations, is a 150-seater serving everything from classic Greek salads to slow-cooked lamb ribs. The place is headed by chef Michael Van Warmelo, who earned his chops with Aussie chef Greg Malouf of Melbourne’s Momo before becoming a guru of Mediterranean goods himself.

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

Steak Frites By The Butchers Club Steak UG/F, 52-56 Staunton St., Central 2858-9800 Tue-Sun noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

New Review

Not content with just being known for burgers and steaks, the Butchers Club group has launched Steak Frites by Butchers Club. Now, they’re doing it like the French: serving a salad first before moving to a rib-eye cut with fries on the side. The wedge salad is a bit boring, but the steak steals the show. And there is also a secret menu accessible by QR code that has a few options other than beef.

Sumac Mediterranean G/F, 8 Glenealy, Central 2147-9191 Mon-Sat 5:30pm-midnight. $$

Traditional Lebanese favorites here include lamb kafta and chicken moghrabieh. Also on offer are less familiar dishes such as rack of lamb with vegetables and giant couscous, scallops siya dieh and even a few dishes made with sumac, including spot prawns with rosemary and sea salt in Provençal sauce.

Sushi Kuu Japanese 1/F, M88, 2-8 Wellington St., Central 2971-1808 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

This classy Japanese joint doesn’t disappoint— especially for one located so close to Lan Kwai Fong, where essentially, good food goes to die. There is a huge variety to choose from— everything from the standard hand rolls and sashimi to grilled and fried dishes. The sushi platter came with all the usual suspects: egg, roe, tuna and salmon. They were done well—the fish was fresh and the slices generously cut. The prawn tempura was crunchy but light.

Tate

Tate French/Japanese 59 Elgin St., Central 2555-2172 Mon-Sat 6-11pm $$$

Chef Vicky Lau heads this posh space on Elgin. With high ceilings and light colors, the space is intimate but open at the same time. Tate’s food is predominantly French, with just a hint of Japanese influence.

The Bellbrook Bistro Oz by Laris Australian 2/F, 77 Wyndham St., Central 2530-1600 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

The items on the menu at this Aussie resto are categorized into differently sized “bites,” which gets a bit confusing. We started with a pickled octopus drenched in merlot vinegar and tomato jam: it was an unfamiliar kind of tangy to us and the octopus tasted a bit fishy, although overall the combination was pleasant. We ordered the signature grilled kangaroo loin for mains. For something that could easily have been tough, bland and gamey, it was executed superbly. We never knew we could like kangaroo so much.

The Boss Cantonese LG/F, Peter Building, 58-62 Queen’s Rd. Central 2155-0552 Mon-Sat 11:30am-midnight, Sun 11am-midnight $$$

Run by a few of the guys who used to head up Michelin-starred Sun Tung Lok, The Boss is not your average Chinese diner. On the menu is a variety of dim sum, as well as sharing platters like poultry and seafood—sometimes prepared with a bit of a western touch (fried noodles with truffle; deep-fried crispy lobster with Parmesan). The Bellbrook Bistro Oz by Laris

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Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

The Diner American 4-8 Arbthnot Rd., Central 2562-3323 Daily 8pm-late $$

New Review

With its tiled floors and shiny red booth seats, The Diner is as American as it gets in this part of town. The all-day-dining establishment offers an ambitious menu of burgers, fries, and deep-fried things, with a section of salads and soups to make up for the artery-clogging selection. Our Southern fried chicken burger delivered. A giant, crispy chicken patty sticking out from a light and fluffy bun, each bite was juicy and delightful. The fries with “cheese-bourbon bacon jam” were more powdery than we liked, but still flavorful and filling.

The French Window Brasserie and Bar French Shop 3101, 3/F, IFC Mall, 1 Harbour View St., Central 2393-3812 Daily noon-11pm $$$$

It’s not all that surprising that The French Window has chosen to shed its uppish airs in favor of a more casual look—this is in line with most other trendy, upscale eateries nowadays. Instead of a fine dine, TFW is now a Parisian-style brasserie, complete with its own raw bar AND wine bar. Think brasserie-style staples like frog legs, poached duck and, of course, moules frites (steamed mussels with fries).

The Nile Egyptian 26 Hollywood Rd., Central 2431-0475 Daily 5pm-2am $$

New Review

North African cuisine may be underrepresented in Hong Kong, but in the space of just a few blocks in SoHo lie three very similar offerings from the Egyptian Wakim brothers: Le Souk, Sahara and the newest addition to Hollywood Road, The Nile. We tried a selection of smaller dishes: the falafel came in cigar-shaped crispy batons coated in sesame seeds, which the manager urged us to eat quickly while they were still hot. We dipped them in tahini and they were soft, fresh and delicious. Hummus is a staple, but to mix it up we ordered it with harissa chili paste, which made a very welcome and spicy addition to the chickpea. The sizzling platters of grilled meat were a hit: the lamb in red wine was quite good, with chunks of tender meat in a thick sauce.

The French Window

The Square Guangdong 4/F, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Central 2525-1163 Daily 11am-3pm, 6-11pm $$-$$$

Serving dim sum during the day and a selection of Guangdong-style dishes (with a bit of western influence,) at night, The Square is the group’s proud one-Michelin-starred venture. We couldn’t get enough of the casserole rice in a stone pot—

The Square

The French Window

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Tipping Point

VeggieSF

the fully marinated grains were more gentle than fried rice, not as sticky as glutinous rice, and belonged in a category all their own. Other hits included the curry beef and the vegetable beancurd sheet rolls.

was tasty but a touch too salty, while the crispy Iberico pork shank stole the show—charred outside, meaty inside and lots of caramelized bits to fight over.

VeggieSF Tipping Point Gastropub G-1/F, 79 Wyndham St., Central 2868-2892 Mon-Thu 4pm-2am; Fri-Sat 4pm-3am $$$

New Review

A fresh face on ever-changing Wyndham Street, Tipping Point serves up tons of craft beer in a low-key setting. The menu lists dozens of craft beers from all over the world, as well as a few homebrews on tap. Downstairs, it’s a casual watering hole with friendly staff, free popcorn, big TVs and bar snacks (the sweet potato fries and sliders are awesome). But cruise upstairs and you’ll find a cozy dining room with classy creations. For mains, the grilled wagyu steak 34 - Restaurant Guide 2015

Vegetarian 10/F, 11 Stanley St., Central 3902-3902 Mon-Sat noon-2:30pm, 6-9pm $

VeggieSF is a cozy little vegetarian café with a big personality. It’s themed around 1950s San Francisco and the moment you step out of the lift, you feel instantly transported to another era. American memorabilia decorates every nook and cranny, and crackly 50s music adds to the relaxed, fun atmosphere. The menu changes weekly except for the two most popular dishes—the beetroot burger and the lasagna. A meal at VeggieSF is a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Yachiyo Ramen

Yachiyo Ramen Ramen 3/F, Soho Square, 21 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central 2815-5766 Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6-11pm; Sat-Sun noon-3:30pm; Sat 6-11pm; Sun 6-10pm $

We’re tempted to call Yachiyo Ramen “hard to find” or “tucked away,” but that might be a bit unfair. “Overshadowed” may be the more appropriate word, as it’s located directly atop the prominent escalator-adjacent Pizza Express. For mains, we enjoyed a spicy miso tsukemen— prepared by rinsing the noodles in ice cold water to give them a springy texture, and then served alongside hot broth—and the more conventional miso ramen, both served with hearty slices of pork, a soft-boiled egg, strips of seaweed, and bean sprouts in pork bone broth.

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

MID-LEVELS chicken on the run

New

Sandwiches Shop A, Review 1 Prince’s Terrace, Mid-Levels 2537-8285 Daily 11:30am-10pm $ On t he upper reaches of the Mid-Levels Escalator,

Chicken on the Run has been serving homemade Aussie-style sandwiches for the past 12 years. And in this lively little shop, “homemade” means wholesome, hearty sandwiches that are stuffed full of fresh roasted chicken. Taking pride in its quality meat, Chicken on the Run sources its birds from Australia: they’re flown in daily and roasted in-store. The Australian chicken salad sandwich ($55) and Australian salad sandwich with beetroot ($42) are particularly good.

Chicken on the Run

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San Xi Lou Sichuan 7/F & 22/F, Coda Plaza, 51 Garden Rd., Mid-Levels 2838-8811 Daily 11:30am-11pm; 22/F: 11:30am-2am $$

Some might argue that there’s little point in reviewing a hotpot restaurant—you cook everything yourself after all, right? But a good hotpot (as any connoisseur knows) is all about a kick-ass broth, fresh ingredients and great sauces. And San Xi Lou has all of these in spades.

Seasalt Fish and chips 23 Mosque St., Mid-Levels 2790-7211 Daily noon-10pm $$

Tea Saloon By Another Fine Day

36 - Restaurant Guide 2015

We are just going to come right out and say it: the best thing at this chippy spot is the popcorn prawns. Odd, since you’d think any of the three types of fish on offer—cod, barramundi and red snapper—would be the MVPs of a fried seafood establishment. But these unbeatable prawns are golden brown, crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside, packed full of flavor and just the right serving to be a main at lunchtime.

Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

Pure Veggie House Vegetarian 3/F, Coda Plaza, 51 Garden Rd., Mid-Levels 2525-0552 Daily 10:30am-10:30pm $$

This posh Buddhist venue on the fringe of Central has been around for years, and still serves kickass vegetarian dishes that are brimming with flavor.

TEA SALOON By Another Fine Day

New Review

Cafe G/F, 80-82 Peel St., Mid-Levels, 2525-8257 Tue-Fri noon-7pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-7pm $$

Sip on fancy teas and dig into rose-flavored scones at this cutesy, pastel-colored cafe on the cobblestoned end of Peel Street. Everything is served on dainty tableware—exactly like you’d expect.

The Peak Café Deco Bar & Grill International 1-2/F, Shop 101-201, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Rd., The Peak 2849-5111 Sun-Thu 11am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11:30pm $$$

The great thing about this restaurant is that it changes in ambience throughout the day— T-shirts and hiking pants are totally fine for lunch, but with the lights dimmed at night, you can totally bring a date for a posh dinner experience. Specialties from all over the world are available. Café Deco tries hard to accommodate all demographics and taste buds, and while it’s not the type of resto that’ll sweep you off your feet, you can definitely get an enjoyable meal here to suit your mood, whatever the time of day.

Café Deco Bar & Grill

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Pho Yummee Vietnamese 1/F, Shop 19-21, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Rd., The Peak 2849-2121 Mon-Thu noon9:30pm; Fri-Sun 11:30am-10:30pm $$

Part of the CafĂŠ Deco group, Pho Yummee is a bright and cheery Vietnamese joint up on The Peak, serving the classics at above-average prices. On the menu are the usual hot and cold appetizers such as rice paper rolls, grilled skewers and Vietnamese salads, and then heartier mains such as banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) and pho. The rolls were fresh and overflowing with crunchy veggies, rice vermicelli and meat pieces. The pho came in a rich, dark-brown broth with tender pink beef slices on top.

Pho Yummee

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Central, Mid-Levels, The Peak

The Sweet Dynasty Cantonese G/F, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Rd., The Peak 2890-2005 SunThu 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-11pm $$

New Review

This Asia-wide brand has recently staked out a prime spot on The Peak. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be deceived by its name: TSD serves just as many variations of dim sum as it does dessert. On the savory side, the restaurant is known for its congee and noodles, although these items were conspicuously absent on the menu. The signature cheung fun with pork floss and spring rolls wrapped in thick, smooth rice noodle sheets was a winner. Although the har gau and siu mai only came in sets of two, they were meaty and generously sized. The tofu fa dessert was silky smooth. Although not perfect, TSD is a good, relatively affordable option on The Peak if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for something authentically Chinese. Ironically, though, at The Sweet Dynasty you might as well skip dessert.

The Sweet Dynasty

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Zone

Tsim Sha Tsui and around

Kazuo Okada

Hung Hom Kazuo Okada Japanese 5/F, The Harbourfront Landmark, 11 Wan Hoi St., Hung Hom 3746-2722 Tue-Sun 6-10:30pm; Sat-Sun noon-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm $$$$$

Above & Beyond

Japanese fine dine Kazuo Okada caters towards well-beingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;meaning less meat, more veggies; less deep-fried, more broths. This might sound like a turn-off to some, but rest assured that the dishes are still exquisite, refined and properly delicious.

Palette Buffet 1/F, Hotel Sav, 83 Wuhu St., Hung Hom 2275-8778 Tue-Sun noon-2:30pm; 6-10:30pm $$$$$

Palette at the new Hotel Sav offers an organic vegetable salad bar; an oyster station starring bi-valves from Australia, USA and France; tons of seafood; and plenty more buffet items.

Kazuo Okada

Tai Kok Tsui Thai Delicious Canteen Thai/Chinese 43-44 Pok Man St., Tai Kok Tsui 3428-6248 Daily 7am-11pm $-$$

Palette

40 - Restaurant Guide 2015

Above & Beyond

New Review

Tai Kok Tsui has become quite the dining destination. The area next to Olympian City is a busy neighborhood with bars and restaurants lining the streets. We thought weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d give the local Thai place a go. The soft shell crab curry ($138) was delicious and we gobbled it down with flat rice noodles ($35). Solid Thai food makes this a good post-work destination for those in the area.

Tsim Sha tsui and around

Tsim Sha Tsui

Cucina

Above & Beyond

Italian 6/F, Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Harbour City, 5-27 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2113-0808 Daily noon-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm $$$

Chinese 28/F, Hotel Icon, 17 Science Museum Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 3400-1318 Daily 11am-2:30pm, 6-11pm $$$

Dig into delectable antipasti, pizzas, hearty pastas and lots of meat at Cucina while enjoying the spectacular harbor views.

There’s the spectacular harbor view from the 28th floor. Then, of course, there’s the food. The menu encompasses a variety of innovative dim sum and expertly tweaked Chinese mains. Going for a weekend dim sum lunch, we ordered har gow, spring rolls with crabmeat, scallop and pumpkin cheung fun, steamed beef balls and a bowl of sliced beef congee mixed with raw egg. Everything was served in a neat and simple format, and there was nothing spectacular about the presentation, but the flavors of each dish were refined and sharp.

Angelini Italian Restaurant Italian M/F, Kowloon Shangri-La, 64 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2733-8750 Daily noon-3pm, 6:30-11pm $$$-$$$$

Angelini serves up unpretentious Italian dishes with an emphasis on seafood and ingredients flown fresh from Italy. Also has a great harbor view.

Delhi Club Indian 3/F, Room 3, Block C, Chungking Mansions, 38-44 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2368-1682 Daily noon-3:30pm, 6-11:30pm $

If you’re willing to brave the arcade and jostle amongst the backpackers, secondhand phone shops, suit touts and seemingly insurmountable lift queues, there are some excellent Indian restaurants tucked away on its upper floors. Delhi Club is one of the best-known, and quite possibly one of the best. We can’t fault the sizzling platters of chicken tikka, with its huge hunks of tender meat, nor the makhanwala, a bright orange bowl of rich, mildly spiced curry flavored with tomato and ghee.

Celestial Court

Apgujeong Korean Tent Bar Korean 1/F, Koon Fook Centre, 9 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui 3579-2992 Daily 2pm-4am $$

Dim, loud and just a bit unruly, Apgujeong is the sort of place you’d frequent after work with a bunch of hungry buddies to load up on soju, banchan and every stereotypical Korean dish imaginable. Don’t be afraid to shout for attention—that’s the only way you’re going to get it. The stars were clearly the mains, which came in rapid succession. We loved the minced raw beef dish that was served with a raw egg on top. The sweet marinade made the meat taste almost cooked, cleverly disguising its sanguine undertones. Our seafood pancake came next, and was a soft, gooey yellow mess topped with chopped-up pieces of squid and prawns.

Celestial Court Cantonese 2/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, 29 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2369-1111 Daily 6pm-11:30pm; Mon-Sat 11:30am-3pm; Sun 10:30am-3pm $$$$$

The restaurant’s roasted suckling pig is probably one of its most famous dishes. Ours was succulent without being too fatty, and we had to stop ourselves from inhaling it before the rest of our dishes came. Next up was sliced garoupa soup, served with preserved egg and a scattering of coriander. A favorite dish of ours, it was excellently done. The fish was mild and firm: always a plus, as sometimes it can fall apart at a touch.

Cucina

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Tsim Sha tsui and around

Dong Lai Shun

Hugo’s

Dong Lai Shun

FINDS

Hugo’s

Beijing/Huaiyang B/F, The Royal Garden Hotel, 69 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2733-2020 Daily 11:30am-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

Northern European 1/F The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberly Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2522-9318 Mon-Fri 6:30am-midnight; Sat 6:30-2am; Sun 6:30am-11pm $$$

Western Lobby, Hyatt Regency Tsim Sha Tsui, 18 Hanoi Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 3721-7733 Daily noon-2:30pm, 6:30-11pm $$$$

Dong Lai Shun, based on the original establishment in Beijing, serves high-end Beijing and Huaiyang cuisine. Anything made with lamb is a highlight, especially the Inner Mongolian mutton hotpot during the winter months.

Chef Jaakko Sorsa heads up this Scandinavian restaurant at quirky boutique hotel The Luxe Manor. The beautiful and colorful dishes make use of ingredients specific to the Nordic regions, like fresh salmon and tangy cloudberries.

Fairyland Korean Fried Chicken 28 Austin Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui 2556-0906 Daily 3pm-4am $$

The Korean television drama “My Love From the Star” has been credited with popularizing Korean fried chicken (KFC) in China. Fairyland serves fried chicken in five ways, and we went with the grilled fried chicken, which is marinated in a flavorful sauce and comes in small, boneless pieces. These goodies were crunchy and juicy at the same time, and we were hooked by the first bite. We wrapped a second piece of chicken with the pickled radish provided, and the taste shifted into a confusing but pleasant mix of sweet, sour and salty. 42 - Restaurant Guide 2015

It’s all about old-fashioned elegance and classic western dishes here—from steaks to lobster and everything in between—and the discreet, almost clairvoyant service is the kind that’s hard to come across these days.

India Restaurant and Bar Hoi King Heen Chinese B2/F, InterContinental Grand Stanford Hotel, 70 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2731-2883 Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm. Sun 10:30am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm $$-$$$

The Peking duck comes with the works at this classy InterCon establishment, complete with individual sets of sauce and spring onion for each person. The signature beef dish with asparagus, raisin and beans, apparently an award-winner, is also very good.

Indian 6/F, 10 Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui 2366-6591 Daily 11:30am-3pm, 5:30-11:30pm $$

These days India Restaurant is in the 10 Prat building, whose burnished marble lobby is more Bond-villain than full-Indian. We had poppadums drizzled in tamarind chutney to whet the appetite, and then some great tandoori lamb chops: generously portioned, full of flavor and with a touch of all-important char. Throw on the mint raita and dig in. Homemade tandoori paneer tikka was a little disappointing: the peppers weren’t cooked enough, and the sauce a little too sour. But all was redeemed by the murgh makhani (butter chicken).

Tsim Sha tsui and around

Kitchen 65 Singaporean/Malaysian Shop 7, 2/F Miramar Shopping Centre, 132 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2736-9188 Daily noon-11pm $$

Kitchen 65’s consistently amazing and diverse menu will leave you very happy indeed. We love the bittersweet taste of their bak kut teh, a signature Singaporean soup cooked with pork and Chinese medicine, which magically makes the usually awful Chinese herbs taste divine. We also tried the nasi goreng, so visually appealing with a big fried prawn cracker, a half-cooked egg, two skewers of pork satay and spiced rice. La Saison

La Saison by Jacques Barnachon French 2/F, The Cameron, 33 Cameron Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2789-8000 Daily noon-midnight.

New Review

This cross-harbor gem is the Hong Kong outlet for celebrated French chef Jacques Barnachon of the Michelin-starred L’Etang du Moulin in Bonnetage, France. Protégé Florian Muller is at the helm of La Saison, whipping up classic French dishes that are as decadent and delectable as they come. The menu is seasonal (in case the name didn’t give it away), but you can expect freshly flown-in seafood and meat prepared in a delicately Gallic manner.

Loong Toh Yuen Cantonese 3/F, 1881 Heritage, Hullett House, 2A Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 3988-0000 Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6-11pm; Sat-Sun 11am-3:30pm, 6-11pm $$$

Loong Toh Yuen has an unbeatable ambience. The paper lantern-lined corridor that leads to the stone courtyard of the Hullett House really gives this Cantonese restaurant an elegant Chinese feel. The restaurant serves dim sum in the afternoons, and you can expect dishes like deep fried shrimp rolls made with thousand year egg and mayonnaise sauce and deep fried mashed potato dumplings. Staple mains are seafood-focused.

Main St. Deli American B1, Langham Hotel, 8 Peking Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2375-1133 Sun-Thu 10am-10pm; Fri-Sat 10am-11pm $$$

This place is based on New York’s famous Second Avenue Deli and the interior tries hard to mimic the ambiance and attitude. Indeed, there are few places in the city that feature stacked Reuben sandwiches, monster burgers, or even an authentic Greek salad with feta cheese, Kalamata olives, romaine lettuce, cucumber, red onions and sweet bell pepper.

Merhaba Turkish G/F, Yiu Pont House, 12 Knutsford Terrace, Tsim Sha Tsui 2367-2263 Mon-Wed 4pm-2am; Thu-Sat 4pm-3am; Sun 4pm-1am $$

Main St. Deli

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This Turkish restaurant on the far end of Knutsford Terrace isn’t a new spot by any means. It’s been there for as long as we can remember and it’s always relatively full. While the dishes stick close to Turkish cuisine (a few Turkish friends say it’s not very authentic, but still tasty) the cocktails are standard, run-of-the-mill. The specialty here is definitely the meat: from grilled beef, chicken and lamb to barbequed goodness on swords, to addictive, juicy deep-fried lamb spare ribs with mint yogurt.

Tsim Sha tsui and around

Morton’s of Chicago

Pho Hoi An

Spoon by Alain Ducasse

American 4/F Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers, 20 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2732-2343 Mon-Sat 5:30-11pm, Sun 5-10pm $$$$

Vietnamese Shop 303, iSquare, 63 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2327-0077 Daily 11am-11pm $

French InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2313-2256 Daily 6-11pm; Sun noon-2:30pm $$$$

Morton’s of Chicago doesn’t disappoint. Expect no less than quality steaks and top-notch service in a five-star setting. For our main, we went for a Cajun steak and a six-ounce filet mignon. The former comes in the form of a big slab of perfectly marinated, juicy meat, encrusted in the steakhouse’s own blend of spices. The latter is a petite slice of medium-rare goodness.

Osteria

There is a variety of dishes to choose from outside of the usual beef pho that’s served as a staple at Vietnamese restaurants all over town. We ordered lemongrass pork chop rice noodles as a main. Wanting to venture outside of pho dishes tried and tested, we also ordered the pork, shrimp, tomatoes and vermicelli noodle served in crab soup. This turned out to be the best dish of the evening, as the slightly tangy favor of the tomato offset the taste of the crab soup, while the pork was soft and not too chewy.

Italian M/F, Holiday Inn Golden Mile, 50 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2315-1010 Daily noon-2am $$$

This classy eatery has become the canteen for Italian expats looking for a dose of authentic Italian food. The place is perpetually packed with regulars enjoying great homestyle cooking. The pastas are cooked to al dente perfection and the sumptuous risottos are also a must-try. Osteria’s lunch buffet spreads are amazing, with a selection of homemade sausages and breads on top of salads, cold cuts and other delicious starters.

Osteria

Shang Palace Cantonese B1/F, Kowloon Shangri-La, 64 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2733-8754 Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6:30-11pm, Sun 10:30am-3pm; 6:30-11:30pm $$$

This popular restaurant is hard to beat in terms of both atmosphere and cuisine. Specialties include lobster dumpling in supreme soup, and the dim sum is excellent too.

