Celebrity Life

In our city that never sleeps, there's always something new to eat, drink and explore.

From the arrival of iconic Japanese coffee specialist Koffee Mameya, to a fancy outdoor pop-up at one of our favourite hotels, the F&B scene is bustling with exciting openings and events worth checking out. Here are some of the most important dining news you need to know about this October.

The inaugural Macallan Room opens its doors

[caption id="attachment_210687" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Macallan Room. (Image: The Macallan)[/caption]

The world's first Macallan Room has launched at K11 Musea in Tsim Sha Tsui. Decked out in wood and gold tones, the intimate seven-seater whisky bar and concept store is the perfect spot to unwind over a dram or two. It's decorated with illuminated wall displays of the Speyside distiller's rare whiskies, making it an immersive experience for Macallan aficionados. The space will also be used for private events, whisky tastings and workshops. More details here.

Shop 507, Level 5, K11 Musea, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

The Upper House hosts a cheese and wine pop-up

[caption id="attachment_210689" align="alignnone" width="1024"] An evening at C’est Cheese – The House Cheeserie. (Image: The Upper House)[/caption]

Nothing hits the spot better than some delicious artisanal cheese and wine, especially after a hectic work day. From now until December 30, stop by The Upper House and spend an indulgent evening at its C’est Cheese – The House Cheeserie pop-up. The cheese menu (HK$275 for three types, HK$475 for five, HK$675 for seven) changes weekly and showcases varieties from France, Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands, which means there's always something new to look forward to even on your repeat visits. The hotel's chef-sommelier Leo Au is in charge of curating the wine repertoire, which alternates regularly.

The pop-up is held outdoors on The Lawn from Tuesdays to Sundays, 5pm to 11pm. Find out more here.

The Lawn, Level 6, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong

Japan's Koffee Mameya is now in Hong Kong

[gallery ids="210703,210701,210702"]

There's a lot going on at K11 Musea lately. Famed coffee bean specialist Koffee Mameya has set up its first shop outside Japan at the mall today. The brand is founded by Eiichi Kunitomo, the man behind the iconic Tokyo café Omotesando Koffee, and will provide what it describes as the "Haute Couture Service of Coffee", where baristas will conduct one-on-one bespoke consultations with customers and recommend coffee beans suited to their preferences. Customers will also be taught how to prepare and brew the beans for optimum enjoyment. The store boasts a selection of 15 to 20 bean varieties, ranging from geishas to rare micro-lot coffees.

B217, B219, B2, K11 Musea, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival goes virtual

[caption id="attachment_210690" align="alignnone" width="1024"] This year's Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival will go digital. (Image: Hong Kong Tourism Board)[/caption]

The 2020 edition of the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival, originally slated to take place from 29 October to 1 November, will be held online for the first time. The event will be held over several weeks, featuring programmes such as virtual wine-tasting classes and cooking demonstrations by the city's top chefs. Merchants who initially signed up for the actual festival will get to participate in the digital iteration for free. The new dates have yet to be announced; watch this space for more details.

(Main and featured images: The Upper House)

The post All the Dining News You Need to Know This October appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

