The List #228, Dec 15 2014 by The List Magazine

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Issue 228 15 December 2014

EVERY TWO WEEKS

T h e M a g a z i n e T h at K n o w s

A Very Hong Kong Christmas The last-minute holiday guide

CONTENTS

05 Editor’s Letter 06 Guestlist

Havana Good Time

Cuba comes to the NYE bash at Duddell’s.

08 Wishlist

Trendwatch

Zalora Marketplace brings the best independent local designers to your laptop screen.

Lookbook

Jewelry maven Jeanine Hsu talks us through her style essentials.

Beauty and Wellness

BounceLimit trampoline fitness puts a spring in our step.

What’s In

Club Monaco’s winter collection is bang on trend.

14 Feature

All We Want for Christmas

We ask the good people of Hong Kong all about their yuletide yearnings.

50 Baby Pak choi

Mama’s Night Out

New mom Sarah Fung hits the social scene in LKF for the first time in a year; is home by 11pm.

KNOW & TEL

Table Decorations p.20

Family Fun p.24

Alcohol Delivery p.30

Subscription Gifts p.36

Party Dresses p.40

Th e M aga z i n e That K n ow s

HK Magazine media

Publisher and General Manager | Greg Crandall

The List Magazine Media Ltd.

Editorial

Part of HK Magazine Media Group 302 Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road,

Editor-in-Chief | Zach Hines Managing Editor | Sarah Fung

Hong Kong

Senior Consulting Editor | Kate Springer

Tel: 852-2850-5065 Fax: 852-2543-4964 E-mail: thelist@hkmagmedia.com

Staff Writers | Andrea Lo, Evelyn Lok

Associate Editor | Charlotte Mulliner Contributors | Melissa Frankenberry, Tristan Ruzic

Production Production Manager | Blackie Hui Art Director | Pierre Pang Designers | Elaine Tang, Siu Fa Wong, Tammy Tan Production Supervisor | Kelly Cheung

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

ONLINE Online & Social Media Manager | Katie Kenny Web Developer | Timothy Cheng

Editorial

Advertising

E-mail: thelist@hkmagmedia.com

Tel: (852) 2850-5678 Fax: (852) 2543-4088 E-mail: advertising@hkmagmedia.com

Copyright 2014 The List Magazine Media Ltd. The contents of The List are the property of The List Magazine Media Ltd. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly prohibited. The List may not be distributed without the express written consent of The List Magazine Media Ltd. Contact the Advertising Director for ad rates and specifications. All advertising in The List must comply with the Publisher's terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by Apex Print Limited, 11-13 Dai Kwai Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, N.T. Before you decide to purchase or use the products and/or services that our magazine introduces, you should gather further information about the same in addition to the representations or advertising contents in our magazine. The contents in articles by guest authors are the authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal views only and do not represent the position of our magazine or our company. Please gather further information about the products and/or services before you decide to purchase or use the same.

The Christmas Countdown With only 10 days to go until Christmas, we’ve thrown together a last-minute party guide to get you from Grinch to glorious in no time at all!

editor’s letter

Get in the mood for the holidays with our list of Festive Fun (p.24) with carols, concerts and Christmas markets galore. Need booze, and fast? These online Alcohol Delivery folks (p.30) should help Santa get that merry twinkle in his eye without you having to leave your couch. If your flat needs a touch of festive sparkle, check out these pretty Table Decorations (p.20), and make sure you’re looking suitably festive yourself with these chic Party Dresses (p.40). Oh, and if you’ve been too busy entertaining to shop for pressies, we’ve got a great list of Subscription Gifts (p.36) that’ll deliver monthly goodies—from craft beer to doggie treats—throughout the year. All you need to do is hop onto your computer and get ordering. Merry Christmas from the team at The List!

Sarah Fung

Get in Touch I’d love to hear from you! E-mail me: sarah.fung@hkmagmedia.com Find me on Twitter: @sarahefung

ListMagazine_155x102mm_ChristmasSpecialPromotions_21Nov13.pdf 1 21-Nov-14 11:42:35

CHRISTMAS SPECIAL PROMOTIONS GREAT DISCOUNTS C

on a fantastic array of new collections

CMY

• Sofas

• Accessories

• Furniture

• Gifts

• Lighting

• Mirrors

• Mattresses

• Artwork

• Fabric

• Cushions & Throws

Aspirational Living Flagship Designer Showroom: 1/F, Horizon Plaza, Ap Lei Chau. 2877 3295 Studio by Tequila Kola: 34 Elgin Street, SoHo. 2520 1611

www.tequilakola.com

Make a Date Our picks for the month

Ring in the new year at Duddell’s

Through Dec

Dec 18-19

Jingle Bell Rock

A Lang Lang Night

10 days until Christmas! Time to get organized. The Great Food Hall’s Christmas Delicacies Extravaganza is offering a range of Christmas gift sets that will please even the pickiest of foodies. Pick up truffle chocolate chips from the Chocolat Mathez Fantasy Collection and Tai Tai Pie Pie’s Christmas selections. Of course, all the usual Christmas dinner components will be available, from turkey to gingerbread and everything in between.

Piano superstar Lang Lang barely needs an introduction; He takes the stage this December for an epic presentation of piano concertos with the HK Philharmonic and Principal Conductor Jaap Van Zweden. It’ll be two very different affairs on the two evenings: the spotlight will be on Mozart’s famed last piano concerto on the first night, and on the romance of Tchaikovsky’s works on the second.

Great Food Hall, Shop 9, LG1/F, Two Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty

Dec 31

Havana New Year’s Ball Duddell’s New Year’s Eve party is themed “Havana Nights,” which, naturally, comes with a live Cuban band. You’ll get a welcome glass of champagne and a light supper, served after the countdown. Want more food than that? Book yourself in for an eight-course tasting menu ($1,848), which includes free entry to the party afterwards—if you can still walk! 3-4/F, Shanghai Tang Mansion, Duddell St., Central, 2525-9191. $580 from www.eventbrite.hk

8pm. Concert Hall, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $480-1,980 from www.urbtix.hk.

Guestlist

Jan 2-5

Come on Carmen The world famous Antonio Gades Company flamenco troupe will grace Hong Kong with three performances of “Carmen”—the ultimate gypsy femme fatale—set to Gades’s acclaimed original choreography. The dance is based on the original novella by Prosper Mérimée and is a tale of Romani bandits, romance, jealousy, and many, many confusing Spanish names.

Spotted!

Chi Fan for Charity Nov 22

Jan 2-3, 8:15pm; 4, 3pm. Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. $180-520 from www.urbtix.hk.

Through May, 2015

Easy as Pie The Hyatt Regency Sha Tin’s Patisserie is hosting a pop-up at K11, showcasing its honey cakes, pure jars of honey from the Wing Wo Apiary (from which the cakes are made), and also the shop’s signature apple pie. Don’t put off going forever—it’s only going to last six months. AsiaWorld-Arena, Sky Plaza Rd., Chek Lap Kok, 3606-8828. $295-1,195 from www.hkticketing.com.

More than 270 diners, 25 participating restaurants and an after-party packed full of 500 guests attended Chi Fan for Charity’s second annual event. The night raised an incredible $340,000 for Enlighten-Action for Epilepsy—the only epilepsy-focused, non-medical charity in Hong Kong to help people with the neurological disorder. The List hosted a table at Spices at The Repulse Bay: thank you to all who attended!

