Celebrity Life

Christmas dinner can be quite the tedious task, so why not let someone else cook for you. It's been a - very - long year, so sit back and enjoy the holidays without lifting a finger. Here are our 10 favourite festive feasts in Hong Kong to book now.

FRANCIS

[caption id="attachment_212532" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The traditional Jerusalem-stuffed lamb shoulder with sauces[/caption]

For a spicy twist on family-style indulgent Christmas feast, Middle Eastern neighbourhood eatery Francis will offer a limited-run menu for dinner. Highlighting the spirit of the season, the traditional Jerusalem-stuffed lamb shoulder is the star of the meal and is served with a variety of meze, like bake halloumi and Moroccan-inspired Quail Pastilla. Different from any other menu in town, Israeli Chef Asher Goldstein's selection brings together the bold flavours of North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Available: December 24-27 2020

Bookings: Christmas set menu HK$480pp+ 10%

FRANCIS, 4 & 6 Francis Street, Wan Chai; +852 3101 9521

CHAAT

[caption id="attachment_212537" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Holiday Feast at CHAAT[/caption]

This Christmas, Chaat the Rosewood Hong Kong, the hottest Indian restaurant in town and a new favourite, is offering a vibrant holiday menu that features of the aromas and spices that characterised its elevated comfort dishes. The selection boasts Chef Manav’s clever spins on traditional Indian street-style bites and is accompanied by sharing-style bites featuring, Murg Tikka Mirza Hasnu, Dabba Gosht and Turkey Nargisi Kofta.

Available: December 24 and 25 2020

Bookings: HK$1,288 + 10%

CHAAT, 5/F Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 5239 9220

Aulis

[caption id="attachment_212534" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Truffle Pudding[/caption]

Aulis, the development kitchen slash chef’s table is a cosy little cavern for private and intimate celebrations. For Christmas, Chef Simon Rogan’s Hong Kong farm to table concept will be ringing in Christmas and the new year with a menu of old favourites and new discoveries. The 13 dish menu features some of chef’s classics flavours along with many innovative creations including the Pigeon with red cabbage and blackberry, Truffle Pudding, and the Smoked eel and grape tart. Some dishes take a Christmas twist for the special occasion.

Available: December 24 and 31 2020

Bookings: 13 Course Tasting Menu HK$1,280 + 10%

Aulis, UG08, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay; +852 2817 8383

Restaurant Petrus

[caption id="attachment_212536" align="alignnone" width="1200"] George Bruck foie gras[/caption]

Michelin-starred Restaurant Petrus at the Island Shangri-la is offering an opulent Christmas menu that matches its elegant decor, superb view and creative concept. Executive Chef Uwe Opocensky's Winter Wonderalnd 8 course dinner menu features elevated dishes like the George Bruck foie gras, line-caught turbot, Rossini beef and salmon.

Available: 24 December 2020

Bookings: 8 Course Winter Wonderland Christmas Menu HK$2,588 + 10%

Restaurant Petrus at Island Shangri-La, Level 56, Pacific Place, Supreme Ct Rd, Central; +852 2820 8590

Castellana

[caption id="attachment_212539" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Brittany blue lobster ravioli with Burrata foam[/caption]

Castellana, the acclaimed Northern Italian restaurants that brings to Hong Kong unique products and dishes from the region of Piedmont, has you covered with an indulgent Christmas dinner. The feast includes iconic dishes and winter classics like the Uovo di Montagna (Mountain organic egg), Zuppa di cardi Piemontese e foie gras (Piedmont thistles soup with foie gras), Ravioli di astice blu e burrata (Brittany blue lobster ravioli with Burrata foam) and Gelato al tartufo bianco (White truffle ice cream).

Available: December 7 2020 until January 6 2021 

Bookings: Christmas Menu 4 Courses HK$1280 (with wine pairing - HK$1880); 7 Courses HK$1580 (with wine pairing - HK$2280)

Castellana, 10/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Rd, Causeway Bay, +852 3188 5028

Honjo

If you're looking for something nontraditional for your Christmas dinner, but still feel-good, Honjo is the place to celebrate this festive season. The modern Japanese restaurant will showcase two eclectic menus featuring four courses with some of our favourites. This includes appetising dishes that are served family style such as the thinly sliced Wagyu bathed in chorizo oil, Hamachi served with ikura, watermelon, radish and ginger ponzu, as well as the indulgent Salmon Teriyaki with charred lime and fresh chilli. The festive spread can also be paired with wines from Honjo's selection of over 200 types of wine from their cellar.