[caption id="attachment_178829" align="alignnone" width="6669"] On model: Robe, skirt and flats Chanel | Sunglasses Oliver Peoples | Bag Fendi | On trolley: Clutch Dior x Rimowa | Luggage Tumi | Sneakers Sergio Rossi[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_178838" align="alignnone" width="3840"] Earrings with beaded rubies and round diamonds, necklace with beaded rubies and round diamonds, swirl ring with oval spinel, bracelet with emerald-cut rubies and diamonds Graff | Dress and clutch Bottega Veneta[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_178833" align="alignnone" width="3840"] Shoes Dior | Chocolates Godiva | Historiques American1921 timepiece Vacheron Constantin | Rouge Allure lipsticks Chanel | Bracelet Chanel | Mignardise necklace in pink gold and mother-of-pearl, Star signet long earrings Montblanc | Silk scarf Hermès | 30 Montaigne Bag Dior | Sunglasses Miu Miu | Contes D’Hiver earrings in white gold with round diamonds Van Cleef & Arpels[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_178832" align="alignnone" width="3840"] Serpenti earrings in rose gold with rubellite eyes and full diamond pavé; Serpenti necklace in rose gold with rubellite eyes and diamond pavé on the chain and head; Serpenti ring in rose gold with amethyst eyes Bvlgari | Dress Versace[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_178861" align="alignnone" width="3840"] Happy Hearts Wings earrings, necklace and bangle in white gold with diamonds | L´Heure du Diamant collection watch in white gold with opal and diamonds Chopard | Green carpet collection bag by Chloë | Sevigny Chopard | Dress Dior[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_178835" align="alignnone" width="5952"] Dress Dolce & Gabbana | Sandals Sergio Rossi | Necklace Chanel Eye & cheek palette Laura Mercier (in box) | Shimmer skinstick Fenty Beauty (in box) | Rabbit-fur doll Loro Piana | Edition no. 5 The Macallan | Bag Versace | Rouge Dior Couture lipstick collection Dior | Tenue de Soirée eau de parfum Goutal | Bangles Hermès | Beoplay H9 headphones B&O | Sunglasses Oliver Peoples | Face palette Nars[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_178834" align="alignnone" width="3840"] Outfit and accessories Gucci[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_178830" align="alignnone" width="3840"] Souvenir d’étoile earrings Montblanc | Constellation manhattan master chronometer timepiece Omega | Hustle cheek palette and studio 54 audacious lipsticks Nars | Dentelle secrète bracelet in white gold with mauve sapphire, turquoise, white mother-of-pearl and diamonds Van Cleef & Arpels | Secret wonder necklace with sapphires, aquamarines and diamonds Harry Winston | Fleur Impérial ring in white gold with one oval-cut red spinel, mauve sapphires and diamonds Van Cleef & Arpels | Secret cluster ring with sapphires and diamonds Harry Winston | Sunglasses Coach[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_178836" align="alignnone" width="4096"] Happy diamonds earrings, pendant and ring in rose gold with diamonds; happy moon watch in rose gold with diamonds Chopard | Dress Hermès[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_178837" align="alignnone" width="3840"] Multi-shape diamond bow earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring Graff | Dress Dolce & Gabbana[/caption]

Photography Until Chan at UC Workshop

Styling See So

Hair Heather Cheng

Make-Up Christ Lam

Mode; Nathaly K at Quest Models

Poodle Coco Lung

Location Rosewood Hong Kong

The post It’s a Wrap: Essential Outfits and Accessories for Your Yuletide Getaway appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The famed whisky brand The Macallan held a series of qualifying rounds leading to the golf tournament’s final in Bangkok—with The Macallan at the heart of it all

The Macallan 2019 M Masters Indonesia qualifiers wrapped up after a series of qualifying events held throughout August. The national qualifying rounds is the lead up the the prestigious golf tournament playoffs that will see Indonesia’s representatives face against other countries in Bangkok.

The golf tournament was first introduced in 2015 where it took the form of a one-day golf play-offs which took place only in Singapore. This year, the prestigious golf tournament goes regional for the first time before the final play-offs in Bangkok, and Indonesia has been selected as one of just a few countries to participate alongside Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand.

The tournament seeks to become as a platform for esteemed individuals to connect and network accompanied by The Macallan which is at the heart of the tournament. Prestige covered all three of the Indonesian qualifying rounds and below is a breakdown of each day:

TEE OFF: AUGUST 9, 2019 AT DAMAI INDAH GOLF PANTAI INDAH KAPUK

The national qualifier consists of three rounds, held at three different dates and venues with the first of the Indonesian qualifying rounds teeing off to a rather relaxed afternoon game at one of the world class Damai Indah Golf Pantai Indah Kapuk golf courses. Each round starts with a qualifying game and ends with an evening dinner, where the four winners of each round are announced.After the game, the day was of course concluded with a ceremonial dinner in the evening. With The Macallan’s on free flow throughout the whole night, the participants were able to mix and match the venue’s delectable dishes with the exquisite whisky. Fun in-house games also helped the players connect with each other, and the fine spirits by The Macallan ensured plenty of chatter and banter about the day’s game.

The First Round winners

Mr. Surya Indarta (Winner)

Mr. Handoyo Setiawan (1st Runner Up)

Mr. Liong Wijaya (2nd Runner up)

Mr. skandar T. (3rd Runner Up)

SECOND CUT: AUGUST 19, 2019 AT CENGKARENG GOLF CLUB

After a successful opener, Cengkareng Golf Club – Soewarna becomes the venue of the tournament’s second Indonesia qualifying rounds. Naturally, the tournament also became a meeting point for established and important individuals looking to expand their networks. Participants contested with nothing but smiles under the sunny weather. During the game, they were treated to delicate canapés and signature The Macallan cocktails such as the citrus Whisky Sour and ginger ale-mixed Copa that would keep them refreshed even as the heat grew.

Unlike the previous event, the second qualifying round’s dinner provided each table with samples of the finest whiskies from The Macallan’s premium range. With fun games and alluring live music to liven it up, the night saw participants celebrate yet another glorious day of golfing.