Want to see your event featured here? Send invitations to thelist@hkmagmedia.com

A dose of Hong Kong style Hot Launch

Grace and Style

Successful hotelier and womanabout-town Grace Leo brings her flair for design and Hong Kong-European heritage to new luxury online store A Touch of Grace. You’ll find a selection of hand-picked, European-designed homeware furnishings—from dinner plates to teapots to woven pillows. The concept is to export London’s Mayfair, Florence or the French Riviera to Asia with a series of tasteful, elegant collections inspired by her time in the hotel industry. With prices to match the craftsmanship of each piece, these strike us more as investments to last a lifetime rather than your average Sunday dinner dishes. www.atouchofgrace.com

wishlist

Fashion Forecast This fortnight’s style digest

Classy Florals You’ll be the belle of the ball with this floral, flared number.

Hot

Trendwatch

$7,290 from Alice + Olivia

Party Lines Pair this jazzy sequin skirt with a simple black top for cocktail hour. $599 from Miss Selfridge @ Zalora.com

Cat Eyes Hunt down a pair of these smokin’ hot winter shades. $2,590 from Miu Miu @ Mytheresa.com

Back to Front Should we be happy or worried? Lazy Oaf

Market Ploys Online shopping platform Zalora has just launched its exciting new venture, Zalora Marketplace, which is dedicated to independent Hong Kong designers, boutiques and brands. You’ll find a ton of ready-to-wear women’s and men’s fashion and accessories, including the likes of 112 Mountainyam, Blind by JW and Tina’s Choice. At a fashion show last month, The List loved the wool coats from House of V, the saw-shaped handbags from Pomch and the geometric dresses from Fave by Kenny Li. We’re pumped about this venture—it’s a fantastic way to access the latest fashions from local talent with all the ease of Zalora’s website! marketplace.zalora.com.hk

Fugly Prints A not-so-couture moment. Juicy Couture

NOT

Hot Launch

Lookbook

wishlist

Pyrite Crystal Ball I place this stone on my desk when working, as it’s believed to bring energy to business. It’s also a strong stone to promote positive thinking and manifestation. It has been given the nickname “fool’s gold,” because like real gold, it has a lovely luster and its golden shiny appearance is inviting to look at.

Vintage Brooch The brooch is a gift from my auntie who is like a best friend to me, so it means a lot. It’s a portrait of my great-greatgrandfather, who loved jewelry. For every occasion, he ordered a special piece for his wife, Rosalia. She ordered this portrait of him and wore the brooch proudly, as he was 10 years younger than her, and very good-looking!

Sunglasses by Kuboraum I was gifted these by Livio Graziottin, the incredibly inspiring creator of Kuboraum, a cool Berlin-based brand.

Paper Weight and Beer Opener Jeanine Hsu

This is a useful gift from my sister, which was made by an artist in Osaka, Japan.

The founder of jewelry brand Niin, which recently opened a shop in Sheung Wan, tells Andrea Lo about her favorite things. Shop E, 200 Hollywood Rd., Sheung Wan, 2878-8811

“40 Days to Personal Revolution” This book by Baron Baptiste changed my life a few years ago, when I needed to be more grounded again. Yoga has become a part of my life.

Drykorn Shawl This shawl is too easy to wear. It’s made by another awesome German brand—I love the name!

Teatum Jones Dress One of my best friends is half of this fantastic duo fashion label, with whom I did my joint graduation show at Central Saint Martins. They are now killing it in London. This dress was one of their first orders!

Beauty & Wellness Your guide to looking fit and fabulous

Tried & Tested

Belle of the Ball A new kid on the styling-bar block, Bellesa has managed to bag a great spot on D’Aguilar Street—ideal if you’re heading straight out after your pampering sesh. The venue is a big, bright-white space with eight beautifying stations (and an extra two in a VIP room). The List tried the hair styling ($380) and makeup ($850) combo before a big event. The stylists provided both services simultaneously—making for an efficient (though intense!) 60 minutes of pampering. The results were great: the makeup artist used a mix of her all-time fave products rather than pushing one brand, plus our plump curls held up until the night’s end. Special price through Dec 31: get a 45-minute wash and style for $330 and add on makeup for $680. Shop 701-2, 7/F, Century Square, 1-13 D’Aguilar St., Central, 2116-0600, www.bellesahair.com

Hot Opening

Last-Minute Gifts

Jump for Joy

I Dream of Genie

One of Asia’s first “rebounding” trampoline studios, BounceLimit opened up shop on December 1. The 3,000-square-foot fitness studio is filled with mini trampolines, and provides highintensity, low-impact fitness classes. BounceLimit claims you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour in its classes—the trampolines keep your heart pumping while working your core, glutes and legs. But it’s not all straight jumping: the classes take different approaches, with varieties such as MilitaryBounce and BouncePilates to keep things interesting. Jump to it!

Get your last-minute Christmas gifts sorted with help from Genie Juicery: the brand’s gift hamper is packed with kinda-sorta healthy holiday treats that are perfect for picky eaters, or those with intolerances. Each deluxe hamper ($800) comes with six Genie Juicery juices, Christmas popcorn, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, chocolate lollipops, white chocolate raspberry licorice, dark chocolate-covered coffee beans and a couple of candy canes. Not exactly guilt-free, but hey, what’s Christmas without a little indulgence?

Classes from $375. 13/F, The Pemberton, 22-26 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, 5929-3563, www.bouncelimit.com

Shop 2096B, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2644-5875, www.geniejuicery.com

What’s In Club Monaco

3 2

1. Vest

$2,450 2. Pearl Shirt

$2,990 3. Bobble Hat

$1,690 4. Leather-Trim Skirt

$1,650

5. Gold Detail Dress

$1,990 6. Black ‘n’ Gold Sandals

$3,290

wishlist

7 8

7. Wool Trilby

$1,290

8. Poncho

$3,590 9. Floral Top

$1,550 10. Leather Gloves

$1,290 11. Plum Skirt

$1,850 12. Ankle Boots

$3,990

13. Leather Jacket

$6,950

Shop 1039, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 3586-3045

All You Want for Christmas From Christmas wish lists to fond festive memories, we asked the people of Hong Kong for their own take on the holiday season. By Melissa Frankenberry and Tristan Ruzic.

Sophie-Armelle Rinieri,

Christine Leung, 27, accountant

36, personal stylist and shopper

“I’ll hopefully be having a big party with all my friends because this is the last Christmas I will be ‘single’ —next year I am getting married.”

“My best Christmas memory is when my daughter received a princess dress from Paris. She was so incredibly excited.”

Lau Sin-yi, 20, cashier “For Christmas I would like an orange lipstick. Lipstick is my favorite kind of makeup, so I hope someone in my family buys it for me.

Manon Wan Revue, 20, brand image intern “This year I want a lot of things! Bags, shoes, clothes—a lot of things!”

Samuel Teh Beng-tiong, 11, student “This year I want a time machine. I am looking forward to all of the yummy foods we get to eat on Christmas too.”

Laure Charoze, 39, personal stylist and personal shopper “This year I’m staying in Hong Kong with my family and friends. We’ll have a good time having tea at The Peninsula, and see a performance of The Nutcracker. We’ll have dinner with friends as well.”

Jen Skym,

Claudio Canzonetta,

33, teacher

35, printing manager

“This year I am asking for a Garmin sports watch because I just had a baby and I am really unfit. Time to get in shape again!”

“This Christmas I’d like independence for Hong Kong so people don’t feel the need to sleep and fight in the streets.”

Jane Lombard, 32, international brand image director “Every Christmas when I was a kid, my grandmother would read me the same Christmas story. The book was called ‘The Real Story of Christmas’ or something like that. I’m excited for a very traditional and true Christmas with my family back in France this year.”

Mike Silvestri,

George Li,

24, accountant

23, asset management intern

“My favorite Christmas memory is snowboarding in Vale because I was with my family and we finally all got to go to a great ski resort together.”

