Header photo: Niras’ banana prawn, seaweed, spicy beetroot
The best new restaurants to try in Hong Kong in June
In restaurant news for Hong Kong, Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn of Asia’s #1 restaurant Le Du expands to the 852 with Niras at K11 MUSEA, cult-fave US sandwich chain Eggslut lands in Causeway Bay, there’s a new SoHo bar by the award-winning team behind COA – and more!
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Agora x MASIA (Tokyo) – four-hands dinner by Antonio Oviedo + Mateu Villaret
Celebrating its first anniversary at Tai Kwun, Antonio Oviedo of Spanish fine-dining restaurant Agora is joining hands with another Spanish chef, Chef Mateu Villaret of MASIA in Tokyo, to wow diners with their contemporary iterations of classic Catalan dishes. The 10-course anniversary tasting menu is available for just one night.
Where: Shop 14, G/F, D Hall, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central (enter Tai Kwun via the Gallery Gate entrance on Old Bailey Street)
When: Wednesday, 7 June 2023, 6–11pm
How much: HK$1,980/person
For reservations: phone 2316 2005 or book online
Andō x Restaurant Manu Buffara – 4-hands dinners by Agustin Balbi + Manu Bufarra
Latin America’s Best Female Chef of 2022, Brazilian chef Manoella “Manu” Buffara of Restaurant Manu in Curitiba, Brazil, is heading to Michelin-starred Andō to partner with Chef Agustin Balbi for two nights in celebration of the chefs’ Latin American culinary heritage via a multi-course tasting menu. Opened in 2011, Restaurant Manu is the first restaurant in Brazil headed up by a female chef that serves only a tasting menu; the cutting-edge eatery focuses on seasonal ingredients, with more then half being plant based and almost all supplied within a 300km radius of the restaurant. Until November of this year, Chef Buffara is also running the Fresh in the Garden pop-up at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives; the menu there connects land and sea, equally divided between vegan, vegetarian and seafood-based dishes. Even more, Chef Buffara has created the Manu Buffara Institute to help the needy in Curitiba.
Where: 1/F, Somptueux Central, 52 Wellington Street, Central
When: 10–11 June 2023, 6:30–10:30pm
How much: HK$2,888/person
For reservations: book online
Bar Leone – new Italian-inspired cocktail bar in SoHo
Hospitality legend Lorenzo Antinori is paying tribute to his Italian heritage with the opening of his first independent venture, Bar Leone. The watering hole is heavily influenced by the local bars found in Rome and, in particular, the historic Roman neighbourhood of Trastevere. Antinori was previously at the helm of world-famous bars including Dandelyan and the American Bar at the Savoy in London and our very own ARGO at the Four Seasons, which made an incredible debut at number three on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2022. According to the mixologist extraordinaire, “Bar Leone’s beverage programme will focus on reviving classic cocktails with a low-intervention approach, emphasising craftsmanship, ingredients and seasonality.” We’re especially keen to try Antinori’s take on the Bellini, which will be served in a small tumbler just as at the iconic Harry’s Bar in Venice, where it originated.
Where: 11–15 Bridges Street, SoHo, Central
Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday, 5pm–late; Saturday–Sunday, 3pm–late
RELATED: Check out our Bar Leone review
Basin – new seasonal à-la-carte and group menus
Basin’s new menus are all about the fresh and summery Mediterranean flavours of France, Italy and Spain as seen through the eyes of Spanish-born chef Antoni Bernabeu. À-la-carte dish highlights include stracciatella salad (HK$160) with burrata, raspberries, pine nuts and basil oil, grilled octopus (HK$280) with chimichurri, black olives, sweet potato and preserved lemon and lobster arroz meloso (HK$680), a creamy Spanish seafood rice dish. If you’re dining with a bunch of mates, we recommend selecting one of the eatery’s group menus (from HK$550/person) for a full taste of Chef Bernabeu’s Med repertoire.
