Celebrity Life

A cup of coffee is a surefire way to perk up your day, and as dawn turns to dusk, the addition of coffee in your cocktail seems the perfect way to pep up evenings, too.

From the classic espresso martini to more creative caffeine-infused concoctions, wake up and smell our top five coffee cocktails you should try in Hong Kong right now.

Espresso Martini at Terrible Baby

The bar concept at Eaton Hong Kong is not as ‘terrible’ as it sounds. In fact, it’s actually quite the destination venue with a bar, garden and music room all in one place. Named after the 1929 French novel Les Enfants Terribles by Jean Cocteau, Terrible Baby also has popular Mexican mixologist Edgar Santillan mixing it up behind the bar. One of our favourite rocket fuel sips is an espresso martini and Terrible Baby sure does a mean one. It’s created with a cold brew coffee liqueur that blends beans from Mexico, Indonesia and more; French hazelnut liqueur for a little sweetness; and handcrafted Bimber Vodka from London.

Terrible Baby, 4th Floor, Eaton Hong Kong, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, Kowloon; +852 2710 1866

Saigon Coffee at M Bar

Offering cocktails on a menu called 'Journey To The West', M Bar pays homage to the classics infused with Eastern flavours while celebrating their individual colonial influences. For caffeine lovers, the Saigon coffee is the one to try. Using traditional dark-roasted Vietnamese coffee, which is known to be strong and flavourful, hotel mixologist Slamet Haryadi mixes filtered coffee with cherry eau de vie and cacao vermouth, then tops it off with sliced Gifford almonds and frothy milk foam.

M Bar, 25th Floor, Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central; +852 2825 4002

Nomad at Bedu

Head to the Middle East -- via Gough Street -- for a little kickstart to your evening with the Nomad. A cocktail in honour of a modern-day Bedouin's drinking journey, it pairs an exotic-flavoured pineapple coffee cordial with sweet white rum for punchy results. The taste of coffee is light, but serves to round out the flavour and adds fragrance to the ultimate wake up call you’ve been asking for.

Bedu, 40 Gough Street, Central; +852 2320 4450 

Clarified Coconut Milk Punch at COA

Inspired by a Vietnamese coconut iced coffee, this cocktail at Mexican-inspired cocktail bar COA is a clear winner for coffeephiles — and when I say clear, it really is. Not only does co-founder and mixologist Jay Khan use smoky mezcal joven and Ethiopian arabica coffee-infused aged rum for the drink, but it’s also clarified using a milk-wash technique with coconut cream. Here, dry sherry, tamarind, cardamom, pineapple, lemon juice and salt are used to curdle the mixture, before it's strained to extract a clear and flavourful cocktail.

COA, Shop A, Lower Ground Floor, Wah Shin House, 6-10 Shin Hing Street, Central; +852 2813 5787

Teaspresso at Stable Bar

Named after the traditional Hong Kong drink yin yeung, which is coffee mixed with milk tea, the Stable Bar’s Teaspresso is a more mellow riff on the classic espresso martini. At the base is Japanese Ki No Tea Gin (or Kyoto dry gin) which blends juniper with green tea for a subtle but fragrant sweetness, followed by a dash of St. George coffee liqueur and chocolate bitters to bring it back up to speed. It’s finally topped with milk foam and crushed blueberry powder to balance the creamy cocktail for a refreshing finish.

Stable Bar, 1st Floor, House 1881 Stable Block, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 3988 0288

The post The Drinks List: 5 Coffee Cocktails to Power Up With appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most exciting culinary capitals, where good food is more than abundant. In that light, we’ve put together a few of our tastiest tidbits and most memorable morsels that are worth tracking down to try.

Ying Jee Club

If the Steamed king prawn with egg white and crab coral isn't reason enough to visit Ying Jee Club, then I don't know what is. Perhaps it's also the restaurant's exquisite interior or the menu which encapsulates Cantonese cuisine in such a refined yet contemporary manner. But for me, it really is something worth coming back for, time and time again. This seemingly simple dish involves a labour-intensive and meticulous process which takes three chefs several hours to create. The king prawn is shaped and prepared for a crunchy bite, while the braised egg whites, crab meat and crab roe add deeper flavours and texture as a whole.