“Christmas is the time when I see people walking around and it’s very crowded. I can see a lot of smiles in the streets and I can actually feel the good vibes around me. It always makes me happy when I see people smiling so those are the things I look forward to most.”

Ellen Eun-young Park,

Dervla Louli,

23, researcher

27, managing editor

“My favorite Christmas memory is when my friend and I got lost in Japan. We ended up having a great time because the place we found ourselves in had a firework show for Christmas night.”

“My favorite memory is when my brother would wake us up every Christmas morning by playing the Christmas march with his trumpet. It was quite annoying too!”

Raj Sen, 36, works in an art gallery “I can still remember how happy I was when I was 10 years old and got the Transformer that I wanted for Christmas. I don’t even know what I want this year! I guess I want a flight home to Canada—Vancouver Island— to quickly drop in on my family.”

Lai Yi-an,

Darren Lloste,

9, student

40, architect

“My favorite memory is one Christmas when I built a snowman. This year I can’t wait to go home and decorate my house with lots of decorations.”

“My best Christmas memory was the first time I was overseas and got to experience snow at Christmas time. This year I am really looking forward to seeing my family and spending time catching up.”

20-22 Table Decorations

Know & Tel Instant Index

24-28 Family Fun 30-35 Alcohol Delivery 36-39 Subscription Gifts 40-43 Party Dresses

CONTACT US: On the following pages youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find a huge array of practical information. We cover more than 200 topics a year. Tell us what you need to know! Email: thelist@hkmagmedia.com

Disney

Table decorations May your dining rooms be bright

Reindeer napkin rings, $189 for four from Zara Home

Candleabra, $1,290 from Indigo Living

Ritzenhoff Champagne flutes, $255 from Great Food Hall Candlestick, $1,690 from Tequila Kola

Gold cutlery, from $119 per piece from Loveramics

Crackers, $195 from Mirth

Festive mugs, $240 for four from Indigo Living

Know & Tel

Zweisel decanter, $3,850 from ExclusivitĂŠs

Reindeer cork, $58 from Mr. Blacksmith

Sugar pot, $180 from Homeless

Wine glass, $99 from Zara Home

Chalkboard carafe, $149 from Loveramics

Cheeseboard, $360 from Bambu @ Phatrice

Last-Minute Trees Missed out on getting a real Christmas tree this year—or simply don’t have the space? Check out these artificial alternatives.

Paper nakins, $60 from Cath Kidston

Mullbrae cheese serving set, $3,300 from Lane Crawford

Cath Kidston, Shop 8, G/F, Empire Court, 2-4 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, 28080792 Exclusivités, Shop 3325, 3/F, Harbour City, Gateway Arcade, 7-27 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2735-0579 Great Food Hall, B/F, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2918-9606 Homeless, 29 Gough St,, Central, 2581-1880 Indigo Living, 6/F Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St., Ap Lei Chau, 2555-0540 Lane Crawford, 3/F IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2118-2288 Loveramics, 95 Leighton Rd., Causeway Bay, 2915-8018 Mirth, Shop 12, 66 Yi Chun St., Sai Kung, 2750-4800 Mr. Blacksmith, 88 Queen’s Rd. East, Wan Chai, 2529-7721 Phatrice, www.phatrice.com Tequila Kola, 1/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St., Ap Lei Chau, 2877-3295 Zara Home, Shoop 3205, 3/F, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2880-5068

Japan Home Centre

Brighten

The store that has everything you didn’t know you needed also happens to sell artificial Christmas trees. You might have to spend some time sifting through the stock, but there are some pretty decent re-usable fake trees in a variety of festive colors, starting at a dinky 30cm if your flat doesn’t have space for anything bigger.

This multi-story floriculture store in Mong Kok’s flower market has both artificial and real Christmas trees in stock. If you can’t even be tempted by the teeny tiny 2-foot-tall Fraser fir, Brighten has a plethora of fakies in stock—some going all the way up to 10 feet.

Various locations, including Shop A-C, G/F, 128 Wellington St., Central, 2815-0434

Toys ‘R’ Us This toy store chain has artificial trees as well as wreaths of different sizes. Although they might not be the grandest looking of Christmas trees, they do the job—and they’re reusable, saving you the hassle of having to source one again next year. Various locations including 7/F, Windsor House, 311 Gloucester Rd., Causeway Bay, 2881-1728

28 Flower Market Rd., Mong Kok, 2380-5113, www.brighten.hk (website in Chinese only)

City Super City Super offers a huge selection of artificial Christmas trees. Basic green trees will set you back from $480-1,280, while fancier, sparkly versions are also more available from $1,180 and up. Shops 1041-1049, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2736-3866, www.citysuper.com.hk

Inside Got cash to splash on an investment tree? Inside’s 120-centimeter bushy pine is a rich, verdant green and even comes in a pot, rather than with a tacky plastic stand. $1,900 from Inside, Shop 2101, 12/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing St., Ap Lei Chau, 2873-1795

Who reads The List?

THE LIST IS AVAILABLE AT NEARLY 200 VENUES CITYWIDE, INCLUDING SELECT RESIDENTIAL COMPLEXES, SPECIALTY SUPERMARKETS AND DELICATESSENS, CAFÉS AND RESTAURANTS, MEMBERS’ CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS, AND RETAIL STORES.

CENTRAL

4D Al’s Diner American Women’s Association Archie B’s & ElTaco Loco Brunch Club Bumps 2 Babes Café de Paris Café O Café Queen Cafeine Casa Dei Bambini Central Health Medical Practice Chachawan China Club CitySuper Classified - Exchange Square Daz DEF Boxing DROP Dymocks - IFC Eclectic Cool EmmaTse Elite Dance Academy Essensuals EuroTreat Fast Beauty Fitness First Plus Fleur de Sel Flow Bookshop Foreign Correspondents Club Fringe Club Gateway General Store Grappa’s Cellar Health Gate HYPOXI Indulgence Integrated Medicine Institute Isola Iyara Spa Jaspa’s Kee Club Kisses Cupcakes La Belle Salon La Creperie Life Café

Limestone Arms Nature’s Village Oliver’s Delicatessen One Pilates Studio Oolaa Park N Shop Garden Road Paul Gerrard Polkadot Portobello Prints Sambag Saturn Silver Savvy Style / Color Me Beautiful Seasons Fitness Sense ofTouch Showtime Lingerie Sole Mio Spa Beaute Par Zai Starbucks - Alexandra House - IFC

Starlit Art Space Sugo Sushi The 9th Muse The Beauty Wave Studio The Body Group The Feel Good Factor The Helena May Library The Herbivores The Putman The Vitality Center TIKKA Toni & Guy U.S. Consulate Volume H.E.A.T Wagyu Wagyu Lounge XTC Gelato Yo Mama

MID-LEVELS/ THE PEAK Bamboo Grove Clubhouse Bowen’s Lookout Bubba Gump Dymocks - Bonham Rd. Hillsborough Court Il Bel Paese K-Town Bar & Grill

Ladies’ Recreation Club Mier Serviced Apartments OrangeTree Queen’s Garden Seymour The Peak Lookout Restaurant The Royal Court Tregunter Clubhouse YWCA English Speaking Members Department

ADMIRALTY Café Zambra Grappa’s Proway Relocation & Real Estate Services

WANCHAI Bar 109 Baron School of Music - HKAC - Lockhart Rd.

Classified Dymocks - Hopewell Centre Flying Pan Hotel Indigo Iyara Spa Let’s Spa Marriott Properties Maya Café Oliver’s Super Sandwiches Oolaa Petite Pomme Spring Learning Tamarind The Charterhouse VIM Pilates Studio Yo Mama - Star St.