Where: 3/F, FOCO, 48 Cochrane Street, Central
When: Tuesday–Sunday, 12–2:30pm, 6pm–midnight
For reservations: phone 2362 2699 or book online
Cafe Joo – new Korean restaurant at New Town Plaza
LUBUDS has added this modern Korean restaurant to its portfolio, with Chef Ken Lau bringing a Western approach to his innovative interpretation of traditional Korean cuisine. Cafe Joo’s inspiration comes from the many bright and minimalistic cafés dotted around South Korea, where street-food dishes take centre stage. These include all-time faves such as Korean fried chicken, deep-fried kimbap and Cheongyang chilli peppers stuffed with cheese sausage. In terms of the East-meets-West fusion favoured by the chef, this can best be seen in the pasta offerings (we like the sound of the spaghetti with Jeju octopus in a creamy squid-ink sauce). Delectable homemade desserts and bevvies are also on board – after all, Koreans love their sweets!
Where: Shop 165, 1/F, Phase 1, New Town Plaza, 18 Sha Tin Centre Street, Shatin
Opening hours: weekdays, 11:30am–10pm; weekends and public holidays, 10am–10pm
For reservations: phone 2882 8323 or WhatsApp 3001 1283
RELATED: We try the crave-worthy Korean-meets-Italian dishes at Cafe Joo
CaN LaH – new branch at Harbour City
There’s a new outlet of this contemporary Singaporean-Malaysian restaurant at Harbour City in Tsim Sha Tsui, joining its sibling at Central’s ifc mall. Executive Chef Francis Chong has also launched an East-meets-West afternoon tea set that’s exclusive to this branch of CaN LaH as well as a tempting happy hour on weekdays from 4–8pm at both locations, with drinks starting at under HK$50 a glass, alongside moreish snack options like crispy salted egg yolk fish-skin crisps and French fries with sambal.
Where: Shop 4101, 4/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST
Opening hours: daily, 11am–10pm
For reservations: phone 3618 8138 or book online
Curry Kingdom – Asian curries at this new restaurant at New Town Plaza
Curry lover? Curry Kingdom has teamed up with Amocan, a century-old leading sauce brand in Singapore, to curate a menu of mouth-watering curries from Thailand, Singapore, India and Japan. These flavourful, fragrant curry varieties are offered alongside creative Asian snacks and desserts. There’s a special grand-opening offer on for this new restaurant until 31 August that gives diners a 50% discount on all speciality drinks.
Where: Shop 703A, 7/F, Phase 1, New Town Plaza, 18 Sha Tin Centre Street, Sha Tin
Opening hours: daily, 11am–10pm
To contact: phone 2612 2261
dolos – new French-Japanese seafood restaurant in SoHo
By Caleb and Jacob Ng – the duo behind Twins Kitchen – comes this innovative seafood restaurant, named after the interlocking pathways of concrete wave breakers (i.e., dolos) that protect our shores from the ocean’s erosive forces. The chef’s menu at dolos celebrates the bounty of Hong Kong’s waters through a understated, unconventional French-Japanese approach. Chef Sean Yuen brings a wealth of experience to the restaurant, having honed his skills at Pearl and Grossi Florentino in Australia, as well as at three-Michelin-starred Caprice here in Hong Kong. Diners are welcome to bring their own bottles to dolos, with no corkage fee attached.
Where: 60 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central
Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 6pm–late
For reservations: phone 3488 5770 or book online
Eggslut – US sandwich chain launch in Causeway Bay
Though its name honestly gives us the ick, we’ll overlook that when it comes to Eggslut’s drool-worthy egg sandwiches and coddled-egg-topped potato-purée dish known as the Slut. The US-based chain founded by Chef Alvin Cailan, which now boasts locations from London to Singapore, first opened as a food truck in Los Angeles back in 2011, and it’s now one of the most Instagrammed restaurants in the world. Our go-to order is the Fairfax (scrambled egg, Cheddar, chive, caramelised onion and sriracha mayo on a fluffy brioche bun) with a side of truffle hash browns cooked in duck fat. Grand opening on Friday, 16 June at 2pm, with giveaways galore!
