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.

There seems to be about a hundred and one restaurants opening in Hong Kong these days, but rarely are they born of friendship, or should I say Kinship? American and British chefs Chris Grare and Arron Rhodes, who you may remember from Lily & Bloom and Gough's on Gough respectively, have banded together to create Kinship, a restaurant that champions the concept of putting family first. Now, we're not just talking about their new world cuisine with soulful, rustic-style dishes designed for sharing with family and friends, but also how they aim to forge sustainable relationships with family-run farms and suppliers. Not only does it help support smaller and more local communities and economies, but it also brings in high quality ingredients and the freshest produce possible, such as home-grown carrots from the New Territories, and salmon from the Faroe Islands.

[gallery ids="152888,152889"]

At Kinship, a relaxed design runs throughout — providing the kind of atmosphere that is easily anyone's favourite kind of neighbourhood eatery. Shades of aegean blue, teal seating, warm wood, and bottle green tiles add a splash of colour to the industrial ceilings and partial slate floor. Here, a brotherly relationship that spans seven years sees Grare running the kitchen while Rhodes manages front of house, and puts a creative menu — inspired by both chefs' American and English backgrounds and travel experiences — on the table.

[gallery ids="152876,152887"]

The a la carte menu has four elements; appetisers (or 'first flavours'), main course ('main event'), sides ('bits & pieces') and dessert ('sweet treats'). To start, highlights include a velvety and rich Chicken liver mousse with rehydrated raisin relish and grated horseradish, paired with crumbly homemade oat crackers, along with a Grass-fed Australian beef tartare that has an Asian twist of Bali bean salad, roasted peanut sauce and a fresh lime sambal. The Almost moules frites are a must-try too; where tangy mollusk morsels are soaked in shellfish broth and served with crunchy potato.

[gallery ids="152885,152891,152892"]

For the main event, it's worth sharing a few dishes in which the Giant duck ravioli will please, and surprise, most. It's filled with juicy slow-cooked duck leg, and a Chinese lo shui (master sauce) in a scallion and ginger cream, for a flavourful pasta with a favourable Asian accent. The Spiced seafood stew is another crowd pleaser with its smoky charred lobster meat, soft black cod, sofrito and spätzle (a type of German egg pasta). This can all be complemented by sides of creamy Mashed potato seasoned with oregano and bay leaf, or our favourite way to eat brussel sprouts, fried and drenched in a tangy ponzu.

[caption id="attachment_152884" align="alignnone" width="2929"] Chocolate and coconut tart with pandan mousse, toasted coconut and kaya jam[/caption]

A sweet ending can be found with the most simple but nostalgia-inducing bowl of homemade Mr. Whippy ice cream, mixed with chocolate brownie bites, crackles of peanut brittle and salted caramel sauce, or the Chocolate and coconut tart topped with a pandan-infused mousse, sweet kaya jam and toasted coconut.

An All American (or is it British?) Weekend Brunch Experience

Of course, a Hong Kong restaurant wouldn't be fully complete without a weekend brunch and thus, Kinship have launched their own alternating brunch series. Inspired by the two Chef's childhood memories, it will rotate between The American Menu and The British Menu, every weekend.

The American Brunch Menu by Grare will take care of all the US classics. Think homemade biscuits with Southern-style sausage gravy, soft-scrambled eggs with Chef's signature Cajun seasoning, and the American breakfast dish of corned beef hash with caramelised onions. Thereafter you can choose a main dish such as Hot and sweet fried chicken and waffles, polenta and fried prawn with pickled jalapeño sour cream, or stack them up high with fluffy pancakes served with crispy bacon, peanut butter and maple syrup.  Boardwalk-style desserts including ice cream sundae with all the fixin’s, drizzled with caramel sauce, and a carnival-ready funnel cake with powdered sugar are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Across the pond to The British Brunch Menu by Rhodes and you'll find a traditional Sunday roast. Begin with a very English pea and ham soup, along with a chicken and truffle terrine, accompanied by Nanna's piccalili (pickled vegetable relish). Then tuck into a choice of Roast Devonshire beef sirloin with crispy Yorkshire pudding, or Baked Norwegian salmon with savoury shellfish cream. It's a family matter with the sides too, where Mum's roast potatoes and Grandma's gravy make an appearance. Not forgetting dessert, a buttery Bakewell tart with summer berries and Tonka cream is the ultimate English finale.