This restaurant by celebrity chef Alain Ducasse is gorgeous, with a spectacular view. Newcomers Stephane Gortina and Olivier Lannes have been enlisted to helm the kitchen and pastry departments, respectively.

Spring Deer Chinese 1/F, 42 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2366-4012 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $

New Review

This vaunted restaurant is best known for its Peking duck, although we’re not quite sure why. We prefer our duck skin extra crispy and caramelized, thinly sliced. Spring Deer’s version comes with large chunks of meat hanging off a thick wedge of fat before you get to the good part: the glazed, browned skin. But that’s not to say our meal wasn’t fantastic. At this loud, busy establishment that’s starting to show its age, you feel the quasi-nostalgic vibe as soon as you walk in, and it really makes the experience. We gobbled down a delicious spring onion pancake which came with plenty of filling. We enjoyed a clear mushroom soup with crispy rice cakes, thick-skinned dumplings, shredded beef “pockets” (sesame-topped pastries stuffed with meat), a saucy kung pao chicken, and many more no-frills, greasy dishes besides.

Shang Palace

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Tsim Sha tsui and around

steak houses? We’re just going to tell you right off the bat that meat lovers will fall head over heels in love with this restaurant. Each dish was so delicious the words “You have got to try this” echoed around the table.

Tokyo Agura Japanese 15D Austin Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui 2369-3211 Mon-Sat 12:30-3pm, 6:30-10pm (or until stock runs out) $

New Review

This tiny nine-seater ramen joint in Jordan/ Tsim Sha Tsui has earned quite a reputation on Openrice, with reports of a constant queue and 60 bowl-per-day limit. We couldn’t resist the promise of the perfect bowl of ramen. Tokyo Agura has only three items on the menu: saltflavored ramen in a pork and fish broth, soy sauce-flavored ramen in the same broth and Tsukemen, our current favorite variation, with cold ramen noodles and a condensed version of the broth as a dipping sauce. The broth did taste very strongly of pork and fish, but the rich flavors also gave it an unpleasant stickiness and a bitter aftertaste. The noodles were correctly springy and al dente, but didn’t carry much of the flavor of the soup. The barbecued pork slices, however, were heavenly—unlike most pork in ramen, Tokyo Agura serves them slightly roasted and sprinkled with some delightfully refreshing black pepper.

Whisk European 5/F, The Mira Hong Kong, Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2315-5999 Daily 11:30am-10pm $$$

The Steak House Wine Bar & Grill

Sumi Japanese 40 Carnarvon Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2721-8713 Daily 6pm-2am $

New Review

Sumi is well hidden in a building behind The One. The decor is a little boring— it’s more like a standard living room than a restaurant—but we enjoyed the homey vibe. Like most other yakitori places, Sumi serves a “table charge” in the form of a mandatory appetizer. In this case, it’s a plate with two very tender pieces of ox tongue. We really enjoyed the fresh clams in a clear and flavorful sake soup base. Given the yakitori prices—which are mostly in the $15 to $50 range—they were exceptional. The skewered homemade chicken meatballs had a nice mix of crunchy and fatty bits.

Sushi Tokumi Japanese 5/F, 8 Hau Fook St., Tsim Sha Tsui 2330-7578 Daily noon-11pm $$

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New Review

Hidden away in one of those tall Tsim Sha Tsui towers packed with dining outlets, Sushi Tokumi opens into a spacious restaurant with a charming outdoor terrace. The menu features all of Japan’s greatest hits, from sushi to udon to shabu shabu. The generous tempura platter ($78) came with two big plump prawns, a meaty white fish and an assortment of fresh-tasting vegetables. We appreciated the texture most: not overly oily. If you’re into sake, then you’ll appreciate the long list, which has for-your-buck bottles. The outdoor seating area here is also a draw.

It’s all about contempo European cuisine made with the freshest seasonal ingredients here, and the menu changes regularly. This is continental fine dining at its best.

Wooloomooloo Prime Australian 21/F, The One, 100 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2870-0087 Daily 11:45am-late $$$$

This Aussie steakhouse is chic but still laidback and casual. Food is a little on the pricy side but the steaks are well worth it. The tender cuts of meat are seared to a smoky perfection on the outside but remain deliciously juicy on the inside.

The Steak House Wine Bar & Grill Steak LG/F, InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2313-2323 Daily 6pm-11pm $$$$

With a name like “The Steak House” comes a challenge: is it really the steak house above all

Wooloomooloo Prime

Tsim Sha tsui and around

Xia Fei Shanghainese Shop B226-227, K11 Mall, 18 Hanoi Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 2801-6111 Mon-Fri 11:30am-11pm; Sat-Sun noon-11pm $

New Review

The casual Xia Fei serves up all-day dim sum and Shanghainese staples with surprisingly good service. Dinner started off with a bang thanks to the impressive xiaolongbao ($33)—these delicate dumplings were packed with juicy meat and tasty broth. We loved the spicy pork wontons ($42), which were stewing in a lightly sweet, cinnamoninfused sauce. The fried green beans with minced pork ($60) were served crispy, salty and topped with just enough meat. Stewed eggplant ($60) arrived swimming in a tomato-based sauce, which was a surprise, but we enjoyed the unusual combination and nutty texture. Some of the friendliest and most efficient service we’ve seen in a dim sum restaurant. It’s a satisfying choice on nearly every level.

West Kowloon Inakaya

Kowloon Tang

Japanese Shop A, 101/F, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon 2972-2666 Daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm $$$

Dongguan/Peking Shop R002-003, 3/F, Roof Deck, Elements, 1 Austin Rd., West West Kowloon 2811-9398 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

At the robata bar, plates and plates of colorful vegetables, meats and seafood are spread out flat in front of the patrons, and at the wave of a finger, kneeling chefs will pass the ingredient of your choice onto their wooden paddles and grill them to perfection, for your unrestrained consumption.

Part of the Tang series of restaurants, Kowloon Tang is a posh Chinese fine-dine with the dishes to back it up. The menu emphasizes meat-heavy and strongly flavored Dongguan-style dishes, but for some reason also offers traditional—and delicious—Peking duck roasted by a chef straight from Beijing.

Épure New French Shop 403, Ocean Centre, Review Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui 3185-8338 Mon-Sat Noon-5pm, 6:30pm-midnight; Sun noon-6pm.

If you’re looking for cross-harbor gems, the Dalloyau group has added fine-dine Épure and outdoor bar La Terrasse to its repertoire. The flagship patisserie/restaurant and related establishments are all clustered together in the corner of Ocean Terminal, with Epure holding court where Spasso used to be. Get settled in a forest-wallpapered booth and dig into decadent specialties by French chef Nicolas Boutin, who worked in Bordeaux and high-end resorts in the Caribbean and the Maldives before ditching it all for Hong Kong.

Épure

Xia Fei

Inakaya

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Tsim Sha tsui and around

Madam S’ate European Civic Square, Elements, 1 Austin Rd West, West Kowloon 2537-7555 Daily 10am-midnight $$$

A quirky menu and a playful ambience— hallmarks of the Madam Sixty Ate brand— are reliably in place at Madam S’ate, a casual counterpart to its Wan Chai sister restaurant. With an alfresco terrace and a light, airy interior lined with booth seats, Madam S’ate is a tastefully executed all-day dining space. There are different menus for lunch and dinner, with hefty differences in type—and price.

special miso sauce. Tailor-made menus are available upon request in advance.

Sing Yin Cantonese 1/F, W Hotel, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon 3717-2222 Daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm $$$

This stylishly furnished Cantonese restaurant at the equally stylish W Hotel serves dim sum and classic Chinese specialties. The chef takes dumplings and other delicacies to whole new levels, putting heart and effort into each of his creations.

Ryugin tenku Japanese 101/F, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon 2302-0222 Daily 6-9:30pm $$$$$

Sing Yin

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A Michelin-starred Japanese resto headed by master chef Seiji Yamamoto, Ryugin offers a three-hour long, ten-course, premium traditional kaiseki menu. Signature mains include a monkfish liver with seasonal vegetables in

The Night Market Taiwanese Shop 1028, Elements, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon 2807-2292 Daily 11am-11pm $$

This Taiwanese restaurant has opened up a second branch in Elements mall, serving up classic Taiwanese street food and home-style dishes. We shared a perfectly fried, not greasy

Tsim Sha tsui and around

pork chop cutlet with tangy dipping sauce. The xiaolongbao soup dumplings had an overly thick skin, but they were saved by the wellseasoned meat and the delicious, albeit scalding, soup inside. We tried the Three Cup chicken, chicken cooked with basil and seasoning: they say you can’t be a real Taiwanese restaurant if you can’t get this dish right. It was aromatic and tender, but could have done with a bit more rice wine. It was still very good, and props for serving it in a stone pot to retain the heat.

Tin Lung Heen Chinese 102/F, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon 2263-2270 Mon-Fri noon-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm $$$$

Have a memorable dining experience at the glitzy Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong: soaring high above the city on the 102nd floor, Tin Lung Heen serves a refined Cantonese feast fit for a king. HKMagRestaurantGuide_OP_19mar.pdf

The Night Market 1

19/3/15

10:58 am

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ALL ROADS LEAD TO OSTERIA

AUTHENTIC ITALIAN FOOD PREPARED WITH PASSION M/F, HOLIDAY INN GOLDEN MILE, 50 NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI RESERVATIONS: 2315 1010

BRING THIS ADVERTISEMENT TO ENJOY

A GLASS OF HOUSE WINE

PER PERSON AT OSTERIA. Terms and conditions applied and valid until 31 December 2015.

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Zone

Western District with neighborhood prices. Thankfully, Bresola does. The tiny Italian restaurant has great food, friendly service and a lovely atmosphere, with sliding doors that give the place a semi-alfresco feel. Visiting for lunch on a weekend, we were surprised to find a super-affordable set lunch ($128 for three courses), featuring dishes from the à la carte menu. A starter of fried prawns was drizzled in a tasty lemon aioli dressing, and not overwhelmed by the seasoning. A grilled New Zealand ribeye came medium-rare as per our request.

Café Malacca Southeast Asian 2/F, Hotel Jen, 508 Queen’s Rd. West, Shek Tong Tsui 2213-6613 Daily 6am-11pm $$$

Café Malacca’s menu boasts many a Singaporean and Malay classic. It also rather incongruously has a selection of western dishes (it is a hotel restaurant, after all). We ordered a starter of grilled satay chicken and beef skewers ($72) to share. The skewers, served with peanut sauce and rice cakes, were a good appetizer—the meats were well marinated and the peanut sauce gave it a nice kick. For our mains we had beef rendang ($88), simmered in coconut milk and cooked with a mixture of spices, as well as Hainanese chicken rice ($108). The beef rendang was tender, not too sweet, and excellently thick. All in all, a solid meal worth a revisit, although some might find prices a bit steep. The Pierside

Catch On Catchick

Kennedy Town

Seafood G/F, 93 Catchick St., Kennedy Town 2855-1289 Mon-Fri noon-11pm; Sat-Sun 10am-11pm $$

Bistro du Vin French G/F, 1D, 1 Davis St., Kennedy Town 2824-3010 Daily noon-2:30pm, 6-10pm $$$

Missy Ho’s

Bistro du Vin fully restores our faith in classic, traditional French fare. When it’s done right, there’s just no comparison. It’s owned by the Les Amis group, which also runs Piccolo Pizzeria right next door. We particularly recommend the duck leg confit with potato wedges on the side, the slow-cooked lamb shank with tomatoes and onions, and the scrambled eggs with girolle mushrooms and chorizo.

New Review

A ground-floor neighborhood resto with an alfresco vibe and romantic white furnishings, Catch On Catchick is one of the latest in a series of K-Town F&B invasions. The menu is relatively simple, with shared starters, salads, mains and sides taking equal space. We started with a generous calamari salad with watercress, capers and red radish. The calamari was meaty and delicious, although the salad dressing was a bit too tangy and overpowering. For mains, we ordered a seafood laksa that came in a deliciously sweet and coconut-y broth. We also sampled beerbattered fish and chips; the batter was fluffy and crispy, and didn’t overwhelm the fish. The fries were chunky and not overly greasy, although they weren’t particularly memorable either.

Bresola Italian/Western Shop D, G/F, Yue On Building, 78-86 Catchick St., Kennedy Town 2485-2345 Mon-Fri noon-11pm; Sat-Sun 9am-11pm $-$$ Fish & Chick

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New Review

There are more and more restaurants popping up in Kennedy Town but not all of them come

Fish & Chick Fish and Chicken Shop 6, 25 New Praya, Kennedy Town 2974-0088 Sun-Thu noon-10pm; Fri-Sat noon-midnight $$$

New Review

western district

The simple but pleasing menu offers chicken, seafood baskets and—of course—several types of fish and chips. It even lists where the fish was sourced from, so you can pick anything from the local-caught seabass to European cod. We got the deep-fried cod, as well as the seabass, which we could order deep-fried with chips, or pan-fried with mashed potato. Luckily for Fish & Chick, these are some of the best fish and chips we’ve had in Hong Kong. The beer batter was crunchy and not at all oily; the fish encased within was cooked to perfection. The chips were thick and hot and we drenched them in lashings of malt vinegar. The lemon poppy seed cake was a steal at 30 bucks and was a light and refreshing end to the meal.

Hor Hor Deem Cha chaan teng 136-142 Belcher’s St., Kennedy Town 2818-3658 Daily 4pm-3am $

New Review

We suppose it’s time we (very grudgingly) tell you to go to Hor Hor Deem. This cha chaan teng has been a late-night favorite of ours for ages. The menu’s large and in Chinese, and it’s full of classic snacks. Curried fishballs had a good give and the curried pig’s stomach (both $12) was agreeably tender. A big plate of dry-fried beef ho fun ($27) was easy on the soy sauce which made it feel lighter, and the beef was well-velveted. Beef brisket noodles ($25) came in a fishy broth with properly cooked noodles. The real standout was the fried cheung fun ($13), which came at the server’s suggestion with an egg that had been scrambled into the mix.

The Pierside

Kinsale

Western G/F, Grand Fortune Mansion, 1B Davis St., Kennedy Town 2398-1838 Tue-Sun noon-2:30pm, 6-10pm $$$

New Review

Lobster and steak are the stars at this casual Davis Street joint, but there’s also a mixed bag of starters and sides, from oysters to scallops to truffle mash. It’s a colorful and cozy space, and dishes are served in skillets and on wooden boards. The grilled whole lobster with butter garlic sauce ($320) and lobster Thermidor topped with gruyère ($340) were succulent and perfectly seasoned. They were split down the middle and left in their shells, which made for easy handling and maximum flavor retention. The ribeye ($320) was a bit fatty for some, but delectably charred and ideally cooked. The fries, black truffle mash, lobster roll and duck rillette sides were as tasty as they come.

Western Shop 3, New Fortune House, 3-5 Praya Kennedy Town 2796-6005 Mon-Fri noon-midnight; Sat-Sun 10ammidnight $$$

New Review

Kinsale is a sprawling, open-air addition to Kennedy Town’s ever gentrifying dining scene. The resto mixes Irish-inspired interiors with western comfort food for a pretty decent result. The interiors here are gorgeous—with high, wood-beam ceilings, pretty turquoise touches and enough space to spread out. The beef burger ($199) was a hungry man’s feast: topped with bacon and a hefty heap of foie gras. We enjoyed the spinach salad ($88), which was packed with fresh pears, walnuts and big chunks of blue cheese. The gorgeous space is reason enough to come chill out with a casual meal, but the food doesn’t always hit the mark.

Missy Ho’s Waffling Beans Waffles Shop 9, New Fortune House, 4-8 North St., Kennedy Town 2855-8890 Mon-Fri noon-10pm; Sat-Sun 10am-10pm $$

New Review

Waffling Beans does what it says: waffles and coffee. The menu is full of delicious-looking combinations, a good selection of craft beers—try the PranQster Belgian ale ($70)—plus the coffee is excellent. A waffle came with fresh strawberries, crunchy slivers of dark chocolate and a judicious application of whipped cream—not the mountain you’d usually expect.

Asian Shop G9, G/F, Sincere Western House, 48 Forbes St., Kennedy Town 2817-3808 Mon-Sat 6-11pm $$-$$$

New Review

Castelo Concepts’ latest K-Town digs is a secretive “hole-in-the-wall” with a foreboding door, a dark and handsome interior and kitschy-cute vintagey finishes in the form of hanging birdcages and flowery wallpaper. The menu is best described as Asian fusion, with sharing plates and bar snacks on offer. The wagyu beef skewers and pork gyozas—the most recognizable dishes on the menu—were also the top dishes of the night. The kitchen accommodated our token vegetarian with a special meat-free sushi roll. Missy Ho’s is exactly as you would expect of a Castelo Concepts establishment: it’s a cool neighborhood space you’d keep frequenting yourself, but not necessary brag about to your friends.

Sai Ying Pun Ba Yi Xinjiang 43 Water St., Sai Ying Pun 2484-9981 Tue-Sun noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$

Missy Ho’s

New Review

This venerable Xinjiang resto may have wobbled after appearing in the Michelin guide, but it’s back and on form. And with Sai Ying Pun getting increasingly trendy, that puts it firmly on our lamb-loving radar. Lamb is the order of the day here: if you’re not into sheep, you’ll feel like a vegan at a steak convention. Go in a large group, as we did, and order a set menu ($1,038 for at least six, more like eight) which is plentiful and promising. Make sure to call ahead and reserve the superb roast leg of lamb, which comes encrusted with cumin. It’s tender, juicy and worth the trip alone. Restaurant Guide 2015

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western district

Metropolitain French G/F, 46 High St., Sai Ying Pun 6271-6102 Tue-Sun noon-11pm $$

Metropolitain is from French Creations, the group behind Pastis, Le Boudoir, F.A.B. and Saint-Germain. We decided to sample both lunch menus ($88 for two courses) and a staffrecommended dish from the à la carte: steak tartare with fries. Our first lunch was a bizarrely literal poached egg salad (whole egg to the left, greens to the right) and a deliciously creamy sole and roasted potato main. We gobbled up the second set of mushroom soup and a stewed chicken leg in red wine sauce—despite the sauce’s unappetizing gray color. The steak tartare was a touch on the salty side, but had nicely chilled chunks of beef.

Oppa Chicken Korean Shop M, 419 Queen’s Rd. West, Shek Tong Tsui 6608-0803 Daily 11am-midnight $

Grassroots Pantry

Cafe Hunan Hunanese Shop B, G/F, Koon Wah Building, 420-424 Queen’s Rd. West, Sai Ying Pun 2803-7177 Daily 11am-11pm $

The menu is in Chinese, so it’s best to bring someone who can read—or is willing to be adventurous. One defining characteristic of Hunan cuisine is its sharp, spicy flavors, so many of the dishes are either mixed, topped or fried with chopped red chili peppers. But it manages to set itself apart from the equally feisty Sichuan cuisine, since Hunan dishes tend to skip on the mouth-numbing peppercorns. We had winter melon and clam soup served in a giant silvercolored wok, which pleasantly surprised us with the relatively mild profiles of the broth and the harmonious balance between tiny, sweet clams and the soft melon pieces. The pork meatballs covered in sticky rice was another winner: the meat was drenched in a pure chicken stock broth, making every bite succulent and flavorful.

El Fishawy Middle Eastern G/F, Hang Hing Court, 123-125 Third St., Sai Ying Pun 5921-8796 Daily noon-1am $$

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restaurants at the moment, but you shouldn’t think that’s the end of it. Third Street—especially west of Western Street—is home to plenty of delicious restaurants, including the cozy El Fishawy. The hummus was good and the zaalouk (eggplant) dip had a delicious sweetness thanks to plenty of roasted red pepper. The pita bread was fresh, hot and soft, a littler thicker than we were used to and perfect for greedy scooping. Then a mixed grill for two: a mountain of gently seasoned chicken, lamb and beef arrived, piled high over flavored rice with roast peppers and tomatoes on the side. The chicken in particular was a touch dry, but the beef came tender and juicy.

Grassroots Pantry Vegetarian or Organic G/F-1/F, 12 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun 2873-3353 Tue-Sat noon-10pm; Sun 10am-4pm $$$

This cutesy vegetarian restaurant looks like somebody’s house; you walk straight into a living room decorated with flowers, there’s a kitchen at the back and a staircase on the left takes you up to a more private dining section. Beyond its vegetarian label, Grassroots Pantry serves a mishmash of dishes—you can get anything from Thai vegetable curry to pasta to Japanese soba noodles.

New Review

Despite visiting at lunch, we skipped the very affordable lunch deals and went straight for the à la carte KFC. We tried two big combo baskets: honey and original chicken; and original and sweet-and-spicy fried chicken. All were tender, juicy and piping hot from the kitchen, but our favourite was the chicken glazed in sweet and spicy sauce—extra crispy skin with just enough heat, and just enough sweet. For sides, we enjoyed the seaweed-covered rice balls, crispy and well-cooked fries, and the moreish egg rolls with gooey cheese.

Prune Organic Deli and Workshop

New Review

Vegetarian 14 Fuk Sau Lane, Sai Ying Pun 2873-3353 Tue-Sat noon-3pm, 6-10pm; Sun 10am-4pm $$

Little sister of (and next door neighbor to) veggie restaurant Grassroots Pantry, Prune Organic Deli & Workshop is a vegetarian’s dream. Serving up lots of gluten-free and vegan-friendly dishes, the menu isn’t lengthy, but the options change every couple of days to keep things fresh and interesting. We ordered two of the set menus: a curry tofu sandwich and Thai noodle salad (which, for $90, seemed a bit pricey), and a tomato soup and chili combo ($85). Our sandwich was awesome: tender tofu, big slices of fresh avocado and juicy tomatoes, but the Thai noodle salad was disappointing—it completely lacked spice and was soaked in a bland, creamy sauce. On the other hand, the tomato soup was a highlight: perfectly creamy with a drizzling of pesto olive oil, and the portion was just the right size.

western district

Sister Wah Cantonese 305 Queen’s Rd. West, Sai Ying Pun 2151-1056 Daily 11am-11pm $

New Review

The Tin Hau location of this beef brisketery is cursed/blessed with a perennial queue, but its second branch in Sai Ying Pun doesn’t suffer from the same fate. How does it measure up to HK Mag favorite, Gough Street’s Kau Kee? The beef brisket is very good. It’s rich, tender and falls apart in the mouth. Noodles of all kinds—we tried eggs, ho fun and thin noodles—are very well cooked, with the perfect bite. The soup broth is delicate and sweet, a light complement to the meaty brisket. Compared to Kau Kee it’s also very good value, with a bowl of noodles ($38) costing a full $30 less than it would on Gough Street. Good beef brisket, great value and no queues: Kau Kee has serious competition.

Sup 1 Chinese, French, Japanese, Western 80 High St., Sai Ying Pun 2522-5002 Mon-Fri noon2pm, 6:30pm-11:30pm; Sat 6:30pm-11:30pm $$

Sup 1 is not new to the scene—it’s just new to the ’hood, having recently relocated from Gough Street in Sheung Wan to High Street in Sai Ying Pun. The menu here is a bit of everything: you can start with oysters, then move on to pasta dishes, sushi and sashimi, fried rice and east-meet-west selections. Our three mains of crispy chicken, seafood and chorizo pasta, and duck confit with rice were solid. The pasta came with octopus bits, clams and healthy slices of chorizo that gave the dish an extra kick. The crispy chicken had both juicy, savory meat and crispy skin, and came with chicken-oilsoaked potatoes at the bottom. The duck confit with rice—a fusion of French technique and Asian flavors—was delicious and different.