Where: Shop 2 on G/F & Shop F–1 on 1/F, Fashion Walk, 11–19 Great George Street & 27–47 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay
Opening hours: daily, 8am–9pm
FIAMMA & SPIGA – the return of Chef Enrico Bartolin
Chef Enrico Bartolini, who has racked up 12 Michelin stars across his eight restaurants in Italy, returns to the Kong this month for collaborative five-course tasting menus with his protégé, Executive Chef Paolo Olivieri of Chef Bartolini’s Italian restaurants SPIGA and FIAMMA. At SPIGA, the refined menu blurs the lines between regional Italian flavours and cooking styles, while the more casual menu at FIAMMA is described as being “closer to the heart and soul of an Italian home”. The event at SPIGA also marks the debut of Crafted, a series of wine-and-dine events hosted by an eclectic mix of masters and guest speakers. Click here to view the menus in full.
Where: FIAMMA – Shop G02, G/F, Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, The Peak; SPIGA – 3/F, LHT Tower, 31 Queen’s Road Central, Central
When: 7–8 June 2023, from 7pm (7th at SPIGA; 8th at FIAMMA)
How much: SPIGA – HK$1,188/person; +HK$988/person for wine pairings; FIAMMA – HK$888/person; +HK$688/person for wine pairings
For reservations: book online
G’Day – new Aussie-inspired café & restaurant in Shek Tong Tsui
A tribute to the Land Down Under, this laid-back neighbourhood spot is where to head for a taste of Aussie-inspired cuisine with a local twist. The brekkie dishes – like the G’Day Yoghurt Bowl and The G’Sanga sourdough sarnie with egg, Snake River Farms pork collar, green apple and mustard sauce – are up for ordering till 6pm. If you’re in the mood for a feast, challenge yourself to G’Day‘s all-you-can-eat menus. Tuesdays are all about the limitless Aussie BBQ (HK$268/person), a platter loaded with ribs, wings, sausages, corn on the cob, potato salad and duck-fat fries, while on Fridays, get ready for a seafood and steak extravaganza with unlimited Australian mussels and striploin steak (HK$468/person). Australia’s top-notch coffee staples also get a look-in at this new restaurant, as do seasonal sweets. Bonus for pet owners: treat your pup to their very own Doggy Bowl on the pet-friendly outdoor terrace.
Where: 48–52 Hill Road, Shek Tong Tsui
Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday, 11am–10pm; Saturday–Sunday, 10am–10pm
To contact: phone/WhatsApp 5436 5358
Hansik Goo – wine gala dinner with Chef Mingoo Kang + Master Sommelier Kyungmoon Kim
For one night only, Michelin-starred Hansik Goo will play host to Korea’s first master sommelier, Kyungmoon Kim (pictured), who will be curating a full drink-pairing programme of premium international red and white wines, as well as a selection of Korean alcoholic beverages, complemented by a seasonal, innovative Korean tasting menu by Chef Mingoo Kang.
Where: 1/F, The Wellington, 198 Wellington Street, Central
When: Tuesday, 13 June 2023, 6–11pm
How much: HK$3,588/person
For reservations: book online
Hong Kong Palace Museum – 2 new Chinese restaurants
If you’re enjoying a visit to the newly opened Hong Kong Palace Museum and hunger strikes, there are two new F&B options for your dining pleasure. Connected to the museum gift shop via a Chinese-style arch, XIA is a Chinese teahouse designed by by two internationally renowned creatives – architect, collector and artist William Lim and Stanley Wong (aka anothermountainman) – and inspired by the culture of the Forbidden City, presenting classic palace foods (like sweet pea cake, Empress Dowager Cixi’s favourite dessert) alongside local eats such as Chongqing noodles and Shanxi meat buns.
The other new dining option is Chinese restaurant King Lung Heen, which boasts stunning views over Victoria Harbour and West Kowloon Art Park. The eatery specialises in traditional dim sum as well as Cantonese dishes with a creative twist. Get to one of these new restaurants soon!