Which brunch reigns supreme -- you decide.

Kinship Weekend Brunch: HK$388 + 10% per person; available Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30pm to 4:00pm
+ HK$198 free-flow Cava, house red and white wines, beer, and the choice between American (Arnold Palmer) and British (Gin & Tonic) cocktails

Kinship, 3rd Floor, LL Tower, 2 Shelley Street, Central; +852 2520 0899

The post New Restaurant Kinship Breathes Soul Into SoHo With Its Rustic Yet Refined Food 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.

Okinawa Corn at Amber

The new and revamped Amber caused quite the stir in the culinary world -- and for good reason. Gone are the heavy gluten and dairy products that are often associated with fine dining and in their place, a cleaner and more concentrated approach to flavours. One such example is the Okinawa corn, which is cold-pressed into a naturally sweet and creamy custard enriched with Taiyouran egg yolk. It’s then topped with layers of seawater foam, Schrencki caviar, and a thin corn tuile with the zest of the Japanese citrus sudachi. It’s rich and deep in flavour, but remains fresh with all the different elements and textures combining for one of the most sumptuous spoonfuls you’re likely to have ever had.

Amber, The Landmark, 15 Queen's Road Central, Central; +852 2132 0188

Roasted Hong Kong Yellow Chicken at Louise

Chef Julien Royer, of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants winner Odette, has officially opened his newest venture: French restaurant Louise. The traditional dishes are based on nostalgia and the type of home cooking that Royer himself was brought up on. Surprisingly, Hong Kong diners may also find a little nostalgia in one particular dish: the roasted Hong Kong yellow chicken with Niigata rice ‘en cocotte’. Not dissimilar to Cantonese-style poached chicken, this dish is elevated with tender pieces of local chicken that are roasted in the oven. It’s served with Japanese rice mixed with chicken fat, making for a perfectly glossy and fragrant accompaniment topped with crispy chicken skin, chives, spring onion and another indulgent option of black truffle shavings.

Louise, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central; +852 2866 0300

Chicken Liver Mousse at Kinship

Another new restaurant hitting the streets of Hong Kong this month is one borne out of friendship -- or Kinship. The concept is created by chefs and good friends, Chris Grare (formerly of Lily & Bloom) and Arron Rhodes (who you may remember from Gough’s on Gough). Its laid-back casual setting makes for a good neighbourhood hangout and offers what has been described to us as “New World cuisine”. Here, the chicken liver mousse is a must-order from the menu. Inspired by Chef Chris’ childhood, the incredibly lush savoury pâté is served with sweet rehydrated raisin relish, grated horseradish and two large oat crackers made in house.

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

Marinated Geoduck & Jade Flower at The Chinese Library

Showcasing incredible knife skills like no other, The Chinese Library’s new Dao Yi dishes are a sight for sore eyes. However, one dish that also excited our tastebuds was the marinated geoduck & jade flower. Based on the cold Sichuan dishes and flavours that we so love, this dish layers thin slices of marinated geoduck clam atop delicately carved celtuce dressed in sesame oil. It’s a refreshing appetiser dish with crisp textures throughout, making Hong Kong summer slightly more bearable again.

The Chinese Library,  Police Headquarters Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central; +852 2848 3088

Tacos at Taqueria Super Macho

The new Mexican restaurant by Black Sheep offers a range of undressed tacos in soft tortillas so that you can build-your-own with as many condiments, salsas and vegetables as you please. Unable to pick just one taco to make the list, we decided to choose three. First up is the fish al pastor, which uses Vietnamese sole instead of the traditional pork in achiote chilli, and is best paired with pineapple and crispy bacon. Next is the smoky chilli-spiced adobo marinated steak tenderloin, which is full of flavour with onions and cilantro too. We rounded things off with the crispy battered shrimp taco, which is packed with cabbage slaw with a squeeze of fresh lime -- it crunches with every bite.

