Spring has sprung and that means there’s a whole host of new light and bright menus taking over Hong Kong’s many dining spots. If you’re looking to try something different, there’s no shortage of new restaurant openings in the city – from Hello Kitty themed dim sum to delicious British gastro-pub delights, it’s all here in our April Food News Flash! We hope you’re hungry…
NEW RESTAURANT OPENINGS
Viet Kitchen
One of our favourite chefs and a pioneer of fresh, modern Vietnamese fare, Chef Peter Cuong Franklin, has set up shop at the recently opened Viet Kitchen. Expect his signature contemporary take on this flavourful cuisine at Viet Kitchen for dining in, or head to Viet Baguette for tasty on the go bites.
Viet Kitchen, Nexxus Building, 41 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, www.facebook.com/vietkitchen.hk
Tycoon Tan and Mod Bar
Another addition to the Central dining scene is Tycoon Tan, serving up Hong Kong fare with a contemporary twist. Think classic local dishes with high quality ingredients in a sleek and stylish setting adorned with artwork. And don’t forget to try a Chinese inspired cocktail at Mod Bar! Both open up their doors in May, so we’ll see you there.
Tycoon Tan, 74 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, 3125 3228, www.facebook.com/tycoontann
Conrad Hong Kong’s Garden Cafe Terrace
Looking for a new al fresco spot to enjoy the sunshine? The Conrad’s new dining venue is situated on the lower lobby level of the hotel, and is the perfect cute, candlelit nook to escape the city. Sit back and enjoy sophisticated cocktails and delicious barbecued dishes on the patio…
Garden Cafe, Lower Lobby Level, Conrad Hong Kong, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, 2822 8890, www.conraddining.com
The Saint
If you’re looking for a relaxed venue with great food and drinks in a Central location, look no further than The Saint. Tucked away on Elgin Street in Soho, this trendy new resto serves up British gastro-pub style comfort food – think oven-roasted halibut, fresh salads and buttermilk spring chicken. They also have an impressive selection of gins and the cocktails are to die for! Stop by for The Saint’s ‘Tipple Time’ from 5-8pm for $40 specials. Stay tuned for our review!
The Saint, 55 Elgin Street, Soho, Central, Hong Kong, 2522 2646, www.thesaint.com.hk
Jack’s Fried Chicken
If you love the food from Chef Jack Carson (the man behind the delicious food at Restoration), then you’ve got to check out his most recent venture in K-Town. If you’re craving fried chicken, this is the place for you! We’d like to get our hands on their secret Cajun spice recipe.
Jack’s Fried Chicken, G/F 78-86 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, 2755 5547, www.facebook.com/jacksfriedchickenhk
MANA! Raw – Wild Juicery
One of our favourite healthy dining spots, MANA!, has opened up its second venue just down the road from the original location. MANA! Raw – Wild Juicery serves up creative raw dishes like ‘Vushi’, their version of vegan and/or raw sushi rolls, and offers a selection of freshly made juices. It’s the perfect place to pick up some healthy goodness on the go! And don’t forget to sample their delicious raw desserts too…
MANA! Raw – Wild Juicery, 92 – 97 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2851 1611, www.mana.hk/raw
Maple & Ice
If you’re from Canada and feeling a bit homesick, we suggest you check out Maple & Ice, an online boutique that brings Canadian products to Hong Kong. From organic maple sugar to maple infused vodka, they’ve got you covered if you’ve got a hankering for all things sweet and maple-based!
Maple & Ice, www.mapleandice.hk
Wasabi Warriors
Looking for something to spice up your lunch? Wasabi Warriors on Stanley Street bring the heat with their freshly made sushi rolls. All the rolls use locally sourced ingredients, making this sushi spot a sustainable lunch option. Don’t forget to check out the daily specials too!
Wasabi Warriors, Unit F, G/F, World Trust Tower, 50 Stanley St, Central, 2323 1512, wasabiwarriors.com.hk
Hello Kitty Chinese Cuisine
Our favourite cute kitty and our favourite Hong Kong food? We can’t think of a better combination! Yep, you can munch on Hello Kitty dim sum on Canton Road at the newly opened resto. This is a MUST visit for the most adorable Insta snaps…
Hello Kitty Chinese Cuisine, Shop A-C, G/F, Lee Loy Mansion, 332-338 Canton Road, Yau Ma Tei, Hong Kong
Berrytime
We’re often munching on cupcakes and cookies here at Sassy HQ, so it was a nice change when Berrytime delivered a huge box of healthy snacks to our door! This online Hong Kong health food store sells a range of healthy foods, from superfood supplements to paleo bars, to healthy sweeteners and nutritious nuts. They also have a cool magazine which you should check out for some fab recipes and foodie news.