Where: Hong Kong Place Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District, 8 Museum Drive, Kowloon (G/F for XIA and 4/F for King Lung Heen)
Opening hours: XIA – daily, 10:30am–8pm; King Lung Heen – daily, 11am–10:30pm
To contact: XIA – phone 2730 3038; King Lung Heen – phone 2788 3939
Intervals – new bar at Hong Kong International Airport
The new Sky Bridge at the airport is now home to Intervals, a sophisticated cocktail bar by Plaza Premium Group that’s just made jetting off even more exciting. The bar’s unique drink programme showcases a series of miniature sips (known as “flights) that have been tailored to how much time a guest has to spare before takeoff, ranging from a 15- to 45-minute experience. A non-alcoholic flight inspired by the seasons is another option if you’re feeling teetotal. Intervals’ food menu is also geared towards travellers’ available interval of time, presenting elevated, globally influenced pinchos (tapas-style bar snacks). For on-board dining, customised takeaway boxes for cocktails and pinchos have been created.
Where: Shop 9SB206, 9/F, Sky Bridge, Hong Kong International Airport, Lantau Island
Opening hours: soft opening (14 June–26 July 2023) – 9am–6pm; from 27 July 2023, 7am–1am
Kaen Teppanyaki – new Japanese teppanyaki restaurant at FORTY-FIVE
Kaen Teppanyaki is the second restaurant to debut at new lifestyle destination FORTY-FIVE, hot on the heels of Shanghainese fine diner The Merchants. Helmed by Chef Yoshiyuki Sato, the elevated eatery presents lunch sets and dinner tasting menus featuring a wide selection of top-notch traceable Wagyu as well as seasonal seafood and vegetables sourced from Europe and Japan. In the signature dinner experience, guests can select to savour their premium Japanese beef as either Kansai-style yaki-shabu, where the meat is sliced thin for grilling (as it would be cut for shabu-shabu), or in the classic thick-cut steak style. Dessert is also a standout at Kaen; diners are escorted to the lounge area to enjoy their sweets – including the Japanese-style Mont Blanc that has already become a firm fave.
Where: 45/F (reception at 43/F), Gloucester Tower, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 11:30am–3pm, 6–11pm
For reservations: phone 2155 9191 or book online
Kicho – discounted summer dinner omakase menu
Marking its first anniversary in style, Tokyo import Kicho – a yakitori lover’s dream – is offering a special discount on its new 14-course summer dinner menu, which comes with the (highly recommended) option of a free-flow sake pairing showcasing seven premium labels. The eatery’s anniversary omakase menu spans soup, appetisers, an assortment of yakitori grilled on binchotan, vegetable dishes, rice or noodles and dessert, allowing diners to fully appreciate Chef Chikashi Yoshida’s ingenuity and expertise behind the grill.
Where: 1/F, Manning House, 38–48 Queen’s Road Central, Central
When: until 30 June 2023 (Monday–Saturday, 6–10pm)
How much: HK$888/person (normal price is HK$1,000/person); +HK$1,388/person to include 100-minute free-flow sake
For reservations: phone 2633 8933 or book online
Lantana Beach Club – new restaurant at Lower Cheung Sha Beach
One of our favourite summer pastimes is al-fresco dining, especially at the beach, so we can’t wait to check out Lantana Beach Club by Pastis Group. This chic, chilled spot is where to head for if you’re in the mood for an easygoing Italian-influenced menu featuring an array of family favourites such as pizza, pasta and salads – combined with soothing ocean views.
Where: 40 Lower Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau Island
Opening hours: Monday, Thursday–Sunday and public holidays, 11am–9pm; Wednesday, 11am–3pm
For reservations: phone/WhatsApp 5322 7969
Le Bec Fin – new private dining room & bar in North Point
Le Bec Fin, the popular French-Japanese fine-dining restaurant, is celebrating its fifth anniversary with the debut of a new venue right next door to its existing premises in North Point. With space for up to 22 diners (dinner only), the new private room features an exclusive menu crafted by Chef Ishiba Masaki. The addition also houses a striking bar in blue offering both an extensive cocktail menu and a snack menu, plus many of Le Bec Fin’s signature dishes (at only half the price of the regular set dinner menu).