Thai on High Thai Kam Lun Mansion, 39-41 High St., Sai Ying Pun 2858-7380 Mon-Thu 3pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 10-2am; Sun 10am-midnight $-$$

New Review

It calls its cuisine “Thai street food” and Thai on High cooks better basic, comforting Thai style food than anywhere else we’ve been on the island. It’s simple, unfussy and unpretentious. We’ve been here many times, and have even considered not telling anyone about it, but Thai on High is just too good—it’s time to share the love. To start, try either the light and aromatic fresh rolls filled with crunchy veg, clear noodles and a mix of succulent meat, or the warm and crispy donut-shaped prawn cakes. As for the mains, the grilled beef tenderloin salad (a steal at $98) is juicy, smothered in flavor and contains just the right spicy kick. The large crisp lettuce leaves used to wrap the meat, onions and peppers are the perfect counterpart to this hot, simple yet filling dish. 54 - Restaurant Guide 2015

The Awakening

Thaweesab Thai Food Thai G/F, 120-126 Second St., Sai Ying Pun 2559-8879 Daily 12-3pm, 6pm-midnight $$

New Review

This neighborhood Thai spot opposite super-hip bar Ping Pong 129 is easily found: just look for the luminous yellow and green exterior. Do your best not to over-order: the dishes at Thaweesab are generous. Pork neck was twice the size of a normal helping, and had an excellent char and texture. The Tom Kha Gai came bubbling in a small pot over a little brazier. It was rich, well-spiced and had plenty of coconut, although the chicken was a little too textured for some. A papaya salad had plenty of spice and crunch, although the shredded strips were perhaps a little thick. Big helpings and good food make this a neighborhood spot worth a place on the rota.

The Awakening Green & lean 1-6 Ying Wa Terrace, Sai Ying Pun 2858-0005 Tue-Fri 12-3pm, 6-10pm; Sat-Sun 11am-3pm $$

New Review

Sai Ying Pun’s former Awakening Café has done an about-face, transforming from a carbheavy American diner serving chicken wings and oozy burgers into a CrossFitter’s dream. Now you can expect gluten-free, paleo-friendly and vegan dishes. It’s refreshing to see greenery on XXXXX a menu that isn’t just a token side dish. Drizzled

with a white wine vinaigrette, the quinoa salad ($98) was really fresh, with big juicy chunks of mango, avocado and cucumber. The standout dish was the South African grilled ostrich steak ($158), which came with (a few) moreish roast potatoes and courgettes. It looked a bit bare without sauce, but surprised us by not needing one. The menu may be self-righteous, but join the gym bunnies for a healthy bite and you’ll come away feeling like you’ve done your body some good.

U-Hang Korean Fusion Shop 6 & 6A, 58-60 High St., Sai Ying Pun 2549-6788 Daily 11am-10:30pm $$

New Review

Korean fused with Americana has been pretty huge in the States of late. And while K-food has always been popular here, super cool-looking U-Hang has convinced us that Hong Kong needs this added twist. Our plate of Bulgogi-marinated slices of beef with crunchy fresh salsa wrapped in perfectly seasoned mini soft taco shells ($98) was a showstopper. And while our two mains—pan-fried pork belly ssam ($178) and crispy chicken with teriyaki sauce and smoked cheese ($128)—were also pretty damn good, they still have a little way to go to be on the same level as those tacos. Let’s hope that there’s more creativeness to come and it’s not just a trend copycat.

western district

Sheung Wan 238 Modern European 238 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan 2517-7322 Daily 11am-midnight $

This small resto sits at the quietest end of Hollywood Road, just a few steps from Queen’s Road West and and overlooking Hollywood Road Park. The menu is a bit of a mix, with French, Italian, and Dutch (“bittenballan” meatballs) dishes all jostling for room. Modern European should cover it—although there’s plenty of Asia thrown in for good measure. At $125, the set lunch isn’t bad, especially as the portions are more than generous. A chicken salad, which came in a large lettuce “bowl,” was crunchy and juicy and an ideal summer starter, tasting not unlike a mild Thai salad. A tomato soup was cooked with coconut milk and a tad spicy, so it tasted more like a supertomatoey Malaysian curry than anything else. What we expected? Not really. Good? Yes.

298 Nikuya Kitchen Korean 15 Hillier St., Sheung Wan 2799-2818 Mon-Fri noon-3pm; Sat 6-11pm $

298 Nikuya Kitchen is a small Korean restaurant that offers just a few of Hongkongers’ favorite K-dishes—think bibimbap, Korean barbecue (yes, at lunchtime) and soupy noodles. Craving something hot and filling, we went for a beef barbecue lunch set and a bibimbap stone pot rice, and we were pleasantly surprised by the quality and the size of our meal. The set came with 10 or so slices of tasty, marbled beef, plus a small bowl of banchan (Korean appetizers), soup, white rice, a green salad with Asian dressing, and some cold tofu. It was a steal for $95. The bibimbap stone pot rice was piping hot and just the ticket on a chilly afternoon. The crunchy scorched rice clung to the bottom and was wonderfully satisfying, but we couldn’t help but feel a little robbed of beef. With that said, the tender daikon and juicy eggplant was a pretty good consolation prize.

Bibo French 163 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan 2956-3188 Mon-Fri noon2:30pm, 6:30pm-midnight; Sat-Sun 11am-3pm, 6:30pm-midnight $$$$$

New Review

Between the colorful chaos of authentic contemporary art, personable service and opulent menu, Bibo is a strong contender for one of Sheung Wan’s best tables. Four plump Hokkaido scallops ($340) came with an interesting trio—corn foam, corn kernels, corn purée. The cheese platter is great value: four decadent, diverse cheeses for $190. And how could we forget the homemade sourdough? It’s the best bread we’ve had in Hong Kong.

Chachawan

Central Indian Restaurant Indian 1/F, Cheung’s Building, 1-3 Wing Lok St., Sheung Wan 2850-5075 Daily 11am-3pm, 6-11pm $

New Review

We already knew this Indian restaurant had a reliable lunch deal, but it turns out that dinner is pretty good value too. Expect standard décor and above-standard food. The bhaji ($45), or crispy spiced onion fritters, were hot and delicious. Butter chicken ($78) was superbly rich and wonderfully smoky. A chana masala ($60) was good and earthy, but perhaps a touch too heavy on the turmeric. We washed it all down, of course, with plenty of Kingfisher beer. With above average Indian curries and below average prices, Central Indian Restaurant is great value all around.

Chachawan Thai 206 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan 2549-0020 Tue-Sun noon-3pm, 6:30pm-midnight $$$

Chachawan brings authentic northern Thai creations to the neighborhood. Though it’s interesting to watch the team of chefs in action, the space is a bit cramped, hot and smoky. We’d tasted Chachawan’s signature sea bass stuffed with lemongrass (delightfully tender) and the 24-hour marinated chicken thigh (lovely garlic!) before, so this time we tried new dishes: char-grilled Iberico

pork tossed with chili, garlic and lime, and a wagyu beef salad. The pork dish was our favorite of the night: the grilled and salty meat was prepared perfectly, while the lime really brought it to life. The beef salad had a nice heat to it and an interesting texture thanks to the rice dressing. We were too stuffed for dessert, but the warm coconut rice dumplings are a favorite from previous visits.

Chuen Cheung Kui Hakka Shop C, Alliance Building, 133 Connaught Rd. Central, Sheung Wan 2388-7488 Daily 11am-11pm $-$$

New Review

Chuen Cheung Kui’s other branches are often packed, so we were glad to find this quiet new outpost in Sheung Wan. You’ll find all the usual Hakka favourites, although slightly modified for Hongkongers’ tastes. Ordering a whole chicken at Chinese restaurants can be an iffy proposition, but the salt-baked chicken ($268) here has plenty of flavorsome vegetables ($88) and had the right balance of fatty and lean meat: pair it with a bowl of steamed rice so you can gobble up the sweet, savory sauce. Don’t forget to order the deep-fried fresh milk ($75). This famous Hakka dish is a strange combo that somehow works: a sweet, doughy middle, wrapped in crispy skin. A satisfying dose of Hakka food—and no queues, to boot. Go in a big group, and order loads. Restaurant Guide 2015

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western district

Foxtail and Broomcorn

Dandan Soul Food From Sichuan

New Review

Sichuan Shop 101A, Grand Millennium Plaza, 181 Queen’s Rd. Central, Sheung Wan 6920-8125 Mon-Fri 10:30am-9:30pm; Sat-Sun 11:30am-9:30pm $

Dandan Soul Food

Foxtail and Broomcorn

This in-and-out noodle bar specializes in spicy Sichuan-style noodles, and there are about a dozen tantalizing options to choose from—so be sure you have your mind made up by the time you reach the counter. We love, love, love the Chengdu-style noodles, coated in a fragrant spicy peanut sauce and topped with bits of minced pork, sesame, peanuts and scallion. The Sichuan ban mian is a close second: it’s a drier, more savory version sans peanut sauce, with bean sprouts and pickled veggies to give it a crunchy, tangy kick. Also worth noting: the zucchini pork dumplings and pickled sides. It took us several visits to finally find our favourites on the highly confusing menu, but Dandan is now one of our top picks for an easy Sheung Wan lunch.

Corner Kitchen Café

Gaia Ristorante Italian Grand Millennium Plaza, 181 Queen’s Rd. Central, Sheung Wan 2167-8200 Daily noon-11pm $$$

What’s not to like? Excellent Italian cuisine, a charming alfresco terrace set among lush trees on an Italianate piazza, and lots of tasty pizzas and pastas are on offer at this longstanding staple in Sheung Wan.

Gong Guan

Cafe, Western G/F, 226 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan 2803-2822 Mon, Wed-Fri 10am-10pm; Sat-Sun 9:30am-6pm $$

Doppio Zero

Corner Kitchen Café has the same shabbychic interiors as former digs Heirloom— but it has revamped the menu, with more salads, wraps, cakes and pastries. It’s also more casual: you order at the counter and pay up-front. The Asian chopped salad ($95) had big chunks of chicken and a spicy dressing that added a nice kick. The traditional English breakfast ($105) came with the works: it’s sure to be a popular hangover cure. No complaints about the crispy sweet potato fries ($44), and thumbs up for the self-serve water station. Good for a quick bite or a long, lingering lunch date, this resto is worth hitting up. We only wish the dishes weren’t quite so pricy.

With a long and cozy half-lit venue, Doppio Zero totally rocks it with the homey, casual Italian vibe. The establishment’s claim to fame is its handmade pasta, which it produces on a daily basis.

56 - Restaurant Guide 2015

ribs and mushrooms in chicken broth, perfectly topped off with an onsen egg. The Kansai ($68) is also a winner, a warming bowl of udon noodles, tofu and mushrooms in a clean, refreshing and surprisingly flavorful mushroom dashi soup. The Gurney ($88) combines fresh Hokkien noodles with thin rice vermicelli in a delicious pulled pork and prawn broth. The only downside is the shabby service. We’ve been here a few times and once had an order missing from our takeout, and another time were given the wrong bill.

Italian The Pemberton, 22 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan 2851-0682 Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

Foxtail & Broomcorn Noodles G/F, 84 Jervois St., Sheung Wan 2415-2555 Daily 11:30am-9:30pm $

New Review

Dishes from all over Asia are prepared MSG-free with European techniques at this Sheung Wan lunchtime hotspot. Our favorite dish is the Tokyo ($78): a hearty bowl of chewy ramen noodles, thick chunks of tender boneless beef

Shanghainese 12/F, 279 Des Voeux Rd. Central, Sheung Wan 2577-9789 Daily 7:30-10:30pm $$

For most of us, Shanghainese cuisine is usually limited to the usual xiaolongbao and dan dan mian at Crystal Jade, so it’s simply wonderful at Gong Guan to sample a slew of unusual, unexpected dishes, each more delicious than the last. Our favorites include a kind of Chinese BLT: an appetizer of soft bread, honey-glazed Yunnan ham and crispy tofu skin that you compile yourself like a sandwich; a succulently tender braised chicken in Chinkiang black rice vinegar; and a bowl of very simple but perfect fish soup with tofu. A word of warning: the minimum seating is for eight people and there are only three tables so it’s not exactly a place you can pop in.

western district

K-Roll Korean G/F, 6A, Sen Fan Building, 6 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan 2234-5505 Mon-Sat 11:30am-8pm $

The titular K-Rolls (also known as kimbap) are basically Korean-style sushi rolls stuffed with beef (or tuna or veggies), egg, crab sticks and salad. They come pre-sliced in a cardboard takeaway box so you can either grab-n-go or pull up a seat in the tiny space. If you crave more carbs, the Korrito—a Korean burrito, if you will— is a heftier rice roll stuffed with fried prawns (or chicken) and avocado. There are plenty of hot and hearty dishes on offer as well, including “K-bowls” with beef or pork, K-style bento boxes, bibimbap, spicy ramen, japchae (potato noodles) and dukbokki (spicy rice cakes).

get that old-school feel that the original branch is famous for, but the food is equally good— and there’s even space to breathe. There are tons of Cantonese classics to choose from but a dinner at Lin Heung Kui would be incomplete without poached chicken. The dish came with lots of meat and thankfully, the skin wasn’t too oily. Lin Heung is also famous for its malay steamed sponge cake, which despite its name is another Chinese favourite. It’s melt-in-yourmouth good and serves as a great palate cleanser between dishes. If you want an authentic Cantonese bite but don’t have the time or patience to queue up at Lin Heung Tea House, Lin Heung Kui is the place to be.

Magnolia La Cantoche French G/F, 5 Wa Lane, 227 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan 2426-0880 Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 7-11pm $$

This off-the-beaten-track and comfortable twostory loft definitely has a thing for pop culture. For dinner, we ordered meatballs to start (which were gobbled up at record speed), a perfectly sized burger with a side of fried potato balls we wish we had more of right now, a lightly seasoned and tender medium-rare minced steak with mash, and an unfussy but well-executed chicken cordon bleu. While it could have been lifted right out of the Lower East Side in Manhattan with its somewhat grainy and hipster vibe, one of the best parts of this place is that it’s hidden down a quiet alley in Sheung Wan.

Cajun/Creole Shop 5, G/F, 17 Po Yan St., Sheung Wan 2530-9880 Thu-Sat nights $$$

Our meal at this cozy private kitchen began with a warm and soothing bowl of a Na’lean classic: seafood gumbo. The texture was excellent and the subtle spice pleasantly lingered after we inhaled the entire bowl. Next up was a crab cake salad which sadly only consisted of two tiny yet deliciously crispy pieces. This was quickly overlooked when dish after dish began to cover our table. Ribs with the meat falling off the bone, bright orange jambalaya, creamy mash two ways (regular and pitch-perfect sweet potato)

and the all-time Southern favorite, homemade cornbread, were the stars of the meal. Overall, as a short-lived resident of New Orleans, this reviewer can whole-heartedly say that the food at Magnolia will have Cajun and Creole fans coming back for more.

Man Mo Café Dim Sum Fusion 40 Upper Lascar Row, Sheung Wan 2644-5644 Tue-Sun noon-3pm, 6pm-midnight $$

New Review

Everything about Man Mo Café is classy: the local Hong Kong art on the walls (all for sale), the wooden floors, the open-air feel and the pretty, blue-and-white porcelain dishes. We started with the truffle brie dumplings, which oozed with warm, delicious cheese. Then the king spring roll, which was stuffed with a nice big prawn but lacked flavor. The “beefcheekbun” came with tender meat and a perfectly fluffy bun, but it was pretty boring without the sauce. We also found the seafood risotto to be a bit bland. Then came the signature foie gras xiaolongbao ($130 for three pieces!): it was pretty good with a sprinkling of sea salt, but where was the essential soup portion of the soup dumpling? The desserts saved the day: the HK egg lemon tart had a frothy meringue top and was the perfect bite-sized portion, while the Nutella Ball had us drooling for more.

La Rotisserie French G/F, Manhattan Avenue, 255 Queen’s Rd. Central, Sheung Wan 2324-1898 Daily noon-9pm $

Focusing on simple roast chicken with a French twist, this spot provides something a little different from the typical CCTs, various Asian restaurants, cafés and other takeaways in the area. The chicken itself gleaned mixed reviews—one of us found the meat too dry, while somebody else dubbed it a solid “OK” and yet another person found it too oily for a roasted dish. Interestingly, the highlights of our meal turned out to be the extras—the potatoes, cooked with what seemed to be the same herbs and spices as the chicken, were utterly addictive, and we were big fans of the almost fudge-like salted chocolate cake.

Lin Heung Kui Cantonese 2-3/F, 46-50 Des Voeux Rd. West, Sheung Wan 2156-9328 Daily 6am-10:30pm $$

New Review

Lin Heung Kui is far more spacious than its older cousin, the venerable Lin Heung Tea House on Wellington. Here, you don’t

Magnolia

Restaurant Guide 2015

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western district

Mrs. Pound Asian Street Food G/F, Ming Fat House, 6 Pound Lane, Sheung Wan 3426-3949 Tue-Sun noon-2:30pm, 6-11pm $$$

Built as a fictional hideaway for a burlesque dancer, Mrs. Pound is disguised as a chop shop, with a special stamp button you have to press to open the door. But that’s the only subtle thing about this restaurant. Inside, Mrs. Pound resembles a neon-lit American diner. We sat at the bar, which had Young Master Ales beer on tap ($78). We loved the crispy rice texture in the Laksa Bibimbap ($168), which had ample chicken and veggies. Some might balk at the prices for “street food” but the dishes are high quality. The screamingly loud theme isn’t for more subtle tastes, but cool kids will want to stamp this box.

Nosh Café 11 Upper Station St., Sheung Wan 2559-8508 Tue-Fri 8:30am-6pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm $$

Those working in Sheung Wan have it good at lunchtime. Sandwiches, salads, pasta, roasted meats, dim sum, pho, curry, crêpes—anything’s available at a range of prices. But like every spoiled child, we always want more. Enter Nosh, with its clean interior and a light, uncomplicated menu. We tried almost everything on the small lunch menu: a turkey baguette, the tomato, mozzarella and mixed greens salad, a Caesar

salad and the special moules-frites. Everything was fresh, light and ideal for lunch. Food is executed extremely well, although the dishes on offer are pretty standard—you won’t find anything crazy and new here. What’s exceptional are the pastries and desserts. Pastry chef Aki Yamamoto is rightly proud of her work. We tried the orange chocolate mousse and the lemon tart. Let’s just say that we were speechless. Although not so speechless that we haven’t been telling everyone and their mother to try them.

Ronin Modern Japanese 8 On Wo Lane, Sheung Wan 2547-5263 Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight $$$

We slid open the non-descript door to this ubertrendy resto, owned by rockstar duo Matt Abergel and Lindsay Jang—the folks behind hipster-mecca Yardbird. We were escorted to our seats right at the entrance, the tail end of a really long bar—with the glitzy chef’s station right at the other end. The sashimi was solid— kudos to the bonito flakes scattered over the seabream—but it was overshadowed by the cooked dishes. Our absolute favorite was the triggerfish covered in crispy honey-topped batter, and paired with crunchy chestnut chips. Each bite into the sweet, white flesh left us yearning for more. We were also big fans of the smoked silver beltfish tempura—lightly savory and with just the right ratio of meat versus deep-fried dough.

Shugetsu Noodles And Rice 5 Gough St., Sheung Wan 2850-6009 Mon-Fri 11:30am-8:30pm; Sat-Sun noon-6pm $

This cozy venue—which is an overseas branch of the original shop in Japan’s Ehime prefecture—is long and narrow. The menu is exquisitely simple: thick, homemade noodles in three styles (dry; dipped in broth like soba; in soup like regular ramen with thinner strands), and all sold for a flat fee, no matter how much you can handle (there are 100g, 200g and 300g options). All of us unanimously went for the signature egg-topped tsukemen that came with an intensively savory broth filled with bamboo shoots and pork belly bits, plus an extra order of fatty grilled pork belly and bamboo shoots on the side. We loved these noodles more than any ramen we’ve ever tasted—the condiments and the broth are all sideshow acts in comparison. The broth, the golden soft-boiled egg and the fatty pork belly slices were lovely, too.

Tabibito Japanese 20 Po Hing Fong, Sheung Wan 2547-2833 Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight $$$

New Review

Tabibito has all the looks of a killer restaurant: an open-air set-up, pretty wooden tables, urban-chic decor and a well-designed menu. We tried a mix, most of which were recommended by the server. We weren’t blown away by anything, but at the

Nosh

Mrs Pound

58 - Restaurant Guide 2015

Nosh

western district

same time, nothing was flat-out bad. The shishito peppers were nicely seasoned but quite bitter; the sweet corn tempura was creative but bland; and the pork belly skewers came out deep-fried, to our surprise and disappointment. Though far too oily, the uni mac and cheese was an interesting combo, which we scraped clean. And while we enjoyed the crab okonomiyaki (savory pancake), it was quite filling and the texture was mushy. That being said, the open-air venue is lovely and, at least for now, it’s BYOB with no corkage fee.

The Lot on Possession Western 22 Possession St, Sheung Wan 2576-7700 Mon-Fri 11:30am-10:30pm; Sat-Sun 10:30am-11:30pm $$-$$$

New Review

This Possession Street digs sits squarely between the greasy spoons and the high-end diners of Sheung Wan. The Lot tempts us with a long list of wagyu burgers, with 14 distinct types featuring not just beef, but foie gras, chicken, fish, and vegetarian. It offers a basic “Number One” burger in its lunch sets ($98): grilled wagyu, jack cheese, and sweet relish, clamped in a soft toasted sesame bun, with fresh greens on the side. The beef was juicy but not soggy, and had plenty of flavor. The relish added a bright zap to the heavy meat and carb-fest. Shoestring fries were hot and crispy. If this was the most basic option, we can only pray for our stomachs given the decadent-sounding alternatives.

Traditional Beijing Dumpling House Dumplings Queen St. Cooked Food Centre, 38 Des Voeux Rd. West, Sheung Wan 6349-2832 Daily noon-when dumplings run out $

We try to restrain ourselves from coming to this dumpling joint too often, because to overindulge and get tired of this place would be a sad thing indeed. This mom-and-pop cooked food center outlet (with their hipster son working front-ofhouse) consistently delivers the freshest, tastiest meat ’n’ dough delights in the West(ern District). Each day, the kitchen will put together roughly four flavors for diners to choose from, which may include anything from the signature peashoot and pork to beef and enoki mushroom; egg, prawn and pork; pumpkin, crab and pork; or green onion and lamb. Each serving can come boiled or pan-fried, and your order comes with a complimentary light and refreshing tomato broth.

Trattoria Queen Hollywood Italian/Japanese G/F, 258 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan 2559-6077 Mon-Sat 11:30am-11pm $-$$

TQH serves up a simple Japanese take on everyone’s Italian favorites. Picking out our lunch was simple since there was only one set

Upper Modern Bistro

menu to choose from. However, when we were told the main was pasta with red sauce, tuna and mushrooms (call it our amateur palate, but we’re not down with tuna in tomato) we were offered spaghetti with tomatoes and mozzarella instead. Out came a teeny portion of creamed potato soup in a rather large, shallow bowl—we had difficulty scooping up the final spoonful but it was tasty and actually the perfect amount. The pasta dish made especially for us was carbalicious and cheesalicious all rolled into one.

Upper Modern Bistro French, Tapas 6-14 Upper Station St., Sheung Wan 2517-0977 Mon-Sat 11am-11pm $$$

Chef Philippe Orrico, formerly of Pierre and St. George, has opened his own restaurant in trendy PoHo. The space is partially alfresco, with neutral gray tones, and comes with bar seats and low coffee-drinking seats, as well as proper dining table places. The menu is vast: there’s a booklet for small dishes, and one for starters, mains and sides.