Berrytime, www.berrytime.com
NEW MENUS AND PROMOTIONS
Kaetsu
Celebrate spring with a new menu at Kaetsu featuring the finest ingredients of the season from Japan. Designed by Chef de Cuisine Takeda Yukio, Kaetsu offers diners an unforgettable experience, with dishes such as Hokkaido cheese mixed with dried persimmon wrapped with seaweed, peas from Wakayama and a bean curd paste from Miyagi. You’ll also be able to sample the unique Charcoal grilled abalone with Funka Bay sea urchin dish this season… sounds like a tempting treat to us! Available now, the spring kaiseki menu is priced at $1,600 per person plus a 10% service charge.
Kaetsu, Mezzanine Floor, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, 2584 7722, hongkong.grand.hyattrestaurants.com
Tapas at ToTT’s
Looking for a fun alfresco spot? Head to ToTT’s and Roof Terrace as the weather warms and enjoy a spread of new tapas on the menu including Toasted loaf with tomato salsa, Anchovies and Iberico pate, Fried salt cod croquette and Serrano ham with Manchego cheese. Don’t worry, the favourites are still there as well! You’ll want to order the Chili Con Carne Quesadilla, Lemongrass and Chili Chicken Skewers and Stewed Bite Paprika Short Rib and pair it with a refreshing cocktail from the master mixologist at ToTT’s. It’s a sunny way to spend lunch Mon-Fri, or head there on the weekend for a spectacular Champagne brunch.
ToTT’s and Roof Terrace, The Excelsior Hong Kong, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2894 8888, www.mandarinoriental.com/excelsior
Icy Froyo Pops
Looking for a healthy snack? We went gaga for EskiMO’s new frozen yogurt cake pops when we received a shipment to the office last week, and we know you’ll love them too! These low-fat pop have no added sugar and are available in an assortment of flavours that change seasonally. We’ll definitely be bringing a box of these along to our next summer outing – call them to find out what flavours are in season now!
EskiMO’s, Shop 416, Level 4, The Arcade (Food Court), Cyberport, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, 2758 0002, www.eskimos.hk
Sunday Dinner at 121BC
If you’re searching for a new Sunday dinner spot, you’ll want to head to 121BC for a flavourful taste of Italy, now open Sundays from 5-10pm. We love this secluded spot for their minimalist, yet cosy decor and rustic dishes that hit home every time. They’re serving up all new regional dishes on their menu, as well as brand new kids’ items – so make sure you bring the whole troupe over for house-made tagliatelle and tasty gelato for dessert ($150 each for kids).
121BC, 42-44 Peel Street, Central, 2395 0200, www.121bc.com.hk, e-mail [email protected] for reservations
Oyster Delight
Love oysters? You won’t want to miss family-friendly Spasso’s Oyster Happy Hour on their alfresco terrace, with oysters sourced from France, Japan and Canada. The ‘Oyster Discovery’ experience includes a nightly surprise pairing package of oysters and wines – so bring the hubby and settle in for this seductive date night! Raw, baked, paired with wines, or slipped into shooters, Spasso is featuring it all – this is definitely one not to be missed for oyster lovers!
Spasso, G5-8, 12-17 Empire Centre, 68 Mody Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2730 8027, www.divinogroup.com/restaurants/spasso
Bread Street Lunch
If you haven’t yet been to this casual British fare resto, now’s the perfect time to pop by for an affordable taste of Gordon Ramsay’s creations with the launch of their new set lunch menu. The seasonal menu is offered Monday-Friday, and diners can choose between three different appetisers including a refreshing blue cheese salad and marinated pork ribs with pickled plums, and mains such as fish pie and lamb meatballs. Fresh ingredients change with the season, so make this your new go-to lunch destination for a taste of London in the heart of Hong Kong.
Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, Mezzanine Level, LKF Hotel, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, 2230 1800, www.diningconcepts.com/breadstreetkitchenbar
Discover Thai Taste
Award-winning buffet restaurant Yamm at The Mira Hong Kong serves us a myriad of tasty Thai dishes this month in celebration of Songkran, Thailand’s popular Water Festival. Curated by the restaurant’s Thai sous chef Danita Srisuwan, the “Discover Thai Taste” menu at Yamm features scrumptious specialties such as Minced Pork Salad, Massaman Curry Chicken, Pineapple Fried Rice and Phad Kee, or Spicy Stir-fried Noodle. This delicious dining experience is completed by traditional Thai refreshments such as Thai Iced Milk Tea and Iced Longan Drink. Savour the feast for $668 / adult and $398 / child (Mon-Thurs) or $698 / adult and $428 / child (Fri-Sun and public holidays) until 17 May.
