1506st hongkong supplement

HONGKONG

SUPPLEMENT

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Hong Kong Weekender Hong Kong is the obvious and ideal getaway for Mainland China residents, not only for it’s delicious dining options, healthy environment and fabulous shopping, but it is also a destination where you can benefit from all the comforts of city living, yet still escape for a peaceful hike on one of the quieter, outlying islands.

F

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rom Shanghai, it is convenient, easy and cheap to hop on a flight bound for Hong Kong for an action packed weekend that offers activities for every type of traveller.

international brands. The great thing about shopping in TST was that we could easily go back and drop our shopping bags off at the centrally located hotel, before heading out for round two.

We arrived in the early evening and headed straight for our accommodation, Gateway Hotel, at Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. After checking in, we made a beeline for dinner at sister hotel, Marco Polo’s contemporary Italian restaurant, Cucina. We pampered ourselves with fantastically fresh lobster pasta, along with sea urchin, scallops, steak and other delicacies, all whilst looking out over the spectacular and illuminated Victoria Harbour.

A short walk away from Gateway Hotel is the Star Ferry terminal, which transported us across the water to Hong Kong Island and dropped us off right outside the IFC mall. Another great place for indulging in some retail therapy, the mall also houses one of three Apple stores in the city, and you can scoff at the one-hour long queue of Mainlanders lining up to buy an Apple Watch, or join the masses, if you have the time to spare.

We had been waiting to do some serious shopping in Hong Kong, thanks to the city’s comparatively lower retail prices. As we were based in TST, our first stop on our shopping tour was Harbour City, Hong Kong’s largest shopping destination, with its myriad of luxury outlets, before we moved on to Canton Road, for cheaper,

From the IFC mall, it is an easy walk over to Admiralty for more shopping.

We particularly enjoyed visiting Lab Concept, where many international fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands had been carefully curated and placed together under one roof, including brands such as Topshop and Urban Outfitters, to MAC and Bobby Brown.

SoHo is a bustling area, with a wealth of cool bars and restaurants.

You can easily spend your night here getting familiar with the Hong Kong pace of life, or head off in search of the bright lights of Lan Kwai Fong. The noisy bars and clubs of LKF spill out into the street, beckoning you to come and join the communal dance party. And with bar staff tempting you with the promise of cheap shots, some may get trapped here for a little longer than they ever intended to.

our batteries and embrace nature. There is a wealth of different hikes, treks and trails to visit in Hong Kong: Dragon’s Back, Lantau Island and of course The Peak are just a few places to go and sweat it out. However, we decided to make the short trip over to Lamma Island, as we were looking for something closeby to TST due to the extremely bad storm that was forecast to hit Hong Kong. We hopped on a ferry, and within 30-minutes, skyscraper vistas had been replaced with the view of islands jutting out from the vast ocean.

After an exhausting day of shopping and partying, we needed to recharge

We arrived at the coastal town of Yung Shue Wan, and walked past

After a day of intense shopping, it is only right to cut loose during the evening. We started by heading over to SoHo, and getting drinks in Aberdeen Street Social at PMQ. Situated in the old Police Married Headquarters on Hollywood Road, the space has been repurposed and is now known as a hub for the creative and design industries.

Aberdeen Street Social, by Michelinstar chef Jason Atherton, spans two-storeys, a casual bar cum bistro downstairs and an intimate restaurant upstairs. Sip cocktails on the terrace as a warm-up before entering the SoHo Loop.

its array of cute craft stores, before heading off on the easy walking trail around the island. The route was well signposted and we went past rustic villages, popular beaches, pagodas and temples. The hour-long trail offered fantastic sea-views throughout and ended at Sok Kwu Wan, a local fishing community that still holds onto its traditional way of life. We enjoyed freshly caught seafood at one of the many specialist seafood restaurants along the waterfront before catching the ferry back to TST to pack our backs and make the short journey back to Shanghai.

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Advertorial

Getaway To Gateway Hotel, Hong Kong Gateway Hotel seamlessly blends urban design, residential comforts and stateof-the- art technology with the ultimate location in the most fashionable address in Kowloon.

Gateway Hotel is an approximately 35minute drive from the airport or a 55minute MTR journey. Guests can also take the hotel shuttle bus, which takes about 40-minutes, to the airport.

Unlimited Connectivity For Free

Situated in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon, Gateway Hotel is one of the three Marco Polo hotels in Hong Kong, which also includes Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel and Prince Hotel, and forms part of Harbour City - Hong Kong’s largest shopping complex of more than 450 shops, featuring the world’s leading luxury brands.

A

stay at Gateway Hotel is the perfect combination between leisurely, luxurious accommodation, and a high-octane shopping experience.

