Celebrity Life

Drink your way through Singapore's biggest cocktail event of the year.

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Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori — he’s also the beverage manager at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong and the beverage ambassador for Four Seasons, Asia-Pacific — always knew he was called to the bar. The almost-lawyer discovered his true calling while working part- time in one in Rome and has since gleaned an impressive resume of award winners, with placings on the World’s and Asia’s 50 Best Bars lists. This month, the affable chap writes a new chapter as Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong’s beverage manager and one of two newly appointed beverage ambassadors for the hotel group’s Asia-Pacific region, overseeing properties in China, Japan and South Korea, including his former “baby”, Charles H. bar at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. “The hotel bar is becoming a place where you enjoy a next-level experience that is not only about the cocktails, but also design and craftsmanship,” he says. “We will see even more of that in Asia.”

[inline-quote author="Lorenzo Antinori"]"If I can choose it, my last meal would be boneless fried chicken and caviar... with a martini. That would be absolutely amazing."[/inline-quote]

Music Matters

“I like to think of music as part of a bar’s interior design. We collaborate with a company to change the list every six months. The night usually starts with lower tones and lighter tunes before going into something more buzzing, and then ends with darker, mellower songs. My personal music favourites, though, will never make it to the selection (laughs). I’m an electronic music and hip-hop fan, especially of the old-school genre — Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan, Warren G, etc. And depending on my mood, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder too.”

Rad Repast

“One lazy summer afternoon in my friend’s backyard in Seoul, he took out the extra virgin oil that he imported from Sicily with other Italian produce and proudly said that it would work on the Häagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream that we brought. So we drizzled a few drops of light olive oil and ate the whole combo with semi-sweet sparkling moscato. It worked! The oil added savoury elements to the ice cream, enhancing the mouthfeel as well.”

Local Treasures

“At Four Seasons, we work closely with our local producers and suppliers. Last year, we used local plum liquor (maesil-ju), an infusion of green unripe plums in rice spirits, water and honey, at Charles H.

It has a sweet profile and a bright acidity that makes it work brilliantly in different cocktails. We combined it with Navy Strength Gin and dry vermouth for a twist on the classic Hoffman House martini, giving it a nice depth and a fruity edge.”

The post Italian bartender Lorenzo Antinori and his favourite food and drink appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

As Hong Kong’s Art Month ensues, we're seeing all sorts of creativity spilling out across the city and onto our plates. With art-inspired menus, dishes and cocktails on offer, there's something for everyone to celebrate the arty season. So if gallery hopping isn't for you, here’s a list of 9 other cool art-related things to eat or drink this month. 

Ozone, The Ritz-Carlton

From now until 31 March

If drinkable art is your thing, you can head on up to The Ritz-Carlton’s Ozone, the world’s highest bar, to sample cocktails and tapas inspired by the Bauhaus movement, which combined construction and fine arts in the early 20th century. Created by culinary and bar manager Oscar Mena, bar-goers can sip on artsy cocktails that have been inspired by Bauhaus maestros László Moholy-Nagy, Josef Albers, and Paul Klee. What’s more, artisan mixologist and Asia’s Monkey 47 brand ambassador Zachary Connor de Git will be guest bartending for one night only (Friday, 29 March) with some of his own signature creations.

Ozone, Level 118, International Commerce Centre (ICC), 1 Austin Rd West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2263 2270

CÉ LA VI

From now until 31 March

Art lovers rejoice! You can now eat, drink and simultaneously experience art at CÉ LA VI. A tasting menu featuring six colourful dishes will set the tone with dishes such as oyster & botan ebi to start, and a vibrant beet & raspberry mousse to finish. Wash it down with their exclusive art cocktail, Panthère Cobblers, inspired by French ‘Born Wild’ pop-artist Richard Orlinksi, all the while enjoying the collection of sculptures, courtesy of Opera Gallery, displayed across The Lounge, Sky Deck and restaurant. To end the month on an artistic high, CÉ LA VI will also be hosting a closing party featuring a live performance by dance alchemy production group I AM.

CÉ LA VI, 25/F California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3700 2300

Felix, The Peninsula

From now until 30 May

Get in the mood for artistry at The Peninsula’s 28th floor restaurant, Felix, and enjoy the Five Senses Art Experience menu by Chef de Cuisine Juan Gomez. Created to please all your senses, dishes like crispy king crab pillows will indulge hearing, whilst chargrilled Iberian pork pluma will excite your sense of smell and pan-fried foie gras with glazed plums will tickle your taste buds. But if that’s not enough art for you, The Peninsula -- being the official hotel partner of Art Basel Hong Kong — will also launch ‘Art in Resonance’, a multi-year art program that starts 26 March, in which the hotel will play host to newly commissioned, immersive installations by contemporary artists across the globe.