Test Kitchen

Get yourself to one of the pop-up dinners at Test Kitchen and you will be escorted on a culinary journey that takes on a unique, and really rather cool, format. Most recently, I joined a tasting for their Edible Tales which spotlighted chocolate. But instead of the more sweet and sticky connotations that it conjures, I found complex and intriguing plates of food that highlighted its rich, savoury, and sometimes bitter flavours. One such dish is this chocolate spice-marinated prime short rib with chimichuri, scorched shishito peppers and a chocolate stout jus courtesy of Chef Ray Choi, whom you may remember from his stints at Tate Dining Room, Mandarin Grill and L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon.

Test Kitchen, Shop 3, Kwan Yick Building Phase 3, 158A Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun

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Ichu Peru

A recent lunch led me back to H Queen's modern Peruvian restaurant, Ichu Peru, and I was once again reminded of how good the ceviche is here. On this occasion, the Ceviche Clasico I ordered used firm pieces of snapper, bathed in a beautifully bright and zesty leche de tigre with a slight kick. It also featured chewy Peruvian choclo and crunchy red onions, topped with crisps of sweet potato. The cool dish is ideal for hot summer days, while the mix of textures make every bite a little more fun, too.

Ichu Peru, 3/F, H Queen's, 80 Queen's Road Central, Central; +852 2477 7717

Bedu

There is one restaurant that pulls me in from being a critic of lamb to a fan, and that eatery is the contemporary Middle Eastern restaurant Bedu. The Rack of lamb, which is exceptionally executed, sits atop a pool of sharp and flavourful labneh and za'atar oil, before it's topped with jewels of pomegranate for crunch. I have also ordered the lamb for delivery to my home, which is just as tender, succulent and perfectly pink as if I was dining in the restaurant.

Bedu, 40 Gough Street Central, Central; +852 2320 4450

Ask for Alonzo

Rustic comforts can be found at Mediterranean Italian restaurant Ask for Alonzo, which opened its second location in Tai Hang earlier this year. I visited the cosy trattoria, which offers family recipes on their menu, recently and ordered my new favourite combination -- handmade burrata with parma ham, tomatoes and rocket. Creamy soft cheese, with rich savoury ham, and zingy pieces of fresh tomato to cut through, this is Italian summer on my plate.

Ask for Alonzo, 11 Lin Fa Kung Street West, Tai Hang; +852 3101 8045

The post The Top 5 Dishes We Ate in April 2020 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is one of the world’s most exciting culinary capitals, where good food is more than abundant. In that light, we’ve put together a few of our tastiest tidbits and most memorable morsels that are worth tracking down to try.

Bedu

[caption id="attachment_156361" align="alignnone" width="5760"] Crispy salmon pita[/caption]

A lunchtime favourite of ours, Bedu is a charming little spot tucked away in the quieter corner of Central on Gough Street. A light summery meal that fills you up without bringing you down is the grilled salmon with salad. Slightly charred cubes of medium-cooked fish lie on top of zesty, vinaigrette-coated greens drizzled with yoghurt dressing. In between bites, you’ll find surprising flavours and textures like the pomegranate seeds and walnut bits. Alternatively, you can also enjoy this over a bed of rice or tucked into a warm pita pocket. Wash all that down with an ice-cold spiced pineapple and ginger beer and you’re set to tackle the rest of the day.

Bedu, 40 Gough Street, Central; +852 2320 4450

Cé La Vi

[caption id="attachment_155978" align="alignnone" width="1308"] Beef rendang[/caption]

American chef Conor Beach worked at several Hong Kong restaurants, including Repulse Bay's Balinese restaurant TRi (now closed), before arriving at modern Asian restaurant Cé La Vi. Lucky for us, it means he brings some of the most vivid Indonesian flavours to the forefront of their menu. Our favourite was the incredibly tender and slightly charred beef rendang, made with prime Wagyu meat slow-cooked in spicy coconut sauce, pickled vegetables, lemongrass and fried shallots.

Cé La Vi, 24/F California Tower, 30-32 D'Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3700 2300

Cornerstone

[caption id="attachment_155996" align="alignnone" width="1245"] Tagliatelle with mushrooms, smoked sausage and fresh green peas[/caption]

If you haven't checked out the new restaurant Cornerstone, by Netflix's favourite Australian chef, Shane Osborn, they you need to do it soon. The casual dining spot isn't all that spacious and fills up quickly in the evenings. But if you do manage to grab yourself a table (lunchtime is less crowded), make sure you order yourself the impeccably executed al dente tagliatelle with mushrooms, smoked sausage and fresh green peas. It's the comfort food of dreams: hearty, creamy and dusted in cheese -- you can thank us later.

