The city may be quieter than usual this month with many of us jetting off on our summer holidays, but the restaurant and bar scene is anything but sleepy. With new places popping up every week, and new menus serving up healthier options this season - bar the deliciously boozy brunch we were lucky enough to try at the Sheraton- we really are spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out. So without further ado, let's tuck into Hong Kong's hottest new bites and delights.
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New Places ...
Flamingo Bloom Tea Salon
Calling all tea lovers! Just in time for the sweltering Hong Kong summer, new chic new tea salon Flamingo Bloom is serving up handcrafted floral loose-leaf teas and fresh natural ingredients in a stylish setting. Parched Hong Kongers can enjoy frosty iced teas inside the salon or take them away, all they have to do is choose one of four base teas:
Jasmine Green Tips,
Highland Oolong,
Chrysanthemum Pu'er, and
Honey Orchid Black, then decide if they’d like their tea over ice, with fresh fruit, boba, matcha, French rose, or a salted milk cap. We feel parched just looking at this gorgeous photo, but if that isn't enough to lure you through their door, then the salon's botanical decor and striking pop up colours surely are.
Flamingo Bloom, G/F, Shop B, 50 Stanley Street, Central, (+852) 2483 1778
Fang Fang
The latest restaurant to pop up in LKF Tower, Fang Fang serves up contemporary Asian dishes such as
Roasted Duck with Caviar ($495),
Beef Short Ribs ($475), and
Forest Honey Grilled Chilean Seabass ($275), along with Asian inspired cocktails. Named after the mysterious Chinese opera singer Fang Fang, the elegant 130-seater venue includes a restaurant, bar and lounge, and two private rooms. We haven't had a chance to try it out yet, but with highly-acclaimed Executive Chef Kent Lee Chin Heng at the helm - former chef of Hakkasan Mumbai and Britain's highest ranked Chinese restaurant, Kai Mayfair - we're pretty sure it's going to be good.
Fang Fang, 8/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, (+852) 2983 9083
La Fromagerie
Fresh gastro-bar
La Fromagerie has opened its doors in the heart of Soho, offering cheese and wine lovers a cosy place to indulge in top-quality gourmet goodies imported from a variety of regions in France at surprisingly reasonable prices. Owner Thierry Rochas Duperier is busting with enthusiasm and knowledge about wine and cheese, having owned three successful shops in Paris selling both, and he takes his fromage
very seriously. He not only flies more than 150kg of the stuff in from France each week, he also ages a lot of it himself in the restaurant. The Brie here is beautifully creamy without being runny, while the goat's cheese is to die for. And with quality red, white, and rose wines starting from $80 a glass, it's fair to say there's something to suit all palettes and budgets. If you're on a budget, however, then swing by happy hour from 3pm daily and enjoy house whites and reds for $39 per glass, or beer for $49 a pint. They also have a lunch and dinner menu, as well as wine and cheese tastings hosted by Thierry himself. And if you're looking to stock up your fridge, you can also buy cheese here and take away a bottle (or three).
La Fromagerie, 16 Elgin Street, Soho, Central, (+852) 5526 2600
New Menus ...
New Dinner Menu at Employees Only
Best known for its killer cocktails and cool speakeasy vibe, new bar Employees Only is now serving up bistro bites with Eastern European influences. Starters include dishes like the must order
Smoked Clam Chowder with fresh Manilla clams and chunks of French potatoes, peas, and delicious saffron broth,
Steak Tartare served with mixed greens (pictured), and
Seared Scallops with bone marrow mash and toasted hazelnut, which totally stole the show for us. For mains, the
Peking Duck Salad with cucumber, beansprouts, spring onion, chilli, and hoisin dressing has a lovely spicy kick, while the
Hot Smoked Salmon on a bed of creamy potato salad made with crème fraîche is beautifully seared and cooked to perfection. The
Crispy Skin Chicken, served with a Sichuan cucumber salad and garlic soy, is a definite must order and will have you foaming at the mouth when you break through the golden crispy skin to discover the steaming hot and tender chicken below. Although the desserts do look incredible - the
Orange Cinnamon Churros and
Coconut Panna Cotta Sweet Potato Cake in particular - they don't quite hit the mark for us and left us wanting a little more sugar. Overall though, this is a great spot for dining out with friends in the heart of the drinking district, and the music will certainly get you going, gradually moving away from mellow beats to old school rock as the night goes on.