Felix, 28/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2696 6778

Whisk, The Mira 

From 28 March to 22 April

Back by popular demand (for the fifth consecutive year now), is Chef Oliver Li’s ingredient-driven, street art-inspired menu. Reflecting upon UK-born, HK-bred visual artist Szabotage’s pop-up exhibition “Reflections”, the six-course menu incorporates urban and pop culture in its dishes -- including the signature graffiti-style Koi patterns. Along with the meal comes four pop-artsy tipples that also pay tribute to the street art influence.

Whisk, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon; +852 2315 5999

Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour

From now until 31 March 

The artisanal gin bar tucked in the basement of The Landmark is a favourite most days, but during Art Month, the place is especially popular with bartender Gerry Olino’s art-inspired cocktails. The first of his creations is Flowers in the Snow -- a concoction of infused gin, honey, cream, egg white, soda and local jasmine tea -- instilled by artist Robert Tracy’s mysterious flower painting. The second drink is a must-order simply for its gorgeous presentation; The Blossom is derived from a simple seed, given the love and water needed to transform into beautiful and colourful life, and is made from Whitley Neill Quince Gin, London Orange & Elderflower and edible flowers.

Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour, Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2111 9449

Mandarin Bar & Grill, Mandarin Oriental

From now until 31 March

Michelin-starred chef Robin Zavou celebrates Art Month this year with his Palatable Art menu. This time, he’s paired up with artist Konstantin Bessmertny and Benjamin Sigg of Art Advisory to put forth a four-course dinner menu. Each dish is a true work of art as it mirrors, complements, or exudes the feelings and ideas intended by the artist, and now, the chef as well. Special mentions include the caviar, leek and cauliflower starter inspired by Ancient Régime, and the Wagyu beef served with bark and smoked at the table to bring out the five elements, reflective of the piece with the same title by Chinese artist Ji Dachun.

Mandarin Bar & Grill, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2825 4004

Mumm Harbourfront Party 

27 March

Back for the fourth year now, Mumm Champagne returns to co-host one of Art Month’s biggest celebrations right at Hong Kong’s Central Harbourfront Event Space with Art Central. This VIP party is also the debut of Mumm Grand Cordon Stellar – the first Champagne bottle designed specifically for space travel. Although you may not have any plans to venture past our planet anytime soon, you are however guaranteed an evening that is out of this world, with free-flow drinks and international DJ performances.

Mumm Grand Cordon Stellar Lounge, Central Harbourfront Event Space, 9 Lung Wo Road, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2151 2699

The Lounge, Four Seasons 

From now until 31 March

Sunday afternoons just got better with Four Season’s new Art Frenzy Afternoon Tea set offering. Led by Executive Pastry Chef, Ringo Chan, the interactive tea buffet is an expression of the chef’s creativity in the form of sweet delights. Expect artistic creations in his interpretation of urban Hong Kong, bird cages found in the old parts of Kowloon, and paint tubes inspired by the city’s modern street art. The tea set is available from 2pm to 4pm, or 4:15pm to 6pm.

The Lounge, Four Seasons, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3196 8820

Pirata Group

From 27 to 31 March, during dinner until end of service.

Walking through all the galleries and exhibitions at Art Basel Hong Kong can be thirsty work. Luckily, restaurant group Pirata has us covered with a list of venues across Hong Kong offering complimentary drinks (from glasses of Prosecco to cocktails and bottles of wine) to all Art Basel VIP ticket-holders this month. Visit Chaiwala, Madame Ching, TokyoLima, Meats, Pirata or The Optimist and recharge with a much-needed tipple to keep you going through art month.

Chaiwala, Basement 43, 55 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2362 8988
Madame Ching, 5 Star Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2577 7227
TokyoLima,  G/F, 18-20 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central; +852 2811 1152
Meats, G/F, 28 - 30, Staunton Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2711 1812
Pirata, 30/F, 235-239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2887 0270
The Optimist, 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong; +852 2433 3324

The post Where to Try Art-Inspired Menus this Month appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

When it comes to cocktails, some come and go, while others stand the test of time.

From the martini to the Manhattan, these classic libations will never go out of style. But to keep us on our toes, mixologists in Hong Kong continue to shake up the bar scene with new and inventive twists on all our favourite tipples. So for those looking to mix it up at happy hour, here are five new takes on the classics to try now.