Cornerstone, G/F Hilltop Plaza, 49 Hollywood Road, Soho, Central, Hong Kong

Fumi

[caption id="attachment_156004" align="alignnone" width="1377"] Brunch at Fumi[/caption]

So, Fumi's bigger and better sushi brunch isn't exactly one dish, but if it's high-quality fresh fish and meats from Japan you're after -- then you'll be more than happy here. Think Kuroge Wagyu tartare, charcoal-grilled Kagoshima Kurobuta Pork, Nangoku Genki chicken, sea prawn tempura, seasonal sashimi and as many sweet and meaty Hokkaido red king crab legs as you can crack into. Plus, more premium main course dishes to choose from and a shared Japanese dessert platter that will surely mean you need to be rolled home.

Fumi, 6/F, California Tower, Lan Kwai Fong, 30 - 36 D'Aguilar Street, Central Hong Kong; +852 2328 3302

Kashiwaya

[caption id="attachment_155991" align="alignnone" width="1340"] Shrimp and vegetable jelly with stewed octopus and sea urchin[/caption]

As the only overseas branch of the Michelin three-starred restaurant Kashiwaya in Osaka, Kashiwaya Hong Kong is something of a gem. They, too, have received two stars from the Michelin Guide since 2017 and continue to offer Japan's haute cuisine -- otherwise known as kaiseki -- to its guests. In a recent tasting, we were lucky enough to try a seasonal tasting menu that featured a beautiful sakizuke (or appetiser) of shrimp and vegetable jelly with stewed octopus topped with sea urchin, Japanese gourd and okura.

Kashiwaya, 8/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2520 5218

La Petite Maison

[caption id="attachment_155970" align="alignnone" width="2362"] Warm prawns with olive oil[/caption]

La Petite Maison has been open for almost a year in Hong Kong, but there's one classic dish we keep going back for: warm prawns with olive oil. One bite of this simple dish instantly transports you to summery Niçe, basking in the sun and dining alfresco with these fresh prawns, halved and dressed in lemon, basil, sea salt and of course quality olive oil -- the ultimate representation of Niçoise cuisine in summer, if ever there was one.

La Petite Maison, 1/F H Queen's, 23-29 Stanley Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2887 1113

La Rambla

[caption id="attachment_156317" align="alignnone" width="533"] Carabineros & jamon[/caption]

With sweeping views of the harbour, La Rambla serves up modern interpretations of Spanish dishes. Recently, executive chef Ferran Tadeo has introduced a new dining concept where guests can get up close and personal with the rare premium ingredients and watch as each dish is prepared before their eyes at the chef's table. The star of the show from the seven-course menu is the carabineros & jamon. Freshly flown in are the Josper-grilled 3XL carabineros with Iberico fat roasted in garlic purée and parsley oil; the supersize crustacean boasts the sweet flavours of the sea, and the juicy prawn head tomalley is a true umami treat.

La Rambla, Level 3, IFC Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central; +852 2661 1161

Ramen Cubism

[caption id="attachment_156328" align="alignnone" width="6101"] Twin Shio ramen[/caption]

What’s better than a bowl of ramen? Two bowls. That’s why Ramen Cubism’s Twin Shio limited ramen bowl is sold out daily in Hong Kong and Osaka. The figure-8 bowl holds its famous hot noodles on one side and a cold version on the other. The broth is blended from shellfish, scallops, clams, Hokkaido squid and scallops, and is topped with a 10cm-thick slab of roast pork belly. Single hot or cold servings are also available, but of course, two bowls are better than one.

Ramen Cubism, 27 Wellington Street, Central; +852 2399 0811

Somm

[caption id="attachment_156331" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Grilled Japanese pork BBQ sauce with Hakata cabbage salad[/caption]

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s new French neo-bistro is good for any time of day, be it breakfast or dinner, and it's best enjoyed with a tipple on the side. Led by the hotel’s team of sommeliers, the menu lends itself to complement the wine-driven dining experience with over 1,000 bottles to choose from and 100 wines and sake available by glass. It's hard to single out one favourite dish here as all are equally tasty. For meat lovers, we recommend the grilled Japanese pork with BBQ sauce and Hakata cabbage salad, which is lusciously rich in flavour with just the right amount of acidity in the greens and sauce to balance out the fat.

