Celebrity Life
Where Chefs Eat: Nathan Green of American Grill and Smokehouse Henry
Whether it’s an extravagant fine dining restaurant or a humble street side hawker stall, we are perpetually on the quest for delectable foods — whatever the occasion. So, for the ultimate insider scoop, who better to personally recommend the best eats around the world than top chefs who’ve seen and tasted it all. We go right to the source as international culinary legends reveal where they eat and what they order when the aprons come off.
Rosewood continues to roll out culinary concepts. One of their latest being Henry, the “unapologetically American steak and smokehouse, paying tribute to southern traditions” as Chef de Cuisine Nathan Green would describe. You might be familiar with his unpretentious home-style cooking at his former restaurants like Rhoda and Jason Atherton’s 22 Ships and Ham & Sherry in Hong Kong. More recently, Nate has taken on the title of grill master at the Victoria Dockside luxury hotel where you can sample some of the best cuts of meat in the world. But where does @chef_smokeybandit hang out when he’s not behind the grill or in Henry’s Butcher Shop? We find out.
For an evening of fine dining…
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Tate Dining Room[/caption]
I really enjoy Tate Dining Room. Vicky Lau’s fusion of French technique and Chinese ingredients always really impresses me and when I leave after dining there, I would have learnt about new ingredients and flavours.
Tate Dining Room, 210 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan; +852 2555 2172
For a cheeky cheat meal…
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Cali-Mex[/caption]
Cali-Mex. What’s not to love about a meal that is reasonably priced, uses fresh ingredients, tastes good and is relatively healthy? The extra bonus is being able to have it delivered.
Cali-Mex, Various locations; +852 2904 7698
For a casual date night…
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Samsen[/caption]
Samsen is our go-to date night spot. We put our name on the wait list, put the kids to bed and go and chow down on some delicious Thai Food. I’ve been a huge fan of Adam’s food ever since Cha Cha Wan. I love the energy of the place and we can be in and out of there within an hour.
Samsen, 68 Stone Nullah Lane, Wan Chai; +852 2234 0001
For getting friends and family together…
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Motorino Hong Kong[/caption]
Motorino. For me, they serve one of the best pizzas in Hong Kong. The Wan Chai branch has a fantastic young team looking after you with amazing levels of hospitality. It's easy with the kids and you can always get an early table. The menu is great and offers something for every one.
Motorino, 15 Ship Street, Wan Chai; +852 2520 0690
For a healthy detox…
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Yardbird Hong Kong[/caption]
I follow a Keto diet, so Yardbird Hong Kong is perfect for me. I believe protein to be very healthy for you, so I like to order the light vegetable-based dishes and grilled chicken. Combine that with one of the best floor teams in Hong Kong and a great atmosphere, and you're set.
Yardbird Hong Kong, 154 - 158 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan; +852 2547 9273
The post Where Chefs Eat: Nathan Green of American Grill and Smokehouse Henry appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Bayfare Social Brings Convivial Dining to a New Level at Rosewood Hong Kong
The newest dining destination to launch in Rosewood Hong Kong's (already happening) level five is Bayfare Social. And guess what, it is indeed very social. The convivial eatery, which also connects to cultural-retail complex K11 Musea, has officially opened its doors and presents an interactive all day dining experience within the framework of a "tapas-inspired gastro-market". Now what this translates into is: a dining format whereby guests can browse the menu for food from different stations and counters. Or they can explore themselves, and find a wide variety of foods such as gourmet salads, charcuterie, tapas, Asian noodles, Italian pasta, fresh seafood and more, on offer.
Set within a sleek, but simple and spacious interior, the new restaurant is designed by New York’s Parts and Labor Design and aims to create a welcoming atmosphere to enjoy in the main dining room, breezy outdoor patio or private room available for events and large groups.
At Bayfare Social, Spanish Chef de Cuisine Álvaro Ramos helms the kitchens and serves up an impressive menu that spans breakfast, lunch, pre-dinner drinks and dinner. Here, guests can enjoy a leisurely meal with family or have drinks and tapas with friends overlooking the harbour. But while the vibe is casual and the setting is comfortable, the food speaks for itself. "So, what are we eating?" I hear you ask. Well, let me tell you.