Yamm, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2315, 5111, www.themirahotel.com
Taste of Italy
Now you can enjoy Pirata’s homey Italian-style dishes all-day with their new family-inspired lunch menu comprising of an antipasti buffet, main course and dessert. Choose between three main course options ($168, $196 and $248) and whet your appetite with a delicious assortment of fresh vegetables, cheeses, cold cuts, beef carpaccio and more from the bountiful buffet spread. Mains include Campanelle with Italian Sausage Ragu, Grilled Wild Yellowfin Tuna and Pirata’s signature M.M.M., or My Mamma’s Meatballs. This is sure to be a hefty meal to recharge before heading back to the boardroom for the day!
Pirata, 30/F, 239 Hennessy Road, 2887 0270, www.pirata.hk
Mex is Best
Super-size your order at Cali-Mex with their all new 1kg burrito for those with healthy appetites (or those who love to share!). Choose from their range of 12 delectable fillings including Australian Angus Beef, Australian Free Range Chicken Breast, US pork shoulder, New Zealand Ling Fillets and Juicy Prawns. With this new double-sized burrito, you’ll definitely leave fully stuffed and satisfied, while the healthy and fresh ingredients will keep you from feeling heavily weighed down for the rest of the day. Available now for $168 at all Cali-Mex locations around town.
Rooftop Cookout
A Wan Chai institution, The Pawn is back with a new Rooftop ‘Farm’, incorporating an urban farm, fully-equipped kitchen and bar, and a spacious events area for private events and functions. Working with local farming experts, the team at The Pawn has expanded their range of homegrown vegetables, fruits and herbs, with 20 different herb varieties harvested in-house! Every other Sunday from 12-3pm, the “Rooftop Cookout” invites guests to partake in a scrumptious outdoor feast consisting of fresh salads and made-to-order BBQ meats including pork belly, rump steak, salmon skewers and the restaurant’s homemade beef burger. $598 for adults and $300 for kids under 12.
The Pawn, 62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2866 3444, www.thepawn.com.hk
Lobster Feast
Enjoy scrumptious seafood as the breezy summer weather beckons with Lobster Sundays at Assaggio Trattoria Italiana. This lobster-themed brunch comes complete with all-you-can-eat variations of lobster dishes, including Herb Butter-Glazed Lobster, Lobster Salad “Catalana”, Lobster Pizza, Lobster Aglio e Olio, Lobster Soup and more! Throw in a mix of Italian cold cuts, appetisers, cheeses and Assaggio’s Suckling Pig and you’ve got yourself a feast! The best part is that this brunch won’t break the bank at just $398 per adult and $298 per kid.
Assaggio Trattoria Italiana, 6/F Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wanchai, 2877 3999, www.miradining.com/assaggio-
Canapés on Command
If you’re looking for a trusted caterer for your next birthday bash or private dining event, look no further than Invisible Kitchen, founded by British Chef Tom Burney. This gourmet catering company is dedicated to providing unforgettable dining experiences for Hong Kong’ers and their new canapes menu sounds simply delectable, with bite-sized dishes including Thai prawn sugarcane lollipops, asparagus, basil & Serrano ham wraps, and ricotta, spinach and pine nut filo tartlettes. Invisible Kitchen can cater for parties ranging from six to into the thousands, so sit back, relax and let the Invisible team take your event to gastronomic heights…
Invisible Kitchen, www.invisiblekitchen.com
Dine and Design
Food-lovers, take note! Dine and Design is back and better than ever this year. This three-day event takes place from 1-3 May at the Central Harbourfront, with over 100 stalls featuring emerging designers, food vendors and interactive workshops. The spotlight event for the dining portion is the Harbourfront Feast, which features 12 headlining chefs representing the best eateries in the city coming together to serve up one epic food fiesta. Taking place on 2 May from 1-5pm, the Harbourfront Feast will showcase the creations of chefs such as Nathan Green from 22 Ships, Bryan Nagao from TOWN and Antonio Cacciapaglia from Lo Locanda, all serving up both sweet and savoury delights. $680 per person includes free-flow food and drinks.
Dine & Design, www.facebook.com/