Employees Only, 19 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, (+852) 2468 2755
New Korean Dishes at Momojein
Calling all K-food lovers! We pretty sure we've found
the best Korean fried chicken in Hong Kong - big statement we know, but just wait until you sink your teeth into these juicy delights! Korean chef Lim Hee Won of contemporary Korean restaurant Momojein has unveiled a selection of reinvented classic dishes that ooze flavour. The sizzling hot
Spicy Bell Pepper Tuna ($162) and
Soondoobu Stew ($208), packed with fresh seafood, vegetables, tofu, and Korean chili, will blow your mind. The real stars of the show though are the
Kalbi & Grilled Vegetables ($390) and
KFD (Korean Fried Drumsticks) which come in two sizes (large $240 and regular $128) and three delicious flavours: original, spicy, and soy sauce. The juicy slices of Kalbi USDA prime beef (pictured right) are wonderfully tender and grilled to perfection, giving them a slightly charred exterior which pairs beautifully with the homemade pumpkin dip. Meanwhile, the soy sauce fried chicken (pictured left) - with hints of licorice, pineapple, and salt - is out of this world! The sauce is beautifully tangy and thick enough to coat your fingers as you nibble, making it finger licking good! And if you have room for dessert, the
Baesuk Sherbet ($88) is sensational. This refreshing summer dish features a fresh, warm Korean pear sat in a sweet soup made with cinnamon, ginger, honey, and sugar, and conjures up all the feelings of Christmas, giving it a homely feel that warms your heart and your belly. There are some pretty mean cocktails on offer too. The spicy
D.M.Z (Demilitarized Zone), which comes with popping candy, lime juice, green chilli, and a hip flask of Hwayo soju, is by far the best and quite reasonably priced at $108. Pouring the soju over the candy and listening to the crackling sounds is beyond satisfying. The sweet and throthy
Makgeolli Shake ($98) is also incredibly good thanks to the homemade angelica root, ice-cream, and chocolate flakes which make it a delicious dessert drink. Overall, dining at Momojein is as much about the experience as it is about the food. With unforgettable dishes, kick-ass cocktails, and a modern, clean space to relax in with friends, it's a winner all round.
Momojein, 202 Queen's Rd E, Wan Chai, (+852) 2789 1949
Divino's Weekend Recovery Brunch
Had a big one last night and need a little pick-me-up? Then head to DiVino Wine Bar and tuck into their delicious new Weekend Recovery Brunch, which serves up tasty a la carte dishes packed with all the nutrients and super foods you'll need to feel human again. Including a mixture of sweet and savoury options, the menu includes dishes like chef’s
Healing Bowl (
$138) - our personal favourite, which comes with poached DHA pasteurized egg, organic quinoa, Scottish salmon, avocado, capers, baby spinach and pesto sauce (pictured left), and the gorgeously tender
Homemade Free Chicken Supreme ($198) with aromatic herbs, baby vegetables, and potato fondue. Topping our list of favourites on the sweet side are the delicious
Chef's Gluten Free Buttermilk Pancakes ($108) with banana and hazelnuts, and the
Parfait of Greek Fat-free Yoghurt & Granola ($98) which tastes as incredible as it looks (pictured right). All washed down with a tangy
Antioxidant Smoothie ($76) of banana, strawberries, coconut milk, and ginger, and you'll be back on your feet in no time. Hands down the best booze-free brunch we've had in a while - okay ever!