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Chef de Cuisine Álvaro Ramos[/caption]
The all-day dining menu features several stations along with fresh produce counters, many of which feature locally sourced items, wherever possible. A favourite is the Seafood Station at which crudo, or raw items, such as seabass ceviche with zesty lime, sweet potato and corn or a rich Nikkei-inspired salmon tataki with wasabi, sour cream and cucumber water, or a stunning platter of fresh seafood with oysters are worth trying.
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The Deli Station is also one to explore, especially during lunch. With a wide range of salads, grilled sandwiches, charcuterie, cheeses, terrines and dips, there really is something for all tastes and appetites. Sandwiches to highlight include a grilled Reuben filled with succulent corned beef brisket and sauerkraut, or the Cubano made with Milano salami, cooked ham, pulled pork and mozzarella. Lighter and less carnivorous options, such as the gluten-free kale sandwich with camembert, roasted tomato jam and pesto, are also available.
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Moving onto Chef Ramos' forte, we browse the selection of international cuisines offered in tapas form. This includes classic dishes such as the garlic, chilli and olive oil prawns, or farm egg with baby squid and padron peppers. Other more creative dishes include options such as crispy chicken skin flavoured with curry and spicy coleslaw, along with Chinese food-influenced braised short rib with XO sauce and pickled radish. Since sharing is key with tapas, guests can also opt for the paella of the day, as well as some Spanish meat skewers.
Finally, we head over to the Noodle and Pasta Station which features Asian noodles and Italian-style pastas. We recommend starting with a steaming bowl of beef noodle soup; served with short rib, water spinach and chili, or the classic Italian dish of linguine tossed with ricotta, sun-dried tomatoes and broccolini.
There's also a coffee corner, whereby devilishly decadent desserts including the chocolate brownie with white chocolate ice cream, and a tropical mango mousse with pineapple jelly and coconut cream, will finish off your meal on a sweet note.
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For those of us that enjoy a little pre-dinner aperitivo, Bayfare Social also offers a collection of cocktails, mocktails and Mediterranean wines. We suggest sipping on a refreshing Plaza Highball which is a mix of Rinomato Americano bianco and Gentleman’s Soda. The Slushy Sgroppino is another fresh choice and features a punchy limoncello, grappa, and prosecco before it's blitzed with lemon sorbet.
The post Bayfare Social Brings Convivial Dining to a New Level at Rosewood Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Donnie Yen is The Man of Action
As Donnie Yen prepares to bid farewell to the role that has defined his career, he talks to us about what he's learned, what's coming next and why he'll never stop striving for filmmaking perfection.
When the movie Ip Man was released in 2008, it conjured up an image of the martial-arts grandmaster as a gentle and cultured mentor with remarkable kung fu skills. That same persona has also become synonymous with the actor who portrays him, Donnie Yen, so the December release of the final chapter in the film franchise, Ip Man 4, is expected to impact not only the cinematic story of Wing Chun, aka Ip Man, but also Yen himself.
With the Ip Man series now in its 12th – and, one assumes, last – year, how does Yen regard the franchise, not only in and of itself, but also in terms of its place in Hong Kong cinema, not to mention its effect on his own career as an actor and filmmaker? What, in other words, does Donnie Yen think about Donnie Yen – and where does he see himself going from here?
For many people, Donnie Yen is Ip Man, just as Robert Downey Jr has become Iron Man. So will it be Yen who’s playing his next character or Ip Man? The conundrum brings to mind the words of the famous Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang on the subject of acting: “Those who look at you do not see your own self; when you look at yourself you don’t see your own self either. Whoever performs a certain character, whatever it is, has the duty to look like that.”
Playing Ip Man has undoubtedly advanced Yen’s career, and after more than 10 years he’s developed quite a feeling for the role. “At the beginning, no one predicted that Ip Man would be so successful,” he says, “though now I realise I’ve studied for this role more intensively than for any other. He’s a master who’s introverted and represents the character of the Chinese nation.”