Taqueria Super Macho, 33-35 Bridges Street, Central; +852 2333 0111

The post The Top 5 Dishes We Ate in June 2019 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

In a city with endless new restaurant openings, this summer sees a surge in eateries of all kinds popping up around town: from casual concepts by well-established chefs like Shane Osborn of Arcane, to Michelin-starred chef Julien Royer’s first Hong Kong venture, to The Landmark Mandarin Oriental’s new sommelier-led casual neo-bistro. There’s no better time than the fun summer months to check out all the newcomers. Here are 13 new Hong Kong restaurants to add to your upcoming reservations list.

L'Envol

[caption id="attachment_148939" align="alignnone" width="1890"] Roasted Brittany John Dory cooked in stone pot, L'Envol.[/caption]

The St. Regis Hong Kong has been making quite the buzz since its opening. Adding to the hurrah is its new restaurant, L’Envol, by Chef Olivier Elzer. Everything about this place embodies French fine dining, from its contemporary salon interiors to the painstakingly detailed dishes, to the incredibly impressive cheese and wine room: a cave with over 25 different varieties of French cheese!

L'Envol, 3/F, The St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive; Wan Chai; +852 2138 6818 [inline_related_article article_id="148928"]

Louise

[caption id="attachment_149296" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Angel hair with Kristal caviar, black truffle and kombucha, Louise.[/caption]

At the top of the list of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants is Singapore's two-Michelin-starred Odette, so you can imagine our excitement when its chef, Julien Royer, decided to expand to this part of the world with Louise. Taking over Aberdeen Street Social at PMQ, the new restaurant serves a fresh take on traditional French cuisine in a casual setting.

Louise, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central; +852 2866 0300  [inline_related_article article_id="145462"]

SOMM

[caption id="attachment_149212" align="alignnone" width="3543"] Bar seating area, SOMM.[/caption]

Backed by a passionate team of sommeliers led by the hotel’s wine director, John Chan, SOMM is proud to house Hong Kong's widest range of wine and sake by the glass (over 1,000 to be exact), making it a popular spot to pop in for a quality pour. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, SOMM’s European-style cuisine features predominately Japanese ingredients designed to pair with its bottles, reversing the order for a change to really focus on its drinks list.
SOMM, Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central; +852 2132 0188

Castellana

[caption id="attachment_149201" align="alignnone" width="4993"] Lake fish soup, Castellana.[/caption]

If you don't spend much time in Causeway Bay, it's time to make trip for a change of scenery at Castellana. The Piedmontese fine-dining restaurant focuses on classic dishes and ingredients from Northern Italy, particularly outstanding wine and truffles. Truffles are served table side and guests are encouraged to shave as much as they wish on their dishes.

Castellana, 10/F, Cubus, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay; +852 3188 5028[inline_related_article article_id="148930"]

Cornerstone

[caption id="attachment_149200" align="alignnone" width="1333"] Tagliatelle with semolina, smoked sausage, mushrooms and peas, Cornerstone.[/caption]

Little brother to French fine diner Arcane, The Final Table chef Shane Osborn’s new restaurant takes a more relaxed and casual approach. Conveniently located on Hollywood Road, Cornerstone is an all-day dining spot serving elevated comfort food like smoked salmon on malt bread, Wagyu bavette and fresh homemade pastas.

Cornerstone, 49 Hollywood Road, Central

Kinship

[caption id="attachment_149207" align="alignnone" width="7078"] Smoked Faroe Islands salmon, Kinship.[/caption]

Celebrating the lasting bonds of family and friendship (hence the name of the restaurant), former executive chefs of Lily and Bloom, Chris Grare, and Gough’s on Gough, Arron Rhodes, join forces to create their first co-venture restaurant, Kinship. The farm-to-table concept focuses on sustainability, sourceing from local suppliers in Hong Kong as much as possible. 