CAUSEWAY BAY/ JARDINE’S LOOKOUT/ TAIKOO SHING Anne Marie Laboratoire Brecht’s Circle Brookfield Global Relocation Services CitySuper Classified -Tai Hang Dickens Bar Escapade Sports

Fleur de Sel Jeeves of Belgravia Oliver’s Super Sandwiches Outback Steakhouse Park N Shop - Jardine’s Lookout Quarry Bay School The Herbivores The Warren Yo Mama -Taikoo Shing Yo Mama - Windsor House

HAPPY VALLEY Classified Craigowner Cricket Club Movieland Park N Shop The Jockey

ISLAND SOUTH Aberdeen Marina Club Classified - Stanley Colour My World Dymocks Flex Studio Hong Kong Cricket Club Indigo - Horizon Plaza - The Repulse Bay LoveThat Lifestyle Mirth Om World - Ap Lei Chau Estate - Cyberport

Park N Shop - Aberdeen Boat Club - Baguio Villa - Chi Fu Superstore - Parkview - Stanley

Parkview Spa & Resort Sense ofTouch Shambala / Café Piatti Spices Tequila Kola The Boathouse TREE Victoria Recreation Club

TSIM SHA TSUI Bombay Dreams Castro’s Bar

CitySuper Delaney’s EastsideTavern Kowloon Cricket Club Morgan Stanley Outback Steakhouse Papi Starbucks (LCX) Swindon Books

OTHER KOWLOON D2 Place D’Oro Private Club,The Cullinan Dressed Forfar Kadoorie Hill Oliver’s Super Sandwiches -Telford Plaza Oliver’s Super Sandwiches - Enterprise Square 3 Royal Plaza Hotel United Services Recreation Club Waterfront Bar &Terrace

SAI KUNG Classified Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club Firenze Ristorante Jaspa’s Park N Shop Clear Water Bay Pepperoni’s Piccolos Sense ofTouch

DISCOVERY BAY Discovery Bay Residents Club Dymocks Park N Shop Watson’s Wine Cellar

OTHER NEW TERRITORIES CitySuper - NewTown Plaza Courtyard Marriott Sha Tin King’s Belly

Family Fun Jingle all the way

See a Show

The Hong Kong Ballet

DIY Decorations The Island East Markets are on this winter, with some Christmas fun thrown in. In addition to the usual artisan stands, coffees and cakes, Island East is putting on a Christmas workshop, where you can learn to hand-make unique decorations as well as Christmas gifts for your friends and family.

games including a giant panda slide, a 4-meter-high snow globe and an exciting obstacle course. It’s a carnival, people, so grab your family and enjoy! 100 Cyberport Rd., Pok Fu Lam, 3166-3800, www.cyberport.hk

Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2573-7398, www.urbtix.hk

Through Dec 21. Tong Chong Street, Tai Koo. Free; sign up at hkmarkets.org

Feel the Harmonics Prolific MC and musician Harry Wong is turning up the cheer this Christmas with a full symphony orchestra. He’ll be presenting the HK Philharmonic Orchestra’s Christmas special. Expect all your favorite tunes, including “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” and even a few Disney “Frozen” songs thrown in for good measure.

Hang with Pandas

Safari in Cyberport The Arcade, Cyberport’s huge shopping and dining center, is hosting a “We Wa! Winter Safari!” to celebrate the holiday season. There will be 18 uniquely designed inflatable and mechanical

Through to December 28, The Hong Kong Ballet returns with the HK Sinfonietta and Australian choreographer Terence Kohler for its year-end performance of the legendary Christmas classic, “The Nutracker.” As the yuletide season draws ever closer, it’s high time for the retelling of the magical tale of young Clara and the chivalrous Nutcracker who saves her from the clutches of the evil Rat King. Stunning costumes and set, a heartwarming tale and the timeless music of Tchaikovsky paired with the work of the talented HK Ballet dancers: It just never gets old.

Here’s one the kids will love: D Deck in Discovery Bay will be hosting a “Starry Christmas” event until Jan 1, which includes festive food, fairy lights, waterfront decorations and a view of the Disney fireworks. And from Dec 24-26, the popular alfresco dining spot will also have a giant panda piñata that’s packed with festive treats. www.ddeck.com.hk

Dec 23-24, 8pm. Hong Kong Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2734-2009. $140-400 from www.hkphil.org

Visit Ocean Park Ocean Park is putting on some not-to-miss festivities this season: kids and adults alike will enjoy the “Christmas Sensation” event. There’ll be a light show with millions of LEDs, a Doraemon Christmas party house and dancers twirling through the streets. Not to mention the Christmas Candyland,

Know & Tel

a paradise of giant gingerbread men, candy canes and cupcakes. Not enough of a thrill for you? There are always the roller coasters. Through Jan 4. 180 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Aberdeen, 2552-0291, www.oceanpark.com.hk

Dance with Disney For Christmas 2014, Disneyland will transform into a holiday wonderland, with extravagantly lit buildings, “snow” falling on 1900s-inspired Main Street, festive dining, live music and entertainment. Everyone’s favorite new princesses Anna and Elsa from “Frozen” will even be making an appearance! While you’re at it, catch a train to Fantasyland, float down the Rivers of Adventure, or stay for the evening fireworks. Through Jan 4. Fantasy Road, Lantau Island, 1-830-830, www.park.hongkongdisneyland.com

Catch a Carnival

Singalong with Kassia To celebrate Christmas 2014, The Kassia Women’s Choir will be performing songs from some of our favorite movies, like “The Muppets,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “The Polar Express” and “Gremlins.” With years of experience under its belt, the choir never fails to impress. If you like good music and classic holiday movies, you’ll love this show. Dec 17-18, 8pm. Sheung Wan Civic Centre, 345 Queen’s Rd. Central, Sheung Wan, 2575-3931, www.katterwall.com

Sing with Webber

March with Penguins

Go Caroling Felix Yeung conducts Die Konzertisten in the John Rutter Christmas Gala 2014, a collection of British composer John Rutter’s work. Highlights include his “Magnificat”—the biblical canticle set to music. Die Konzertisten will also perform an array of Rutter’s favorite carols.

To celebrate the Christmas season, the Hong Kong Golf and Tennis Academy and Sai Kung District Community Centre will be hosting their first-ever Sai Kung Christmas Carnival. There will be Christmas caroling and an obligatory appearance from Santa, as well as stalls stocked with goodies from more than 30 local businesses, such as organic wine, handmade Christmas decorations, crafty jewelry and games. It’s the perfect place to browse for stocking stuffers! And for the little ones? Look for the face painting booths and the bouncy castles.

Dec 17, 8pm. St. John’s Cathedral, 4-8 Garden Rd., Central, 25234157. $100-500 from info@diekonzertisten.com

Dec 13-14, 11am. Sai Kung District Community Centre at Mei Yuen Street in Sai Kung, www.saikungchristmascarnival.org

Dec 18, 8pm. Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 9464-1941. $230-460 from www.hkac.org.hk.

Tune in to Cambridge On December 18, the Choir of Gonville & Caius College of Cambridge University will be performing a wide range of holiday tunes in “A Cambridge Christmas” performance. The group is one of the UK’s leading collegiate choirs with a stellar reputation thanks to extensive touring, CDs, and allaround impressive pipes.

Singalong with Kassia

The penguins of Madagascar are finding themselves far, far away from the African coast this Christmas— they’ve landed on the distant territory of Macau. Asia’s largest indoor frozen landscape returns to The Venetian Macao with the Penguins Undercover Ice World, a 1,600 square meter, sixzone attraction. Colorful blocks of ice have been carved into Skipper and his Madagascar penguins, the gang from Shrek, plus miniature frozen renderings of Italian piazzas, bridges, canals and even The Venetian’s signature singing gondoliers. Through Mar 8 2015. CotaiExpo, The Venetian. $120-120 from www.cotaiticketing.com.

