New Restaurants, Pop-Ups & Menus: October 2021

Header photo: sautéed diced chicken with red chilli at CHUAN

70s Food Dining by Vintage House

We’re big fans of the convenience and accessibility of food halls, and the latest, located Kowloon-side, is a doozy. 70s Food Dining offers six stalls on the ground floor showcasing both local and global flavours, as well as a full-service sit-down Japanese-Italian restaurant on the first floor, Earth. The six stalls include 亞洲香味屋 (Malaysian-Singaporean hawker-style eats), Thai Grill, 凱之味 (vegan cart noodles), Ma Spicy Cuisine (Sichuan dishes), Treasures Burger and a bar serving up classic local bevvies and smoothies. Open 24/7!

G/F & 1/F, 46 Granville Road, TST, 2866 0111

Above & Beyond’s 10th anniversary set dinner menu (until 30 November)

Hotel ICON is celebrating a decade of service this year, and as part of the festivities, the hotel’s lauded Cantonese restaurant, Above & Beyond, is offering a stellar 10th anniversary six-course set dinner ($980/person) crafted by Executive Chinese Chef Wong Chi Ki. The chosen dishes are the restaurant’s most popular over the past decade, from the Chinese speciality platter (crispy five-spice sliced Angus beef brisket, deep-fried red king crab claw with wasabi sauce, cordyceps flowers with white fungus in Sichuan chilli sauce) to start to the ending of baked chestnut pudding with chestnut purée and Chinese petits fours. Available daily until 30 November, 6–10pm.

28/F, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, TST East, 3400 1318, book online

Asaya Kitchen’s morning yoga + weekend breakfast

If you’re planning on livin’ it up in on Friday night, make up for it on Saturday (or Sunday) morning at Asaya Kitchen at Rosewood Hong Kong. Morning flow yoga classes ($350/person) will be on from 8–8:45am, followed by the eatery’s new weekend set breakfast ($350/person), which highlights seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers, fisheries and food artisans. The menu includes one dish choice each from the bakery, organic eggs, garden, sea and cultured menu sections, along with a freshly made juice.

6/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 3891 8732, book online

Awa Awa Airline Lounge pop-up at The Upper House (6 October–31 December)

Next up in The Upper House’s home-grown pop-up series is AAA Lounge, a partnership with Okinawan restaurant Awa Awa and Chef Chris Tang of MYYZ Concepts, taking over the sixth floor of the five-star hotel. We might not miss in-flight meals, but we do miss the iconic bites of airline lounges around the world, especially in Japan. At this pop-up, you can dig into dishes like spicy noodles, curries, mini taco rice and – a fave at Tokyo airports – French toast, all matched with Awa Awa’s sake, awamori highballs and Okinawan-inspired cocktails (while reminiscing about when airplane travel was actually a thing). Open 6 October–31 December, Wednesday–Sunday, 7pm–late.

6/F, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2918 1838

Bacaba

Another great addition to the Tseung Kwan O waterfront, Bacaba is a breezy, laid-back all-day affair offering everything from Turkish doner kebabs, to fajitas, to nasi goreng, to pizza. Will it give nearby Café Bohème a run for its money? Open daily, 10:30am–12:30am (from 9am at the weekend).

Shop 9, G/F, Alto Residences, 29 Tong Yin Street, TKO, 2868 0311

BaseHall – 3 new concepts

Food hall extraordinaire BaseHall has a trio of new tenants to add to its impressive F&B line-up. First up, Meraki Hospitality Group has launched MAMMA’s, offering comforting pastas, aperitivo cheeseboards and Italian house wines (we miss Meraki’s Mamma Always Said on Peel Street, so it’s great to see this comeback). When it comes to nutritious eats, there’s nüte with its two signature offerings – smoothie bowls and icebar smoothies, which are grab-and-go energy bars. Finally, check out home-grown brand Crew for a flat white, sparkling black, cold brew or hand drip paired with locally made mochi, macarons and more. In the evening, Crew presents boozy Crew-tails, wine, bubbly and premium Scotch. Open Monday–Saturday from 11am.