Kinship, 3/F, 2 – 4 Shelley Street, Central; +852 2520 0899

The Leah

[caption id="attachment_149328" align="alignnone" width="6243"] Chicken and leek pie, The Leah.[/caption]

After his global tour with One Star House Party, British chef James Sharman returns to Hong Kong with new British restaurant The Leah. The style of food served here is based on the chef’s personal experiences more than his training or a single type of cuisine. He describes it as super hearty, unfussy, good British food, done right. Look out for simple classics like chicken and leek pie, or Scotch egg and solders as well as reimagined dishes of scallops, leeks and black pudding.

The Leah, 3/F, Lee Gardens Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay; +852 2337 7651  [inline_related_article article_id="149326"]

Le Pain Quotidien

[caption id="attachment_149488" align="alignnone" width="5700"] Interiors of Le Pain Quotidien, Tsim Sha Tsui.[/caption]

The simple task of searching for a quality Western bakery in Hong Kong is more daunting than one would think. Good bread is hard to come by, but few and far between, there are a few notable spots to get a rustic loaf or a cheeky pastry. Happily, Le Pain Quotidien has just opened its fourth branch in Tsim Sha Tsui, adding to the existing branches in Wan Chai, Admiralty and Elements.

Le Pain Quotidien, Shop G3, Tsim Sha Tsui Centre, 66 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui; +852 2352 4588

Nhau

[caption id="attachment_149350" align="alignnone" width="6720"] 40n fish sauce dry aged striploin, Nhau.[/caption]

Just a stone’s throw away from Man Mo Temple, Nhau is Chef Que Vinh Dang’s first Vietnamese concept -- a cumulation of heritage, culinary experience and passion for innovation. Don’t expect your everyday bowl of pho though, because at Nhau, they serve a modern take on Vietnamese flavours using French cooking techniques like the popular banh mi rice tacos and 40n fish sauce dry aged striploin.

Nhau, 12 Circular Pathway, Central; +852 3612 4568 [inline_related_article article_id="142750"]

Rajasthan Rifles

[caption id="attachment_149221" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Dinner spread, Rajasthan Rifles.[/caption]

Good news for residents of The Peak: Black Sheep Restaurants has opened its first establishment in the area. Under the culinary direction of Executive Chef Palahs Mitra of Michelin-starred New Punjab Club, Rajasthan Rifles is the place to find hearty Anglo-Indian fare such as soola salmon served on a sizzle plate, smoky plates of goat seekh kebab and classic comforts like butter chicken.

Rajasthan Rifles, G/F, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak; +852 2388 9974

Sip Song

[caption id="attachment_149211" align="alignnone" width="900"] Jungle curry clams, New Zealand Cloudy Bay clams, Thai wild ginger, green pepper corns, Sip Song.[/caption]

The Pulse strip is a nice place to cool off from the summer heat down by Repulse Bay Beach. And now with the opening of Sip Song -- Thai Eatery & Bar, weekenders can enjoy Southern Thai comforts from their coast at ours. Menu highlights include jungle curry clams, whole steamed mullet fish, hanger steak and banana roti pancake.

Sip Song, Shop 114 & 115, The Pulse, 28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay; +852 2328 8285

Tapa Room

[caption id="attachment_149489" align="alignnone" width="5400"] Barcelona-style grilled red prawns, Tapa Room.[/caption]

For some wholesome Spanish fare and a couple of cocktails, Tapa Room is a friendly neighbourhood joint that offers just that. Home cook turned chef, Kora Wong heads up the kitchen where she whips up classics like tortilla de patata, Iberico ham croquets, foie gras bikinis, and a killer piri piri whole roasted chicken.

Tapa Room, Gloucester Hotel, 217 – 218 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai; +852 2881 8877

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