Sing with Webber Arguably Andrew Lloyd Webber’s best musical, “The Phantom of the Opera” comes to Hong Kong this Christmas, and it’s bigger and better than ever. In fact, a 4,000-seater theatre space is being built specifically for it at AsiaWorld Expo, complete with a multi-camera live shoot which will be projected on giant screens—all the better for you to see Christine’s pores. The Phantom will be played by Broadway star Brad Little, accompanied by an international cast of 37 actors. Eight more shows have been added to the schedule, so if you couldn’t get tickets before, now’s your chance. Dec 21-Jan 18, 2015, AsiaWorld-Arena, Sky laza Rd., Chek Lap Kok. $295-1,195 from www.hkticketingcom.

Get an Early Ryze

Time for Mulled Wine!

Let the kids leap and bounce to their hearts’ content at Ryze trampoline park, home to 7,000 square feet of jumping joy. Bounce into soft foam blocks, slam-dunk basketballs and leap into all kinds of high-flying fun. It may not be a traditional “sport” but it’s certainly great exercise— just in time for holiday feasting.

One of our favorite Hong Kong Christmas traditions is to pop into Peak Café Bar in SoHo for a cheeky mulled wine. Want to make it at home? Café Deco Group has kindly shared the recipe with us.

3/F, 321 Java Rd., North Point, 2337-8191, www.ryze.info

Ingredients: • 2 bottles of red wine • 3 oz brandy

Catch Some Fireworks The Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Winterfest 2014 aims to be bigger and better than ever this year. Running through the New Year, the festival will feature dazzling Christmas lights, a giant Christmas tree and a “Love Locks” area in Statue Square, where couples and families can hang locks on the railings. Plus you’ll find an array of festive food and drink to warm you up as the chill bites. Winterfest comes to a close with a grand finale fireworks display on New Year’s Eve.

Learn to Bake Whisked baking studio offers kids (from 3 years’ old and up) the chance to get creative while cooking. There are a variety of classes available, which all cover the basic ingredients and steps necessary to be a successful chef. Recipes include meat pies, cake pops, shortbread cookies, pizza, and more. Whisked also offers private events that are perfect for your child’s birthday party, as well as holiday promotions.This year, Whisked is offering Christmas baking classes ($420 per child) where students can bake and decorate holiday cookies and other festive treats. Call to arrange a private time slot for between four and six kids. 104 Jervois St., Sheung Wan, 3460-3130, www.whiskedbaking.com

Statue Square, Des Voeux Rd., Central, www.discoverhongkong.com

Take a Trip If your holiday planning process includes 28 open browser tabs and an endless stream of TripAdvisor reviews, then it’s time to get some help! For some quickhit advice or in-depth help with your travels, check out Flight Centre’s new Wan Chai concept store. The bespoke booking agency can sort out niche experiences, or simply pick a beach for you to plop down on. New features include openplan desks, so you can share a computer screen with your adviser, as well as an interactive map to visualize more complicated getaways. Best part? Its great last-minute flight deals. 66 Queen’s Rd. East, Wan Chai, 2830-2869, www.flightcentre.com.hk

• 10 teaspoons of sugar • 1 orange • 1 apple (cut into halves) • Peel of one lemon • 2-3 cinnamon sticks • 15 cloves, inserted into the orange

Method: 1. P ut all the ingredients into a big saucepan and simmer until you can smell the aroma of mulled wine. This usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. 2. Turn off the heat and remove all the fruit and the cinnamon sticks so the mulled wine runs clear without any bits in it. To make this easier, you can put the smaller ingredients into a muslin bag. 3. Taste and adjust ingredients as needed. Serve warm to hot.

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Habour City

Take 5:

Mall Festivities Deck the malls with bows of folly

WTC More This Causeway Bay complex has a diverse mix of trendy and mainstream stores, as well as a tradition for edgy installations. Collaborating with LA streetwear label Joyrich, WTC More’s Christmas display this year is young and stylish: check out the giant teddy bear and a striking 7-meter-tall Christmas tree that plays with light and reflections. A pop-up store selling Joyrich items like beanies and sweaters will be open through Jan 1. Shoppers who spend $2,500 are able to redeem a Joyrich clutch bag. 280 Gloucester Rd., Causeway Bay, 2576-4121

IFC Look forward to an avant-garde festive installation at this Central mall this holiday. Bringing in Dutch architect Igor Kebel and 3D visual artist John Kerr, IFC is showcasing some aweinspiring creations, including an over12-meter-tall steel structure celebrating

Asian culture and a kaleidoscopic snow mountain with programmed lightning effects. Hong Kong music critic Wong Chi-chung provides the perfect finishing touches with a custom playlist. From now until December 26, shoppers spending $8,500 or more can redeem a gift from Danish luxury brand Georg Jensen.

Elements

handcrafted architectural displays of 19th-century England, featuring popular characters from Charles Dickens novels. Look out for pop-up stores from the likes of miniature figurine maker King & Country and Chapon Chocolatier, which are both selling limited-edition goodies. There’ll be late-night shopping every Thursday in December, and each week’s top three spenders can redeem special gift sets and Asia Miles. Register first to participate. 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2844-8900

8 Finance St., Central, 2295-3308

Elements Head to the high-end West Kowloon shopping mall for a nostalgic Christmas experience: the theme this year is vintage trains. Feast your eyes on the display of exquisite model trains running around the mall’s 9-meter-tall Christmas tree. Teaming up with UK model train company Hornby, the mall is also showcasing classic train models and more than 100 pieces from local collectors. 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 2735-5234

Pacific Place If you prefer something more traditional, Pacific Place’s Dickensianstyle installation may be for you. Respected figurine designer and craftsmen Victorian Charm has created

Harbour City One of the city’s largest shopping complexes, Harbour City is celebrating the holiday with a Christmas train station at its harborfront entrance, complete with a giant steam locomotive, carriages and an arch covered with star-shaped ornaments. Donate $20 to the Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation to board the enchanted train. Make sure to also check out the adorable installation featuring 30 British cartoon Shaun the Sheep figurines. Spend $1,000 or more, and donate $40 to the blood cancer foundation, and you can redeem a fun Shaun the Sheep calendar. 3-27 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2118-8886

Alcohol Delivery Get in the spirit

Wines stocks a great selection of premium Australian vintages alongside wines from France, Portugal, Italy and elsewhere. As an added bonus, the site’s rating system serves as a useful reference. Delivery costs $50, but is free if you spend at least $800. 3191-2000, www.cellarmasterwines.com

Essential Fine Wines

Liquor & Liqueur

Adelaide Cellar Door Focusing heavily on Australian and French wines, Adelaide Cellar Door brings fine boutique bottles to Hong Kong—and at great prices, too. There are some excellent deals to be had: there is an offer on right now for $1,668 for a dozen bottles of Prosecco Treviso DOC, for example. Adelaide offers free deliveries except for the outlying islands, with a $20 surcharge for walk-ups. Need your wine quick? Same day orders are available; call to enquire. Alternatively, head to its tasting room on the Southside. Shop A, Gee Chang Hong Centre, 65 Wong Chuk Hang Rd., Aberdeen, 2526-0151, www.adelaidecellardoor.com.hk

Brix Wines & Spirits Brix has a wide selection of products for your perusal, with about 600 wines from over 10 countries. It has just opened a larger second store in Sheung Wan (64 Bonham Strand, 25236386) but if you can’t find what you’re looking for, the staff is more than happy to consult its extensive stock list and order you what you require. The online site is more extensive and requently has extra discounts— what’s more, there’s a good sale on

between now and Christmas. If you’re a member, you get an extra discount on top of that, as well as regular accessories and magazines. Free delivery to the Island or Kowloon on purchase of $1,800 or more.