The #JamónOldFashioned at The Wise King

With cocktails inspired by 13th-century Spain, The Wise King is the perfect bar to drink in authentic Spanish flavours and traditions. But with their #Revived cocktail menu, you can also taste new and unique cocktails created for the 21st century. The revamped menu features cocktails enhanced by exotic Spanish ingredients and we’ve already found our new favourite: The #JamónOldFashioned blends Jamón Iberico bourbon with cantaloupe syrup and walnut bitters for a smooth drink with a deep aroma. The finishing touch is a crispy dry-cured Spanish ham garnish, which whets the appetite in between sips.

The Wise King, 25 Staunton Street, Basement in Tsung Wing Lane, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2326 5822

Soju Martini at Draft Land

If you haven’t already visited Hong Kong’s first cocktails-on-tap bar, you’ll want to head to Draft Land now. A joint venture between Taiwanese cocktail legend Angus Zou and Hong Kong’s very own award-winning mixologist Antonio Lai, the bar not only offers high-quality cocktails on tap, served at rapid speed, but it also enables guests to taste test any cocktail before they commit to a full drink. If you weren’t sure which to sample first, our recommendation comes in the form of the Soju Martini. Created with Korea’s most popular spirit plus sherry, plum eau de vie and the Southeast Asian flavour of pandan, the martini is bright and refined with hints of fruit and nuts from the spirits.

Draft Land Hong Kong, 63 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2711 8809

Monkey 47 & Fever Tree with lavender smoke at HYC

This new high-end gin and shisha rooftop lounge in Tsim Sha Tsui is a great place to kick back. Offering panoramic views overlooking Victoria Harbour and Kowloon Park, HYC holds a truly relaxed vibe that's surprising for the Kowloon side. What’s more, if you’re willing to be a little adventurous with your G&T, then you’re in good hands. Mixing up some classic gin and tonic combinations with the added theatrics -- and aromatics -- of smoke, we've fallen for a blend of Monkey 47 gin and Fever Tree tonic water, finished with the calming notes of lavender smoke.

HYC, 22/F, Nathan Hill, 38 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2572 6388

B for Mayor’s Boilermaker at The ThirtySix Bar & Co

Named after the 36 copper stills used at The Macallan's new distillery, it’s no surprise that this new Hollywood Road bar specialises in whisky based cocktails and highballs. (They even have a vault filled with rare whiskies to buy and store.) There is, however, more than just whisky and soda on the menu and B for Mayor’s Boilermaker is our cocktail of choice. A modern rendition of the Boilermaker -- a mixed whisky and beer tradition -- the drink is inspired by Antonín Josef Čermák, a Czech miner who became Chicago’s 34th mayor at the height of Prohibition. He enjoyed Czechoslovakian liqueur paired with beer; in this cocktail, we enjoy ours with Becherovka herbal liqueur, Rebel Yell Kentucky straight bourbon, thyme syrup and lemon juice topped with beer foam.

The ThirtySix Bar & Co, 2/F, No, 23 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2336 4498

The Boulevardier at Frank’s Library

Hidden behind closed curtains within the retro-jazz speakeasy Foxglove, Frank’s Library is a sleek drinking den with style. Themed around the fictional Englishman and host Frank Minza, the discreet den is designed to make you feel like you're stepping into his library for insiders only. Always up for good drink, we headed to the secret alcove for their new collection of cocktails in which we found a potent variation on the classic Negroni. Usually made of one part gin, one part sweet vermouth and one part Campari, the popular Italian cocktail has been given a smoky twist by using 4-week barrel-aged Buffalo Trace Bourbon in place of the gin, which is available in both single and sharing servings.

Frank’s Library, Foxglove, G/F 18 Ice House Street, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2116 8949

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I wrote last year about my love of a beautiful, flower packed cafe in my hometown of Santiago. You can imagine my disappointment when a…

The post The most exciting opening in Santiago this year? appeared first on The Expater.

I wrote last year about my love of a beautiful, flower packed cafe in my hometown of Santiago. You can imagine my disappointment when a…

The post The most exciting opening in Santiago this year? appeared first on The Expater.

As much as we’d all love to be on vacation 24/7, the Instagram influencer lifestyle just isn’t in the cards for all of us. Our solution? Plan a relaxing staycation in your own town to feel like you’re on the getaway trip of your dreams without breaking the bank. We’ve got some staycation expert tips […]

The post How to Plan a Relaxing staycation appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

With spring and summer heading swiftly our way, many people may be considering organizing a garden party and inviting friends, neighbors, and family members along for some entertainment and fun. If this is something you are planning, you need to think carefully about the food and drink you will serve if you want your garden […]

The post Impress Your Garden Party Guests with Delicious Cocktails appeared first on Upscale Living Magazine.

Think shiso, sake, and umeshu.

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Think shiso, sake, and umeshu.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.

Meet Richa, an Indian girl who’s lived across much of Europe and India and now calls Germany home. While all these places have contributed to…

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