Trattoria QUeen Hollywood

Yardbird Japanese 33-35 Bridges St., Sheung Wan 2547-9273 Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight $$$

Helmed by chef Matt Abergel the insanely popular Yardbird offers a simple menu of starters, skewers and sides. The skewers are all chicken-based, and taken from every part of the chicken’s body from the heart to the skin. Expect to queue.

Upper Modern Bistro

Restaurant Guide 2015

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Zone

Admiralty, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay

Lawry’s the Prime Rib

An Nam

Admiralty Ammo Mediterranean, Tapas 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty 2537-9888 Mon-Thu noon-3pm, 5pm-midnight; Fri-Sat noon-3pm, 5pm-1am $$$

Ammo is owned by prolific restaurateur Tony Cheng (who’s also behind The Drawing Room, Le Salon and Hainan Shaoye). The menu is firmly starters, tapas and pasta—you want something else, tough luck.

Brick Lane British 4/F, Citic Tower, 1 Tim Mei Avenue, Admiralty 2363-2500 Mon-Sat 11am-midnight; Sun 11am-11pm $$

Brick Lane is replicating its successful self across the harbor with a sweeping space in Admiralty. Named after the same trendy street in London, BL serves quintessentially English breakfasts and artisanal coffees as well as comfort foods including shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and 60 - Restaurant Guide 2015

bangers and mash. There’s also a brief nod to Brick Lane’s Indian influence, with Kerala chicken curry on the menu.

Gonpachi

Flint Grill & Bar

Stalwart Grappa’s Ristorante has been around since 1990. The highlight or our meal was the squid-ink pasta, which came with plump prawns and a nottoo-dense sauce. All the servings were huge, and our attentive server wrapped up the remainders in sturdy takeaway boxes at lightning speed.

Western 5/F, JW Marriott Hotel, 88 Queensway, Admiralty 2810-8366 Daily noon-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm $$$

Il Milione

It’s too-da-loo to JW Marriott’s California, and hallooooo to Flint Grill & Bar, a large, modern space dedicated to large, American dishes. Head chef Sven Heinrich Wunram hails from Germany, and fires up a nightly storm in his open kitchen. Nebraska steaks, bone-in; fennel seed-crusted Berkshire black pork chop; house-cured salmon; Boston lobster, baked Thermidor-style… it’s extreme surf ‘n’ turf at this latest addition to the hotel’s ambitious repertoire.

Grappa’s Italian Ristorante Italian Shop 132, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty 2868-0086 Daily 9:30am-midnight $$

Italian G/F, G16-21, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Rd., Admiralty 2481-1120 Mon-Sat noon-midnight $$$$

With an orange-hued room created by the dizzyingly fascinating oval-shaped light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, Il Milione is both an intimate hangout and a sophisticated venue where one goes to see-and-be-seen. The Sicilian red prawn spaghetti had every single strand soaked thoroughly with savory, fishy essence. Meanwhile, the Mediterranean seared sea bass was a meaty and smartly seasoned piece, complete with light and crispy skin.

Admiralty, Wan Chai and causeway bay

Lawry’s The Prime Rib

Ye Shanghai

Steakhouse Shop 201, 2/F, Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Rd., Admiralty 2907-2218 Daily 11:30am-3pm; 6-10:30pm $$$

Shanghainese Shop 332, 3/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty 2918-9833 Daily 11:30am-3pm, 6-11:30pm $$$

There are many options on the menu for this Californian steak brand, but most people opt for the signature Lawry’s cut: roughly from the rib to shortloin. Most of the table went for medium rare, although the first few slices tended more towards medium. Each slice was surrounded by an outer layer of fat, getting lean and mean towards the middle. Our slice was the perfect balance of juiciness and meatiness—but no matter what your preference, you’ll found something on that trolley to cater to your palate.

This local stalwart is all about old-school Shanghai refinery and excellent, traditional cuisine. Diners also flock here for the xiaolongbao dumplings, which are not to be missed. Chef’s specials include the sauteed bean jelly with river shrimps and fresh water crab meat as well as the hairy crab.

Causeway Bay An Nam

Italian 8/F, Conrad Hong Kong, 88 Queensway, Admiralty 2521-3838 Daily 6:30-11pm; Mon-Fri noon-3pm; Sun 11am-3pm

Vietnamese 4/F, Lee Gardens One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay 27873922 Daily 11:30am-midnight $$-$$$

Enjoy freshly made pastas, Northern Italian style, at the classy Nicholini’s at Conrad. The resto serves up beautiful looking dishes but doesn’t lose sight of the essence of Italian cuisine: hearty flavors and no-nonsense portions. The beautiful views are another bonus.

An Nam isn’t your usual Vietnamese pho joint, if its Lee Gardens location is any indication. The beautiful space is divided into different dining areas, all with dark wood and teak motifs. The usual suspects are on the offer, but there are also more surprising dishes from the Central Vietnamese city of Hue. All of our dishes were fantastic, from the light and gooey rice flan snacks that reminded us of Chinese cheung fun, to the bright, crispy pancake ($118) filled with giant prawns, bean sprouts and sprinklings of pork. Our savory beef pho ($98) came with not-toothin, not-too-thin slices of just-cooked meat in a balanced, hearty broth.

French 56/F, Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong, 88 Queensway, Admiralty 2820-8590 Daily noon-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm $$$$

The décor is opulent and the ambience luxurious, hushed and formal. The food is French haute cuisine, with no fusion flourishes or contemporary re-imaginings, and the ingredients are flown in from France.

Thai Basil Thai Shop 001, B/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty 2537-4682 Daily 11:30am-11pm $$-$$$

New Review

This Maxim’s Group establishmnet is one of Pacific Place’s mainstays, and on any given night you’ll find it filled with patrons—especially Amex cardgolders, who get up to 50 percent off. The basement venue is amicably commual, straddling that very fine line between buzzing and downright noisy. The space is nicely laid out, and great for a casual meal before the movies. The grilled sliced beef curry ($118) was, although much milder than any Thai curry you’ll ever find in Bangkok, appropriately smoky and juicy. Thai fish cakes ($80)—again, more of a Hong Kong creation than a Thai staple—were delightfully meaty and crispy on the outside. Go with the right expectations, and a value-for-money meal will be had.

New Review

Delicious Kitchen Chinese G/F, Shop B, 9-11 Cleveland St., Causeway Bay 2577-8350 Daily 11:30am-11pm $

New Review

Delicious Kitchen is a local diner (with a Shanghainese slant), with bright overhead lighting and stools (not the posh kind) for seats. It’s the kind of place you pop into for a no-hassle meal. The menu at DK is vast, but most people come here for the pork ribs with vegetable rice, one of the restaurant’s specialties. We ordered two servings between the four of us, and were duly impressed. The large, chopped-up slab of pork was wrapped in a sweet, gooey red-brown batter that made it taste a bit like char siu; the meat was tender but not overly tenderized. It was a good match for the mild vegetable rice, which balanced out its strong flavors.

Gonpachi Japanese The Lee Gardens, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay 2787-3688 Sun-Thu 11:30-1am; Fri-Sat 11:30-2am $$$

The glorious Tokyo establishment that inspired one of the signature killing scenes in “Kill Bill” has spawned a branch in Causeway Bay’s Lee Gardens. We started with a cold and firm homemade tofu paired with bonito flakes and soy sauce, which whet our appetites for the charcoal grill, where we sampled skewers of rubbery smoked cheese (think of a Japanese version of halloumi), pork neck topped with garlic chips, tender wagyu beef, crispy chicken wings, and sweet corn—all juicy and expertly seasoned. The karaage (deep-fried battered chicken pieces), served sizzling hot, was highly addictive.

He Jiang

Nicholini’s

Restaurant Petrus

New Review

Shanghainese/Sichuan 1/F Cosmopolitan Hotel Hong Kong, 287-297 Queen’s Rd. East, Causeway Bay 3167-7833 Daily 6:30am-11pm $$

We like it here. It’s a calm and soothing contrast to the hustle and bustle of Causeway Bay, with a bright and cheerful interior thanks to the floor-toceiling windows all along one side. Come for the exquisite Chinese dishes as well as the kickass spicy crab hotpot.

Inn Side Out

New Review

Western 2/F, South China Athletic Association, 88 Caroline Hill Rd., Causeway Bay 2895-2900 Sun-Fri 11:30-1am; Fri-Sat 11:30-1:30am $$

If you’re after greasy comfort food in big portions, you’ve come to the right place. Go for staples like the big, juicy classic burger ($103). We had no complaints about the Caesar salad ($130), which comes with hefty pieces of shrimp. The nachos with chili ($120) are great for sharing, and they come dripping with big slabs of cheese. The extensive beer list caters to everyone from social beer drinkers to real enthusiasts of the stuff: craft IPAs sit alongside Hoegaarden. It might be the sheer size of the place, or the fact that we were there on a Saturday night, but service can be chaotic.

Jade Garden Chinese 1/F, Causeway Bay Plaza 2, 463-483 Lockhart Rd., Causeway Bay 2573-9339 Daily 7:30am-4pm, 6-10:45pm $$$

Jade Garden serves up Chinese specialty dishes such as Peking duck, beggar’s chicken and bird’s nest soup with crabmeat. It focuses on celebration dishes such as a chicken split down the middle and stuffed with premium dried scallops, abalone and mushrooms. Start with the traditional claypot soup made with long-stemmed mushrooms, pork and fish stock—it’s very light, and the flavor subtle. Restaurant Guide 2015

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Mekiki no Ginji Japanese Shop P502, World Trade Centre, 280 Gloucester Rd. Causeway Bay 2895-0885 Daily noon-2:30pm $

Paradise Dynasty New Review

Mekiki no Ginji is an Okinawa import that’s all about casual Japanese dishes and friendly prices at this bright space in Causeway Bay. We went straight for the lunch sets and fell in love with the udon with chicken balls in milky chicken broth ($68). The noodles were smooth and firm and went extremely well with the dense chicken meat and savory soup. The beef and egg rice ($48) was another good combo, coming with plenty of thin beef slices and a bold dose of onions. At Mekiki no Ginji, you can dig into delicious Japanese food without the usual skyhigh price tags. We can’t wait to check out the dinner menu.

Penthouse

Chinese 6/F, Lee Theatre, 99 Percival St., Causeway Bay 2177-0903 Daily 11:30am-10:30pm $$

New Review

A spacious and popular xiaolongbao restaurant whose claim to fame is its multi-colored multiflavored dumplings. Expect to queue, although hopefully not for too long, as there are plenty of seats inside. The colors and flavors might have been a bit gimmicky, but overall the xiaolongbao ($88 for eight) in their think skins were super juicy. We enjoyed the foie gras, the truffle, and the crab roe versions, although we still preferred the original. The fried and deep-fried items such as the spicy Sichuan chicken and the red bean pancake, were relatively grease-free and so very crispy. Another hit was the bowl of spicy noodles with pork dumplings.

Western 30/F, Midtown, 1 Tang Lung St., Causeway Bay 2970-8028 Daily noon-3pm, 6-10:30pm $$$$

New Review

This Harlan Goldstein establishment offers sweeping views of the city and a please-all menu of seafood, pasta and Josper oven-frilled meats. Exposed ceilings, black metal racks, and tile and dark wood floors give the space a bold and modern look. We demolished our 350g hanger steak ($400) that was perfectly charred on the outside and squirting red, meaty juice at every bite. The Itallian egg pappardelle ($238) was another heavenly combo: the thin, wide sheets of pasta were drowning in sauce in the best of ways. Our final guilty pleasures of the night were also expertly executed: crispy golden onion rings, and a white chocolate molten cake that was a refreshing spin on the tired old staple.

Seasons by Olivier E.

New Review

French Shop 308, 3/F, Lee Gardens Two, 2-38 Yun Ping Rd., Causeway Bay 2505-6228 Daily noon-2:30pm, 3-10:30pm $$$-$$$$

Chef Olivier Elzer, formerly of L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, now has his own brand in a sprawling space at Lee Gardens Two. At Seasons a glorious open kitchen shows rows of cooks hard at work, following speedy orders from big boss Olivier. We went for a three-course lunch at $288 per head and our favourites were an exotically spiced obsiblue prawn with black Venere rice that was creamy yet light all at once; and the homemade pumpkin gnocchi with herby, tender meatballs. Other winners were a Provencal-style beef stew and a soft-bolied egg with foamy spinach and crispy parmesan chips. Fancy food without us needing to dress up for it? Sold.

Seoul House Korean Restaurant

New Review

Korean 1/F, Hotel Pennington, 13-15 Pennington St., Causeway Bay 3462-3340 Daily noon-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm $$

This packed and popular restaurant at the Hotel Pennington opened half a year ago, to offer Korean BBQ, a la carte, and (of course) Korean Fried Chicken in a fuss-free setting. The waitstaff were incredibly attentive. The manager periodically helped us flip the meats and veggies, cooking on our grills (maybe he just thought we were incompetent). From our BBQ set meal ($498 for two), the marinated pork was delicious and juicy, and came with plenty of lettuce to wrap them in. The bibimbap with a runny egg and seaweed strips on top gave the rice extra oomph. Mekiki No Ginji

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Shiro

of lovely marbled, juicy meat. A great spot to grab a bite, if you stick with the basics.

Shelter Italian Bar and Restaurant Italian 7/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay 2778-8398 Daily noon-2am $$$

On the seventh floor of Hysan Place is a large, snazzy outdoor space with glorious views. The space has been converted into an Italian-bar-slash restaurant with its own organic farm right on the premises—which is an odd little tidbit to bear in mind, especially when you arrive for dinner one night and it feels more like an upscale Central lounge bar. Our other main of pici all’arrabbiata— or homemade spaghetti tossed in tomato, garlic and chili—was delightful.

Shiro Japanese Shop 1301, 13/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay 2155-8066 Daily 11:30am-11pm $$

New Review

Located high up in Hysan Place, Aqua Group’s Shiro does conveyor belt sushi with a touch of class. The airy venue boasts an incredible view of Causeway Bay through its floor-to-ceiling windows. For once sitting at the bar didn’t feel cramped and claustrophobic, unlike most other conveyor sushi joints. We tried the egg and eel roll topped with seared salmon ($35)—and wanted more. Fish is fresh here, and we were pleased to see that more conventional nigiri went for an awesome $15 for two pieces. One order of ox tongue skewers ($78) came with four large hunks

Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter Cantonese Typhoon Shelter, Causeway Bay 8112-0075 Thu-Tue 6-10pm $$$

New Review

Shun Kee is a collection of sampans close to the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, serving mostly classic typhoon shelter-style seafood (read: steamed or fried). It’s also a glimpse into another era, where boat families thrived, living a life that had little to do with land. Each table sits on a private sampan, which offerse tranquil view of the harbor. The dishes were mostly excellent, from the signature typhoon shelter crab topped with deep-fried garlic chips to the roast goose noodles in broth to the steamed razor clams. There’s something about eating a rocking sampan that makes a meal seem so much cooler. So although Shun Yee does come off as a bit of a gimmick, it’s one we’re happy to pay a premium for.

than a no-frills private kitchen. But the quality of the dishes and the hospitality of the waitstaff haven’t changed since their good ol’ days on Lockhart Road, and that, at the end of the day, is what matters. A stir-fried eggplant dish was miraculously juicy. But the jawdropper, inevitably, was the giant bowl of mouthnumbing spicy broth filled with fish fillets and glass noodles and with gazillions of de-seeded chilies floating on top.

Sijie Sichuan Restaurant

Skewed

Sichuan 10/F, Bartlock Centre, 3 Yiu Wa St., Causeway Bay 2802-2250 Mon-Sat 11:30am2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm; Sun 6:30pm-10:30pm $$

Yakitori Shop C2, 440 Jaffe Rd., Causeway Bay 2413-1769 Sun-Thu 6pm-2am; Fri-Sat 6pm-3am $-$$

OK, so we’re a bit disappointed that Sijie’s new location feels more like a proper restaurant now

Sick of paying a pretty penny for some meat on a stick? Skewed, a yakitori joint in a surprisingly

Shelter Italian

New Review

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quiet pocket of Causeway Bay, is your answer. The resto attracts a cool sake-sipping crowd, thanks in part to the attentive staff and blasting hip-hop beats. We were big fans of the Thai-style pork neck skewer and the accompanying sauce, which had a decent kick to it. The soy sauce beef tongue was well-seasoned and tender, while the chicken wings were big and meaty with a perfect golden-brown color. The baked garlic butter aroma—you can’t go wrong with that combo. A solid option for yakitori and cheap and cheerful drinks, Skewed might just be the poor man’s Yardbird.

Supergiant Spanish 3/F, Mira Moon, 288 Jaffe Rd., Causeway Bay 2643-8875 Daily 6:30am-midnight $$$

The Chop House

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New Review

A hip little eatery in the whimsically appointed Mira Moon hotel, Supergiant has a lot going for it: cool décor from Marcel Wanders, an outdoor terrace, and a half-off happy hour that lasts from 4pm to close. The food was great overall—our favorites were the

traditional Northern Spain green peppers sauteed with seasalt ($72); the suckling pig ($165), a showstopper with meaty, slow-cooked pieces complemented by fresh applesauce; and the “Shrimp Skinny Dip” DIY shrimp hot pot ($89), which was fun, although a bit too oily.

Supreme Restaurant Chicken pot Shop B, 2/F, Top View Mansion, 10 Canal Rd. West, Causeway Bay 2487-2968 Daily 5pm-2am $

New Review

This no-frills Chongqing chicken pot joint serves up an all-you-can-eat-and-drink offer for $168 per head, over a two-hour period. Pretty good deal! We arrived in a large group and got two chicken pots to share, one low- and one medium-spiced. Even the low spice packed a kick. The chicken was tender and succulent, and we polished it off and brought on the broth. Fish balls, fish belly and fried fish skin were all good, as were duck intestines. Beer was a help-yourself deal and limited to as much as we could drink. The staff were efficient and laid back: they let us

Admiralty, Wan Chai and causeway bay

linger after our two hours were up so we could polish everything off and grab a few beers for the road. Great all-you-can-eat-and-drink chicken pot. For best results, go hungry and with loads of friends.

Tararan-ya Japanese 14/F, Circle Plaza, 499 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay 2250-7117 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11:15pm $$

New Review

Tararan-ya is all about mentaiko—marinated cod roe—and this restaurant uses the savory, subtly spicy ingredient generously and creatively. The mentai daishi egg roll (478) hit all the right spots, with its slightly runny texture and big fat servings of spicy mentaiko in the middle adding a subtle briny flavor. The egg is steamed with fish stock, for a beautifully rich taste. The restaurant’s signature dish, the Tararan rice bowl ($138), was hearty and fun to eat. There are three steps: mix all the ingredients togrther; eat with condiments including sesame, wasabi and shiso; and finally

add fish stock to make chauke, a traditional semi-congee dish of rice and green tea.

The Dining Room

The Chop House

The Dining Room is the Shanghai Min group’s posh and modern interpretation of Shanghainese fare, and it hits all the right notes. The menu is comprehensive and reasonably priced, with most dishes hovering around the $50 to $70 mark. We started with a sharp, thick and ingredient-rich spicy and sour soup before diving into a bowl of bang-on Shanghainese noodles with deep-fried pork cutlets in clear broth. The xiaolongbao were full of soupy goodness, the scallion cake glorious in their sesame-covered shells.

Australian, Burgers, Gastropub, Steak 3/F, Soundwill Plaza II, 1 Tang Lung St., Causeway Bay 2771-3177 Daily noon-1am $$$

New Review

This project from the Wooloomooloo group (which prefers to multiply rather than diversify) has us hooked. A massive, casually decked-out space with booth seats, bar seats, regular dining tables, and an outdoor terrace to boot, The Chop House is all about carnivorous all-day dining. The medium-rare tenderloin was red and moist in the middle, with the right amount of char and a black peppercorn sauce to give it a smoky, savory profile. The sweet potato corn cake underneath was a bonus: sweet, mushy and a brilliant counterpoint to the meat. Our sandwich was chock-full of expertly marinated sweet meat, pulled-pork-style, sprinkled over a long, dainty and crisp baguette.

Shanghainese 12/F, Shop 1201, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay 2648-2299 Daily 11:30am-4:30pm, 5:30-11pm $

Under Bridge Spicy Crab Chinese/Seafood 414-424 Jaffe Rd., Causeway Bay 2573-7698 Daily noon-5pm $$$

It might be more a tourists’ stop than a local haunt, but Under Bridge still serves some damn fine seafood. We wasted no time in ordering the signature Under Bridge Spicy Crab and when

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the bright red, large-clawed crustacean came to our table drenched in deep-fried garlic chips, we grabbed those crab crackers and started working on the shells in no time. We also had an order of steamed razor clams (topped with steamed garlic), which were deliciously chewy and perfectly balanced with the soy sauce and rice vermicelli.

Yakiniku Futago HK Japanese 1-5 Irving St., Causeway Bay 2898-7707 Daily noon-3pm, 5:3010:30pm $$

New Review

Yakiniku Futago is a popular chain from Japan specializing in grilled meat, and it’s opened its first Hong Kong branch in Causeway Bay. Reserve early—we called several days before but could only get a table for the 6pm seating. We had pre-ordered the Hamideru karubi ($158), a large, thin slice of wagyu marinated in a delightful barbecue sauce. The prime salted beef tongue ($78) was tender and soft, and its flavor was refreshingly enhanced by the salt. The Futagostyle egg rice ($48) was addictive just on its own. If you’re lusting after quality meat, you won’t be disappointed. The best part is that the staff monitors your grill for you: No more overcooked meat and awkward pauses during conversations. Just bib, and protect your smartphone with the provided Ziploc bag.

Yun Yan Sichuan 10/F, Shop 1001B, Times Square, 1 Matheson St., Causeway Bay 2375-0800 Daily noon-4am $$

New Review

The relocated and revamped Yun Yan is much more contemporary-looking than its old incarnation in TST. Despite the fresh look, the food at this Mira Group establishment still takes center stage. There are a few gimmicky items on the menu, like an eight-flavor tofu that comes with a colorful range of garnishes, but we went straight for the classics. The fish in red chili broth blew us right out of the water: Yun Yan’s version comes with heaps of garlic, lending a rich buttery flavor to the complex and heaty combo. But don’t let the wonderful aromas fool you: the more you ingest, the hotter it gets. The fish slices were amazingly tender and flavorful, and there was plenty to go around.

Wan Chai 22 Ships Spanish 22 Ship St., Wan Chai 2555-0722 Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

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Yakiniku Futago HK

twist. Opting to sit at the big central counter lined with high stools turned out to be a great choice, as the chefs and their assistants can chat with you and give recommendations as they’re preparing the carefully thought-out dishes. The highlight was the Spanish breakfast, a layered concoction with potatoes, chorizo bits, mashed potatoes and a slow-cooked egg that melted perfectly all through the rest of the ingredients.

Bao Wow Bao Shop 2, 28 Tai Wong St. East, Wan Chai 2528-9505 Daily noon-9pm $

Bao Wow is a sizzling little fast food diner just a block from hipster Ship Street, serving the fluffy Chinese-style tacos wrapped in steamed mantou bread in relatively affordable combos (two baos and a drink: $68). On a previous visit, we found the signature “gua bao” a little too heavy for our liking—it’s made with dangerously fatty pork belly and oozes intensely sweet flavors. This time round, we grabbed the Pangpang chicken bao with delightfully runny peanut sauce and loads of tender chopped meat, as well as the Thai fish fillet bao with juicy flesh, light and crispy batter, refreshing purple cabbage and just a tad too much mayo. Both were more than satisfying.