Where: Shop 8, G/F, China United Centre, 28 Marble Road, North Point
Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 4pm–late
For reservations: phone/WhatsApp 5726 0882 or email book@lebecfin.hk
Le Chefeteria – The Hong Kong Lemon Story
This unique event by Executive Chef Azmi Arialda of private kitchen Le Chefeteria puts seasonal lemons in the spotlight. In the six-course French-influenced tasting menu, local, organic lemons from Bee Bee Farm are featured in dishes such as lemon seafood consommé, smoked octopus with lemon confit, baked black cod with lemon-butter sauce, lemon chicken and lemon chiffon cake with lemon-vanilla ice cream. Zest-tastic!
Where: 4/F, 4 Sun Wui Road, Causeway Bay
When: 8–10 June 2023, from 7pm
How much: HK$1,098/person for dinner; HK$1,388/person to include 4-glass wine pairing
For reservations: phone/WhatsApp 9328 6390 or email lechefeteria@gmail.com
Mengokoro Kunimoto – new ramen bar in Wanchai
Get your Japanese noods at this intimate new ramen bar, the first overseas offshoot of the popular spot in Katsushika, Tokyo, run by ramen master Kunimoto-san. There are five signature ramen offerings up for slurping at this branch of Mengokoro Kunimoto, each made with a different soup base using ingredients imported directly from Japan – shoyu ramen (a blend of rich chicken and fish broths flavoured with soy sauce and scallion oil), shio ramen (salt sauce, chicken oil and scallop oil in a clear chicken broth), tsukemen (cold noodles served with a hot dipping sauce of garlic oil and fish stock), maze soba (thick noodles seasoned with garlic oil and soy sauce, topped with 10 ingredients and served with a side of fish soup) and noukou ramen (a robust broth made with chicken, pork and dried fish). No bookings.
Where: 12 Spring Garden Lane, Wanchai
Opening hours: daily from 12 June 2023, 11am–9:30pm
Momentai – relaunched waterfront restaurant in Sai Kung
We’ve spent many a past weekend afternoon chilling in Sai Kung, and Momentai was a particular fave when it came time to chow down. We’re thrilled that the eatery is back in action, now in a slightly smaller spot along the waterfront. The new menu places the focus on the foods associated with holiday destinations, from Caribbean jerk chicken, to Okinawan braised pork belly, to the Tex-Mex staple known as the Crunch Wrap Supreme. A wide selection of tropical cocktails and an ever-changing selection of interesting (and local) beers complete the offerings at this uber-relaxed taproom. Is there a junk boat outing in your future? Momentai now offers junk catering packages (from H$128/person) too.
Where: 43 Sai Kung Hoi Pong Street, Sai Kung
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 12–10pm; Sunday, 12–9pm
For reservations: phone/WhatsApp 6154 4350
MONO x Meta (Singapore) – 4-hands menus by Ricardo Chaneton + Sun Kim
The latest instalment of MONO Unplugged, which showcases a more laid-back side to Michelin-starred MONO’s fine-dining Latin American hospitality, sees Chef Ricardo Chaneton joining forces with another Michelin-starred chef, this time Sun Kim of Meta in Singapore, which is currently ranked at number 17 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. This multi-course tasting menu collab highlights the duo’s culinary synergy while celebrating their respective Italian-Venezuelan-Colombian-Argentinian (!) and Korean backgrounds.