In September 2013, Gateway Hotel redesigned the property by completely innovating the design concept, and brought itself up to speed with the fast-paced, modern, chic lifestyle of the city. Discover contemporary cool design, fusion touches and stylish comfort in the 400 newly renovated rooms and suites.

Nestled in the hub of Canton Road, is the ultimate urban chic hotel that aptly lives up to its name. The Gateway Hotel is located at the centre of Harbour City, Hong Kong’s largest shopping destination with multiple points of direct access to world-class shopping and dining. Unsurpassed mobility is the reward of being at the junction of Canton and Haiphong roads; the key transport hubs of the China Ferry Terminal, Star Ferry and the MTR station are all within walking distance, and the Airport Express Kowloon station is just moments away. Guests can enjoy easy access to the area's major tourist attractions, such as the Kowloon Park, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Space Museum and Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Thanks to Gateway Hotel being a wellestablished hotel in Hong Kong, it benefits from more spacious rooms than its contemporary counterparts, and in the epicentre of Tsim Sha Tsui, space is at a premium. The sleek design elements of all the rooms and suites evoke a residential feeling, and feature a 40-inch flat screen television with in-house movies and an extensive selection of international TV channels.

Every room is wired to be a virtual office, equipped with an iHome Docking station plus multiple power points by the desk and bed. All suites offer the transformative pleasure of a rain shower and bathtub built in its newly designed marble bathrooms. Fitness buffs have access

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Redefining The Way People Travel With A Handy Smartphone

to the 24-hour gym at the nearby Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel and Prince Hotel and the outdoor swimming pool at the Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel.

The business centre offers comprehensive services for the global entrepreneur and travelling executive ranging from secretarial assistance, facsimile service to laptop rental.

We would highly recommend that you upgrade your stay in order to access the club level. The Continental Club at Gateway Hotel is the epitome of sleek design, intuitive services and state-of-theart amenities. The uppermost levels of the hotel feature three Continental Club floors, where guests can indulge in the exclusive services of the lounge, from complimentary daily breakfast, afternoon tea to cocktails. The personalised service is second to none, as the staff caters to your every need before you even realise it.

Located in one of the world’s culinary capitals, the hotel has created a signature outlet, Three on Canton, which is the ultimate gourmet destination, with an impressively designed space of 20,000 square feet to wine and dine, lounge and network.

You can also discover the most stylish al frescodining terrace on Canton Road, dubbed ‘Be on Canton’. Be part of a hip and happening venue that offers resort-style dining, cocktails and aperitifs served with delectable bites, or shake things up with an instant party.

Complimentary Mini Bar Because The Best Things In Life Are Free A complimentary mini bar service is now available in every room, which is replenished daily for the entire duration of your stay. These essential refreshments are vital to your enjoyment of the dazzling, energetic city of Hong Kong and includes: Two bottles of Water, Two Cans of Beer, Classic Coke, Diet Coke and Orange Juice.

Celebrate the extinction of data roaming charges whenever you check-in at Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Gateway Hotel and Prince Hotel. A revolutionary hotel amenity, the handy is a smartphone that keeps guests totally connected whilst they enjoy exploring the city. It comes preloaded with bespoke software specifically designed for tourists visiting Hong Kong.

The handy even goes beyond the traditional smartphone by informing you of local events and suggesting exclusive ticketing offers and discounts. Savvy business travellers will definitely appreciate the invaluable service of receiving their incoming hotel room phone calls on their handy device, which absolutely guarantees that no important calls are missed.

The handy is a complimentary value added service for room guests featuring the following, built-in benefits: • Unlimited 3G mobile internet • Unlimited local calls • Wi-Fi hotspot and tethering to other mobile devices such as laptops and tablets • Instant access to hotel concierge • Popular social media apps pre-loaded, from Facebook to WeChat, allowing immediate status updates and sharing of travel highlights • Hong Kong dining and city guide with ticketing offers Gateway Hotel. Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tel: (852) 2113 0888.

Email: gateway@marcopolohotels.com.

Web: www.marcopolohotels.com

La Paloma

What: Sexy tapas bar and restaurant by Chef Willy Trullas Moreno Where: 1/F, SoHo 189, 189 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong. Tel: (+852) 2291 6161. Web: www.elwillygroup.com Why: For fine Spanish fare in an upmarket venue This is the El Willy Group’s second venture in Hong Kong, after the success of Fo Fo five years ago. The restaurant follows the fun and flirty style of their other establishments; it was warm, welcoming and bustling on our visit, so we suggest that you book a table in advance. From their seats, guests are able to look into the open kitchen with its designated Paella station and “el Asador”, a traditional clay oven from Castilla y Leon, which can reach up to 300 degrees Celsius. The wait staff are friendly and efficient, and happy to give you helpful food and drink suggestions along the way. Valencian Executive

Nyima Pratten Chef, Vito Chiavacci, helms the kitchen, and with his half-Spanish and half-Italian heritage, he brings passion and knowledge to the eatery.