Beef & Liberty Burgers 2/F, 23 Wing Fung St., Wan Chai 2811-3009 Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6pm-10:30pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10:30pm $$

Burger joint Beef & Liberty is doing something right, and that’s the burgers. Online-only booking is a tremendous pain in the ass if you’re after an assured last-minute bite, but the irritation is soothed away as you take the lift up past Pizza Express and into this lofty, double-ceilinged space, whose floor-to-ceiling windows on either side gaze out over the less fortunately burgered. The burgers: they’re great. A bacon cheeseburger is stuffed with bacon (jam), bacon (ham), and

cheddar. Juicy but not greasy, tender in a high, soft, crispy bun.

Bo Innovation Asian Molecular 2/F, 60 Johnston Rd., Wan Chai 2850-8371 Mon-Fri noon-3pm; Mon-Sat 7pmmidnight $$$-$$$$

Experience some Extreme Chinese cuisine at this three Michelin-starred fine diner owned by “demon chef ” Alvin Leung. Expect funky textures and flavors and dishes with weird and creative names.

Catalunya Spanish G/F, Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Rd., Wan Chai 2866-7900 Mon-Fri noon-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm; Sat-Sun noon-4pm, 6-11pm $$$$

Catalunya is the second branch of the successful Catalunya Singapore, taking up some 7,500 square feet of restaurant and bar space and offering Catalan-style dishes such as roasted suckling pig, lobster rice and esqueixada (salted cod salad).

Giando Italian 1/F, The Fleet Arcade, 1 Lung King St., Fenwick Pier, Wan Chai 2511-8912 Daily noon3pm, 6-10:30pm $$$$

Giando is an upscale Italian restaurant headed by former Isola chef Gianni Caprioli. Caprioli’s impressive CV includes being a private chef to the famous Agnelli family—a.k.a. the family that used to own Fiat—and a chef at London’s Four Seasons. Expect great harbor views, classic Italian fare with contemporary presentation, and a pleasant setting. The pastas are tasty and the pizzas delightful.

Grand Hyatt Steakhouse Steakhouse 2/F, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai 2584 7722 Mon-Sun 6pm-

Admiralty, Wan Chai and causeway bay

10:30pm $$$$

Le Bistro winebeast

This classic American steakhouse features prime cuts of beef from the US (USDA Prime Nebraska beef), Canada (Canadian Heritage Angus beef) and Japan (Japanese Kumamoto Wagyu beef), along with a seafood and oyster bar, salad bar, wine room and beautiful private function rooms.

French 15 McGregor St., Wan Chai 2479-6833 Tue-Sun 12-3pm, 5-11pm $$$

Kawali Filipino 2/F, Unit B, Hundred City Centre, 7-17 Amoy St., Wan Chai 3487-3321 Daily 10am-midnight $

This cheerful place was humming on a Sunday night, with several big groups and a few smaller tables. Just about every diner hailed from The Philippines—definitely a good sign. We picked the pork adobo and the beef mechado—a rich tomato-based stew filled with huge hunks of beef, carrots and yellow peppers. Filipino food is sometimes criticized for being heavy-handed with the sugar, but in the beef mechado the slightly sweet flavor really worked with the sauce, all served alongside free rice that was spooned onto our plates from a gigantic wooden bucket. The adobo was also very hearty, a huge portion swimming in a rich, savory gravy.

Khana Khazana Indian 1/F, Dannies House, 20 Luard Rd., Wan Chai 2520-5308 Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6-10:30pm, Sat-Sun noon-10:30pm

New Review

If it weren’t for the steady stream of patrons entering and exiting this unamusuming commercial building, you might miss Khana Khazana. There’s no meat here, but the heavy aroma of tikka and garlic augurs well for the veggie offerings. We pored over the think menu and settled on a mix of South Indian dishes. For starters, the vadas (fritters dipped in a spicy soup) soaked up the excellent rasam broth without falling apart, and even tasted great on their own. The chaat (assorted snacks) platter came with several combos—all completely different flavors, all delicious.

Kin’s Kitchen Cantonese 5/F, W Square, 314-324 Hennessy Rd., Wan Chai 2571-0913 Daily noon -3pm, 6-11pm $$

Celebrity food critic Lau Kin-wai and his son are the brains behind this Canto diner. The menu is comprehensive, with dishes from all categories (cold starters, seafood, poultry, soup, rice and noodles). We really enjoyed our tender, saucesoaked stir-fried beef cubes, and also the bowl of fish noodles—as in, the strands were actually made of fish meat—swimming in a milky fish broth. The sautéed pomfret was generously portioned, with delicate thin slices that paired well with the crunchy green celery.

New Review

This petite French bistro is the dining arm of nearby wine shop Winebeast, so not only do you pay store prices for your tipples while you dine, but there are also 70 bottles on the menu. The beef tartare (medium, $79; large, $133) was by far the best we’ve ever tasted, with a plump egg yolk that oozed over the well-spiced beef. The duck confit ($188) came with crispy, juicy skin in a bed of pan-fried fruits and potatoes—delicious with a glass of rich, fruity red. We also loved the beef bavette ($198) which was sweet and flavorful, with basil and confit tomatoes.

Maya Cafe Vegetarian 5 Moon St., Wan Chai 2529-3319 Daily 8am-10pm $$

If the terms “raw,” “vegan,” “fresh” and “organic” have you salivating, then Maya will be a paradise for you. There’s a Mediterranean slant to the dishes here, from the soups to the pastas to the glutenfree desserts. Veggie sticks and a hummus-like sundried tomato dip, plus spiced lentil dahl, gave us a refreshing—if not entirely enlightening— start. Then it was onto a heartwarmingly flavorful brown rice with slow-cooked vegetable stew, which combined mushy cauliflower and juicy button mushrooms soaked in savory broth, with a heap of chewy, grainy kernels.

Megan’s Kitchen Hotpot 5/F, Lucky Centre, 165-171 Wan Chai Rd., Wan Chai 2866-8305 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$

With its rainbow-colored cuttlefish balls and soup base “soufflés” we felt it was all a bit gimmicky. But with our low expectations, we actually had a great time at Megan’s, which offers a novel take on the hotpot experience. You can choose up to three soup bases in their yin-yang-yin bowl, and some of the more inventive offerings include a rich crab and tomato soup topped with the aforementioned whipped egg white “soufflé,” a tom yum koong “cappuccino” or even an English oxtail broth.

Northern Dumpling Yuan Dumplings 259 Queen’s Rd. East, Wan Chai 2838-8486 Mon-Sat 10am-9:30pm $

New Review

This unassuming joint is often said to have some of the best dumplings in the city—which perhaps explains its several branches on the island. It’s a no-frills establishment with tiny tables, plastic menus and frequent queues. Dumplings come in portions of five or 10 and are served steamed, fried or in broth. The biggest

seller is the pork and leek ($29 for five). When fried the crunchy, salty skin really complemented the strong taste of leek. The one vegetarian option ($26 for five) held its own with discernable shreds of cabbage, leek and mushroom. Come hungry— the dumplings are large, weighty and plentiful, and packed with a flavor that we’ve rarely found in other dumpling diners.

O Delice! French Shop 9, 2 Landale St., Wan Chai 2520-2311 Mon-Fri 10:30am-10:30pm, Sat-Sun 9am-10:30pm $$

New Review

A great addition to trendy Landale Street, this French casual diner came in handy when we were struck with a craving for pancakes in Wan Chai. O Delice! Serves satisfying crepe and galettes, alonside a solid selection of health-conscious salad, sandwiches and pastas. The smoked salmon, egg and spinach galette is light, fluffy and came with a nice refreshing salad. The spaghetti with grilled iberico pork stole the spotlight—the pasta was al dente and packed full of a gratifying garlic flavor.

Papi Italian 26/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen’s Rd. East, Wan Chai 2151-2868 Sun-Thu 11:30am11:30pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-midnight $$

New Review

We’re big fans of Papi’s first spot at the Civic Square rooftop above Elements Mall, with its half-alfresco setting and extensive wine list. This second location on the island is sadly sans alfresco dining. The best two dishes were the grilled cheese sandwiches made with black truffle and Parma ham ($108), and the juicy pan-fried Hokkaido scallops ($128) on a bed of browned pasta balls.

Papillon Caffe Cafe Shop 1701-1705, 17/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Rd. East, Wan Chai 2527-9282 Daily 7:30am-9:30pm $

New Review

This all-day cafe in the Hopewell Centre has a homey, family-friendly vibe. The semi-circular space comes with faux brick walls, a rainbowcolored ceiling, cute dollhouse chairs and a coffee and snacks station displaying the pastries of the day. Papillon Caffe errs on the safe side: if you’re looking for breakfast and brunch faves, you won’t be disappointed. While by no means spectacular, the Deluxe Breakfast ($108) was hearty and satisfying. Portion sizes were quite generous, but we saved room for our strawberry waffle dessert ($58), which came crispy on the outside and fluffy within.

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Pirata Italian 29-30/F, 239 Hennessy Rd., Wan Chai 2887-0270 Daily noon-2:30pm, 6:30-11pm $$-$$$

New Review

Pirata has dropped anchor on the shores of Wan Chai, and it’s one badass ship indeed. The two-story space consists of a top floor bar and an industrial-chic room complete with faux chandeliers and brushed concrete floors. There are plenty of treasures to be plundered at Pirata, from a bloody delicious Butcher’s Cut flank steak ($330) to a very shareable thick cut of bistecca alla Fiorentina ($750). The saucy beef ragu agnolotti ($95-150), paper-thin red prawn tagliatelle ($210) and duck ragu pappardelle ($95-150) were all rich in aroma and flavor.

Qi House of Sichuan Sichuan 2/F, J Senses, 60 Johnston Rd., Wan Chai 2527-7117 Daily noon-11pm $$$

One thing that sets this resto apart is that it’s not wholeheartedly Sichuan—the menu covers everything from the standard mala dishes to sweet and sour fish and even Kung Pao chicken. We recommend coming with a group to share the generously sized dishes, most of which are meant for sharing. Highlights of our night included the massive bowl of braised tenderized beef with Napa cabbage in a refined, not-tooheady yet flavorful roasted chili bath; and dan dan noodles in a wonderfully fragrant peanutheavy chili broth.

Quemo Spanish 5/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen’s Rd. East., Wan Chai 2836-0699 Mon-Sun noon-2:30pm; 6pm-11pm $$$$$

We laughed for our whole meal at Quemo, entertained by the Spanish staff who were alternately efficient, charming, buffoonish—and always hilarious. That’s half of a wonderful meal right there. And the food hardly fell short.The superb “Oyster Bocata” was an oyster burger lined with barbecued foie gras in a sweet bun, the oyster lightly battered, fried, and beautifully raw inside. But most of our love—in fact all of it—goes to the “Presa,” a barbecued iberico pork loin that was about as good as we’ve ever had: perfectly rare, tender, with a gorgeous char—and a dark, deep, sweet reduction alongside.

Restaurant Akrame French G/F, 9 Ship St., Wan Chai 2528-5068 Daily noon-11pm $$$-$$$$

New Review

Restaurant Akrame on Ship Street is headed by chef Akrame Benallal, of the ravereviewed, two-Michelin-starred Akrame in Paris. This restaurant is a real departure from your stereotypical French fine-diner, with their grand, 68 - Restaurant Guide 2015

high-ceilinged venues and dangling chandeliers. There was no indication of what we’d be served— that’s how the game is played at Akrame. A chopped lobster and avocado starter was tasty, if a bit predictable (foam on top, ceviche-like). For the main, we were served a pigeon and chickpea combo. We’re not big fans of game to begin with, but the bird was expertly cooked, with super-tender meat and slightly bitter end-notes.

Sabah Malaysian Cuisine Singapore/Malaysia G/F, 98-108 Jaffe Rd., Wan Chai 2143-6626 Daily 7:30am-midnight $$

New Review

The long-time establishment has been serving a mix of Malaysian and Singaporean dishes for 12 years. Sabah Malaysian Cuisine promised a filling and reasonably priced meal. We were obssessed with the Hokkien mee ($78), a Singaporean dish with fried noodles and a thick soy sauce. Each and every noodles was coated with the special sauce, giving it an unique sweet and salty flavor. The noodles were also perfectly tender, adding to our satisfaction. The chicken makhani ($128) was soft, buttery and packed full of flavor.

Sawali Club Thai 2/F, Wing Cheong Building, 18-20 Hennessy Rd., Wan Chai 2811-2360 Daily 11:30am-10:30pm $$

Sawali Club might not have the most authentic, feisty Thai dishes in town, but its cheap and cheerful atmosphere, gracious servers and affordably delectable offerings combine to give diners a distinctly memorable experience. The menu includes the usual suspects, as well as signature dishes such as roast chicken and several daily specials. The deep-fried soft shell crab was a thing of beauty, with fresh crabmeat balanced out by crispy basil leaves, lemongrass and crunchy cashew pieces. Call ahead to book.

Serge et le Phoque Modern European G/F Tower 1, The Zenith, 3 Wan Chai Rd., Wan Chai 5465-2000 Daily noon-2pm, 6-11:30pm; Tue 6-10:30pm $$$

This is a restaurant backed by hotshot restaurateurs and chefs from Paris’s top establishments (Le Chateaubriand and La Bigarrade, to be precise). The pork belly with delicately crispy skin was generously portioned, and we liked the contrasting textures of the unexpected cloud ear fungus and the caramelized onions alongside. But our flame-kissed calamari dish, paired with separated Brussels sprout leaves, was the clear winner. We dipped the curlicued pieces into the karashi miso on the side, and it was a feisty match.

Seventh Son Cantonese 5-6/F, Kwan Chart Tower, 6 Tonnochy Rd., Wan Chai 2892-2888 Daily 11:30am-3pm, 6-11pm $$$

Owned by a disgruntled Fook Lam Moon sibling who decided to branch out on his own, Seventh Son is a glorious tycoon’s diner, set in a spacious, threestory venue.We ordered the safe-if-unexciting lotus leaf steamed rice with crab meat, mushroom and conpoy. The meal began with a platter of half a chicken served with a scallion and oil dip, split right down the middle. It was a modestly sized bird, but the meat was tender, the skin had the right amount of fat, and the dip had a slick, savory touch. We also had a smoked eel dipped in honey. The meat underneath the sweet, thinly glazed surface was deliciously firm to the bite.

Stone Nullah Tavern American G/F, 69 Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai 3182-0128 Tue-Sun 6pm-1am $$$

Located in a historic part of Wan Chai (next to the Blue House), the dimly lit country farm-inspired tavern décor is the perfect place to hang out and look trendy. The hearty mac and cheese is made with sharp cheddar and topped with egg yolk. The Texas-style “chicken fried” steak is tenderized beef cooked in the same manner as Southern fried chicken. Both are worth multiple visits. The foie burger topped with caramelized onions came recommended, we and enjoyed every bite of the heart attack-inducing fattiness.

The Grand Buffet New Buffet 62/F, Hopewell Centre, Review 183 Queen’s Rd. East, Wan Chai 2506-0888 Mon-Thu noon-2:30pm, 6:30-10pm; Fri-Sat noon-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm; Sun 11:30am-3pm, 6-10pm. $$$

The Lisboa-Group-owned restaurant is where View 62 used to be, at the massive revolving structure on top of Hopewell Centre. There are carving stations for roast meats, tempura stations for deep-frying prawns and other creatures, dessert stations piled high with ice-cream, puddings, chocolate fountains and whatever else fits… the list goes on. Prices start at $218 per adult for lunch and $598 for dinner.

The Principal Modern European 9 Star St. Wan Chai 2563-3444 Mon-Fri noon-2:30pm, 7-10:30pm; Sat 7-10:30pm. $$$$

Food-wise, The Principal dishes out “modern” cuisine, which basically means everything is presentation-focused and of ambiguous origins. The items on the menu are all based on a single ingredient—like eggs—to keep things simple.

Admiralty, Wan Chai and causeway bay

Uohachi Japanese Shop C2A, G/F, Mountain View Mansion, 1 Amoy St., Wan Chai 2861-1298 Mon-Sat noon-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm $

Veggie Palace New Review

You might easily walk past this nondescript Japanese resto on quiet Amoy Street. Salmon addicts must order their salmon belly sashimi, sliced thick and cross-cut for an incredible melt-in-your-mouth texture—a steal for $48. The avocado soft shell crab sushi are bite-sized rolls filled with still-warm, crunchy crab. The sashimi salad ($55) was a tasty, albeit small, appetizer. From the plethora of mains, we went with the teriyaki beef stone pot rice with green peppers and fresh egg, and the deep fried pork cutlet and egg rice bowl. No complaints here. Definitely come for lunch: a main dish with an appetizer, miso soup and fruit for dessert is only $60-80.

Vegetarian/Private Kitchen Room 3, Loft, Block B, Kwong Sang Hong Building, 6 Heard St., Wan Chai 2838-6506 Daily Noon-3pm, 6-10pm $$

The space is partitioned with bamboo screens and even though each table gets its own little corner, the whole space still feels communal. At about $240 per head, you’re served a multi-course menu of whatever’s available for the day. If you’re on a diet or are a true vegetarian not looking for meat substitutes to curb your cravings, this is not the place to be. But if you’re just looking for flavorsome local dishes and have a hankering for processed gluten, you’ll be in heaven.

Xi Yan Private Dining Chinese/Private Kitchen 3/F, 83 Wan Chai Rd., Wan Chai 2575-6966 Daily noon-3pm, 7-11pm $$$

There are only three set menus to pre-select from, all between $368 and $628 (the cheapest is only available on weeknights). Xi Yan is predominantly Chinese, but you’ll see all sorts of fusion-y elements in the dishes. Book in advance.

The Grand Buffet

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Tai Hang, Happy Valley, Island East

Saint-Germain

Jules Bistro

Happy Valley

Jules Bistro

Jules Bistro French King-Inn Mansion, 13-15 Yik Tam St., Happy Valley 2838-1115 Tue-Sun noon-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm; Sun noon-3pm $$-$$$

Amigo Restaurant French Amigo Mansion, 79A Wong Nai Chung Rd., Happy Valley 2577-2202 Daily noon-3pm, 6pm-midnight $$$$

Jules Bistro

New Review

A fine-dining restaurant that counts tycoons and government bigwigs among its regulars, the decades-old Amigo Restaurant is hidden in a historic Spanish mansion. A team of tuxedoed waiters led us to our tables. The waiters were attentive and good-humored, providing some great laughs. There’s usually a live band, but we visited on Wednesday, which is their day off. It’s a legendary restaurant that’s worth going for a celebratory occasion at least once. The quality of the food is almost irrelevant to the experience, so remember to check in your culinary expectations at the door.

New Review

This cute bistro looks like it’s been plucked straight from the French mountains, with as much attention to detail and authenticity going into the food as the décor. There’s also a deli here where you can pick up your cheese and charcuterie. Le cochon (pig) is big on the menu: the homemade terrine ($78) was well-balanced, with visible rounds of meat. The Saucisse Aligot ($158) was typical of southern France—the sausages imported from Aveyron were made from quality hand-cut pork instead of mince, and the aligot (mash) was rich with cheese and garlic. Leave space for the baked, oozy St. Marcelin cheese ($138, a daily-rotating special) to finish. A cozy spot to settle down with warming, feel-good fare and let yourself be transported to France for a few hours.

Nan Tei Yakitori 10 Yuen Yuen St., Happy Valley 3118-2500 Daily 6pm-late $$

New Review

Happy Valley is a happening spot for meat on sticks. There are a number of yakitori 70 - Restaurant Guide 2015

and robatayaki joints sprouting up around the hood, but Nan Tei stands out with premium cuts of meat and unusual combinations. While the usual yakitori suspects are good here—beef tenderloin, chicken, lamb—the more adventurous dishes such as chickenstuffed mushrooms, and foie gras and ginkgo nuts mixed with udon are the real standouts. Try the cheesy chicken wings. The service was also polite and helpful. Nan Tei is a standout in Happy Valley’s mini yakitori scene. It’s a great, shockingly affordable place for a hot meat injection if you’re in the area.

Saint-Germain French 1A Wong Nai Chung Rd., Happy Valley 2836-6131 Daily noon-midnight $$

Saint-Germain was opened by the same folks behind heavy-hitter Pastis on Wyndham Street, and is just as full of Parisian charm as its sister outlet. The menu here is simple but sufficient: you get your brief list of cold and hot entrees, mains and desserts, with each section full of its own gems. We are still salivating at the thought of the vanilla ice cream profiteroles and impossibly fluffy traditional apple tart pastries.

Tai Hang, Happy Valley, Island East

North Point China Kitchen Chinese Fusion 7-9 Kam Ping St., North Point 8208-8809 Daily 7pm-2am $$

This North Point restaurant has been attracting visitors left, right and center since its opening. Although unimaginatively named, China Kitchen serves a combination of Beijing, Sichuan and Shanghai cuisine—think dumplings, whole fish slow-cooked in soup as well as beef noodles. The interior might be garish and even on the verge of tacky—but rest assured that the food is so good, it’s well worth putting up with the décor.

Darrie Go! Noodles Chinese G/F, Wah Hoi Mansion, 256 Electric Rd., North Point 2578-2808 Daily 11:30am-10pm $$$$

New Review

Head to this cheap-and-cheerful Cantonese diner for MSG-free, high-quality soups, handmade noodles and creative dim sum. The dim sum set for two—$208 for two noodles, nine dim sum dishes and two drinks—was a pretty good deal. The “Chicken Go!” soup with noodles was rich and tasted comfortingly homemade, thanks in part to a broth that’s been slow-cooked for 12 hours. Dry tossed noodles with oyster sauce had a hearty flavor and were tossed in just the right amount of lard. As for the dim sum, our favorites were the chilled kelp with crispy anchovies and the beautifully marinated stewed mushroom.

Fung Shing Restaurant Shun Tak G-1/F, Goldfield Mansion, 62-68 Java Rd., North Point 2578-4898 Daily 9am-3pm; 6-11pm $

It’s rather difficult to find a good restaurant that serves traditional Shun Tak cuisine—which is

known for its meticulousness—but Fung Shing Restaurant doesn’t disappoint. One important note: there are quite a number of Fung Shing Restaurants in the city, but only the ones in North Point and Mong Kok are run by disciples of the original boss, Fung Moon. The first Fung Shing (in CWB—now closed) was opened by Fung more than 50 years ago, and he opened two more branches in the 70s and 80s. However, the name was never properly trademarked and now Hsin Kuang group freely uses the Fung Shing label for its own chain of restaurants.

Thai Som Tum Thai 2/F, Shop C1, Electric Road Municipal Services Building, 229 Electric Rd., North Point 3622-1795 Tue-Fri noon-3pm; Tue-Sun 6-11:30pm $

The residents of this neighborhood have long known that THIS is the place to go if you want some tasty Thai food. We ordered fried thousand-year-old eggs as a starter. It is not for everyone, but you will like this dish if you can accept the eggs’ peculiar flavor and jelly-like texture, mixed with crunchy crumbs and minced shrimp. The morning glory with belachan that came next was a pleasant surprise. In other Thai restaurants, it’s common that the morning glory turns a dark color because of the shrimp sauce. Here, the vegetables managed to stay green and fresh.

The Big Bite Canadian G/F, Shop 4B, Kar Fu Building, 196-202 Java Rd., North Point 6979-9690 Daily noon-11pm $

We unwittingly turned up on $3 Buffalo Wing Tuesday, with every table packed with expats and locals alike going wrist-deep into six varieties of spicy—from “wuss” to “homicide.” While the discount offer was tempting, we made the trip to sample the burgers we’d heard so much about, and they didn’t disappoint.

Tung Po Seafood Seafood 2/F, Java Road Municipal Services Building, 99 Java Rd., North Point 2880-5224 Daily 5:30pm-12:30am $$

New Review

When celeb chef Anthony Bourdain visited this joint in 2007, he catapulted it to stardom. But does this rough-and-ready cacophony of packed tables in a cooked food center still live up to the hype? Deep-fried pork ribs with salt and crispy, and the off-the-bone pork was juicy with a layer of soft fat. We scooped up the salt and crispy chilli flakes coating the dish. Deep-fried shrimp with garlic ($22/catty) was flavored with handfuls of garlic crisps, but could have done with a splash of sauce. Bring a big group and order as many dishes as possible.