Shop 9A–9C, LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, 3643 0865

Butter Cake Shop (SoHo)

When we’re craving American-style cake or pie, we make a beeline for the Butter pop-up at LANDMARK for baked wonders such as this limited-time American celebration classic, confetti cake. But now we can also head to Butter’s standalone shop in SoHo. Here, Chef Karys Logue and team are whipping up whole cakes and pies each day, plus rotating weekend specials from 22 October – and if you head to Butter on Friday the 22nd between 4:30–7:30pm, you’ll be gifted with a sweet surprise from Chef Logue. Stay tuned to Butter’s IG for the special takeaway treats being baked up on Saturdays and Sundays. Open daily, 10am–7pm.

34B Staunton Street, SoHo, Central, 2810 0660

Candour

We’ve been waiting for Common Abode to launch Candour, a bar and lounge offering a distinct combo of hip-hop culture, cocktails and a “bold yet familiar” food menu taking its cues from Asian ingredients and dishes. The drink list takes the form of a playlist, with each tipple drawing upon popular hip-hop references. There’s Möet champagne cocktail Bad and Boujee, a toast to Migos, The Chronic, a chartreuse Código margarita that’s inspired by Dr Dre, and more rap-influenced signatures. Wash these down with a selection of creative small plates by Executive Chef Karisa Cheque, from octopus hot dog, to mapo tofu tater tots, to pineapple bun chicken burger. Open Wednesday–Saturday, 5pm–2am, and on Sunday for all-day brunch, 12–6pm.

65 Peel Street, SoHo, Central, 2362 8100, book online

Cookie DPT x CARBS do Squid Game (14–17 October)

To kick off Cookie DPT’s Squid Game-related pop-up with sibling eatery CARBS, they’re doing a dalgona candy game (steady hands) in two sessions, 2pm and 6pm, on Thursday, 14 October. Sign up using the links in Cookie DPT’s IG stories. Free-flow beer for all participants, and the winners will receive a Squid Game treat box (chocolate toffee walnut crunch cookie, chocolate chip scone, cookies ‘n’ cream brownie) and a voucher for a whole CARBS pizza. The treat boxes will also be available at all Cookie DPT pop-up shops from 14–17 October. Game on, gganbu!

G/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, 2886 2801

CHUAN

We’re Sichuan fanatics, so we made a visit to CHUAN pronto for a taste of the chilli-fuelled creations by two culinary masters – Chef Lee Chi Kwong and Chef Leung Yip Yuen, each with more than 40 years of expertise in Sichuan cuisine at esteemed HK restaurants Golden Valley and San Xi Lou. The duo’s signature dishes include sautéed diced chicken with red chilli and steamed Macau sole with Sichuan pepper, pictured just above, which features a fiery trio of red chili, green chilli and Sichuan peppercorn. Sichuan-style hotpot and dim sum – like spicy crispy bun stuffed with roasted goose and steamed rice rolls with beef and meat floss in spicy sauce – are additional mouth-numbing menu highlights. Open daily for lunch and dinner sessions. Read about our visit here.

Shop 1102, 11/F, Food Forum, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay, 2838 8313, chuancwb11@lubuds.com

Dab-Pa Artisan

A member of the Taste Gourmet Group family, Dab-Pa Artisan is already gaining IG fame for its chic cave-themed design, with private corner nooks that are perfect for some cheeky photography. The regional Chinese dishes, influenced by the cuisines of both Beijing and Sichuan, are experimental in both taste and presentation. Open daily, 11:30am–10pm.

Shop B111, B1/F, Victoria Dockside, K11 MUSEA, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 2327 2218

Dark Leaf Cafe & Lounge

This unique spot specialises in both tea-infused cocktails and shisha – hence its name. Dark Leaf blends the flavours of its home-brewed teas into liquors to create its six signature cocktails, and there are 80 flavours of shisha, sourced from Germany, Russia and the USA, on offer. If you’re hungry while you’re there, the lounge’s signature dish is this decadent-looking lobster mentaiko spaghetti, made with lobster from the USA and Fukuoka mentaiko. Open daily 4pm–2am, with happy hour from 4–7pm every day.

8/F, 726 Nathan Road, Mongkok, 9016 0223

DarkSide’s sustainable cocktail masterclasses

Over at Rosewood Hong Kong, cool-cat cocktail bar DarkSide has worked with the hotel’s health-conscious Asaya Kitchen to create a series of ecoCOCKTAILS crafted with ecoSPIRITS’ low-waste technology and locally sourced ingredients. We love that each ecoCOCKTAILS menu is printed on sustainable and compostable paper that’s embedded with tree seeds – just plant the paper in soil when you get home!