Somm, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central; +852 2132 0055

Zuma

[caption id="attachment_156330" align="alignnone" width="2720"] Tomato salad with roasted eggplant and ginger dressing[/caption]

When it comes to brunch, contemporary izakaya Zuma is almost an institution, but there’s more to just unlimited food and free-flow booze here. We tried their new summer menu and found that their à la carte dishes are just as impressive as the buffet they’re known for. The simple tomato salad with roasted eggplant and ginger dressing is a refreshing start to the meal to whet your appetite for what’s to come. The tangy dressing gives way to really showcase the sweetness of the slightly char-grilled fruit.

Zuma, Level 5 & 6, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central; +852 3657 6388

The post The Top 10 Dishes We Ate in July 2019 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

As the saying goes, “the way to a man’s (and woman’s) heart is through their stomach”, but most would agree that dining out on Valentine’s Day can be pretty unpleasant: The restrictive prix-fixe menus, overly inflated prices and swarm of couples seem reason enough to stay in. This year, we’ve made going out simple with our list of the best restaurants setting their tables to serve romantic dinners -- without any of the annoyances.

Arbor

Best for: Statement Splurge

Earning its recent Michelin star in the same year of its opening, Arbor is the perfect setting for an indulgent celebration. For this special occasion, Chef de Cuisine, Eric Räty has designed a red-themed 8-course menu blending French culinary techniques and premium Japanese ingredients such as oysters, sea urchin, Wagyu beef and the famously prized Amaou strawberries of Fukuoka — all best enjoyed alongside the sweeping views of Hong Kong’s cityscape.

HK$2,888 + 10% per person (including a glass of rosé champagne)

Arbor, 25/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong; +852 3185 8388

BEDU

Best for: Casual Vibes

The night kicks off with a complimentary glass of prosecco followed by a four-course dinner of Middle Eastern flavours. The casual chic interior with laidback vibes is ideal for those who are looking for a relaxed and intimate evening. The meal begins with the blushing Beetroot and mint Labneh, Slow baked salmon with tahini yoghurt, Charred cauliflower served with hazelnut dukkah, and is finally finished on a sweet note with the all-new White chocolate clafoutis presented with homemade honeycomb and topped with pistachio ice-cream.

February 14: HK$400 per person

In celebration of love, BEDU will donate HK$25 from every meal to support local charity “Pink Alliance” that promotes equal rights for the LGBTI community.

BEDU, 40 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2320 4450

Café Gray Deluxe

Enjoy a traditional candlelit dining experience with breathtaking views at Café Gray Deluxe. The modern European dinner takes the restaurant’s most popular dishes to curate an exciting menu that won’t disappoint, and includes its signature dishes like the Seared tuna with garlic ponzu, Oscietra caviar with seaweed oil, Toothfish with Champagne froth and sweet potato gnocchi, Coffee rubbed short rib with smoked Sichuan pepper and baked turnip, and its decadent Strawberry pavlova with mascarpone mousseline and Rosé Champagne sorbet. The five-course menu served after 8:30pm includes an additional dish of Lobster consommé with crab ravioli and pickled radish.

February 14: Four-course menu at HK$1,150 (from 6pm to 8pm); Five-course menu at HK$1,550 per person (from 8:30pm onwards) + 10% per person

Café Gray Deluxe, Level 49, The Upper House, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong; +852 3968 1106

Chaiwala

Best for: Spice Seekers

Tucked underground behind British salon Hugger Mugger is the vibrant and colourful Chaiwala, offering flavourful and exotic flavours from India. Culinary Director Balaji Balachander selects five signature dishes including Pani Puri, Aloo Tikka Chaat, Old Delhi butter chicken, to bring to its diners a tantalising Valentine’s curation.  The Lover’s cocktail, a twist on the classic Gin & Tonic is also available to mark the romantic occasion.

February 14: Five-course menu at HK$520 per person; Lover’s limited edition cocktail at HK$120.