Available: 24 and 25 December 2020

Bookings: from 6:00pm to 8.30pm HK$680+10% per person; 8.00pm onwards HK$820+10% per person; additional HK$480 per person for the wine pairing

Honjo, 1/F, Hollywood Centre, Queen's Road W, Sheung Wan; +852 2663 3772

Hue

The Hong Kong Museum of Art location gives this 5,000 sq. ft. modern Australian restaurant some of the most exquisite views in Tsim Sha Tsui. Plus this newly opened restaurant has some impressive food on offer too. This Christmas, it's a four course menu with options for some premium meat, seafood, canapés and dessert dishes. We've got our eye on the Hokkaido Scallop Raviolo, Confit Turkey Leg and Pavlova.

Available: 24 to 26 December 2020

Bookings: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day 4-course menu HK$850+10% per person

Hue, 1/F Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3500 5888

Kinship

[caption id="attachment_212535" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Potterspury Farm Bronze Turkey[/caption]

Since we're celebrating togetherness during the festive season, it seems that Kinship is the perfect place to book in your Christmas dinner. And if the comfortable setting and relaxed vibes aren't reason enough, then the Christmas menu is. It features some great classics to get nostalgic over including Potterspury Farm Bronze Turkey, Handmade Ravioli and Apple Pie Semifreddo. It's ideal for family or friend sharing and is a mix match of the best of British and American cuisine.

Available: 24 and 25 December 2020

Bookings: From 6pm onwards HK$488+10% per person

Kinship, 3/F LL Tower, 2 Shelley Street, SoHo, Central; +852 2520 0899

Zuma

[caption id="attachment_212538" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The nocturnal Christmas brunch at Zuma[/caption]

Zuma’s signature “midnight brunch”, or yashoku, is back with a festive touch. A Hong Kong favourite, the nocturnal feast will feature some of the restaurant’s classic dishes along with free-flow sake, champagne and live performances to celebrate the holiday spirit. 

Available: December 24, 25 and 26 2020

Bookings: From 7pm onwards HK$920 + 10%

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

Mott 32

[caption id="attachment_212533" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Peking Turkey[/caption]

This festive season, award-winning restaurant Mott 32 has given a new Cantonese look to an international holiday classic. The restaurant’s Peking Turkey will be served with regular duck sauce and a homemade cranberry sauce as the star of its Peking Turkey set, which also includes delicacies like Minced Turkey with prawn crackers and bamboo shoot and a Shredded Turkey Salad. The other selection available, the Mott 32 Christmas set menu, blends time-honoured Chinese culinary style and Christmas traditions.

Available: Peking Turkey Menu 26 November – 30 December 2020 ; Mott 32 Christmas Set Menu
Dinner, December 25 2020

Bookings: Peking Turkey Menu HK$1,880 for full set (min. 4 pax sharing), requires 48-hour pre-order; Mott 32 Christmas Set Menu HK$1,388pp, additional $480 for wine pairing

Mott 32, Standard Chartered Bank Building, Des Voeux Rd Central, Central; +852 2885 8688

The post 10 Restaurants for Christmas Dinner in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Christmas dinner can be quite the tedious task, so why not let someone else cook for you. It's been a - very - long year, so sit back and enjoy the holidays without lifting a finger. Here are our 10 favourite festive feasts in Hong Kong to book now.