Yen also acknowledges the gradual evolution of the character, from Ip Man to Ip Man 4: “Compared to the action style of traditional martial-arts movies, I believe that people can see how my style and my performance have developed.”
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Of course, there’s much more to Yen than Ip Man, though just as his portrayal of Chen Zhen in the 1990s TV series Fist of Fury kicked off his acting career, the role of Ip has filled his sails immeasurably. “I can honestly say that because of Ip Man, I’ve been given many opportunities by the movie industry. It’s my biggest achievement,” he says.
The 56-year-old actor’s more recent repertoire includes playing the mythological Sun Wukong in The Monkey King, Guan Yu in The Lost Bladesman and the Hong Kong gangster Crippled Ho in the Wong Jing and Jason Kwan-directed Chasing the Dragon. He’s even stepped out into the international arena to play the blind monk Chirrut Îmwe in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the agent Xiang in xXx: Return of Xander Cage and taken on the role of the commander in Disney’s soon-to-be-released Mulan.
“As an actor, it’s important to have opportunities,” says Yen. “You get a good role [and you’re the first one to play it]. Of course, luck works to quite a large extent, but whether you can seize the opportunity depends on whether you work hard enough. I understand that, as an actor, you shouldn’t lose yourself in transient success – you have to progress continually.”
Yen also understands that because of Ip Man’s success, he’s needed to redouble his efforts so that audiences can appreciate his range as an artist. Although he now has an impressive body of work behind him, there’s also the pressure that comes from being defined by what he’s done before. “It’s actually the biggest problem for an actor,” he says. “I’ve never stopped worrying about it.”
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Fortunately, says Yen, there’s a realisation that everything has to stop sometime – and for him Ip Man 4 is less an ending than a new beginning. “When you’ve finished playing one role, the new task is to break through the shadow that the role has cast over you. Professional actors should never stop searching – it’s how you constantly make progress and move forward.”
As to the fans who are unwilling to see him abandon his most famous role, he says they should wait and see: “Perhaps the future holds some surprising performances from Donnie Yen. So stay tuned.”
As well as his performances in the Ip Man series, Yen is also highly regarded as an action director in his own right, learning his craft from the influential martial-arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping in the 1992 Tsui Hark-directed Once Upon a Time in China 2, in which he played the role of Nap-lan Yun-seut; the famous “cloth stick” fight scene was Yen’s idea. He made his directorial debut in 1997 with Legend of the Wolf, following which he was invited to choreograph fight scenes and play cameos in numerous Hollywood movies (Highlander: Endgame, 2000; Blade II, 2002).
Yen’s contribution behind the scenes continues to this day. Much of Chirrut Îmwe’s style in Rogue One was born of Yen’s imagination, as were the ideas for the music, settings and social atmosphere in Chasing the Dragon. “There were many opinions and disputes over Chasing the Dragon,” he says, “but the results proved me right and provided my working partner Wong Jing with six nominations from the Hong Kong Film Awards for the first time in his career.” Yen’s modest pride in his filmmaking input is palpable, and if the effects the film presents can be interpreted differently, the determination of Yen to take his own path is obvious.
Yen believes that his involvement behind the scenes as part of the production team has spurred his own progress as a filmmaker. “No matter what I’m doing, I don’t give up for a second, and I find fun in the process of search and discovery. Because of this I can be passionate about what I do. The whole team learns and grows together. People shouldn’t shirk from sharing their feelings. This is the way to achieve the best results.”
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This self-imposed requirement for constant growth isn’t easy. “The filmmaking process is hard,” Yen insists, “but in the end it’s satisfying because participation in every little thing related to the birth of a movie is a kind of creation.” He laughs, and says, “Filmmakers who are willing to keep improving seem to have a strange illness in that the busier they are, the better in spirit they seem to be. The busier the better. If I’m free, just spending time on rest and leisure, my whole person gets lax.”