Where: 5/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central
When: 16–17 June 2023, 12–3pm, 6:30–11pm
How much: HK$1,788/person for lunch; HK$2,888/person for dinner
For reservations: book online
Niras – new fine-dining Thai restaurant by Chef Ton Tassanakajohn (Bangkok’s Le Du and Nusara) at K11 MUSEA
Pictured above is the trio behind what is sure to be the hottest new restaurant bookings in town – Niras – a contemporary Thai restaurant spearheaded by Michelin-starred chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn (centre), the young culinary wonder whose Bangkok restaurants Le Du and Nusara are sitting pretty at numbers 1 and 3 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023. Niras will offer the same renowned menu that earned Le Du its first Michelin star in 2019; this means stunning signatures like river prawn with rice and tom yum, duck with potato in massaman curry, crab with mushroom and homemade sriracha and beef with fennel and holy basil. To ensure that quality is never comprised, there are two head chefs overseeing the Niras kitchen, continuing Chef Tassanakajohn’s mission to showcase the rich diversity and exceptional ingredients of Thai cuisine in the 852. Chef “Mai” Naruemon Ratiphuthilap (left) boasts eight years of experience with Chef Tassanakajohn at Le Du, while Chef “Bua” Sarocha Rajatanawi (right) has worked at a number of top restaurants in Bangkok including Siwilai City Club at Central Embassy and The House on Sathorn at W Bangkok. Stay tuned for more on the Niras menu and what you can expect.
Where: Shop 704, 7/F, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST
Opening hours: lunch and dinner
For reservations: phone 3905 3022 or book online
POT•ION HOUSE – new jelly-based bubble tea shop in Wanchai
Hong Kongers love their boba, and POT•ION HOUSE is adding to the mix as the 852’s first jelly-based bubble tea concept. The star ingredients are their six signature jellies (peach-infused black tea jelly, jasmine green tea jelly, soy-milk jelly, apricot-kernel jelly, coffee jelly and grass jelly), creating additional layers of flavour and texture. In the whimsical space, a wide selection of Taiwanese-inspired boba concoctions are offered including the shop’s signature milk tea with peach-infused black tea jelly.
Where: 20 Tai Wong Street East, Wanchai
Opening hours: daily, 11am–9pm
The Praya – new modern Chinese restaurant at One-Eight-One
The Praya is a contemporary Chinese restaurant with a difference, where Head Chef Samuel Ng marries Cantonese flavours with global culinary influences in a space that has nods to the Bauhaus design of the 1960s. In this unique blend of East and West, local, seasonal ingredients are used to craft signature dishes including sourdough spring onion pancake with pickled onion salad and fuyu sour cream, claypot vegetable rice with chargrilled master-stock chicken and fermented chilli sauce and grilled threadfin with 30-year-old salted lemon and preserved olives. Beverage Manager Paul Chan has also devised 10 cocktails – two for each of the five Chinese elements – that make use of mainly local ingredients, including some traditional ingredients that are rarely used in cocktails like century egg, lotus seed and winter melon. In addition to the à-la-carte dinner and tasting menus, this new restaurant offers inventive breakfast and lunch menus (we have our greedy eyes on the Chinese sponge-bread French toast with salted caramel buttercream and peanut sauce for brekkie).
Where: 3/F, One-Eight-One Hotel & Serviced Residences, 181 Connaught Road West, Shek Tong Tsui
Opening hours: daily, 7am–11pm
For reservations: phone 3181 1666 or book online
Roganic x Crony (Tokyo) – 4-hands dinners by Simon Rogan + Michihiro Haruta
Sustainability pioneers and Michelin-starred chefs Simon Rogan of Roganic Hong Kong and Michihiro Haruta of French restaurant Crony in Tokyo will be joining hands to present a phenomenal 13-course tasting menu alongside optional rare wine pairings. While coming from completely different backgrounds and parts of the world, the two Michelin Green Star recipients are aligned in their shared passion for the use of local, organic and seasonal ingredients.