FRANCIS

[caption id="attachment_212532" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The traditional Jerusalem-stuffed lamb shoulder with sauces[/caption]

For a spicy twist on family-style indulgent Christmas feast, Middle Eastern neighbourhood eatery Francis will offer a limited-run menu for dinner. Highlighting the spirit of the season, the traditional Jerusalem-stuffed lamb shoulder is the star of the meal and is served with a variety of meze, like bake halloumi and Moroccan-inspired Quail Pastilla. Different from any other menu in town, Israeli Chef Asher Goldstein's selection brings together the bold flavours of North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Available: December 24-27 2020

Bookings: Christmas set menu HK$480pp+ 10%

FRANCIS, 4 & 6 Francis Street, Wan Chai; +852 3101 9521

CHAAT

[caption id="attachment_212537" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Holiday Feast at CHAAT[/caption]

This Christmas, Chaat the Rosewood Hong Kong, the hottest Indian restaurant in town and a new favourite, is offering a vibrant holiday menu that features of the aromas and spices that characterised its elevated comfort dishes. The selection boasts Chef Manav’s clever spins on traditional Indian street-style bites and is accompanied by sharing-style bites featuring, Murg Tikka Mirza Hasnu, Dabba Gosht and Turkey Nargisi Kofta.

Available: December 24 and 25 2020

Bookings: HK$1,288 + 10%

CHAAT, 5/F Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 5239 9220

Aulis

[caption id="attachment_212534" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Truffle Pudding[/caption]

Aulis, the development kitchen slash chef’s table is a cosy little cavern for private and intimate celebrations. For Christmas, Chef Simon Rogan’s Hong Kong farm to table concept will be ringing in Christmas and the new year with a menu of old favourites and new discoveries. The 13 dish menu features some of chef’s classics flavours along with many innovative creations including the Pigeon with red cabbage and blackberry, Truffle Pudding, and the Smoked eel and grape tart. Some dishes take a Christmas twist for the special occasion.

Available: December 24 and 31 2020

Bookings: 13 Course Tasting Menu HK$1,280 + 10%

Aulis, UG08, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay; +852 2817 8383

Restaurant Petrus

[caption id="attachment_212536" align="alignnone" width="1200"] George Bruck foie gras[/caption]

Michelin-starred Restaurant Petrus at the Island Shangri-la is offering an opulent Christmas menu that matches its elegant decor, superb view and creative concept. Executive Chef Uwe Opocensky's Winter Wonderalnd 8 course dinner menu features elevated dishes like the George Bruck foie gras, line-caught turbot, Rossini beef and salmon.

Available: 24 December 2020

Bookings: 8 Course Winter Wonderland Christmas Menu HK$2,588 + 10%

Restaurant Petrus at Island Shangri-La, Level 56, Pacific Place, Supreme Ct Rd, Central; +852 2820 8590

Castellana

[caption id="attachment_212539" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Brittany blue lobster ravioli with Burrata foam[/caption]

Castellana, the acclaimed Northern Italian restaurants that brings to Hong Kong unique products and dishes from the region of Piedmont, has you covered with an indulgent Christmas dinner. The feast includes iconic dishes and winter classics like the Uovo di Montagna (Mountain organic egg), Zuppa di cardi Piemontese e foie gras (Piedmont thistles soup with foie gras), Ravioli di astice blu e burrata (Brittany blue lobster ravioli with Burrata foam) and Gelato al tartufo bianco (White truffle ice cream).

Available: December 7 2020 until January 6 2021 

Bookings: Christmas Menu 4 Courses HK$1280 (with wine pairing - HK$1880); 7 Courses HK$1580 (with wine pairing - HK$2280)

Castellana, 10/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Rd, Causeway Bay, +852 3188 5028

Honjo

If you're looking for something nontraditional for your Christmas dinner, but still feel-good, Honjo is the place to celebrate this festive season. The modern Japanese restaurant will showcase two eclectic menus featuring four courses with some of our favourites. This includes appetising dishes that are served family style such as the thinly sliced Wagyu bathed in chorizo oil, Hamachi served with ikura, watermelon, radish and ginger ponzu, as well as the indulgent Salmon Teriyaki with charred lime and fresh chilli. The festive spread can also be paired with wines from Honjo's selection of over 200 types of wine from their cellar.

Available: 24 and 25 December 2020

Bookings: from 6:00pm to 8.30pm HK$680+10% per person; 8.00pm onwards HK$820+10% per person; additional HK$480 per person for the wine pairing

Honjo, 1/F, Hollywood Centre, Queen's Road W, Sheung Wan; +852 2663 3772

Hue

The Hong Kong Museum of Art location gives this 5,000 sq. ft. modern Australian restaurant some of the most exquisite views in Tsim Sha Tsui. Plus this newly opened restaurant has some impressive food on offer too. This Christmas, it's a four course menu with options for some premium meat, seafood, canapés and dessert dishes. We've got our eye on the Hokkaido Scallop Raviolo, Confit Turkey Leg and Pavlova.