Quarry Bay Feast Western 1/F, East Hotel, 29 Taikoo Shing Rd., Quarry Bay 3968-3777 Daily 6:30am-10:30pm $$

This spacious venue, with a mile-long hall that seems to stretch forever, is a feast first and foremost for the eyes. There are two options: you can either go for a dinner buffet, which includes an all-you-can-eat appetizer and dessert spread, or pick from the a la carte menu. For starters, there was a good and reliable selection of meats, pastas, seafood and veggies to choose from, but it definitely wasn’t one of those overwhelming spreads where your eyes get lost in all the options.

Flames Charcoal Chicken Australian G/F, Shop A2, Hoi Wan Building, 25 Hoi Wan St., Quarry Bay 2563-9928 Mon-Fri noon-10pm, Sat-Sun noon-4pm $

Flames Charcoal Chicken’s predominantly outdoor seating makes it feel a bit like a dai pai dong, but you’re getting Aussie-style charcoalgrilled chicken here. There are two flavors: Portuguese marinade with ginger, garlic and lemon; and mixed herbs with breadcrumb stuffing. The chicken (either one-half or one-quarter) arrived on a slender white plate, garnished with salad. You could tell the poultry took quite a licking in the flames. Overall the bird was quite satisfying, with a rich savory character and a spicy, tangy tinge thanks to the creamy homemade piri piri sauce on the side.

The News Room Diner

American Taikoo Fong, 33 Tong Chong St., Quarry Bay 2562-3444 Mon-Fri 7:30am-midnight; Sat-Sun 10am-midnight $$

New Review

This revamped restaurant now offers a casual Restaurant Guide 2015

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Tai Hang, Happy Valley, Island East

Chao’s Hotpotter

The News Room Diner

American menu of hot dogs, burgers, nachos and everything in between. Although the food seems a bit formal (like the Mexican hot dog that’s impossible to eat with your hands) and heftily priced, the flavors work and the ingredients are top-notch.

Shau Kei Wan Indonesian Sate House Indonesian G/F, 76D Shau Kei Wan Main St. East, Shau Kei Wan 2886-5796 Daily 4pm-1am $

If you walk out of Shau Kei Wan MTR station any time after 4pm, just follow the irresistible satay aromas to get to a tiny, yet very popular, Indonesian satay shop on the left. Run by an Indonesian Chinese couple, the Indonesian Sate House has been open for 15 years and is renowned for its signature skewers.

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The News Room Diner

Kam Tung Tai Cha Chaan Teng Shop 5, Tung Wai Building, 59-99 Shau Kei Wan Main St. East, Shau Kei Wan 2569-4361 Daily 11am-2pm, 4pm-midnight $

Don’t be fooled by the recent renovation—this Hong Kong-style restaurant actually has been around since 1989. The signature dishes include a shredded chicken with roasted duck ($198), which consists of a mound of tender chicken and duck topped with a generous amount of chopped spring onions. Another must-try is the dried shrimp with watery rice ($23). Slow-steamed crab with vermicelli ($128) and king grouper toast ($25 per piece) round off the classic menu of the Shau Kei Wan boatpeople.

The News Room Diner

prices. It offers a variety of eats ranging from fish ball noodles to Japanese ramen, but Tai Ye Chicken really shines if you have a sudden craving for Cantonese dishes. Like a typical neighborhood Cantonese restaurant, the décor is unassuming with little furnishing. We went for the signature dish of Tai Ye chicken. The chicken skin showed a delightfully brownish color, with the tender meat fully absorbing the sauce. The sauce is more than pure soy sauce, and the presence of wine added an extra dimension to the whole thing.

Tai Hang Chao’s Hotpotter

Tai Ye Chicken Cantonese G/F, 14 Main St. East, Shau Kei Wan 2513-0157 Daily 11:30am-11pm $

Shau Kei Wan’s Main Street East is the place to go if you are looking for great food at affordable

Hotpot 22 Wun Sha St., Tai Hang 2890-9308 Daily 6pm-midnight $$

There are Chiu Chow restaurants aplenty all over this town, but this one specializes in hotpot. What sets Chiu Chow hotpot apart, owner Ted Lam

Tai Hang, Happy Valley, Island East

explains, is that the cow is the star of the show— not just its meat but also its innards and the bones (which are used for the broth). Any leftover beef goes into beef balls, which are handmade each day and a favorite among regular patrons. Other popular dishes include Japanese oysters, pork belly slices and dumplings—one kind is innovatively filled with cheese and salmon.

Choi’s Kitchen Chinese/claypot rice Shop Shop A1, G/F, 9-11 Shepherd St., Tai Hang 3485-0501 Mon-Fri noon-3pm, 6-10:30pm $

Come early or definitely have a reservation beforehand, otherwise be prepared to queue. Nestled in trendy Tai Hang, the specialty at Choi’s is claypot rice. You’d be an idiot not to order one, although the menu is filled with many other Chinese dai pai dong-style dishes. As soon as you’re seated, the no-nonsense servers command you to pick your rice—each claypot dish takes 20 minutes to make, on average.

Izakaya 88

Vietnam Station Man Sing Chinese 16 Wun Sha St., Tai Hang 2576-7272 Daily 6-10pm $

Man Sing is a tiny shop with a truckload of character. Patrons spill out onto the streets come mealtime, sitting on plastic stools by rickety wooden tables. Queues are a given, but that doesn’t seem to deter anyone who wants to eat here. The food is homestyle Chinese, just like grandma makes. Meat, seafood, stir-fries, veggies—you name it, and Man Sing’s probably got a dish for it. A bite into the Chinese-style minced pork pie, piled like a pyramid and topped with a bright, salty egg yolk, instantly transported us back to our simple childhood days in this city.

Vietnamese 136 Tung Lo Wan Rd., Tai Hang 2895-0788 Daily 11:30am-10:30pm $

A joint favored by locals, Vietnam Station has all the trappings of any typical Vietnamese restaurant. The most popular dish, which is also Chef Ah Shui’s specialty, is a huge bowl of soft rice noodles, beef slices, beef balls, tendons, tripe and turnips, all garnished with a liberal amount of onion, parsley and (of course) some pungent fish sauce. Try the shrimp and pork rice-paper roll, and top it all off with some fresh coconut juice.

Vietnam Station

Tin Hau Top Grade Hot Pot

New York Club Pan-Asian 24 School St., Tai Hang 6530-0288 Thu-Tue noon-11pm $

This little family-run joint that used to be around the corner on Brown Street has nothing to do with New York—they do serve hot dogs, but that’s about it. In fact, patrons mostly come here for hotpot, or fusion Thai and Shanghainese dishes. Sammy, who runs the shop with his siblings, gave us one order each of red chicken curry, wonton dumplings and white radish in broth, shrimp toast paired with shrimp cakes, and a green papaya salad. We enjoyed the red curry immensely; teetering on the mild and sweet side, the sauce was smooth and creamy, with plenty of chicken and basil leaves mixed in. Paired with crispy garlic toast, the combo was heartwarming and filling.

Hotpot 5-7 Tsing Fung St., Tin Hau 2323-1008 Daily 5:30pm-3am $

A spicy oasis amid Tin Hau’s durian-smelling dessert shops, Top Grade is a local joint that’s a tiny bit more upscale than your average unhygienic house of bubbling broth. But the meal still came in at about $140 per person, which we found eminently reasonable for the heaping plates of top-quality meat, wontons, tofu, noodles, veggies and crispy fish skin that kept arriving at the crowded table. The fish and meat balls that are devilishly filled with scalding cheese are also a must-order.

Izakaya 88 Japanese G/F, Fat Cheong Building, 73 Electric Rd., Tin Hau 2566-0488 Daily noon-3pm, 6pm-2am $$

New Review

A cute little Japanese bar in Tin Hau’s foodie

Vietnam Station

enclave? We perked up when we heard the news. The izakaya looks just as you’d expect: small and cozy, with furniture made of wood, a small bar and kitchen to the left. We ordered tofu, mushroom and corn skewers as well as chicken wings, scallops and a grilled rice ball. While everything tasted fine, we couldn’t say any dish in particular stood out. The scallops were fresh with just the right amount of tenderness, and the shitakes burst with juice. If you’re looking for no-frills treats at an arguably reasonable price ($20-25 for vegetables on sticks, $30 for chicken and double that for seafood), then this certainly fits the bill. We finished off with a good bowl of Inaniwa udon: thin chewy noodles soaked in a sweet clear broth. Restaurant Guide 2015

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Mong Kok and around dish. We left the place with full bellies, but also feeling clean and revitalized.

Sam’s Cook Western Shop 3B, Fortune Terrace, 4-10 Tak Shing St., Jordan 3580-0727 Mon-Sat 7:30am-5:30pm $

A street as quiet and as quaint as Jordan’s Tak Shing deserves an eatery to match its surroundings, and this cute brunch mainstay fits the bill. We went straight for one of the allday brekkies ($59-88); two buttermilk waffles slathered in syrup and served with two jumbo sausages, strip bacon, scrambled eggs, baked beans, corn, a salad cup and toast. The eggs and waffles were fluffy, the meats were juicy and perfectly pan-charred, and the salad was an addictive surprise: leaves of lettuce with chunks of pineapple, orange and dragon fruit drizzled with a sesame seed dressing.

Alibi

Jordan Bao Bao King Lo Chiu Vietnamese Restaurant Vietnamese 22-24 Parkes St., Jordan 2314-7983 Daily noon-11pm $

With the restaurant’s exterior sporting an awesome sketch of the owner offering an enthusiastic thumbs-up, Bao King was an easy choice, and the bright, simple interior was inviting enough. For mains, we shared the chicken curry with bread and the tomato and crab roe soup. It was worth the wait—mild yet full-flavored with softly melting potatoes soaking up the spice. Despite the fact that the Vietnamese are much better known for their baguettes than curries, the dish was satisfying and we greedily emptied the bowl. The sweet and sour tomato and crab soup, while not as famous as its distant cousin pho, is a worthy adoption to any diner’s repertoire.

Hop Lee Chiu Chow Noodle Chinese 259A Temple St., Jordan 2730-2218 Daily 11:30-2am $

Located on the quieter side of Temple Street, this Chiu Chow restaurant is quiet and homey, unlike the usual loud, crowded outdoor restaurants on the street. You have to order soy-sauce marinated dishes in a Chiu Chow meal, and our goose didn’t disappoint. The sauce was rich and aromatic; the goose flavorful and tender. Dipped into the special Chiu Chow sauce with vinegar and garlic, the oily mouthfeel was perfectly neutralized. However, we 74 - Restaurant Guide 2015

didn’t like the marinated pig intestines, cuttlefish and tofu, as we had to really drown it in sauce for all the flavors to come through.

Jang Dok Korean Restaurant Korean G/F, 53 Pilkem St., Jordan 2375-9805 Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm $

What was once a peppering of hangul haunts along TST’s Kimberley Road is now an amorphous expanding restoblob, with sojusoaked barbecues and kimbap counters popping up in neighboring hoods, as the tastes of the Republic become increasingly popular. Jordan’s Jang Dok is one such outpost. The bibimbap was fresh, hot and chock-full of veggies, but the winner was definitely the pancake—moist and flavorful with just the right mix of fluffy and crisp.

Kowloon City Chicken n Egg Western 79 Tak Ku Ling Rd., Kowloon City 9383-5742 Daily noon-9pm $$

This little western diner looks a bit out of place on the streets of Kowloon City, but that’s also part of its charm. On the chicken side, you get to choose your choice of roast: the signature black pepper, or the roast of the week—honey mustard in our case. We ordered a quarter piece of each, and sides of fried eggs, potato wedges and green beans to go with it. The black pepper chicken came with immaculately crispy skin—think suckling pig style—that was fragrantly aromatic, and revealed a relatively tender layer of white meat underneath. There was a cup of gravy for dipping the meat into—smart, because the chunky meat and crispy skin do start to feel dry on their own after a while.

Friendship Thai Food Mantranz European, Vegetarian, Organic 13/F, Flat D, Wai Hang Building, 3-5 Kwun Chung St., Jordan 5597-7806 Daily 7pm-noon $$

New Review

Mantranz—a portmanteau of Mantra and Transcendence (referring to the owner’s Buddhist beliefs)—is tucked away in a private upstairs space in the quieter end of Jordan. Finding Mantranz itself was a teensy bit challenging—there are no signs whatsoever, and you just have to trust your navigational skills. The main dish was a Czech buckwheat “risotto” with mashed pumpkin and roasted peanuts, which provided a nice crunch— we could have had bowls and bowls of this hearty

Thai G/F, 38 Kai Tak Rd., Kowloon City 2382-8671 Mon-Sat 6pm-midnight; Sun noon-midnight $

Friendship Thai is a poky, humble little Thai restaurant that has been around for decades and is packed to the rafters just about every night of the week. We ordered the usual: crispy prawn cakes, which sprang back with a satisfying bounce when bitten into; laab moo, a huge plate of spicy-sour minced pork with crunchy lettuce; a rich, complex tom yum goong that wasn’t overpoweringly spicy; and a pineapple fried rice that disappointingly wasn’t served in a hollowedout pineapple. The surprise hit of the night was the lemonade beef, also known as Thai beef salad. It was DELICIOUS.

Mong kok and around

Ruamjai Thai Restaurant Thai G/F, 11-13 Tak Ku Ling Rd., Kowloon City 2716-4588 Daily 10am-11pm $-$$

New Review

Forget all the overpriced Southeast Asian eateries of Hong Kong Island: Kowloon City has SAR’s most authetic Thai food. The menu has plenty of Issan-style dishes, as well as those popular with Hongkongers—curries and the like. The larb moo minced pork salad ($70) was the right amount savoury and spicy. A whole chicken ($140) came with crispy, golden skin and juicy meat beneath. The salt-grilled grey mullet ($128) was the standout dish of the evening. A whole fish stuffed with spices, it had a heady aroma of lemon and garlic, although not so overdone that the mullet’s earthy flavors were masked. The chicken and fish both had sauce on the side, but the meat was so good that we didn’t need it. There’s a reason why diners constantly flock to Kowloon City in search of a taste of Thailand: Be sure to give Ruamjai a try.

Wong Chun Chun Thai Bel Shine Centre, 23 Tak Ku Ling Rd., Kowloon City 2716-6269 Daily 11am-2am $$

Kowloon City is known for its myriad Thai restaurants, and Wong Chun Chun is known for being the oldest—not to mention biggest—in the region. Our mixed starters platter of crispy fish cakes, prawn crackers, banana leaf chicken and spring rolls was mostly a hit—save for the overly greasy spring rolls. The chicken coconut green curry we ordered was exactly as we expected—a sweet and fragrant, slightly runny broth filled with generous chunks of Thai eggplant and tender chicken meat.

Kowloon Tong Kushiyaki Sesson Japanese Shop 19A, 1/F, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong 2265-7712 Daily noon-3pm, 6-11pm $$

Festival Walk’s wide walkways and arena ambience felt worlds away once we were seated at a dark marble countertop, facing a flurry of activity in this Japanese resto’s open concept kitchen. We grabbed some bowls of miso and dove first into an avocado salad: a fresh mix of greens, sliced crab and healthy chunks of avocado meat doused in a light dressing. For mains, we opted for a pleasant, if not entirely memorable, udon with beef teriyaki, and a selection of meat skewers, the best being the sliced koshi pork with cherry tomatoes.

Mong Kok

prepared with a special high-temperature stirfrying technique that seals flavors. Traditional Chinese Medicine soups have never tasted so good.

Alibi Western Langham Place, 555 Shanghai St., Mong Kok 3552-3028 Mon-Thu 8-1am, Fri-Sun 8-2am $$$

New Review

This 5,500-square-foot space that used to be Portal is now helmed by Kiwi chef Tim Bruges, and offers diners a variety of all-day, western-style dishes. From fancy charcuterie and cheeses to slow-cooked wagyu to steamed chocolate cakes, all items on the menu are meant for sharing. Guests can sit at the bar seats right by the open kitchen, or get comfy at the low tables lined with cushy chairs. There’s a semi-private section that can be booked for events and special functions.

HeSheEat Dessert G/F, Shop 4, Ngai Hing Mansion, 22 Pak Po St., Mong Kok 5571-3056 Daily 2pm-1am $

New Review

This dessert corner is tucked into the quieter part of Mong Kok. It’s normal to see at least six or seven people waiting outside, and especially before and after dinner time. We opted for a praline fondant cake with coconut ice cream— a mini chocolate heaven, with a slight twist. In the spirit of their many Japanese-inspired desserts, we also tried the sakura and red bean soufflé with green tea ice cream. The soufflé itself was perfectly risen, soft and not too sweet, but the sakura flavor barely came through. Drinks-wise, trying their fragrant iced organic detox rose tea with strawberry sorbet was an amazing life choice— a great palate cleanser.

Sichuan Cuisine Sichuan G/F, 8 Kwong Wa St., Mong Kok 2310-1118 Daily noon-11pm $

New Review

Tim Ho Wan has relocated, and now a Sichuan restaurant has taken its place on this quiet Mong Kok street. The tables are a bit packed for our liking, but dark wood furniture gives it the atmosphere of a traditional Chinese teahouse. The cold chicken in chili oil was rough but the sauce made it enjoyable enough: an aromatic wine flavor with a fiery aftertaste. The hand-made Sichuan noodles are a dish we’d never seen before: the thick noodles looked sticky and heavy, but they actually tasted sweet and worked effectively with the creamy and peanut-buttery chili sauce. We thought we’d reached our spicy food threshold for the night, until we tried the huge bowl of fresh and soft fish cutlets soaked in hot chili oil. A tingly feeling gave way to a fruity, fragrant taste: a masochistically enjoyable experience.

Spicy Andong Korean 20 Pak Po St., Mong Kok 2332-0823 Daily noon-3pm, 6pmmidnight $

New Review

This Korean joint serves up traditional “grandmother’s Andong jjimdak” (braised spicy chicken), competing with the four or five Chinese chicken claypot eateries dotting the Pak Po Street

Magosaburou Japanese 1/F, Fortune Crest, 138 Sai Yeung Choi St. South, Mong Kok 2426-9000 Daily noon-3pm, 6pm-midnight $$$$

Japanese barbecue, or yakiniku, isn’t very different from its Korean cousin. At Magosaburou, it’s not really different at all. But that doesn’t mean it’s not delicious: especially if you throw plentiful amounts of wagyu beef into the mix. We had two cuts of excellent waygu, some intriguing stuffed chicken wings, marinated lamb chops (possibly a little too mutton-y), chicken sausages and a tasty but rather tough pork neck. We cooked it. We ate it. We were happily full.

Ming Court Cantonese 6/F, Langham Place Hotel, 555 Shanghai St., Mong Kok 3552-3300 Daily 11am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm; Sun 11am-3pm, 6-10:30pm $$$$

The menu at Ming Court is extensive, with specialties such as abalone, lobster and pigeon

Ming Court

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Mong kok and around

their own unconventional mix of carrot, green peppers and cilantro. We also ordered the mouthwatering pan-fried green beans with minced pork, which came out piping hot with a hint of chili.

Nom Nom Dumpling Sichuan 30 Boundary St., Prince Edward 3105-9968 Daily 11:30am-10:30pm $

Yung Kee

area. The waiters are a little hard to flag down, but in return they leave you pretty much alone for your meal. Pan-fried dumplings topped with melted cheese were served up on a steel plate, with the cheese still bubbling. Paired with the juicy pork filling, it felt decadent but wasn’t greasy. Their Andong chicken is of course the star of the show. We tried a half-chicken portion (huge enough for two to three people) and it was a flavorful soysauce-based concoction of tender chicken, assorted vegetables and Korean glass noodles.

Prince Edward Ah Chun Shandong Dumpling Chinese G/F, 60 Lai Chi Kok Rd., Prince Edward 2789-9611 Mon-Tue, Thu-Sun 11am-11pm $

If you can bear the line and actually get a table at block staple Ah Chun, the homemade flavors of their Shandong dishes will have you happily back in line the following night. We ordered 10 pan-fried pork and leek dumplings and devoured them: crispy on one side and soft on the other, and the innards heavier on tasty veggies than meat— a provincial policy, they claim. For mains, we opted for the eggplant done Yuxiang-style (a Chinese seasoning technique borrowed from Sichuan cooking, meaning the dish is sautéed with garlic, scallions and ginger), which was fried before being doused in sauce, the kitchen adding 76 - Restaurant Guide 2015

New Review

The trendy phrase “Nom Nom” has nothing to do with the very traditional look and feel of this new dumpling shop, which serves up Sichuan snacks and traditional dumplings. The décor is a quirky balance of modern and old Chinese, but what we love most is the spaciousness. We dove right into the dumplings: the pork with chives, and the pork with pak choi (both $35 for 10 pieces) were juicy and packed with filling. The homemade sauce—made with shallots, conpoy, and prized matsutake mushrooms—perfectly matched the dumplings. The broth of dace, pork ribs and arrowroot created an almost milky, slightly sweet soup. Make the trek for decent enough dumplings, cheap food, clean surroundings, and a homey, neighborly vibe.

Shang Shang Shanghai Cuisine Shanghainese Shop 115C, 1/F, Pioneer Centre, 750 Nathan Rd., Prince Edward 2628-9928 Daily 11am-11pm $

This relocated resto boasts cheap and delicious xiaolongbao, which were on our must-try list. The verdict? They’re juicy—the soup inside isn’t greasy, the skins are thin and delicate, yet the dumpling is easy to pick up. Definitely a dish we’ll order again. A few other signature Shanghainese dishes proved to be solid choices: they were done right, but were not exceptional. The Zhejiangstyle salted ham was marbly and well-flavored. The dandan noodles were made Sichuan-style, with enough heat but not enough peanut, and the noodles were slightly on the soggy side.

Sham Shui Po Kakurega Ramen Factory Ramen 7/F, Dragon Centre, 37 Yen Chow St., Sham Shui Po 3487-0989 Mon-Sun 11am-3pm, 6-9pm $

Tucked behind the Dragon Centre’s seventh-floor maze is a plywood-walled minimalist dive, where about 20 diners slurp away while perched atop recycled Coca-Cola crates. The joint offers only tsukemen, where noodles are served separate from a lukewarm dipping broth, which is turned into a soup halfway through the meal when hot water is added. There are three varieties on offer—white, red and black—and each is served with green

onion, bamboo shoots, seaweed, mouth-watering char siu and an egg half-boiled to perfection. While all three were brilliant, the white easily won the table, a flavorful tonkotsu pork bone broth with a fishy twist thanks to splashes of bonito powder and chili miso.

Ma’s Restaurant Xinjiang/Halal G/F, 21-25 Cheung Sha Wan Rd., Sham Shui Po 2787-6108 Daily 11:30am-11pm $

Ma’s—named for the most popular ChineseMuslim surname; not the counterpart to “Pa”— serves only halal dishes from the oft-overlooked Xinjiang province of China. On offer in this simple eatery are items like goulash, beef cakes and curries. Flavor, it turns out, is the operative word, as every last item was exclaimit-aloud delicious; served fast, piping hot, and packed with fresh veggies and perfectly marinated meats.

Yung Kee Cantonese G/F, 118-120 Fuk Wa St., Sham Shui Po 2387-1051 Daily 5pm-2am $

Not to be mistaken for the goose restaurant in Central, this Yung Kee is more down-to-earth, and with equally lovely food. Ditch the menu, and pick from the almost illegible scribbles on the wall. The crispy pork came first, and it was perfectly crispy and fatty, unlike the increasingly skinny pigs you normally get. We loved the crispy and chewy fried cuttlefish, wonderfully flavored with a bit of salt and spice. Don’t forget to dip it in some Worcestershire sauce—a magical combination.