This is how Yen has always been. Creation brings a kind of pressure and responsibility. “Because I hope to present the best results, to film and make the best works, and to show the best Donnie Yen from any angle, I won’t disappoint those who entrust me. My personal contribution also represents the efforts of everyone, so I believe that the final effect has to be very good.”
Yen is used to playing a multitude of roles. “Now, when I’m acting, I know that I need to concentrate on how I should play the role, to keep direction and vision, and try to present the image of the character from different angles; and if I’m behind the scenes, then I think about how I should view the script.
“A good actor needs to think from the perspective of actor, director, supervisor, martial-arts direction, props and the actual situation. You need to think clearly.” After decades, Yen believes he’s developed a method that works. “Many people have asked me how I can balance so many different identities. It may be because, after decades, I’m used to asking myself what should the on-the-scenes actor think? What should the behind-the-scenes personnel think? It’s become like a reflex.”
Isn’t that tiresome? “I hope people won’t see me as that complicated.” He laughs and says that while the Donnie Yen we see on screen may seem like a superhero, he’s actually an ordinary person. “People’s expectations of me are too high. I don’t want such heavy pressure.”
He’s the same as everyone else. He gets tired and emotional, he has his likes and dislikes, and his own ideological standpoint. “From the audience’s perspective, I hope everyone can see my enthusiasm for movies.”
As an entertainer, sometimes it’s not possible to fully satisfy an audience’s expectations. When rating a filmmaker, one can’t just evaluate him or her through one work. “You surely need a lifetime, then you give a total score. Evaluate myself?” Yen asks. “Wow, lots of room for improvement! But I’m doing my best. With passion, determination and a bit of luck, I hope audiences will come to know this is the real Donnie Yen.”
Photography Olivia Tsang
Styling Alice Lin
Hair Kenji Ng at Il Colpo
Grooming Little White
Location Rosewood Hong Kong
The post Donnie Yen is The Man of Action appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
Hotel Review: Rosewood Hong Kong Is the Luxury Escape You Didn’t Know You Needed
There's something about Rosewood Hong Kong that instantly makes you feel like you're sitting in the lap of luxury.
It might have something to do with the chauffeur-driven Jaguar that comes to pick you up, but the extravagance continues once you arrive at the hotel. Located within Hong Kong's new art and design district, Victoria Dockside, the global flagship hotel offers a total of 413 guest rooms and suites: Each of them feature the eclectic luxuries of plush furniture, curated art works, exquisite objets d’art, and a lavish, marble-clad bathroom -- not to mention one of the best views money can buy. What more is there to say? This is luxury at its finest. Find out more in our full review below.
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Location: 9/10
Occupying a prime piece of real estate on the harbourfront promenade, Rosewood Hong Kong is not only conveniently located in Tsim Sha Tsui, a shopper's paradise, but it's also part of the 3 million-square-foot urban regeneration project Victoria Dockside, where a cultural blend of art, design, business and retail comes together. In short, there's no shortage of activities in the area. However, if you do need to get to and from work on Hong Kong Island, then this can take upwards of 20 minutes on the road, depending on traffic, and 30 minutes or more on the MTR.
Design: 10/10
The building was designed by architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, whose work includes The Landmark Mandarin Oriental and International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong. Their work at Rosewood reflects Hong Kong's upwards growth in the form of a "vertical estate". Inside, Rosewood's interiors were created by award-winning designer Tony Chi, who showcases the spacious rooms and suites in elegant eccentricity accented by Asian elements. It's totally opulent and yet feels somewhat homely. There's magic in the details, what with contrasting textures, fabrics and finishings which successfully emanate an unconventional luxury. In fact, in some areas of the room, I would say these even clash, but somehow it all works.
Ambience: 10/10
Rosewood Hong Kong is the type of place that you can go to escape and take your mind off things -- a stress remedy, if you will. At the same time, the hotel's overall design -- which nods to our city's heritage and culture -- not to mention phenomenal views, combine to make you fall in love with Hong Kong once more. A gentle buzz runs throughout the hotel, but with calm corners for peace of mind dotted around. It's no wonder it attracts families of all ages, which is what we noticed during our stay, along with couples who are in need of a relaxed stay.