Available: 24 to 26 December 2020

Bookings: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day 4-course menu HK$850+10% per person

Hue, 1/F Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 3500 5888

Kinship

[caption id="attachment_212535" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Potterspury Farm Bronze Turkey[/caption]

Since we're celebrating togetherness during the festive season, it seems that Kinship is the perfect place to book in your Christmas dinner. And if the comfortable setting and relaxed vibes aren't reason enough, then the Christmas menu is. It features some great classics to get nostalgic over including Potterspury Farm Bronze Turkey, Handmade Ravioli and Apple Pie Semifreddo. It's ideal for family or friend sharing and is a mix match of the best of British and American cuisine.

Available: 24 and 25 December 2020

Bookings: From 6pm onwards HK$488+10% per person

Kinship, 3/F LL Tower, 2 Shelley Street, SoHo, Central; +852 2520 0899

Zuma

[caption id="attachment_212538" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The nocturnal Christmas brunch at Zuma[/caption]

Zuma’s signature “midnight brunch”, or yashoku, is back with a festive touch. A Hong Kong favourite, the nocturnal feast will feature some of the restaurant’s classic dishes along with free-flow sake, champagne and live performances to celebrate the holiday spirit. 

Available: December 24, 25 and 26 2020

Bookings: From 7pm onwards HK$920 + 10%

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

Mott 32

[caption id="attachment_212533" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Peking Turkey[/caption]

This festive season, award-winning restaurant Mott 32 has given a new Cantonese look to an international holiday classic. The restaurant’s Peking Turkey will be served with regular duck sauce and a homemade cranberry sauce as the star of its Peking Turkey set, which also includes delicacies like Minced Turkey with prawn crackers and bamboo shoot and a Shredded Turkey Salad. The other selection available, the Mott 32 Christmas set menu, blends time-honoured Chinese culinary style and Christmas traditions.

Available: Peking Turkey Menu 26 November – 30 December 2020 ; Mott 32 Christmas Set Menu
Dinner, December 25 2020

Bookings: Peking Turkey Menu HK$1,880 for full set (min. 4 pax sharing), requires 48-hour pre-order; Mott 32 Christmas Set Menu HK$1,388pp, additional $480 for wine pairing

Mott 32, Standard Chartered Bank Building, Des Voeux Rd Central, Central; +852 2885 8688

The post 10 Restaurants for Christmas Dinner in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Thank goodness for long weekends. In Hong Kong, we get a total of seven Mondays or Fridays to elongate the days of rest: An extra 24 hours to explore the city, see friends, eat dim sum until we explode or just stay in and binge watch old movies. During one such recent long weekend, following a movie marathon at home, I decided to give my eyes a break from the screen and ventured out to Wan Chai’s new smokehouse and grill, Mr Brown.

Located on Ship Street, Mr Brown, the newborn sister (or brother) of the much-loved Middle Eastern restaurant Francis, is described as “a Western-style barbecue restaurant with Middle Eastern touches and American grill items”. That’ll be the reason for the name then, as it stems from Southern slang and refers to the dark, smoky part of barbecued meat.

[caption id="attachment_138629" align="alignnone" width="1024"] My butter half cocktail, made with butter washed bourbon, salted syrup and bitters.[/caption]

We enter the unassuming wood-panel façade to find a dark interior warmed up by hickory-coloured leather chairs, curved booths and spotlights playfully dotted around the restaurant. Much like its predecessor, the vibe is cool and casual -- a defining characteristic of co-founders James Ward, Simone Sammuri and head chef Asher Goldstein’s debut concept.

The open kitchen, alongside the bar, spans the restaurant and shows off an organised and smooth-running team as guests sit front row to catch all the culinary action. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the impressive meats resting on the bar table, which  is reason enough to request a seat there. Here, rock music sets the mood, while upbeat hip-hop tunes slide in as the evening progresses.