Yau Ma Tei Sun Hing Chang Restaurant Cantonese 23 Ning Po St., Yau Ma Tei 2783-8539 Daily 6am-1am $

New Review

The modest and slightly run-down congee restautant specializes in freshly boiled fish congee, and there is a lot of fish on the Chinese-only menu—fish belly, fish bone, fish tail, fish jaw, fish head, even fish month. Not a fish lover? Classic congee condiments such as pork liver and beef are available as well. The congee based makes or breaks the dish. Though on the saltier side, Sun Hing Chang’s congee is smooth and think. Portions are extremely generous—our congee with fish belly and pork liver was packed full of meat. The fresh fish had large bones, making it wasy to pick them out. And we were pleasantly surprised by the perfectly cooked liver. The boiled fish skin, served with slices of ginger and spring onions, as crunchy and addictive.

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Kowloon East, New Territories High ceilings, rocky walls and metallic touches are something you wouldn’t expect at all in a local ‘burb like Kwun Tong. Aside from cocktails and a variety of wines, Forte also serves Japanese-Italian fusion cuisine.

Made in HK Western Shop 13, 1/F, APM Millennium City 5, 418 Kwun Tong Rd., Kwun Tong 2156-2000 Daily 8am-11:30pm $-$$

Made in HK

Diamond Hill Maccha House Japanese 3/F, Shop 325, Plaza Hollywood, 3 Lung Poon St., Diamond Hill 2799-0932 Daily 11am-11pm $

Our hopes were pretty high when we learned that Maccha House, a green tea specialist eatery from Kyoto, had branched into Hong Kong. The main offering is a wide selection of green tea beverages that combine different ingredients such as green tea, dango (rice flour dumplings), ice-cream and the like. Maccha House also serves main courses— one of the more unusual items was chazuke, a dish where tea is poured over cooked rice. We picked the tuna chazuke, but it wasn’t very impressive as the scent of tea was almost undetectable, and the portion was disappointingly small. The dessert was the highlight of the dinner. We had the kuzu-kiri— noodle-like jelly strips made of starch powder. The waitress gave us a wooden box and a hammer-like tool to break the kuzu-kiri into pieces, and the jelly, dipped into black honey, had a hint of the natural bitterness of green tea.

Kowloon Bay Tai Wing Wah Cantonese 1/F, Chevalier Commercial Centre, 8 Wang Hoi Rd., Kowloon Bay 2148-7773 Daily 11am-11pm $

Traditional Hong Kong cuisine consists of 78 - Restaurant Guide 2015

huge stir-fry dishes made of the freshest ingredients. Enter Tai Wing Wah. Run by local food personality Hugo Leung, it serves ultratraditional walled village dishes—most of which have disappeared from local menus. Our favorites are the steamed shredded taro with pork, and steamed egg with fish intestines in a clay pot.

Kwai Fong Hawker 18 Singaporean Shop 410-412, 4/F, Metroplaza, 223 Hing Fong Rd., Kwai Fong 2156-2228 Daily 11:30am-10:30pm $

New Review

Restaurateur Tony Cheng has selected Kwai Fong as the site of his latest project: an upscale hawkerstyle restaurant with light wood floors, colorful furniture and plants on the walls. On the menu at Hawker 18 are perennial favorites like char kway teow, satay skewers, curries and laksa. The nasi goreng ($68), although not exactly authentic, was delectable with rice coated in fragrant soy sauce and topped with a runny-yolked egg and crunchy prawn chips. The laksa ($78) was generous with prawn and baby octopus toppings and came loaded with chewy noodles, all swimming in a relatively mild but balanced curry broth.

Kwun Tong Forte Japanese, Italian. 2/F, L’hotel élan, 38 Chong Yip St., Kwun Tong 3968-8222 Daily 6:30pm-midnight $$

New Review

This Hong Kong-style “western” restaurant is a good-looking thing, tucked away in a corner of APM. It has a retro-hipster interior, with dark butcher’s lamps hanging from the ceiling and patterned tile floors. It’s a comfy place for a meal, and service is efficient. One standout was the ham and egg sandwich—a cha chaan teng classic. Ours came with toasted white bread: the crunch was a delightful contrast to the creamy scambled eggs. Our baked chicken rice with tomato sauce with puff pastry were good fillers—although not something we’d come back for. Shopping at APM? Made in HK is a solid choice for resting your soles after a day of walking.

MIC Kitchen Fusion G/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming St., Kwun Tong 3758-2239 Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm, 6:30pm-midnight; Sat noon-3pm, 6:30pm-midnight $$$$

We’re seeing innovation here like we haven’t seen in years; we’re talking the true marriage of east and west, without the tack factor. Demon chef Alvin Leung’s protege Lo Ka-ki is at the helm, offering “modern comfort food.” We were huge fans of the handmade pasta with red prawn and prawn-chili oil: the prawns were succulent and the noodles rich, with marine-savory notes. The tender Iberico with hawthorn jelly was another not-quite-western dish that worked surprisingly well; same went for the fatty, sweet cod with black bean and honey glaze. The only dish that failed to impress was the lobster poached in butter. It was good, but didn’t showcase anything special. We also had sides of truffle turnip cake (delish) and salted fish mash (stinkily pleasant, like an aged cheese).

Shanghai Wing Wah (Sze Chuen) Restaurant Shanghainese 15 Shung Yan St., Kwun Tong 2341-0583 Mon-Fri 11am-11pm $

New Review

The 40-year-old establishment may be small, old and slightly crowded, but it’s a popular neighborhood joint serving authentic and tasty Shanghainese food. The dinner set meal for two ($172)—which includes a soup, two dishes of your choice, two bowls of rice and two teas—is a great deal. The sautéed sliced pork with pepper

Kowloon East, New Territories

a meal in Lei Yue Mun if you don’t know where to go or what to get—so we stuck to a friend’s strict instructions and ordered our fresh catch at Wai Kee Seafood (right across from Lung Yue) before telling the Lung Yue staff how to cook ‘em. First, plain steamed prawns that were succulent and firm. Next, giant steamed razor clams with garlic, rice vermicelli and spring onions. Spicy mounds of garlic, paired with sharp savory soy, went perfectly well with the long, resilient strands of clam meat. Then we had steamed grouper, drenched in sweet soy and with sweet, firm flesh to match. We finished with a Kraft-cheese-baked lobster (large, buttery and meaty), deep-fried squid (meh), and a plate of Yeung Chow fried rice (full of “wok hei”). Mandy’s Caribbean Bar & Restaurant

and chili is essentially bacon tossed in a spicy and tangy sauce, and pairs perfectly with rice. The braised minced pork ball was one of the best we’ve ever had—soft, tender and full of flavor. We loved the spicy hot and sour soup and its spoton condiments. A red bean paste pancake was crispy and the filling sweet and thick. Delicious Shanghainese food never gets old. The restaurant and its surrounding neighborhood are well worth a visit before Kwun Tong’s redevelopment takes over for good.

Lei Yue Mun Gateway Cuisine Chinese seafood G/F, 58A Praya Rd., Central Lei Yue Mun 2727-4628 Daily 11am-11pm $$$

New Review

Gateway Cuisine is at the very back of the Lei Yue Mun maze. You have to make your way through literally every seafood peddler, eggroll seller and tout before you end up here. Which might explain why it’s the glitziest, best designed of the bunch. Front-row seats right by the floor-to-ceiling windows gave unbeatable views. We bought the seafood from Wai Kee, a local distributor, which Gateway then transformed into delicious cooked dishes: stir-fried razor clams in black bean sauce (aromatic and intense), broth-topped lobster with e-fu noodles (with gently marinated hunks of sweet meat); and steamed scallops with rice vermicelli. GC might not be the cheapest option on the block, but it’s definitely one of the most special, given its spectacular location and delectable dishes.

You can end up paying extortionate prices for 80 - Restaurant Guide 2015

New Review

Flavor is a newish addition to the Sai Kung old town waterfront, tucked between a line of seafood joints and a fish and chip shop. A nondescript exterior makes Flavor tricky to find in the midst of all the hustling seafood restos, but inside it’s a whole other world. You’ll see an array of all-day breakfasts alongside classic Portuguese dishes: We started with a tapas platter ($180 for four) with chorizo, chicken lollipops, bacalhau salt cod, and crispy and tender calamari, followed by a big bowl of mussels ($360 for four). We were wisely warned not to order too much if we were getting the roasted suckling pig (around $900, order in advance). Served with Portuguese fried rice and deliciously crispy skin, it could easily have fed six to eight. Solid Portuguese dishes that are unpretentious and satisfying. Next time, we’ll check out the six-hour slow-cooked pork loin.

Caribbean G/F, 24 See Cheung St., Sai Kung 2791-2088 Mon-Fri 4pmmidnight; Sat-Sun 1pm-midnight $$

New Review

Mandy Kaur of Mandy’s Private Kitchen in Sai Kung has finally opened up a proper restaurant in the vicinity. Mandy’s Caribbean Bar and Restaurant serves jerk chicken, Jamaican patties and tasty curries alongside feisty Caribbean rums.

Lung Yue Restaurant Seafood 41 Lei Yue Mun Praya Rd., Lei Yue Mun 2348-4715 Daily 11am-11pm $$$

Continental, International 9 Sha Tsui Path, Sai Kung 2791-2348 Mon-Fri noon-11pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm $$

Portuguese Shop 43-45, G/F, Hoi Pong St. Sai Kung 2392-3123 Tue-Thu 10am-9pm, Fri-Sun 9am-10pm $$$

Mandy’s Caribbean Bar & Restaurant

One-ThirtyOne French 131 Tseung Tau Village, Shap Sze Heung, Sai Kung 2791-2684

We love this place. A tiny restaurant seating a maximum of 20 people, it serves first-class modern French food in a gorgeous setting: a deep red village house with lawns leading down to pretty Three Fathoms Cove. Eat beneath a pergola in the sunshine, or cozy up in the charming, honey-hued dining room. The service is superb but it’s the food that really shines, every beautifully presented dish an exquisite combination of flavors prepared by chef Gary Cheuk using organic produce from the garden. The set menu (four courses for lunch, seven or eight for dinner) changes daily. Reservations essential; call ahead to discuss your preferences.

Sauce

Sai Kung Flavor Casa de Portugal

Tue-Fri 3pm-11pm; Sat-Sun noon-11pm $$$$

This restaurant has what most people come to Sai Kung for: alfresco dining in the main square and good food. Try the fresh pasta with lobster, the tuna ravioli and the sangria. Some dishes are plate-lickingly delicious and although not every dish is perfect, you are sure to have a decent meal.

Taste Cafe International Shop B6, Marina Cove Shopping Centre, 380 Hiram’s Highway, Sai Kung 2719-2511 Daily noon-9:30pm $$

One tip: It’s best to get here at the end of the week for fresh seafood. The smoked salmon served with carbonara sauce on the side is rather rich with mayonnaise, but quite delicious. The homemade tomato soup with clams and scallops is also tasty. The seafood noodles in laksa sauce is also well-cooked with a creamy flavorful sauce. The chef’s enthusiasm for his beautiful creations is contagious.

San Po Kong Kwai Kee Chiu Chow Restaurant Chiu Chow Shop 12, G/F, 32 Hong Keung St., San Po Kong 2354-5533 Daily 4pm-1:30am $

Ask any San Po Konger what the most famous restaurant around is, and they’ll tell you “Kwai Kee, la!” This resto has been standing in San Po Kong for more than 19 years, serving authentic Chiu Chow dishes to the neighborhood. Kwai Kee’s marinated goose is a dish you just can’t miss. The goose has rich layers of flavor and after hours of marinating is so tender it will almost melt in your mouth.

Kowloon East, New Territories

Tak Lung Restaurant Cantonese G/F, 25-29 Hong Keung St., San Po Kong 2320-7020 Daily 6am-11pm $

Tak Lung Restaurant has stood firm in San Po Kong for 40 years, serving ancient Chinese cuisine. Even though it serves traditional Cantonese dishes, most Hongkongers will be surprised by unusual plates such as Tai Yeh Chicken, which is smoked with pu-erh tea and cane sugar, or fish intestines baked with eggs. Menus are in Chinese only.

Sha Tin School Food Korean Shop 107, 1/F, Phase 1, New Town Plaza, Sha Tin 2608-0108 Mon-Sun 11:30am-11pm $$

known for its formidable Indonesian charcoalgrilled satays, for which people flocked from miles away to sample. Virtually nothing from its interior has changed since its heyday in the 70s. The satays are as delicious as ever, with juicy, marinated chunks of meat, each bookended by a knob of crisping fat. Comes with ample free parking space, a laid-back, garden atmosphere and sheer nostalgic value.

seafood market and make your picks first—do ask proprietors Chan Chi-ming or Gary Wong for advice if you’re stuck (but make sure someone in your group speaks Cantonese). We recommend getting some jumbo prawns for Chef Lok to transform into a baked cheese dish (kinda like lobster thermidor).

Tseung Kwan O

Chinese 1 Lam Tei Main St., Tuen Mun 2462-7038 Daily 4:30am-11pm $$

Lardos New Review

School Food’s first branch in Times Square is notorious for its long waits. You’d think that two new spots this year would help spread the demand, but every branch of this hip Korean joint still demands a lengthy queue. Like the décor, every item on School Food’s menu is as wacky as the last. Try the hot carbonara topokki ($68)—a twist on the original spicy rice cake street food. The carbonara sauce had a nicely rounded flavor: sweet, with a gentle spicy kick. We mopped it up. As for the pan-grilled butter bibimbap with pickles and pulled pork, the rice was sweet and buttery with those all-important delicious crispy bits at the bottom.

Sha Tin 18 Dongguan cuisine and Peking Duck 4/F, Hyatt Regency HK, 18 Chak Cheung St., Sha Tin 3723-1234 Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm, 5:30-10:30pm; Sat-Sun 10:30am-4:30pm, 5:30-10:00pm $$$

The Hyatt Regency in Sha Tin is tucked away in the far-off land of the New Territories and houses one of our favorite spots for Peking duck. We chose to go with a half Peking duck and had it cooked in two styles: pancakes with the skin, breast and leg meat, and wok-fried minced duck with iceberg lettuce. Both were bursting with flavor from the condiments and wraps, yet the deliciously juicy duck remained the star of the show. A personal favorite of ours is the braised sweet corn soup with chicken, because not only is the consistency perfectly smooth but the corn is also not too sweet.

Shatin Inn Indonesian 7.5 miles, Tai Po Road, Sha Tin 2691-1425 Daily noon-10pm, closed Tue occasionally $

The Shatin Inn has been around since the New Territories was nothing but rice fields. It is

Steak G/F, 4B Hang Hau Village, Tseung Kwan O 2719-8168 Daily noon-2:30pm, 6:30-10pm $$$

Opened in 2000, Lardos restaurant serves juicy marbled steaks, pastas and seafood in a no-frills environment. The signature dish is the beastly 16-ounce steak that will satisfy even the most ravenous of carnivores. The restaurant is tiny and pretty busy on most nights, so book in advance if you plan to visit.

Tuen Mun Farmer Restaurant Cantonese Block C, Lam Tei Mei Ling Court, Castle Peak Rd., Tuen Mun 2461-4483 Daily 11:30am-2:30pm; 6-11pm $

Housed in a neat, architecturally distinct pastel green block in an ultra-low-rise community, the six-year-old restaurant dishes out countryside fare—farmers’ specialties that are particular to Lam Tei. At Farmer Restaurant, produce such as eggplants and leafy greens all come from the same farm in nearby Fu Tei Village. Chef Yau sticks to signatures, such as the lotus leaf steamed tofu, a mild, saucy blend of diced velvety bean curd with corn, chopped prawns and green pepper. The five-colored rice is another specialty, consisting of steamed wheat grains, red grains, vinegar rice, sticky rice and black sticky rice, all mixed with white rice and a touch of salt, sugar and oil.

Red Seasons This dim sum-slash-siu mei (roast meat) restaurant was thrown into the spotlight in 2011 when it made it into the venerable Michelin guide with a “bib gourmand” stamp of approval—meaning the food’s not just good, it’s also good value for money. The place is well-known for its roast suckling pig ($520) with crispy red skin, served whole (yes, including the head) with the body intact even though it’s cut into bite-sized pieces.

Yuen Long Kei Kee Dessert Snacks/Desserts Shop 7, Chi Fu Centre, 56 Yau Sun St., Yuen Long 2479-4743 Daily 12:30pm-2:30am $

A Yuen Long staple that’s long been known for its Chinese-style desserts and dai pai dong snacks. While we’re not crazy in love with the signature grass jelly—they’re black, nondescript, wobbly bittersweet cubes like you can get at any Chinese dessert shop, in our humble opinion—we do make a point of dropping by for Kei Kee’s streetside snacks and drinks. We went for a generous helping of curry fish balls, radish and steamed cheung fun. We dove into the compact fishballs and chunky white radish pieces soaked in a spicy, watery curry sauce. While the fishballs were awesome, the radish unfortunately hadn’t spent as much time in the broth. The cheung fun that came next was a sloppy mess of finger-length rice rolls drenched in sweet, soy, peanut and chili sauces, hitting all the right notes on our tastebuds.

Nam Kee Dai Pai Dong Shop 1-4, G/F, Cooked Food Plaza, Sam Shing Estate, Tuen Mun 2451-1698 Daily 11:30am-11pm $

Nam Kee is one of the mainstays on the Sam Shing Estate circuit. Having been around for 20plus years, the restaurant has developed a stable following and a bunch of signature dishes that customers just know they need to order once they get here. Nam Kee doesn’t stock any of its own seafood, so you’ll need to go over to the outdoor

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Zone

Southside Hidden away in an industrial building in Ap Lei Chau is diner-slash-art-gallery Artichoke Canteen. Designed to offer its diners a full sensory experience, it produces creative dishes from all corners of the world—get everything from grilled veggies and stone-oven-baked pizza to pastas and green pea cappuccinos.

Pok Fu Lam Nam Fong Cantonese 3/F, Le Meridien Cyberport, 100 Cyberport Rd., Pok Fu Lam 2980-7410 Mon-Sat noon-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm, Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm $$$

The Butchers Club Deli

Aberdeen

Myanmar Thai Place

The Butchers Club Deli American 16/F, Shui Ki Industrial Building, 18 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Aberdeen 2884-0768 Mon-Sat 11am-4pm $$

New Review

The Butchers Club has launched another spin-off, and this time it’s a New York-style deli that’s tucked into an old industrial space in Wong Chuk Hang. The aged steak sandwich ($110) with arugula, caramelized onions, tomato and a side of duck fat fries was gobbled up with glee. On the Butcher’s Board ($200), we got cuts of mariola and strolghino di culatello salamis, mortadella and crudo caprino goat’s cheese. For desserts, the carrot cake ($45) had three (!) layers, with visible shreds of carrot, chunks of almonds and a light buttercream. The trek here is worth itfor the food alone, but add in the hip interior, huge roof terrace and spot-on food, and this becomes a hidden gem worth shouting about.

Chef Studio Private Kitchen 5B, Kwai Bo Industrial Building, 40 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Aberdeen 3104-4664 Call for reservations $$$

If you’re not picky, you’ll be in for a treat of red meat, seafood and anything else Chef Eddy deems appropriate. On the night of our visit, there was a translucent, fatty salmon dish with a creamy sauce that we just couldn’t get enough of. Then there was a warm and soothing quail consommé, a melt-in-your-mouth wagyu beef cheek and a juicy pigeon with sauced-up mushrooms. Pairing the meal with a bottle of red we brought (the place is strictly BYOB), we had a perfect evening with wonderful food. 82 - Restaurant Guide 2015

Burmese, Thai G/F, Shop 5, 108 Old Main St., Aberdeen 2870-2080 Daily 11:30am-3pm, 6-11:30pm $

New Review

While Macau is home to a small enclave of Burmese restos, Hong Kong doesn’t share its sister SAR’s gastronomic fortune. A stroke of luck, then, is what brought us across this eatery in Aberdeen, at the end of our search for a restaurant that didn’t float. A “hot and sour” Thai beef salad was generous on the char-grilled beef, with spicy soft tomato and crisp onions to counteract the burn. A huge plate of daily special vegetables cooked in garlic was enough to be a main on its own. A Burmese beef brisket curry came in a clay pot, bubbling over a lump of charcoal. It was delicious: tender beef in a rich dark yellow sauce, with less tomato than most Indian curries and more peppery, earthy turmeric than a Malaysian one.

The Butchers Club Private Kitchen Shop 13C, Sun Ying Industrial Centre, 9 Tin Wan Close, Tin Wan, Aberdeen 2552-8281 Mon-Sat 11am-6pm $$$$

Private kitchen The Butchers Club not only hosts carnivorous dinners and sausage-making sessions on demand, but it also has dry-aging specialists at the ready to help you age your own steak. It’s one of the coolest private kitchens in town, hands down.

Ap Lei Chau Artichoke Canteen Western 3/F, Rm 311, Harbour Industrial Centre, 10 Lee Hing St., Ap Lei Chau 2580-0293 Wed-Sun 11am-11pm $$$

Enjoy Cantonese dishes and quality dim sum at modern Chinese restaurant Nam Fong. The décor fuses 1960s chic and the futuristic, with a high ceiling and stunning view of the South China sea. Its extensive menu boasts plenty of Cantonese classics, as well as weekend all-you-can-eat dim sum, special seasonal or occasional menus, and organic dishes sans MSG. Perfect for big group dinners with family, friends or colleagues.

Prompt International 4/F, Le Meridien Cyberport, 100 Cyberport Rd., Pok Fu Lam 2980-7417 Daily 6:30am-10:30pm $$$

There’s a little bit of everything from all over the world at Prompt, ranging from soupy noodles and burgers to pizza and pasta. One of us went with the ultimate beef burger with a fried egg on top, while another chose light and ordered a pomelo prawn salad. The burger was a bright and colorful combination with a big fat slab of juicy meat patty in the middle. The pomelo salad was sharp and refreshing, with just the right amount of savory and crunchy bits mixed in to keep things interesting—although the single prawn on the side was a bit miserly.

Repulse Bay Limewood New Barbecue G/F, The Pulse Shopping Review Mall, 28 Beach Rd., Repulse Bay 2866-8668 Mon-Sat noon-2:30pm, 6-10pm; Sun noon-2pm, 5:30-9:30pm $$$

New southside resto Limewood is bringing a California-style experience to Repulse Bay’s new The Pulse mall. Mixing southern American, Caribbean and Southeast Asian flavors, you can expect a sophisticated BBQ menu, craft beers, cocktails, and frozen margaritas, plus 180-degree beachside views. As a Maximal Concepts venture, you can bet it’s all about the food here: think

Southside

Hawaiian-roasted pig leg with ginger, orange marinade and pineapple salsa; charred whole sea bass with charred limes, chimichurri, tamarind and nuoc cham sauce; and Vietnamese fish tacos with lime aioli and Asian slaw. You’ll also find rosé wine imported from France and 12 different wines served by the glass.

Spices Southern Asian G/F, The Arcade, 109 Repulse Bay Rd., Repulse Bay 2292-2821 Daily 10:30am-2:30pm $$$

New Review

This Repulse Bay Southern Asian stalwart is housed in a beautiful colonial-style building and comes with a spacious outdoor terrace perfect for the summer weather—just remember to bring mosquito repellent. The atmosphere is the main draw here. The inside is an elegant, air-conditioned affair, with dark wood floors and furniture. We went for a midday meal and enjoyed our charcoalgrilled satay skewers, which were nice, juicy and generously sized. Thai-style fried noodles were flavorful, and oiled high with sesame seeds and fresh herbs. When it comes to quiet, seaside dining, Spices is as good as it gets in Hong Kong.

