Japan Times

EVERYTHING CHINESE

With a striking dining room accented by glinting jade features, Moon Lok Chinese Restaurant takes a leaf from culinary archives to shine a spotlight on traditional Chinese cuisine. Operated by the same group that manages Pak Lok Chiu Chow Restaurant, Moon Lok incorporates various regional influences into its diverse menu. Executive chef Hui Mei Tak whips up Deep-fried Bombay Duck Fish with Spiced Salt (from HK$78), Steamed Whole Crab with Pork Patty (HK$498), and a signature Peking duck.

There are also Sichuan dishes that will please those who like a hint of heat. Think Stirfried Spicy Beef with Dried Orange Peel (from HK$108), an American tenderloin beef stir-fried with Sichuan peppercorns and 10-year-old dried orange peel. Jade-coloured walls and floral artworks evoke the feel of a tranquil Chinese garden as guests unwind over a delectable meal. 2-4, 1/F, Xiqu Centre, 88 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 3622 1449

24 HOURS IN

ATASCADERO, CALIFORNIA

Douglas Little, founder of Heretic Parfum

» EAT

Start off your day with breakfast at Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill. This quaint little restaurant is about 20 minutes north of Atascadero and sits right on the ocean. The drive is spellbinding, with rolling green hills and epic views of the Pacific Ocean. We always get the Hangtown Omelette (fried oysters and eggs) paired with, I reckon, the best bloody Mary in the central coast. www. moonstonebeach.com

Not to be missed is the highly addictive Brown Butter Cookies. The headquarters are located about 20 minutes south of Atascadero in the sleepy little surfer town of Cayucos. These cookies are so simple and incredible. At any given time, a buzz of people comes in to get freshly baked batches of cookies, fresh milk from a local dairy and coffee. It doesn’t sound like much but these cookies will change your life. I love grabbing a bag of six cookies, cup of coffee and walking down to the beach, which is about a five-minute walk from the shop. brownbuttercookies.com

» DRINK

Daou Vineyard is nothing short of breathtaking. Positioned at the crest of a rolling hill, the multi-million-dollar winery boasts some of the most extraordinary wines in California. Many of the local wines rival the best of Napa and Daou is a prime example. Daou leaves no stone unturned and no detail is too small. The tasting room and staff are nothing short of spectacular. daouvineyards.com

» STAY

Built in 1958 by Alex Madonna and his wife Phyllis, Madonna Inn is a stunning landmark with over 100 themed rooms and an eccentric dining area. The rooms range in eccentricity from pattern on pattern to the cave man room with a full scale waterfall. madonnainn.com

» DO

At Margarita Adventures, you can zip line through acres and acres of rolling oaks flying high above the grape vineyards. We love doing this- it’s insane fun and allows you to experience the beauty of the central coast in its full glory. Once you have ziplined through the vineyards, you can walk across the street to the tasting room and try some of the fantastic local wines and scrumptious pairings. margarita-adventures.com