Served every Saturday and Sunday and public holidays
DiVino Wine Bar & Restaurant, G/F, 73 Wyndham Street, Central, (+852) 2167 8883
Sheraton's Vivacious Sunday Champagne Brunch
We've had some cracking brunches in our time, but this one takes the biscuit. Head to the Oyster & Wine Bar on the top floor of the Sheraton Hong Kong and lap up the stunning view of Victoria Harbour while indulging in unlimited servings of fresh oysters and seafood, steaks and appetisers, delicious hot dishes, and tantalising desserts at the newly launched
Vivacious Sunday Champagne Brunch. We're pretty confident these are
the best oysters we've ever tasted in Hong Kong, and the
Classic Lobster Thermidor isn't half bad either. Just make sure you leave plenty of room for dessert as the
Mini Hot Soufflé with kahlua, ginger, vanilla, or grand marnier toppings are one thing you do not want to miss. Pair all these gorgeous dishes with your choice of free-flow Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé, or the newly released Perrier-Jouët Blanc de Blancs (our personal favourite), and you're in for one unforgettable Sunday feast.
Priced at $998, $1,298, or $1,498 (price depends on your champagne choice)
Oyster & Wine Bar, 18/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, 20 Nathan Road, Kowloon, (+852) 2369 1111
Dr. Fern's Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea Party
We love afternoon tea, especially when it comes with a 'mad' theme! Take a tumble down the rabbit hole and tuck into the newly launched Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea Party at quirky speakeasy, Dr. Fern’s Gin Parlour. Nestled in the basement of The Landmark, this is the perfect hideaway to indulge in a selection of playfully-named delights, all themed around the doctor’s favorite literature piece, Alice In Wonderland. The Tick Tock Roll (Boston lobster roll) and Tweedle-Dee’s Treat (smoked salmon, organic dill, and cream cheese on sourdough) are among our favourites on the savoury tier, while the Eat Me Tart (a rich chocolate and raspberry tart with chocolate Ganache, raspberry jam, and chocolate biscuit) completely steals the show on the sweet. Add a delicious Banana Latte into the mix (or a stiff G&T for an additional $50 if you can handle it) and you've got yourself one sweet little G or tea party. We also can't get enough of the quirky decor and whimsical feel of this amazing little bar decked out with mysterious medicine bottles and wacky lampshades - curiouser and curiouser!
$498 for two guests (served daily from 2pm - 5pm)
Dr. Fern's Gin Parlour, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, (+852) 2111 9449
New Set Lunch at Fishsteria
Popular Wan Chai seafood restaurant and oyster bar Fishsteria has launched a tasty new set lunch for $238 per person, offering dishes such as the deliciously refreshing
Scallop Carpaccio, saucy
Mixed Seafood Tagliatelle, tender
Grilled Whole Fish, and must order
Burrata Crab Meat Salad. Add three pieces of daily oysters into the mix for an additional $58, and a glass of chilled rosé, and you've got one delicious little seafood lunch on your hands. Make sure you leave room for dessert though, as the mixed fruity sorbet makes for a refreshing end to this fishy feast.
Fishsteria, G/F & 1/F, 111 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, (+852) 2343 8111
Healthy Menus at The Restaurant By The Kinnet
Looking for delicious, hearty food without the carb or calorie guilt? We know where to go. Staying loyal to its health-conscious roots, The Restaurant By The Kinnet has launched two new menus: one low-carb and one low-calorie, with dishes packed full of delicious ingredients that are bursting with flavour. These three-course lunch and dinner menus are priced at $350 per guest and feature a deliciously juicy
Grilled Vegetable Salad (pictured left), beautifully tender
Seared Halibut, and our own personal favourite, a zingy
Seared Cod with Warm Tom Yum Salad. There are some surprisingly good desserts too, like the fluffy
Vanilla Soufflé with Mixed Berries (pictured right) and the
Rose Crème Brulèe (although this could do with being a bit sweeter and having a harder surface to crack). Overall though, this is a great lunch or dinner option for those looking to keep their calorie or carb count down without sacrificing flavour. It's also worth mentioning the fresh and elegant decor of this spacious and airy restaurant, which all adds to the feeling of eating clean.
The Restaurant By The Kinnet, 3/F, 33 Hillier Street, Sheung Wan
, (+852) 3968 7623
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Food & Drink section.
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