Established to provide good quality wines at reasonable prices, Essential Fine Wines works mainly with boutique-style wines from all over the world, including Italy, South Africa, Spain, New Zealand, Chile, France and the US. You’re able to get bottles for under the $200 mark, and you can also order gift packages to be delivered to friends. Looking for more than wines? There are also craft beers, ciders and spirits available. Delivery charge is $85 for all orders under $1,000. Join the Wine Club to enjoy discounts throughout the year and bespoke offers on limited wines. 3679-3655, www.efw.com.hk

6A Wun Sha St., Tai Hang2808-0032 www.brix.com.hk

Cellarmaster Wines One of the first online wine shops in Hong Kong, Cellarmaster Wines has a user-friendly website with smart search functions. A cursory scan reveals a solid wine selection and it is worth noting that many of the vineyards are exclusive to the company. Cellarmaster

Garage Wines Garage Wines offers Hong Kong’s wine aficionados a vast range of fine and unique Australian tipples, having imported premium bottles straight from the vineyards of South Australia and New South Wales since 2010. The outfit delivers straight to your door for no extra charge if you live on Hong Kong Island, but a $100 delivery fee will be added for deliveries to Kowloon and $200 to the New Territories. Generally, deliveries take about two to three working days. 9687-8282, www.garagewine.hk

Know & Tel

House of Fine Wines Featuring a collection of international wines—with a heavy focus on French and Spanish varieties—House of Fine Wines provides an easy online shopping platform for top-notch labels, which includes extensive descriptions that even tell you what the wines pair well with. The web boutique also carries French and Italian gourmet foods such as foie gras, fig confit, truffles and truffle oil. Shop online and for a minimum of six bottles get free delivery across Hong Kong. Shop E, 5/F, Wang Kwong Industrial Building, 45 Hung To Rd., Kwun Tong, 2345-4377, www.hofws.com

HK Liquor Store From reds and whites to champagnes and spirits, HK Liquor Store has it all. The store works with numerous wineries in Bordeaux, so it has an impressive selection available. It is also known for selling accessories such as aerators, wine openers and decanters. There are tons of discounts during the holiday season on all sorts of booze. Orders of $500 and more get free delivery. 3543-0039, www.hkliquorstore.com

Liquor & Liqueur Whiskey lovers, pay a visit to Liquor and Liqueur or browse its extensive online store—the brand has one of the largest selections of single-malt whiskies in the city. If you’re after other spirits, the shop has all you need to make a perfect cocktail: gin, rum, tequila, cognac, vodka, vermouth, and various sweet liqueurs. Experts are on hand to guide customers through the

extensive selections and to help pick the perfect bottles for yourself, or as gifts for any occasion. You can also find cocktail recipes on the website if you fancy trying your hand at mixology. Shipping is free when you spend at least $3,000. 97 Wellington St., Central, 2810-0026, www.liquorandliqueur.com

Merci Winery Hong Kong Merci Winery is a great online store that carries an extensive assortment of wines, as well as whiskies from Scotland, America, Canada, Ireland, Japan and Taiwan. There are various offers on the website as well as a 24-hour Whatsapp service (yes, really) for customers who are seeking advice from experts. Merci offers a free delivery service for orders greater than $800 to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, $1,200 to the New Territories, or $2,800 to the outlying islands. 2603-0666, www.merci-winery.com.hk

Soho Wines and Spirits Established in 2002, Soho Wines and Spirits is a longstanding go-to for

Watson’s Wine

wines in Hong Kong. Recently voted as a favorite in The List’s Readers’ Choice Awards, there is a huge selection available both online and at its stores. Free next-day delivery is available on purchases of $700 or more. 49 Elgin St., Central, 2525-0316; 62 Centre St., Sai Ying Pun, 2548-0211, www.sohowines.hk

Watson’s Wine One of the largest wine retailers in Hong Kong, Watson’s Wine has stores all over the city. It stocks a whopping list of more than 2,000 wines—at least 400 of which are exclusive to Watson’s. In addition to a selection of fine wines and spirits, accessories and cigars are also available. Shop online, or visit one of the many stores to get recommendations from trained and experienced staff. Various locations including 2 Staunton St., Central, 2869-2210, www.watsonswine.com

HK Liquor Store

Wine Shop Asia

Liquor & Liqueur

Wine Shop Asia’s easy-to-use website showcases wines from more than 50 family-owned wineries, as far-flung as France, Portugal, Chile and South Africa. The largest selection is of French wines, but there are also plenty of affordable bottles from the likes of Argentina and Australia. Not only can you search easily by region and price tag but you can also browse the helpful wine vintage chart. The website also has a great selection of wine accessories. Be sure to check for current deals and promotions for some great prices. Delivery is free for orders over

$800, otherwise there is a $60 charge. Check the website for the delivery days and times to various areas of Hong Kong. 3621-0456, www.wineshopasia.com

Winebeast A boutique wine store in Wan Chai, Winebeast opened in 2013 and has quickly gained a reputation around town thanks to its large selection of New and Old World wines and organic varietals.The online store stocks about 500 products, and there are discounts aplenty. There is a delivery charge of $150 for orders under $3,000. Check out the handy “Digital Sommelier” quiz to help point you towards the perfect bottle. 49 Johnston Rd., Wan Chai, 2804-1318, www.wine-beast.com

Know & Tel

Wine ‘n’ Things Wine ‘N’ Things was established 20 years ago and aims to provide a great selection of New World wines at affordable prices. It houses more than 40 wine labels and also provides a home delivery service, with free delivery for orders greater than $1,000, otherwise a $120 delivery charge applies. 2873-5733, www.winenthingshk.comLiquor

Winebeast

& LiqueurLiquor & Liqueur

In all major bookstores now! Or order yours at: www.historicalhkhikes.com

Feast Navidad! Whether you’ve been naughty or nice, you still deserve to dine in style this December. Check out Melissa Frankenberry’s round-theworld roundup of holiday feasts.

Belgian Bells Belgian beer hall Frites is serving up a variety of Christmas dishes this month that reflect the restaurant’s European vibes. Look for the Christmas “express” à la carte lunch and dinner menus, which offer a slew of traditional tastes with Belgian twists. The Turkey Ballotine and a “Bûche de Noël” (a Belgian chocolate sponge dessert rolled in chocolate shavings) are staples throughout the month, but the rest of the festive treats will

update weekly. Have a lot of friends to feed? Frites is also offering three different Christmas dining packages for larger parties. Two locations, including Oxford House, Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Rd., Island East, 2250-5188

British Bites No traditional Christmas meal is complete without some steaming mulled wine or a Christmas pudding, so celebrate the holiday right at Staunton’s Wine Bar and Café. Throughout this month, the popular SoHo wine bar will be offering a special Christmas set lunch menu from $68-198. The menu is brimming with classic holiday treats that’ll have you glowing with Christmas cheer in no time. Or perhaps that’s just the mulled wine. 10-12 Staunton St., Central, 2973-6611

Frites

Staunton’s

Know & Tel

Spanish Sampling Celebrate Christmas with a splash of Spanish flair at tapas resto Boqueria. If you’re an indecisive orderer, this is the place for you. There are so many small plates that you can have a bite of everything—and you won’t want to miss the lobster paella, fire-roasted ribeye or the padrón peppers. Wash it all down with a glass or two of Santagria ($88 per glass), a festive twist on the restaurant’s popular red sangria.