Chaiwala, Basement, 43 – 55 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2362 8988

Fumi

Best for: Seafood Lovers

Hidden on the sixth floor of the California Tower, modern-Japanese haven FUMI is offering an eight-course dinner menu for the most romantic time of the year. Guests can expect a delicately prepared menu featuring premium ingredients such as the lobster and sea urchin salad straight from the Hokkaido seas, Chef’s selection of fresh toro, Hokkaido botan shrimp, striped jack and alfonsino sashimi, as well as grilled yellowtail with Kyoto green pepper and Wagyu beef cheek to name a few.

February 14: Eight-course menu at HK$1,402 +10% for two guests

Fumi, 6/F, California Tower, 30 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2328 3302

Hugo’s

Best for: Timeless Ambiance

Celebrating its 50^thanniversary, Hugo’s at the Hyatt Regency is one of the city’s most reputable restaurants when it comes to old Hong Kong western dining. Decorated with armour, mirrors, chandeliers and shield plaques, the décor exudes a warm and enchanting European drawing room. The Valentine’s Day menu at Hugo’s includes Hokkaido scallops three ways, Spanish Barabineros prawns, Basil foam soup as starters, which are followed by two mains of pan-fried Atlantic halibut and US bison tournedos with foie gras, and finally finished with a sweet yet delicate wild strawberry and pomegranate parfait.

February 14: Six-course menu at HK$1,488 + 10% per person with a complimentary glass of Champagne.

Hugo’s, Hyatt Regency, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3721 7733

Le 39V x Inakaya

Best for: Weekenders

Living the Hong Kong life means that evenings may be sacrificed. That, or maybe the crowd on 14 February is just not your scene. Regardless of your reasons, Le 39V has partnered with Inakaya to bring lovers together for a boozy weekend brunch instead. Marrying French and Japanese flavours, the brunch offers guests a seafood starter of two-way oysters, sashimi and tempura, a main course of teppanyaki with a choice of lobster and sushi or abalone and A5 wagyu. Indulge to your hearts’ content with a wide spread of unlimited cheese and desserts at the buffet station, with drink packages available for add on depending on your mood.

February 10 or February 17: HK$800 with free flow options of HK$100 for juice/soft drinks, HK$280 for select red/white wine, sake and champagne, or HK$380 for all beverages + 10% per person.

Le 39V, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2977 5266

Los Sotano

Best for: Singles

The team at Los Sotano knows that Valentine’s Day isn’t just a celebration for lovers, but everyone, so the underground upscale Mexican eatery and mezcal lounge will transform itself from its early evening restaurant into Lan Kwai Fong’s most happening party for singles. After 10pm, the music goes up and the lights go down, with cocktails and matchmaking games to set the stage for the perfect meet-cute.

February 14 10pm until late

Los Sotano, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2970 3887

T’ang Court

Best for: Asian Flavours

Spoil the one you love with an unconventional Valentine’s Day dinner at the three Michelin-starred Cantonese dining lounge. Apart from the restaurant’s most famous dishes like the Roasted suckling pig, Braised dried abalone with Bence-de-Mer, Chef Kwong and Chef Wong have included nourishing courses such as the Double-boiled sea whelk, fish maw and chicken soup and Imperial bird’s nest with almond juice, thoughtfully befitting the cooler weather this time of year.

February 14: Six-course menu at HK$1,888 + 10% per person

T’ang Court, The Langham Hong Kong, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2132 7898

Tate Dining Room & Bar

Best for: A Romantic Atmosphere

The Michelin-starred Chef Vicky Lau is known for her “edible stories” — creating meals inspired by her artistic expression and creative intuition. As always, she creates dishes that pay homage to culinary elements, and for the case of Valentine’s Day, her menu is an ode to special seasonal ingredients. The nine-course dinner highlights her rendition of Pâte-en-croûte, oysters, kumquat, seabass, Alaskan king crab rolls, French pigeon, tofu and pu’er, red fruits and ends with a special mignardise surprise.

February 14: Nine-course menu at HK$1,980 for two; 6-glass wine pairing available at HK$880 or 3-glass wine pairing available at HK$530 + 10%

Tate Dining Room & Bar, 210 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong; +852 2555 217

The post 10 Best Menus for Valentine’s Day appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Far from traditional, this Bedouin journey is a ride through subtle yet satisfying flavours.

The post Bedu: Middle Eastern Food for Modern Appetites appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.