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Header image courtesy of Smokehouse Bar & Grill
Our regularly updated guide to the newest restaurant openings will cut through the noise and help you find the best places to eat and drink in Hong Kong this month.
Inspired by traditional Italian butcher shops, Macelle specialises in a “counter-to-plate” concept that highlights premium meat and seafood in a fuss-free restaurant setting. Fresh produce is sourced from trusted farmers and fishermen weekly and cooked to perfection in a wood-fired Josper grill. Come for the Angus Fiorentina steak, portioned for two and served with freshly baked focaccia; the Ibérico pork chops; and seasonal sausages. If you want to try your hand preparing the restaurant’s meat and seafood at home, you can take your pick from the butcher’s counter with a 25 percent discount thrown on top.
Macelle Steakhouse, LG Sharma Soho, 9–11 Staunton Street, Soho, Central
Enjoy omakase-style kushiage (串揚げ) at Kushitei, where deep-fried, panko-breaded skewers are the order of the day. Hong Kong was chosen as the first overseas location of this popular brand from Ebisu, Tokyo, and local diners can now chow down on seasonal farm-to-table items and exclusive free-range Kurosatsuma chicken in a setting similar to its sister restaurants in Japan. Befitting its omakase concept, Kushitei offers just nine seats at the counter, and another 12 seats at surrounding tables, so it pays off to book ahead.
Kushitei, Shop G04–05, G/F, Grand Centre, 8 Humphreys Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui
Jen Balisi, of Indulgent Eats fame, has teamed up with restaurant and bar group Singular Concepts to open Barkada, a modern Filipino eatery. Guests can expect a warm and lively atmosphere in which to break bread and tuck into homestyle dishes with a contemporary twist, such as adobo popcorn chicken, brown butter pancit canton, and the signature sizzling sisig. Some plates, like the adobo birria quesotacos, are tried-and-tested successes from previous pop-ups hosted by Balisi at venues across town. Celebrated bartender Gagan Gurung creates the cocktails to go with the eclectic food menu.
Barkada, UG/F, FOCO, 48 Cochrane Street, Central
Pirata Group opens Calle Ocho, a new tapas concept, in Fashion Walk this month. Channelling the Madrid de los Austrias neighbourhood, the historic centre of the capital, the vintage-inspired space is bedecked in thematic Spanish tiling and flamenco paintings to set the mood. Elsa Jeandedieu Studio furnished the hand-painted mural welcoming guests.
Executive chef Víctor Caballé Molina has prepared a vibrant menu of small dishes and sharing plates, counting the croquetas, Ibérico crispy pig ears, prawn and piquillo pepper tortillas, suckling pig “boneless” terrine, and arroz negro paella among its highlights.
Calle Ocho, Fashion Walk, 8 Cleveland Street, Causeway Bay
At long last, the InterContinental Hong Kong makes its return to the TST harbourfront, now with a snazzy new look and a rebrand. Not only did Regent Hong Kong pull together some of the greatest minds in design and architecture to redo the space, but its collection of restaurants is just as impressive. Enjoy the finest, in-house aged cuts at The Steak House, paired with fresh crudités, greens, and cheeses from the salad bar, and tuck into the bountiful international buffet at Harbourside, led by returning head chef Nicholas Chan.
In The Lobby Lounge, it’s pinkies up with a classic afternoon tea, featuring finger sandwiches, cakes, pastries, and homemade clotted cream and rosemary jam. Lai Ching Heen, Regent’s Chinese restaurant, will serve celebrated Cantonese cuisine once more.
Nobu will also be making its way back to Regent, as will a new destination bar.
Regent Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui | (+852) 2313 2313
If you are hankering for an American barbecue, look no further than Smokehouse, which aims to bring the quintessential smoked meat tradition to Hong Kong. It even has an iconic Lyfe Tyme BBQ pit as part of the restaurant’s décor! But you can rest assured that Smokehouse’s rustic platters extend beyond just beef brisket and beef short ribs. Instead, the menu also includes atypical options like smoky cumin lamb skewers and char-grilled whole seabass to show off its culinary range. Even the drinks and desserts are smoked; try the smoky toffee banana and the orange-smoked Grape & Grain for something unique.
Smokehouse Bar & Grill, Shop 05, Level 13, Langham Place, 8 Argyle Street, Mong Kok
Singular Concepts has another ace up its sleeve this month with the opening of Yurakucho. At this izakaya, robatayaki, katsu sandos, karaage, and highballs are doled out to the tune of hip-hop, courtesy of co-founder Gagan Gurung and chefs Vicky Mau and Matthew Chan. And its name? It’s taken from Yurakocho Station in Tokyo, referencing the hole-in-the-wall establishments that occupy the gado-shita, the space underneath elevated train tracks.
Yurakucho Bar & Izakaya, G/F, Yu Yuet Lai Building, 43–55 Wyndham Street, Central
All right, The Peak Lookout is not technically a new opening but it did undergo extensive refurbishment and has now finally reopened. Having served visitors and locals alike for over 21 years, the restaurant, housed in a nineteenth-century Grade II historic structure, enjoys a rich legacy that is bolstered by its prime location and international menu.
Dine inside to soak up the traditional English-French architectural charm, or on the terrace for an under-the-stars experience. Its menu has been revamped to feature the best of East and West—tuck into the crab squid ink linguine, Hainanese chicken rice, scrumptious seafood platter, something from the tandoori grill, and the classic tiramisu for finishers.
The Peak Lookout, 121 Peak Road, The Peak | (+852) 2849 1000
Born in Hong Kong, raised in Germany, and educated in the US, Jen is an award-winning creative with a background in illustration, communication design, art direction, and content creation. When she’s not getting lost in a good book, you’ll find her doing crosswords, eating dim sum, covering all sides of a “Hamilton” number, and taking naps.
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