throughout this month. For $1,140 per person, diners can feast on fresh Shigoku oysters with shiso salsa, crisp pan-fried foie gras, an Angus ribeye with wafu sauce and, of course, Zuma’s famous selection of sushi and sashimi. Merry Christmas to you! 5-6/F, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Rd. Central, 3657-6388

7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St., Central, 2321-8681

Japanese, Please

Boqueria

Zuma puts a refined twist on the traditionally informal Japanese izakaya. To celebrate the holidays this year, Zuma presents an 11-course seasonal tasting menu that’s available

Zuma

subscription Gifts Gifts that keep on giving

Hop Leaf Whether you’ve got a craft beer lover to shop for or just want a comprehensive introduction to the world of microbrews, Hop Leaf’s Beer of the Month Club is the perfect thoughtful gift. The team at Hop Leaf curates a selection of four types of ales and lagers each month from all the corners of the globe: from Belgian ales to Danish stouts and even specialty Christmas beers. Choose from an array of subscriptions starting from 12 bottles a month for three months ($1,125), up to 24 beers a month for 12 months ($7,500). Club membership also gives you a discount when shopping online. White Owl Coffee

hopleaf.hk

Platinum Wines The 8th Estate Winery Hong Kong’s own urban winery is known for bringing together the world’s best grapes for making fantastic, locally created wines aged in French or American Oak barrels that are affordable but high quality. The winery is temporarily halting daily tours and private tastings until it moves to a new location—but worry not, you can still buy wines both at the winery and online. Jump on the bandwagon and apply for a “Discovery” membership that gets you two types of wines from The 8th Estate Collection every quarter. Starting from $800 (a sixmonth membership), you get two bottles every quarter plus great discounts on purchases made at the 8th Estate. You’ll also receive invites to its bi-annual complimentary tastings (for four), plus first refusal of limited release wines. Room 306, 3/F, Harbour Industrial Centre, 10 Lee Hing St., Ap Lei Chau, 2518-0922 www.the8estatewinery.com

Club Bravo For the classical music fiend in your life, make their passion for music

official by signing them up for HK Philharmonic’s membership, Club Bravo. There are tons of privileges that accompany the gift: from priority booking to invitations to free concerts, as well as discounts on regular tickets and merchandise at designated lifestyle stores and restaurants across the city. As a member of Club Bravo, you’ll also get exclusive access to backstage, open rehearsals and meet-the-artist sessions. www.hkphil.org

Fancybox Who doesn’t love receiving things in the mail? Fancybox is one of the most popular subscription gift box services in the States (delivering worldwide) for its eclectic monthly selection of seriously cool stuff. It’s a bargain as you only pay around $300 for a guaranteed $690-plus value of products. From clothing to desk accessories to gadgets, you’ll love every fancy surprise. You can also opt for boxes with goodies hand-picked by celebrities like Nicky Hilton, T-Pain, Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Snoop Dogg and more. Not into that riffraff? There’s also a Mystery Box, and a Fancy Food Box option as well. fancy.com/fancybox

Burgeoning wine expert in the house? Platinum Wines’ year-long membership doesn’t just offer a regular delivery of wines to your home, but it also organizes exclusive tastings, seminars and events to meet winemakers, as well as member-only discounts for spending on its online store. Upon joining, you will receive a complimentary bottle of Platinum Classics pinot noir and a bottle opener, and then 12 bottles of wine—of your own choosing— per quarter for $1,888. 20/F, The Centre Mark, 287-299 Queen’s Rd. Central, 2537-1696, www.platinum-wines.com

Scribd Like the Spotify of the literary world, Scribd gives you unlimited access to millions of ebooks for as little as US$12 for three months. Scribd’s editors and algorithms also provide personalized recommendations for you to discover your next great read. Best of all, it’s suitable for most ebook readers and smartphones, from Apple and Android devices to the Kindle (Fire version only). Why buy one book when you can get thousands? www.scribd.com

Know & Tel

Simply Wine Speciality wine store Simply Wine carries only organic, biodynamic wines that boast low sulphites (no more bad hangovers!). Opt for the wine club subscription which sends six wines to your doorstep every three months, starting from $998 for a mixed selection, or $1,298 for reds only. Simply Wine states that the selection of wines will have a guaranteed value of at least $1,350 (mixed) and $1,500 (red only), so you can be sure you have your money’s worth every single time. The subscription makes an excellent gift for any finicky wine-lover: but be aware that payment will automatically recur every quarter. 9689-6297, simplywines.com.hk

The Barkpack Treat your pooch (or the crazy dog lady/ man in your life) with The Barkpack’s monthly box of goodies and toys for dogs. For as little as $299 a month, The Barkpack selects four to five highquality treats, accessories, gadgets and toys specifically catered to your canine (courtesy of a quick questionnaire you fill in at the start). Proceeds also go towards supporting major local and international charities that benefit animal welfare: WWF Hong Kong, Animals Asia, the Hong Kong Guide Dog Association and more. thebarkpack.com

The Bottle Shop For hardcore craft beer aficionados looking to expand their knowledge of worthy brews, what better gift than

to be a member of The Bottle Shop’s Beer Club? The Sai Kung-based craft beer distributors choose two to three types of strong beers (in terms of flavor profile or ABV) to help you discover new favorites each month. Some beers may be exclusive to the Beer Club while others may be one-off specialties direct from the breweries. Starting from $1,200, you’ll receive eight to 12 bottles every month for subscriptions of three-, six-, or 12- months, during which time you’ll also be a VIP member and can enjoy discounts while shopping online. 114 Man Nin St., Sai Kung, 2791-1600, thebottleshop.hk

White Owl Coffee Caffeinate your friends (they’ll appreciate it) with the gift of premium freshly roasted coffee from White Owl Coffee. The gift subscription service covers two ($180) or four ($340) months of coffee beans delivered to the chosen address: the subscription also comes with a gift code certificate and a 50g sample packaged nicely in a gift box. Recipients can start their subscription whenever they like by logging onto the website and entering the code provided. Unit 1505, Singga Commercial Centre, 144-151 Connaught Rd. West, Sai Ying Pun, 5191-5303 www.whiteowlcoffee.com

ART & CRAFTS Give a beautiful gift this year.

Art in a Box Crafty subscription service Art in a Box is the perfect way for art lovers to kickstart their collection, especially for Hongkongers in tiny flats who may want to spruce up their space with affordable and easily displayed art. You’ll receive monthly boxes of original paintings, prints and more. Each piece is made by different artists from the Bay area in the US and curated by the Compound Gallery in Oakland, California. Subscriptions start from US$60 per month (about $460) for a minimum of three months, with international shipping included. artinabox.net

Ciaolink Founded by Japanese designer Megumi Takami, Ciaolink sells beautiful Hong Kong townscapes: from views of the harbor to an impression of the city’s busy neon signs and more. Drawn by the Hong Kong-based artist Kiyoko Yamaguchi, the incredibly detailed artworks are done on exclusive “Pachika” paper, which reacts to heat

and pressure to create an interesting embossed texture. They’re great as gifts for friends leaving Hong Kong, but can also be beautiful additions to any room. Shop online, ciaolink.com; or at The Mixing Bowl, 5 Shin Hing St., Sheung Wan, 2524-0001

Globein Those fond of traveling and learning about different cultures will adore the Globein Gift Box subscription, which is a monthly delivery to your door of assorted artisan crafts, jewelry and home products. Globein focuses on one country and its crafts each month. Think Turkish bracelets, Moroccan handmade soaps, or brightly colored table runners from Zimbabwe. A subscription is only about $240 per month, and helps support artisan communities from all over the world. It’s not too late to order the holiday limited-edition gift box (about $390), which comes with an option for hand-picked items for ladies, or for home décor. www.globein.com

The Mira

Top 5:

New Year’s Eve Parties With 2015 quickly approaching, it’s time to start planning your New Year’s bash. Get on it, stat!

