Celebrity Life

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…

[caption id="attachment_185273" align="alignnone" width="6720"] 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…

[caption id="attachment_185275" align="alignnone" width="1280"] 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…

[caption id="attachment_185274" align="alignnone" width="1280"] 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…

[caption id="attachment_185277" align="alignnone" width="1500"] 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…

[caption id="attachment_185276" align="alignnone" width="960"] 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.

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

Arbor

Best for: Statement Splurge

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

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

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

BEDU

Best for: Casual Vibes

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

February 14: HK$400 per person

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

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

Café Gray Deluxe

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

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

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

Chaiwala

Best for: Spice Seekers

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

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

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

Fumi

Best for: Seafood Lovers

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

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

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

Hugo’s

Best for: Timeless Ambiance

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

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

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

Le 39V x Inakaya

Best for: Weekenders

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

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

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

Los Sotano

Best for: Singles

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

February 14 10pm until late

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

T’ang Court

Best for: Asian Flavours

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

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

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

Tate Dining Room & Bar

Best for: A Romantic Atmosphere

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

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

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

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