Shek O Black Sheep Western G/F, Shek O Village, 330 Shek O Village Rd., Shek O 2809-2021 Mon-Fri 6:30am-11:30pm; Sat-Sun noon-11:30pm $$$

Despite its relatively remote location, Black Sheep is a well-known restaurant among Hong Kong foodies thanks to its laid-back atmosphere, great food and—yup!—unique psychedelic lighting. For the main course, we ordered four of Black Sheep’s famous pizzas. While both the prawn and the cheese pizzas were mouth-watering, the Jungle Pizza proved to be the favorite. Topped with pineapple and good-quality ham, the pizza’s deliciousness could only be rivaled by its alluring looks. But our love for the food can’t be extended to its prices, which just don’t match the venue’s hippie vibe. Charging $160 for a small-sized pizza and $110 for a salad, Black Sheep is kind of pushing the limits. We would love to go back again—but if it’s not on another trip to Shek O, there are closer restaurants of similar quality and price.

Shek O Chinese and Thailand Seafood Restaurant Thai G/F, 303 Shek O Village Rd., Shek O 2809-4426 Daily 11:30am-10pm $

This half open-air run-of-the-mill village restaurant doesn’t look very special from the outside—with its plastic chairs and rolls of toilet paper on the tables passing for napkins—but

it’s a firm favorite among weekend warriors and Southside regulars. The high notes of our meal were definitely the deep fried dishes, such as deep fried fish with sweet and sour sauce and the amazing prawn cakes, as they were crisp and light while maintaining the freshness of the seafood. Other memorable dishes include the flavorful baked vermicelli noodles with huge and meaty prawns, the pineapple fried rice, the garlicky morning glory and fried tofu.

Stanley

Wong Chuk Hang cirqle Western 64 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Wong Chuk Hang 3460-8100 Daily 6:30am-11pm $$$$

Yeah, the resto is a bit out of the way for your casual Friday-night dinner, but we highly recommend the crab cakes and the Key Lime Pie—it’s not every day you see one of these on a Hong Kong menu. Plus, the big terrace is ideal for cooler nights, as is the upstairs rooftop bar.

Angeletti Restaurant Italian G/F, 126 Stanley Main St., Stanley 2813-9090 Daily 11:30am-10pm $$

We began with a tomato and buffalo mozzarella salad at this tucked-away resto. The mozzarella wasn’t the creamiest we’ve had, but the black truffle sprinkled on top added extra oomph. We enjoyed the baked potato skins: particularly the one topped with a layer of tuna. The spring chicken from France was tender and spiced perfectly. The elderly servers talked us through the ingredients and how the dish was prepared, and even told us the history of the small restaurant—it’s been operating in Stanley for more than 10 years, and a former five-star-hotel chef mans the kitchen.

Pinot Duck Duck Shop G07, The Piazza, Stanley Plaza, 23 Carmel Rd., Stanley 2772-0060 Daily noon-10pm $$$

New Review

Pinot Duck by the Nha Trang group serves the bird in all sorts of different variations, including the perennial Chinese favorite: Peking duck. Duck liver, duck risotto, duck crêpes and other creative takes can all be had. And if the name of the restaurant didn’t give it away, PD serves wines derived from the pinot grape to go with the dishes—this includes sparkling, red, white and rosé interpretations from countries all over the world. Enjoy it all in a decidedly casual, almost canteen-like environment.

GCX Italian Shop G09, G/F, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Rd., Wong Chuk Hang 2528-0772 Daily 8am-midnight $$

Operating as an all-in-one restaurant, café, and food shop, GCX not only serves home-style Italian dishes but also stocks an extensive range of take-home goods. All of the dishes are made using ingredients sourced from Italy, and the selection of gourmet food products includes pastas, olive oil, cold meats, cheese, seasonings, sauces and premium Italian wines.

Mum Vegetarian Shop G-07, G/F, One Island South, 2 Heung Yip Rd., Wong Chuk Hang 2115-3348 Mon-Sat 9am-6pm; Sun 11am-6pm $

Mum serves predominantly Asian fare like steamed rice with eggplant or udon noodles in soup, as well as western fare like a pasta dish and green tea chiffon cakes.

Shu Zhai Chinese Teahouse 80 Stanley Main St., Stanley 2813-0123 Daily 11am-4pm, 6-9pm $$

We climbed the cavernous stairs of Shu Zhai on an empty stomach, and eagerly marked off multiple orders of all our favorite dim sum dishes. And when it arrived, it was cleared in spectacular fashion. We enjoyed some silky smooth cheung fun, mild and mellow fried ginger rice (a local “boat people” delicacy), slimy fatty black pepper short ribs, delightfully tender curry squid and dumplings of all kinds.

Limewood

Restaurant Guide 2015

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Zone

Outlying Islands

Cheung Chau Ah Shun’s Kitchen Seafood G/F, 47 Tai San St., Cheung Chau 2981-0569 Daily 10am-2pm, 5pm-late $$

We make our treks to Cheung Chau specifically for the seafood—and specifically for the seafood made at Ah Shun’s Kitchen. That’s because it’s done so damn well, and at prices so reasonable that we always walk outta there twice our original size. It works like this: you either pick out your own seafood at the local wet market and hand the catch to Ah Shun, who’ll take care of the rest—or you leave everything, including the procurement, in Ah Shun’s hands. If you’ve been here frequently enough, you know Ah Shun has a perfect formula for every seafood species and you just leave it to them.

New Baccarat Seafood Restaurant Seafood 9A Pak She Praya Rd., Cheung Chau 2981-0606 Daily 11am-10:30pm $

New Baccarat is a cheery, open-air restaurant on the corner by Pak Tai Temple. Customers can choose their lunch from tanks, order straight from the menu or BYOSF, for an extra $40. Expect all kinds of seafood as well as a long list of noodles and other meat for about $60-$100 per dish. The scallops were fresh, plump and strong with ginger flavor, but we were most impressed with the generous helping of meaty steamed prawns, covered in slices of ginger, spring onion and carrot.

Tai O Lookout

and chili crab, a whole steamed fish, vinegar potato shreds, sweet-and-sour pork, fried chili prawns, chili chicken, and garlic and glass-noodle topped scallops. While everything was quite good, the standouts were the garlic-chili crab (messy but delicious), garlic scallops (a delicious Cheung Chau staple) and the fried chili prawns (we scraped the plate clean).

Lamma Island B&B Seaview Restaurant

Sea Dragon King Restaurant Seafood 16 Praya Rd., Cheung Chau 2981-5036 Daily 10am-11:30pm $

You can’t miss Cheung Chau’s Sea Dragon King Restaurant, located mere steps away from the major pier. This dai pai dong-style setup offers all types of seafood, from tank upon tank of fish, crabs, lobsters and squid swimming in clear water tanks to mussels and cockles fresh from the sea. You can pick and choose your own produce and tell the waiters how you want them cooked, or use the menu for reference and inspiration. We highly recommend the steamed crabs with ginger: aromatic with a burst of spice, it’s seafood at its finest.

Western 22 Main St., Yung Shue Wan, Lamma 2982-4388 Daily 11:30am-11:30pm $

We went to B&B (it stands for “Beer & Babble”, if anyone’s curious) after noticing a comfortablesized crowd of people sitting down for dinner. We were lucky enough to snag an outdoor seat. Food included pasta and red meat dishes—along with plenty of seafood, naturally—and a decent range of beers and cocktails. One of our mains, spaghetti with beef strips, tasted more like a regular fried noodle dish than spaghetti, and was pretty meh. We loved our second main, though: a squid ink pasta with seafood and creamy wasabi sauce. It was loaded up with fresh and tasty shrimp, oysters and fish, and the wasabi sauce gave it a nice, yet subtle, kick.

So Bor Kee Guangdong/Seafood 11C Pak She Praya Rd., Cheung Chau 2981-0998 Wed-Sun 11:30am-10pm $$

Green Cottage

Having tried several of the open-air eateries on the Praya, we can say that So Bor Kee is one of the best in terms of service, price and food. We ordered a mix: Sichuan-style green beans, garlic

If you need a break from all of Lamma Island’s

84 - Restaurant Guide 2015

seafood restaurants, Green Cottage is a safe bet. Run by a pair of brothers, this vegetarian café is great for islanders and tourists alike. The menu is comprehensive, serving up everything from pizzas to pastas, brunch to burgers—all in sizeable portions. We tried the Greek salad, which was tossed with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, big bites of feta and a tangy dressing. The veggie pizza was decent too, with a nice crispy crust, and chunky mushrooms and onions. Fresh smoothies were good—we tried one with a tasty combo of orange, carrot and zesty ginger. If you live on Lamma Island, then we don’t have to tell you this place is like a home away from home. And if you’re just on the island for a day, Green Cottage is definitely worth a stop.

Vegetarian 15A Main St., Yung Shue Wan, Lamma 2982-6934 Daily 6:30am-5:30pm $

New Review

Rainbow Seafood Chinese G/F, 23-25 First St., Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma 2982-8100 Daily 10am-11pm $$$-$$$$

New Review

This open-air waterfront spot has been around since 1984 and is arguably Lamma’s most famous establishment. It’s easily reachable via the free ferry to and from Central, Tsim Sha Tsui or Aberdeen (call ahead to book). Rainbow overlooks a quiet bay, the seafood is just so fresh and the servers, once you sit down, are attentive. Our favourite included the small yet meaty steamed lobsters with garlic sauce, the steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli and—hands down the winner of the night—the sweet and messy grilled prawns with honey amd pepper sauce. We had to order seconds. Rainbow is a perfect place to take out-of-towners, large groups or even a dinner date. Just stick to the set menus (a good two-person set goes for $558) and hold firm for a table by the waterfront.

Outlying Islands

Lantau Island

makeshift terrace. Loyal patrons come for the Middle Eastern flair given to the simplest of dishes, such as the lamb kebabs.

Tai O Lookout International Shek Tsai St., Tai O, Lantau 2985-8383 Daily 11am-2:30pm, 6-9:30pm $$

Mavericks New Review

Holed up on the western edge of Lautau, Tai O Lookout serves international fare in a gorgeous glass-rooted restaurant that used to be the old police station’s guard tower. The interiors and views here earn auto bonus points. We appreciated the fresh, well-seasoned barramundi ($198), which was lightly pan-fried with a healthy side of seasonable vegetables and crispy, roasted potatoes.

Bahce Turkish Restaurant Indian/Turkish Shop 19, Mui Wo Centre, Mui Wo, Lantau 2984-0221 Daily 11:30am-10:30pm $$

Bahce looks like a quaint family café in Antalya. It has a scattering of rustic wooden chairs on a

Western Pui O Beach, Lantau 5402-4154 Fri 5-11:30pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11:30pm $$

The pair behind Mavericks, Jay FC and chef Austin Fry, have had a hand in hotspots Salon No. 10, Stone Nullah Tavern and Homegrown Foods. And now they’ve joined forces to create a relaxed getaway for those who love delicious food, craft beers from around the world, and great music spun by local DJs.

The Stoep Western 32 Lower Cheung Sha Village, Lantau Island 2980-2699 Tue-Fri 11am-9pm; Sat-Sun 11am-10pm $$

Pronounced “stoop,” the Stoep is located on one of the few beaches that make you forget you’re in Hong Kong—long stretches of white sand, transparent waters (if you squint) and a blend of

South African and Mediterranean cuisines. Start off with a glass of sangria and the homemade bread, served with hummus, pesto, tapenade and tzatziki (a Greek-style cucumber dip). Head there with a craving for meat and be rewarded with the grilled meat platters, barbecued chicken and for the ravenous, a whole rotisserie lamb.

Ma Wan Café Roma Western 1/F, Beach Commercial Complex, Park Island, Ma Wan 3446-1226 Tue-Thu 1-11pm; Fri 1pmmidnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun noon-11pm $$

Views of the beach, an outdoor patio and a relaxed vibe make Café Roma a great place to chill and enjoy a nice, long meal. You can order almost anything western here, from burgers, pastas and fish and chips to roast chicken, pizza and salads.

Restaurant Guide 2015

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Taste temptations You Simply Can’t Resist

Breakfast at Brittany’s La Crêperie This casual French restaurant has branches all over Asia that serve specialties from the beautiful province of Brittany, a coastal region in Northern France known for its seafaring nature, lighthouses and ports. La Crêperie is best known for its delicious crêpes and gluten-free buckwheat galettes and therefore it’s ideal for an afternoon tea break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Of course, it’s also a wonderful choice for breakfast. 1/F, 100 Queen’s Rd. East, Wan Chai, 2529-9280. G/F, 69 Jervois St., Sheung Wan, 2679-4666. 8/F, The L. Square, 459-461 Lockhart Rd., Causeway Bay. (Coming Soon)

Drinks With a View

Just Checking In

The Real Deal

Bar On 15

Airport Izakaya

Sagano

Sipping a refreshing cocktail while taking in the stunning view of Victoria Harbour is one of the most invigorating Hong Kong experiences. Bar On 15 serves a salivating variety of beverages and a tempting selection of delicious snacks.

Famed for its teppanyaki, authentic tonkatsu and fresh air-flown sushi, Airport Izakaya also serves robatayaki, kushiyaki, udon noodles and tempura, as well as various Japanese drinks, international beers and sake. Check it out!

15/F, New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel, 72 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2313-4245.

G/F, Regal Airport Hotel, 9 Cheong Tat Rd., Chek Lap Kok, Lantau, 2286-6668.

If you want to savor the taste of authentic Japanese cuisine, look no further. Inspired by the eponymous Kyoto suburb, Sagano serves traditional Japanese specialties in a tranquil setting. Six VIP rooms are available for those who want a little extra space and more privacy. Sagano promises more than just a memorable meal; it offers a relaxing culinary journey. 1/F, New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel, 72 Mody Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2313-4215.

86 - Restaurant Guide 2015

Restaurant Guide 2015 Promotion

Hitting a High Note

Let’s Talk Tapas

Best of the Best

Alto 88

Tapagria

The Grand Buffet

Perched on the 31st floor of the Regal Hong Kong Hotel in Causeway Bay, this hidden gem is perfect for afternoon lunch or a romantic dinner. It serves a good collection of contemporary and creative Italian favorites prepared with imported Italian ingredients. Get your antipasti, pasta and risotto fix now.

As the name suggests, this glamorous Spanish bar offers an extensive selection of tapas and sangrias. With its sumptuous outdoor terrace that embraces the stunning Hong Kong skyline, this is a great place for dinner parties or just a tasty snack. The menu offers traditional and creative tapas dishes with a choice of more than 40 sangrias. Semi-buffet lunch is also available.

Renowned as one of the best buffets in Asia, The Grand Buffet is located on the 62nd floor of the Hopewell Centre. It’s the only 360-degree revolving restaurant in town and offers a lavish selection of a wide range of international cuisines that includes live shrimp from the tank, fresh seasonal delights from the seafood counter as well as Cantonese barbecue, Japanese specialties and Indian curry dishes. Bon appétit!

31/F, Regal Hong Kong Hotel, 88 Yee Wo St., Causeway Bay, 2837-1799.

L18, The ONE, 100 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2147-0111.

62/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queens Rd. East, Wan Chai, 2506-0888.

Just Like Mamma Mia Makes

Michelin Magic

All You Can Eat

Café Malacca

Cuisine Cuisine

Osteria Ristorante Italiano

Café Malacca has been named a ‘Bib Gourmand Restaurant’ in the Michelin Guide in 2014 and 2015 and it has crafted the perfect culinary experience to satiate all tastes. Just imagine being in a travel capsule and transporting yourself to the hawker stalls of Malaysia or Singapore for street-style food, all freshly prepared with aromatic spices, herbs and ingredients, and delivered with tastes and flavors that are true to the region’s culture. It’s the real deal!

This contemporary Chinese restaurant is a rare urban retreat that offers Saturday brunch, featuring all-you-can-eat Cantonese dim sum. You can wash down gorgeous little savory dishes with premium grade teas brewed with mineral water. For thirsty souls, free-flowing wine or champagne is another option.

Osteria Ristorante Italiano offers timeless specialties that promise to transport diners to the various regions of Italy for a truly traditional culinary experience. Having established a reputation as one of the city’s best Italian restaurants, this eatery has a home-style feel to it in both the setting and the quality of food. It’s a relaxing place to enjoy multi-regional Italian cuisine, traditional dishes, fresh homemade pastas or real Italian-style pizza. Mezzanine, Holiday Inn Golden Mile, 50 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315-1010.

3/F, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315-5222.

Level 2, Hotel Jen, 508 Queen’s Rd. West, Western District, 2213-6613.

Restaurant Guide 2015

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Index

238

Chao's Hotpotter

Gonpachi

121BC

Chef Studio

Grand Hyatt Steakhouse

22 Ships

Chicha

Grappa's Italian Ristorante

298 Nikuya Kitchen

Chicken n Egg

Grassroots Pantry

8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana

Chicken on the Run

Green Cottage

China Kitchen

Choi's Kitchen

Chôm Chôm

Chuen Cheung Kui

Ciak

Cirqle

Cocotte

Aberdeen Street Social

Above & Beyond

Ah Chun Shandong Dumpling

Ah Shun's Kitchen

Alibi

Amber

Amigo Restaurant

Ammo

An Nam

Angeletti Restaurant

Angelini Italian Restaurant

Apgujeong Korean Tent Bar

Dandan Soul Food From Sichuan

Artichoke Canteen

Darrie-Go!-Noodles

Delhi Club

Delicious Kitchen

Dong Lai Shun

Doppio Zero

Duddell's

B B&B Seaview Restaurant

Ba Yi

Bahce Turkish Restaurant

Bao Bao King Lo Chiu Vietnamese Restaurant

Bao Wow

Beef & Liberty

BÊP Vietnamese Kitchen

Bibo

Bistecca

Bistro du Vin

Black Sheep

Bo Innovation

Bresola

Brick Lane

Butchers Club Deli

C Café Deco Bar & Grill

Café Hunan

Café Malacca

Café Roma

Café Siam

Caprice

Carbone

Catalunya

Catch On Catchick

Celebrity Cuisine

Celestial Court

Central Indian Restaurant

Chachawan

88 - Restaurant Guide 2015

Common Room

Corner Kitchen Café

Cucina

Cuisine Cuisine

H Hawker 18

He Jiang

Herbivores

HeSheEat

Ho Lee Fook

Hoi King Heen

Hop Lee Chiu Chow Noodle

Hor Hor Deem

Hugo's

I Il Milione

Inagiku Japanese Restaurant

Inakaya

India Restaurant and Bar

Indonesian Sate House

Inn Side Out

Izakaya 88

E El Fishawy

Epure

F Fairyland

Farmer Restaurant

Feast

FINDS

Fish & Chick

Fish and Meat

Flames Charcoal Chicken

Flavor Casa de Portugal

Flint Grill & Bar

Forte

Foxtail & Broomcorn

Friendship Thai Food

Fung Shing Restaurant

G Gaia Ristorante

Gateway Cuisine

Gaucho

GCX

Giando

Glasshouse

Gong Guan

Jade Garden

Jang Dok Korean Restaurant

Jashan

Jules Bistro

K Kakurega Ramen Factory

Kam Tung Tai

Kanda Japanese Noodle

Kawali

Kazuo Okada

Kei Kee Dessert

Khana Khazana

Kin's Kitchen

Kinsale

Kitchen 65

Kowloon Tang

K-Roll

Kushiyaki Sesson

Kwai Kee Chiu Chow Restaurant

L L’Atelier De Joel Robuchon

La Cantoche

La Loggia Pain Grillé

La Rotisserie

La Saison by Jacques Barnachon

Index

La Vache

Nicholini’s

Seasons by Olivier Elzer

Lardos

Nom Nom Dumpling

Seoul House Korean Restaurant

Lawry's The Prime Rib

Northern Dumpling Yuan

Serge et le Phoque

Le Bistro Winebeast

Nosh

Seventh Son

Le Port Parfumé

L'Entrecôte De Paris

Liberty Private Works

Limewood

Lin Heung Kui

Linguini Fini

Little Bao

Loong Toh Yuen

Palette

Papi Papillon Caffe

Lung Yue Restaurant

O O Delice!

One-ThirtyOne

Oppa Chicken

Osteria

83 63

Shiro

Paradise Dynasty

Shu Zhai

Peking Garden

Shugetsu

Penthouse

Shun Kee Typhoon Shelter

Pho 24

Sichuan Cuisine

Pho Yummee

Sichuan House

Pinot Duck

Sijie Sichuan Restaurant

Pirata

Sing Yin

Pololi

Sister Wah

Prompt

Skewed

Prune Organic Deli and Workshop

So Bor Kee

Pure Veggie House

Social Place

Sogno Café

Sohofama

Souvla

Spices

Spicy Andong

Magnolia

Magosaburou

Main St. Deli

Makumba

Mama San

Man Mo Café

Man Sing

Man Wah

Manchurian Candidate

Mandy's Caribbean Bar & Restaurant

Qi House of Sichuan

Mantranz

Quemo

Ma's Restaurant

Maya Cafe

Megan's Kitchen

Mekiki no Ginji

Merhaba

Metropolitain

MIC Kitchen

Ming Court

Missy Ho's

Mum

Myanmar Thai Place

N Nam Fong

Nam Kee

NamKeeH

Nan Tei

Neighborhood

New Baccarat Seafood Restaurant

New York Club

Shanghai Wing Wah (Sze Chuen) Restaurant 78

Shelter Italian Bar and Restaurant

Shanghai Lo

Made in HK

Mrs. Pound

Shang Shang Shanghai Cuisine

Madam S'ate

Shek O Chinese and Thailand Seafood Restaurant

Mott 32

Shang Palace

Shatin Inn

Maccha House

Morton's of Chicago

Sha Tin 18

R Rainbow Seafood

Spoon by Alain Ducasse

Rakuen

Spring Deer

Red Seasons

Steak Frites By The Butchers Club

Restaurant Akrame

Stone Nullah Tavern

Restaurant Petrus

Sumac

Restoration

Sumi

Rockabilly

Sun Hing Chang Restaurant

Ronin

Sup 1

Ruamjai Thai Restaurant

Supergiant

Ryugin

Supreme Restaurant

Sushi Kuu

Sushi Tokumi

Sabah Malaysian Cuisine

Saint-Germain

Sam's Cook

Tabibito

San Xi Lou

Tai O Lookout

Sanche

Tai Wing Wah

Sauce

Tai Ye Chicken

Sawali Club

Tak Lung Restaurant

School Food

Tararan-ya

Sea Dragon King Restaurant

Taste Cafe

Seasalt

Tate

32 Restaurant Guide 2015

- 89

Index

Tea Saloon by Another Fine Day

The Square

Thai Basil

The Steak House Wine Bar & Grill

Waffling Beans

51 46

Thai Delicious Canteen

The Stoep

Whisk

Thai on High

The Sweet Dynasty

Wong Chun Chun

Thai Som Tum

Tin Lung Heen

Wooloomooloo Prime

Thaweesab Thai Food

Tipping Point

The Awakening

Tokyo Agura

The Bellbrook Bistro Oz by Laris

Top Grade Hot Pot

The Big Bite

Traditional Beijing Dumpling House

The Boss

Trattoria Queen Hollywood

The Butchers Club

Tung Po Seafood

Yachiyo Ramen

The Chop House

Yakiniku Futago HK

The Diner

Yun Yan

Yardbird

Ye Shanghai

Yung Kee

The Dining Room

The French Window

The Grand Buffet

The Lot on Possession

U U-Hang

Under Bridge Spicy Crab

Uohachi

Upper Modern Bistro

The News Room Diner

The Night Market

Veggie Palace

The Nile

Veggie SF

The Pierside

Vietnam Station

The Principal

X Xi Yan Private Dining

Xia Fei

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