Masquer Rave Fancy a little mystery? Hide behind a mask until the clock strikes 12 at The Mira’s Masquerade countdown party at Vibes ($788 before Dec 24; $888 thereafter). The night will be one to remember, with a lineup of performances from belly dancers, live bands and DJs Visa and Hitomi. But most importantly, it’s an open bar! And after things close down at Vibes, you can head to Room One for latenight fun. 9pm. Vibes, 5/F, The Mira, 118 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315-5885. Tickets from www.themirahotel.com

Countdown Fiesta If you’re not looking for an all-night rage, stay classy at Boqueria’s New Year’s Eve party. There’s a Spanish feast (or fiesta) for $1,088 per person, complete with Spanish tunes, free-flowing cava and sangria, a DJ starting at 10pm and a toast at midnight. Save room for all the tapas you can stomach—think cheese plates, freshly shucked oysters and even a rack of lamb. 9pm. 7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St., Central, 2321-8681,www.boqueria.com.hk

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Seeing Red Gear up for a wild New Year at Red Bar; the rooftop favorite is hosting a five-course dinner menu ($698 per person)—featuring the likes of French duck breast, scallop and salmon tartare, and passion fruit cheesecake—followed by a blowout party to ring in 2015 ($450-700 per person). On the docket? Dancing, tequila, vodka ice luges and a live DJ. Party from 11pm. 4/F, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 8129-8882, www.pure-red.com

In the Ozone Don your finest duds and party at the highest bar in the world. Overlooking the harbor, Ozone’s “Diamonds in the Sky” countdown party ($700, including a glass of champagne) promises to be a night full of blockrocking beats from international DJs El’se and Xinobi. The bash goes until sunrise or ‘til you throw in the towel—whichever comes first. 10pm. 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 2263-2010. Tickets from xinobi-ozone.eventbrite.hk

Happy Woo Year New Year’s Eve at Woobar is going to be bigger and better than ever. For $688 per person, you can spend the night fist-pumping to a lineup of Hong Kong’s best DJs, sipping on three glasses of complimentary champagne and counting down to 2015 with a great view over the harbor. And it’s the more the merrier: roll up in a group of six friends ($5,888 for the group), and you’ll also get to split a bottle of vodka and two bottles of bubbly. 10pm. 6/F, W Hotel, 1 Austin Rd. West, West Kowloon, 3717-2222, www.woobarhongkong.com

In the Ozone

Party Dresses You will go to the ball

$2,450 from Ted Baker, Shop 2216, 2/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3-27 Canton Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2377-9710

$2,420 from Pinko, Shop 119, Lee Gardens Two, 2-38 Yun Ping Rd., Causeway Bay, 2563-6668

$899 from Zara, 70 Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rd. Central, 2903-9500

$795 from Benetton, Shop 73, 1/F, Silvercord, 30 Nathan Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2367-6856

$7,300 from Harvey Nichols, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 3968-2668

Know & Tel

$1,650 from Phase Eight, Shop 1098B, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St., Central, 2234-9178

$599 from Mango @ Zalora, www.zalora.com.hk

Healthy Christmas Dinner Hacks We’re not here to Scrooge up your Christmas, but if you happen to be calorie-counting this festive season, here are some ways to make your dinner healthier without skimping on flavor.

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Thankfully turkey meat is a lean protein, so you’re not piling on the calories here. However before cooking, prick the skin to allow any fat to drain out, and ensure it’s placed on a raised oven tray so it’s not sitting in its fatty juices. When dishing up, plump for the breast meat with the skin removed—turkey legs are more calorific, with buttery skin to boot.

The Stuffing Pure sausage meat stuffing is one of the richest parts of the meal. Pad it out with extra-tasty ingredients such as chopped chestnuts, wild mushrooms, onions or dried diced fruit to reduce the fat content but not the flavor.

The Potatoes We all love duck-fat roasted potatoes, but if you still want to be able to gorge on pud—and fit into

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that New Year dress—then perhaps tone it down a little. Try a tray-bake mix of root veg tossed in olive oil, herbs and rock salt: you don’t just have to stick to carrots; branch out with parsnips, swedes, butternut squash or even beetroot.

The Sides Here’s where additional calories creep in with just a small forkful. For your Brussels sprouts, switch out that bacon, butter and garlic combo for the zest and juice of a lemon, with some chopped herbs. Serving chipolatas? Resist the urge to wrap them in bacon, or if you do, use low-fat, lean sausages instead and add a mustard glaze.

The Gravy If you’re using the turkey juices to make your gravy, be sure to pour it into a jug first and allow the fat to rise to the surface. Once you’ve seen how much fat is here, we’re sure you’ll not hesitate to skim this off first. Add back some flavor with a couple of glugs of red wine.

The Pud Christmas puddings, mince pies, trifles: they all come with double doses of cream. You’ll really make a difference if you swap in some healthy fat-free Greek yoghurt instead or opt for custard made with skimmed milk. With all that booze in the dessert, you’re bound to not even notice.

Baby Pak Choi

A parenting column with Sarah Fung

Mama’s Night Out

I was invited to an event hosted by Gucci last month where celebrity guest James Franco was meant to be hanging out. Seeing as I hadn’t been out drinking for more than a year, I figured hey, why not go to a “cool” party for an hour or two and leave Daddy Pak Choi at home babysitting?

• Yes, I just wrote “disco dancing.” I really haven’t been out for a long time. Since 1979, apparently. • There are more 7-Elevens, shops appealing exclusively to mainland tourists, and drunkfood outlets then there are bars these days. Nice to see that Yamane Sallon is still going strong though.

Checking yourself out of the Hong Kong social scene and then checking yourself back in again Finally I headed to the party, which was held in after a long hiatus is a pretty a shell of a venue that is going surreal experience. Especially if to be Ku De Ta next year. The your first foray is in LKF, which waiter refilled our champagne these days is an unholy stew Yes, I just wrote “disco glasses from a bottle concealed of tour groups, jello shots and within an unmarked black bag. dancing.” I really haven’t kebab puke that’s been trodden From the gold top I could see into the pavement by a thousand it was almost certainly Moët. been out for a long time. drunken footsteps. Is there some kind of shame in Since 1979, apparently. I arrived at the venue—the serving Moët that I’m not aware still as-yet unopened California of? The things people worry Tower—15 minutes early, and about at “cool” parties. lost much face after being told to come back later. Unfortunately, after a year of not drinking, all I tried to explain that I wasn’t so much desperate this secret bagged-up champagne went to my to get into the party as I was keen to get in and head and I ended up cornering a model-slash-actor out within 90 minutes so I could run home to my and telling him about how my fridge had broken baby, but the bouncer didn’t look too interested. down and I had to throw away my entire bank of So I spent 15 minutes doing a loop of Lan Kwai, frozen breast milk. I suppose in hindsight it was and made the following observations. for the best that I didn’t meet guest of honor • Where are all the women? LKF is an absolute James Franco after all—I doubt he would have sausage-fest these days. been interested in my refrigerator woes. Mama • There’s a hipster with a mandolin busking on Pak Choi is fun at parties! the corner of Wellington Street. For reals. • Oh, so THAT’S where Gordon Ramsay’s new restaurant is. Why are the people inside disco dancing while wearing chef’s hats at 9:45pm? 50

Follow Sarah’s parenting journey at babypakchoi.tumblr.com.

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