Where: UG/F, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay
When: 10–11 June 2023, 6–9pm
How much: HK$2,980/person; +HK$480/person for 7-glass soft pairing; +HK$980/person for 7-glass wine pairing
For reservations: book online
The Savory Project – new cocktail bar in SoHo by the COA team
Those well versed in the HK cocktail scene will recognise these two faces – Jay Khan and Ajit Gurung, the brainchildren behind acclaimed bar COA, crowned Asia’s Best Bar for the past two years (Khan was also named Asia’s Best Bartender in 2020). Like COA, The Savory Project focuses on a niche concept – this time, it’s a complex savoury flavour profile of earthy and umami notes, dialling back on the sweet and fruity drink flavours that clientele seem keen to steer away from these days (and trust us – there’s more to savoury cocktails than just dirty martinis and Bloody Marys). The watering hole will also devote almost equal attention to specially crafted non-alcoholic drinks, reflecting another shift in the bar industry.
Where: 4 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central
Opening hours: Tuesday–Thursday, Sunday, 6pm–midnight; Friday–Saturday, 6pm–1am
To contact: phone 2318 1588
SOMM x CENSU x Sake Central – 6-hands dinners by Richard Ekkebus + Shun Sato + Elliot Faber
With shared values of embracing Japanese ingredients and culture, Chef Richard Ekkebus of SOMM is coming together with Chef Shun Sato from CENSU to launch the second episode of SOMM’s East-meets-West dining series. Joining the dynamic culinary duo is Elliot Faber of Sake Central, who has curated a series of five sake pairings to accompany the six-course tasting menu. From Chef Ekkebus’ foie gras crème brûlée with sea buckthorn, kinome and brioche paired with Kamogata Muroka Nama Genshu Junmai Daiginjo to Chef Sato’s Wagyu Zabuton steak with smoked nori soy and mushrooms matched with Tamagawa “Stork” Junmai Yamahai, diners are in for an exceptional Japanese-inspired culinary experience.
Where: 7/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central
When: 27–28 June 2023, from 5:30pm
How much: HK$1,488/person
For reservations: phone 2132 0055 or email lmhkg-restaurants@mohg.com
Staunton’s – the return of the SoHo gastropub
The SoHo icon that is Staunton’s is back with a bang with a refreshed look and menu of British fare. For 25 years until it shut shop at the end of 2021, Staunton’s stood proudly next to the Central–Mid-Levels Escalator, beckoning punters with classic pub grub including bangers and mash, burgers, curries and puds like Eton mess and sticky toffee pudding. Hospitality veteran Vinay Kapoor has returned to oversee the revived gastropub, having managed the original Staunton’s from 2005–2012.
RELATED: Read all about Jericho’s visit to the refreshed gastropub
Where: G/F & 1/F, 10–12 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central
Opening hours: weekdays, 12pm–late; weekends, 10am–late
To contact: phone 2739 3666
Supergiant – relaunched bar & restaurant at Mira Moon
Supergiant makes a welcome return to boutique Causeway Bay hotel Mira Moon on Thursday, 15 June with a refreshed look, an exciting day-to-night “social dining” concept showcasing a diverse mix of Southeast Asian sharing plates and Chinese-legend-themed cocktails curated by award-winning mixologist Lorenzo Antinori. Antinori is a member of the hotel’s “Local Heroes” initiative, which supports home-grown brands and entrepeneurs. At Supergiant, these local pioneers include the likes of kombucha specialist Taboocha, craft beer brewery Black Kite and Mindful Sparks, which produces non-alcoholic sparkling teas. Be sure to stop by Supergiant for their daily happy hour from 4–7pm, here known as Social Hour!
Where: 3/F, Mira Moon, 388 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay
Opening hours: weekdays – 7–10:30am for breakfast, 12–11pm for ALC menu + cocktails; weekends – 7–10:30am for breakfast, 12–4pm for brunch, 4–11pm for ALC menu + cocktails
For reservations: phone 2643 8875 or book online
Terroirs by LQV – La Paulée Burgundy wine event
A raucous celebration of Burgundy wine that’s traditionally held at the end of the grape harvest in France, La Paulée refers to the annual three-day festival in Meursault, culminating with an extravagant luncheon at Château de Meursault that continues past sundown. Here in Hong Kong, Terroirs by LQV is playing host to its own La Paulée event this month. Diners can expect a lavish dinner featuring artisanal cold cuts, a variety of starters, dry-aged beef cuts and sides, followed by a selection of artisanal cheeses and homemade desserts. In keeping with tradition, guests should bring a bottle of Burgundy from their own personal collection to be enjoyed at the event (sharing is caring, after all!). The LQV team are putting together a “secret” list of top bottles of Burgundy that will be exclusively available at La Paulée, and these wines will be opened once the BYO Burgundy supply runs out.