We started off with a selection of tapas, including bacon con queso (HK$68 for four pieces), which are explosive air baguettes filled with a creamy cheese filling and wrapped in fatty bacon. We also enjoyed the salmon explosion (HK$22 per piece), not too dissimilar to the famous explosive Balik salmon at El Willy in Shanghai. The gambas ai ajillo (HK$ 78) was another beautiful addition. The large and juicy shrimps were brimming with garlic flavour and served with a hint of olive oil, in which they had been sautéed.

Next, we tried the cochinillo (HK$350). It was honestly one of the best roast suckling pigs we have ever tried, with its crispy skin and tender meat. Chef Vito told us that it had been vacuum packed and cooked for 15 hours before being finished in the clay oven. We also enjoyed the Valenciana Paella

(HK$328), which included artichoke, French bean and chicken, with generous dollops of mayonnaise to give it a creamy consistency. Instead of finishing off the cooking process in the oven, this Paella was cooked on a high heat over the stove to make a crispy socarrat - the crust on the bottom of the dish - which was rich in flavour from the stock and gave the perfect bite at the end of the dish.

We finished off with bollycao (HK$ 58), Nutella chocolate brioche buns; a sinful ending to our indulgent feast. There is also a long wine list (from HK$288), featuring wines from various regions in Spain, as well as Spanish bottled and draught beers, sherry and sangria. Cocktails are also priced very reasonably, at HK$68.

La Paloma is definitely worth a visit during a trip to Hong Kong, and is in a fantastic location in the buzzing Sai Ying Pun area. We will be back again soon.

Second Helpings: Linguini Fini What: Bigger and better premises for the nose-to-tail concept Italian restaurant Where: 49 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong Tel: (+852) 2387 6838. Web: www.linguinifini.com Why: For homemade Italian dishes with a modern, American twist Linguini Fini first opened its doors in 2012.

However, this new reincarnation of the eatery only opened at the beginning of this year in a larger venue on an ever-popular street. The restaurant gave off an unpretentious and welcoming vibe with a modern, urban-chic, industrial design, including exposed piping, concrete pillars and light fixtures hanging from chains. Homemade pasta, which is freshly made for every lunch and dinner sitting, can also be seen hanging out to dry above preparation stations in the open kitchen. Set in the energetic SoHo district, it is an extremely popular destination with the local crowd, so it is essential to book ahead on the weekends.

This is a restaurant with a strong ethical heartbeat pulsing through its everyday operations, which not only subscribes to the nose-to-tail philosophy, but also to minimising all wastage and food packaging by not receiving plastics from suppliers and practices on-site food composting for fresh food waste. They also concentrate on sourcing vegetables and meats locally, mainly from the New Territories.

We pulled up a stool at a communal dining table and tucked into fried calamari (HK$88), which were tender to the bite and served with marinara sauce laced with courgette, chilli and spicy ‘nduja, a spreadable pork sausage. We

Nyima Pratten

also indulged in caprese with homemade mozzarella (HK$108), and enjoyed the fantastically fresh cheese with a drizzle of 30-yearold balsamico.

We tried a selection of fresh pasta including uni macheroni carbonara (HK$188). The dish became even creamier when the sea urchin was mixed into the egg yolk, homemade lardo and macheroni, which puts an adventurous twist on the traditional, and somewhat bland, American staple. We also tried the Italian xiao long bao agnolotti (HK$168) - a play on the meeting of the two cultures at the restaurant, however, this Asian influence would not have been obvious to us if it wasn’t for the name of the tasty agnolotti. Our favourite pasta dish was the radiatore alla vodka (HK$148). The radiator-resembling pasta was coated in a creamy tomato sauce with ‘nduja, basil and lumps of fresh, melted mozzarella.

Moving onto the meat course, we tried the homemade spicy sausage (HK$108). The 80 per cent meat and 20 per cent filling was combined with peppers, onions, chilli and oregano mustard, giving it a unique, luxurious taste. The dry rubbed hanger steak (H$K168) had a wonderfully rich red colouring, hinting at the quality of the meat and preparation time. It was served alongside a caramelised onion

aioli and was finished almost as quickly as it was put down on our family-sharing table.

The Bronx 18-inch New York pie (HK$308) is for those brave enough to continue after all the previous dishes. This New York-style pizza is topped with fresh mozzarella, porchetta, pepperoni and meatballs.

To finish things off, we sampled the chocolate banana cake (HK$78), which was moist and chocolate-rich, as well as the apple pie with caramel sauce (HK$78), a quintessential American dessert.

Linguini Fini will be opening a new branch in Pudong, Shanghai later this year, so we will be sure to fill you in when it arrives. For now, make the most of your visits to Hong Kong.

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