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Breakfast
Sloop
Sloop Froyo & Bagel Shop 3, 189-205 Queen’s Road, Central 2545 8388
Technically it’s in Central, but it’s so close to Sheung Wan you can smell the dried fish. My favourite breakfast place in all of Hong Kong! With fresh bagels flown in from New York and over 10 choices for toppings, this place is great for a quick pick-up to eat on the run. Choose your own spread (my fave is Nutella) or pick from a variety of bagel sandwiches. Sloop also offers an array of smoothies and if you’re in the area after breakfast hours, stop in for the biggest craze in Hong Kong: froyo! The tiny store offers six different flavors and a multitude of topping choices of fresh fruits and dried goodies. Closed on Sundays.
Barista Jam
Barista Jam Shop D, G/F, 126-128 Jervois St, Sheung Wan 2854 2211 www.baristajam.com.hk
Though this coffee shop isn’t new, its flavourful drinks definitely earn it a spot on “The Best of Sheung Wan”. Though the ambiance may be better-suited for a picnic or an industrial zone, the presentation of the yummy beverages is right out of a Parisian café. From espressos to café lattes (which according to my mate who tried one were “pretty damn good” an “8 out of 10”) to loose leaf teas, this coffee shop has it all. I indulged in one of the many varieties of hot chocolate and while the caramel taste didn’t exactly match the chocolate flavor, I definitely will be back for another mix in, perhaps vanilla or almond. If you want to make your own coffee at home, the shop also offers coffee beans of varying flavours. Barista Jam’s menu also includes breakfast, pastries, pastas, salads, and sandwiches. The apple tart I tried was like a miniature version of Mom’s apple pie with raisins and a dash of gold paper decoration. I most certainly will return to Barista Jam, if only to see the marshmallows perfectly placed on my spoon and the lattice of cocoa sprinkled atop my hot chocolate.
Lunch
Agnès B Café LPG
Agnès B Café LPG G/F, 118 Hollywood Road, Central 2915 2382
Agnès B Café offers French food with a modern lunchtime twist. With croque monsieurs and crêpes, this small restaurant serves its food at community-style tables. There are 5 tables in the middle of the restaurant and with more than 5 sets of customers, patrons are sitting with friends they’ve only just met (think yum cha with a French accent). The lunch menu offers soups, salads, sandwiches, crêpes, omelettes, and pastas. On the sweeter side, the open bakery offers a mix of desserts from gâteaus to pastries. Though the food is slightly overpriced for how much you get, the wi-fi and the friendly staff are free.
Pizzeria JACOMAX Shop C, 88 Commercial Bldg, 38-42 Wing Lok St, Sheung Wan 2851 4688 https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pizzeria-Jacomax/147164608687110
With more than 17 different types of pizza, including an option to choose your own toppings, you can’t go wrong with a slice or a full pie. The crust is thin and whatever toppings you choose are spread from crust to crust. Jacomax has an open kitchen concept so you can see the chefs hard at work adding prosciutto, rocket, and shaved parmesan. Not only does the restaurant serve a delicious pizza, it has pasta, salads, Italian food specials of the day, and most importantly ice cream. Bebini “Nice Cream” is made in Sai Kung and delivered to the restaurant regularly.
Dinner
K1 Cafe & Bar 1/F, Cnt Commercial Building, 302 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan 2815 5881 www.facebook.com/pages/K1-Cafe-Bar/214766101910197
Cheap can mean two things: inexpensive and tacky. And in the case for K1, it’s really both. The “All Day Menu” has all items under $68; my friend and I tried the sandwiches (Panini and club, respectively) and both of us enjoyed the meal which came with a salad and French fries. The drinks menu included cocktails, smoothies, and fresh juices and the food menu had about 10 items ranging from burgers to pasta. While the price was worth the food, the décor is nothing to write home about. With a black and blue adornments, club music, and not in a soul in the place besides us and the chef, it felt more like 8pm at Wyndham Street on a Tuesday. Despite the ambiance, K1 was a quick eat, with direct attention and fresh food.
Heirloom 226 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan 2547 8008
With a chic vintage vibe, Heirloom’s name is quite appropriate. Mismatched chairs, kitchen towels for napkins, and yarn used as napkin holders all add to the modern-meets-antique ambience of the restaurant. The menu offers vegetarian and gluten-free options, salads, sandwiches (at lunch), mains and desserts. And while your choices are limited in each category, they certainly aren’t lacking in creativity. Try the guacamole with pomegranate for a mix of savory and sweet or the beef short ribs with polenta instead of the traditional mashed potatoes. With bigger prices than portions, choose wisely and ask the friendly, hip staff for suggestions. There’s no service charge so don’t forget to tip!