We’re greeted with some friendly recommendations for drinks, and I opt to go with our server’s suggestion for something refreshing. She offers Just Brew It, a craft cocktail made with gin, osmanthus tea, cucumber and mint; I’m pleased  by light-hearted name, minty fragrance and cooling effect. After the first sip, however, I'm left with a sticky sweetness at the back of my throat from too much syrup, and I can’t help but swap it for another cocktail. This time. Drop It Like It’s Hot — a margarita with pink peppercorn-infused tequila — is handed to me. It’s savoury and tangy flavours bear a slight kick, and it's definitely more palatable. Meanwhile, my date orders a 961 Lebanese beer and the spicy pale ale with herbaceous notes seem to go down well; it's perhaps a better option to go with dinner.

[caption id="attachment_138628" align="alignnone" width="1303"] Smoked and pickled mussels, n'duja (a spicy spreadable Calabrian sausage), tomato and shallots.[/caption]

It doesn’t take long for the restaurant to fill up and our excitement, along with our appetites, grows. We begin eagerly and sample an assortment of items from each section: starters, vegetables, smoke & grill, and dessert. It’s a magnificent start as we nibble on smoked & pickled mussels that are brimming with flavour and a tang that lingers, as well as meaty slices of cuttlefish brought to life by the briny and piquant flavours of spicy tomato ink sauce. The Ibérico pork muffin doesn’t disappoint either, with meat smoked for six hours, plus fermented chilli aioli, mustard and pickled cabbage adding to the strong aromatics. The homemade English muffin also holds its own, allowing for a clean bite. My only wish was that there was more meat inside.

Now enter the show-stopping moment with my favourite side character: kohlrabi. The vegetable, a cross between a turnip and cabbage, is thinly sliced into crunchy ribbons and charred for smokiness, then rounded off with nuttiness from shredded hazelnuts. It’s a smouldering entrance which captivates our palates. We sit in awe of its smoky sorcery, because to achieve this level of flavour with a vegetable is no small feat, and I’m truly impressed by Mr Brown's execution.

Adequately prepped for the mains, we’re hit with swift and attentive service as they arrive at the table after being perfectly grilled. The brisket, smoked for 14 hours, has a black peppercorn crust and is served with a light BBQ sauce and pickles to cut through the richness. The meat is definitely tender, juicy even, but it lacked the depth of flavour we hoped for. Next, the lamb neck, which is the vehicle for some Middle Eastern spices, remains underwhelming. The accompanying green tomato salsa needs to be bolder, and the smoked aubergine could be smokier. My eyes dart to our neighbours’ smoked duck and I immediately feel food envy as they 'ooh' and 'aah' at the bird’s dark tan, a result of being coated in pomegranate molasses.

[caption id="attachment_138626" align="alignnone" width="1422"] Half smoked duck, pomegranate, fennel and barbecue sauce.[/caption]

But before we can wallow in regret, it's time for dessert. We opt for the caramel slice, slightly salted, with a malt hazelnut crumble and burnt meringue, which is soft like marshmallow and burnt just so to reveal slight bitter notes. The cheesecake, however, steals the show with a soufflé-like performance -- it's light, fluffy and creamy all at the same time. It’s cranked up a few notches with a sharp cherry sorbet that induces an eyes-closed moment of happiness as I surrender to the fruits of summer.

On reflection, I’ve enjoyed my evening much as I would a romantic comedy. There’s love for the dessert, feel-good starters, and even an upbeat soundtrack. Sure, the main elements could be improved, but that special moment -- thanks to the kohlrabi -- was definitely there. Put simply, what Mr Brown offers is a really great time. And with a few tweaks here and there, I think he may be on to a real blockbuster.

Perfect for: intimate but fun dates and groups of friends that love to share barbecue and beers

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 6:00pm to midnight (kitchen closes at 10:45pm)

The post Review: Mr Brown Brings Good Vibes and Western Barbecue to Wan Chai appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

We ask Simone Sammuri, co-founding partner and head sommelier at Middle-Eastern restaurant Francis, all about his little black book and which wines we should invest in.

The post The Black Book at Francis Will Change Your Wine Experience appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.