Where: 3/F, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
When: Thursday, 15 June 2023, from 6:30pm
How much: HK$788/person
For reservations: email info@lqv-group.com
Tsukanto – new tonkatsu restaurant at ELEMENTS
Premium tonkatsu made with juicy and tender thick-cut Rindo pork loin from Kumamoto Prefecture is the name of the game at this Japanese import by Naotaka Ohashi, who also founded Michelin-starred French-Japanese restaurant Tirpse. At Tsukanto, you can have your tonkatsu (which is first cooked sous vide before being breaded and deep-fried) alongside rice and shredded cabbage, with curry or in a sando, washed down with sake, Japanese draught beer or a lemon shochu sour.
RELATED: Fresh seafood and super crunch at Tsukanto in TST
Where: Shop 1002, 1/F, Fire Zone, ELEMENTS, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon
Opening hours: daily, 11:30am–10pm
For reservations: phone 2331 3822
Uma Nota – Carnaval Night Brunch
Brazilian-Japanese boteco Uma Nota has hit six years in the Kong, honouring the milestone by turning its popular Carnaval Brunch on its head – transforming it to a vibey Saturday-night shindig featuring a Brazilian dinner feast, free-flow drinks, live drummers and Brazilian dancers. The first night brunch debuts this month, with additional immersive events scheduled for 23 September and 16 December this year.
Where: 38 Peel Street, SoHo, Central
When: Saturday, 17 June 2023, 7–10pm
How much: HK$1,288/person (3-hour free-flow includes watermelon sakerinhas, caipirinhas, bottled beer, Prosecco and red and white wine)
For reservations: book online (full pre-payment required at the time of booking)
WHISK x Paolo Griffa al Caffè Nazionale (Aosta, Italy) – 4-hands dinners by William Lau + Paola Griffa
For just two nights, WHISK Chef de Cuisine William Lau will be teaming up with guest chef Paolo Griffa of Michelin-starred Paolo Griffa al Caffè Nazionale in the Italian Alps to showcase a 10-course tasting menu combining Chef Lau’s French-Japanese culinary flair with Chef Griffa’s vibrant, innovative Italian cuisine. Chef Griffa – named on the “100 Under 30” list by Forbes Italia in 2021 – opened his first restaurant last year, and it was awarded a Michelin star just a few months later. Highlights include Chef Griffa’s modern take on risotto – Marc Chagall Blue & Gold Rice – and pan-fried black cod with butter and mountain herbs alongside Chef Lau’s smoked eel with Fuji apple and macadamia and barbecued French pigeon with charcoal-grilled berries. A rare opportunity to experience the expertise of this duo of young, talented chefs.
Where: 5/F, The Mira Hong Kong, Mira Place, 118–130 Nathan Road, TST
When: 1–2 June 2023, 7–10:30pm
How much: HK$1,688/person (includes S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna mineral water)
For reservations: book online
ZEST by Konishi x Nusara (Bangkok) – 4-hands dinners by Mitsuru Konishi + Ton Tassanakajohn
Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn is busier than usual this month; in addition to launching his first HK restaurant, Niras (see above), the Michelin-starred Thai chef of Asia’s #1 and #3 restaurants Le Du and Nusara will also be cooking up a storm alongside Chef Mitsuru Konishi at his own Michelin-starred Japanese marvel, ZEST by Konishi. The extraordinary four-hands menu is dubbed “The Passionate Bond”, a culinary tribute to the women who have inspired the two chefs in the kitchen.
Where: 28/F & 29/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central
When: 30 June & 1 July 2023, from 7pm
How much: HK$5,380/person; +HK$1,880/person for wine pairings
For reservations: book online
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