The Second Round winners

Mr. Heri Budinoto (Winner)

Mr. Andi Yang (1st Runner Up)

Mr. Alexander Liem (2nd Runner up)

Mr. Edward Marwin (3rd Runner Up)

THE FINAL SWING: AUGUST 30, 2019 AT ROYALE JAKARTA GOLF CLUB

It finally comes down to the third and final qualifying round, held at the beautiful yet challenging Royale Jakarta Golf Club. The hype of the two previous events as well as the venue/s appeal as one of five best new golf courses in Asia drew in more than 120 golfers—the highest number of participants out of all the rounds—fighting for the last four spots to join the final 12-man team that will represent Indonesia at the final playoffs in Bangkok.

The last round’s dinner was considerably festive considering the amount of golfers that attended the event. More in-house games, music, and another night of free-flow whiskey made sure everybody had a blast at the closing round of the Indonesia qualifier.

The Final Round winners

Mr. Andy SJ (Winner)

Mr. Hadi Jito (1st Runner Up)

Mr. William Mananta (2nd Runner Up)

Mr. Hadi Kusuma (3rd Runner Up).

The 12 winners will represent Indonesia as a team at the Final Tournament of The Macallan M Masters in an all-expense paid trip for the final play-offs on September 23-26 at the Nikanti Golf Club and Amata Spring Country Club, Bangkok. The Indonesian qualifiers garnered a total of more than 270 participants competing for the finals.

The winning team will walk away with exciting exclusive prizes that’s yet to be announced, not to mention bragging rights. But one exceptional golfer that comes out as the ultimate winner will win a trip to The Macallan’s home in Speyside, Scotland, to experience the brand at its best on an intimate journey—just like how The Macallan should be enjoyed.

The post The Macallan 2019 M Masters Indonesia Qualifiers appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The latest in whisky maker The Macallan’s Master Decanter Series -- a range of rare Macallan expressions housed in specially produced Lalique decanters -- is The Macallan M Black, which was launched locally with fanfare at the opening of The Macallan’s pop-up store at Elements.

The pop-up, whose doors remain open until April 11, takes centre stage in the Metal Zone of Elements mall. Its striking construction, inspired by the architecture of The Macallan’s new Graham Stirk-designed Speyside distillery, is crowned by an elegant lattice roof that borrows from the distillery’s undulating timber roof structure. A further nod to the distillery is evident in the glass archival wall lining the back of the pop-up, which displays a range of Macallan expressions ancient and modern. To one side is a VR station where visitors can take a virtual tour of the stunning distillery. And on the other side stands -- of course -- a bar for sampling this remarkable single malt.

[caption id="attachment_137313" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Construction of the new Macallan distillery.[/caption]

The Macallan Decanter Series is characterised by complex whiskies matured in sherry-seasoned oak casks and displaying natural colour. The M Black comes in a black crystal decanter designed by Fabien Baron, the French art director and magazine editor whose publishing tenures include Italian Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vogue Paris and, most recently, Andy Warhol’s Interview magazine.

French glassmaker Lalique carried out extensive research and prototyping to produce a distinctive and lustrous crystal decanter, sharply angular in appearance, and jet black in colour to reflect the unusual provenance of its contents.

[caption id="attachment_137314" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Macallan M Black[/caption]

As a result of World War II, The Macallan was unable to obtain its normal supply of coal for the malting process, so for a short time the distillery turned to peat. This is the basis of the smoky nature of M Black. In fact, so rare is the whisky produced during that period that M Black is limited to only 725 black crystal decanters globally.

Connoisseurs will discern in this aged burnt umber distillate a cherry chocolate sweetness, dried fruit and fresh citrus notes in the nose, travelling to salted caramel and a subtle smokiness. The palate is no less complex, delivering espresso, dark fruit and chocolate moving into wood spice, peat and a long, smoky finish.

The Macallan M Black Pop-up Store

Now until April 11, 2019

The post The Macallan Distillery Pop-up Is Now in Hong Kong appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Restauranteur Malcolm Wood talks about the challenges -- and success -- of opening top tier eateries in a highly competitive city. In the second part of our video series, we’re in conversation with Malcolm at his gorgeous new dining venue, John Anthony.

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The post In Conversation with Malcolm Wood appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

We catch up with Ruth Chao, founder and creative director of her eponymous design agency, Ruth Chao Studio. While her journey hasn’t always been easy, the talented and prolific entrepreneur has met every challenge head-on, picking up awards and accolades along the way.

This story is presented by The Macallan.

The post In Conversation with Ruth Chao appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.