Rooms: 10/10
The 1,324-sq.-ft. Harbour Corner Suite boasts an expansive layout, with ample lounge areas, a marble bathroom, freeform bathtub, twin sinks and showers, and a walk-in closet. Oh, and in case you forgot, that truly amazing vantage point of the city. All amenities are top-notch and there are a total of three bars in the room; a mini bar (complimentary except for alcoholic beverages), a personal bar with coffees, teas and snacks, and a night bar featuring whisky and calming teas. A suite stay includes a personal butler and 40th-floor Manor Club access, which means afternoon tea and happy hour cocktails are included, too.
Service & Facilities: 9/10
Getting picked up in a leather-seated Jaguar XJ or Mercedes Benz Class S320 is quite the luxury, and it's a luxury that Rosewood does so very well. The ride is comfortable to say the least, with WiFi, snacks and water to keep you going until you reach the hotel. Once you arrive and complete check-in inside your suite, you'll notice that the rooms are spotless and little gifts and snacks await, while staff remain well-informed and friendly. However, a bucket of ice that took more than 25 minutes and the lifts which always seem to at a sub-zero temperature, were slight problems for us. As a pet-friendly hotel, guests can also look to bring their dogs or cats with them on their staycation. Asaya, Rosewood’s holistic wellness concept, is also available to guests, as well as an impressive state-of-the-art fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool.
Food & Drink: 9/10
There will eventually be a total of eight dining concepts at Rosewood, five of which are already open and offer different food and beverage options to guests. A must-visit is the Chinese and Shunde restaurant The Legacy House, which is already popular with Hong Kong diners. Here, I fully recommend ordering the stewed bamboo shoots with conpoy, or steamed clams if you like seafood, both of which are exemplary examples of the finesse found in Shunde cuisine and the focus on freshness. Elsewhere, the desserts, confections and pastries at Butterfly Patisserie are wonderful to look at and even better to taste, so afternoon tea at The Butterfly Room is worth booking in.
For drinks, head to DarkSide, which pours some mean dark spirits and great cocktails, but bear in mind the live band can get excessively loud. Perhaps it was because we visited on a Saturday night, but be prepared if you're sitting close. Unfortunately for us, Holt's Cafe, which serves international and local cuisine, did not stack up as high as the other outlets. It lacked flavour, and classic dishes such as roasted duck on rice fell flat.
Rates: From HK$4,300/night for a Kowloon Peak View Room to HK$35,000/night for a Manor Suite (prices may vary depending on availability and season).
Special Mention: The Rosewood Hong Kong is also offering guests who book from now until 30 December 2019 an Urban Staycation package*. It includes Manor Club access, one-way transfer, HK$1,000 dining credit, a 60-minute Wellness Class and more. On top of that, if you present your Hong Kong or Macau ID, you can receive an additional 10% off the room rate.
*Terms and conditions apply
Rating: 9.5/10
Perfect for: a luxurious city escape that makes you fall in love with Hong Kong (again).
The post Hotel Review: Rosewood Hong Kong Is the Luxury Escape You Didn’t Know You Needed appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
10 Hong Kong Mooncakes That are Worth the Calories this Mid-Autumn 2019
Annual mooncake mania has once again descended upon us all and as we gear up for Mid-Autumn festival, which falls on 13th September this year; there are quite a few cakes to get through.
From the undefeated classics to more contemporary and creative delights -- indulgence is the name of the game. But fret not friends, as we've done most of the hard work for you (someone has to!) with our top 10 list of Hong Kong mooncakes, to try yourself or gift to others, that are definitely worth the calories.
The post 10 Hong Kong Mooncakes That are Worth the Calories this Mid-Autumn 2019 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
The 5 Most Romantic Wedding Venues in Hong Kong
The venue of your dreams may be just around the corner. Here are five options right here in Hong Kong, with a style to suit every couple.
The post The 5 Most Romantic Wedding Venues in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.
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