To learn how to make one of these eco-friendly cocktails yourself (along with two of DarkSide’s classic tipples), the bar is now hosting 90-minute sustainable cocktail masterclasses ($1,388/person) on Thursday–Sunday. A DarkSide apron and cheese and charcuterie board for noshing during the class are part of the deal, plus one native tree will be planted in the Rosewood Hong Kong forest in Sumatra, Indonesia, in each guest’s name.

2/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 3891 8732, book online

DON’T MISS! Oktoberfest in Hong Kong 2021

Decree by T

Boasting a team with experience at high-end sushi spots Sushi Shion and Sushiyoshi, Decree by T is a sushiya with a focus on sashimi and nigiri, as well as IG-worthy small plates. There are three omakase menus available (14, 17 or 21 dishes). We’re spoilt for choice when it comes to all the top Japanese on offer in Hong Kong these days! Open daily for lunch and dinner sessions.

7–9 Minden Avenue, TST, 6821 6212 (WhatsApp), book online

Duddell’s Laughter Lounge (20 October, 7:30–11pm)

MCed by Foodie’s own Jason Strickland, this inaugural stand-up comedy event on Wednesday the 20th at Duddell’s features established comics Garron Chiu, Chris Musni and Ha Chu. Also on the cards is a happy-hour menu all night long, and the acclaimed Cantonese restaurant’s à-la-carte food menu will be available before and after the show. Each ticket ($250) includes one drink.

3/F, Shanghai Tang Mansion, 1 Duddell Street, Central, 2525 9191, book online

El Cerdo (SoHo)

This popular Spanish spot in Tseun Wan has made a big move with its newest location on SoHo’s Elgin Street (the Wanchai branch has now closed). Go for traditional tapas – tortilla, ham croquettes, sizzling prawns with garlic and chilli, Iberian ham platter and even tapas-sized paella – by Chef Simon Lynch, who took over El Cerdo in 2016. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11:30am–11:30pm.

38 Elgin Street, SoHo, Central, 2832 9222, 9857 3986 (WhatsApp)

Flash Coffee

Flash Coffee is a tech-enabled coffee chain, with more than 100 locations across Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and, now, Hong Kong. The HK branch in Sheung Wan is a grab-and-go spot; to order, customers can do so by the brand’s app and then collect in-store or have their drink delivered (also via app). Flash uses 100% Arabica, lighter-roasted beans, and the head HK barista is Timmy Lam, a finalist at the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship 2019. Great value, starting from just $25 a cup, the menu includes coffee drinks with flavours that are unique to the 852 – the peanut butter condensed milk latte and red bean iced latte are calling our name! Shops in Causeway Bay, Mongkok and Wanchai to follow soon. Open weekdays, 7am–8pm, and weekends, 8am–6pm.

Shop 5, G/F, Golden Centre, 188 Des Voeux Road Central, Sheung Wan

Freida Club

Freida Club was started by two Mexican amigos in Hong Kong, along with Permaclub in Clearwater Bay. Their goal is to establish a community that reflects the kindheartedness of Mexicans, and at the newly opened location in Sai Ying Pun, you’ll find artisanal produce and goodies from Mexico and Hong Kong, as well as friendly faces – mi casa es tu casa. On our visit, we couldn’t resist picking up the range of handmade sauces and salsas from Salseria, but you will also find soaps, agave, local beers, kombucha and more.

1 Leung I Fong, Sai Ying Pun, 9137 7747

Gaddi’s Gastronomic Memories dinner (7 October)

Michelin-starred Gaddi’s is a icon of French fine dining at The Peninsula Hong Kong, opened in 1953 and then hailed as “the best restaurant east of the Suez”. This institution is going back in time on Thursday, 7 October, taking diners on a journey to the restaurant’s heyday in the 1970s, to include a a presentation highlighting six key aspects of Gaddi’s history. Chef de Cuisine Albin Gobil has a designed a six-course menu showcasing his modern interpretations of classic French dishes from the 1970s alongside fine wine pairings from that decade by sommelier Felix Law. To really channel the spirit of the 70s, dine to the tune of live jazz, featuring songs from the album Live at Gaddi’s played at the restaurant by The Keymen in the 1960s and 70s. Also included are two parting gifts: a copy of the limited-edition book The Story of Gaddi’s and a framed portrait by the photographer and instructor of Leica Akademie. This extraordinary, one-night-only Gastronomic Memories dinner is priced at – wait for it – $10,888 a head.

1/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, TST, 2696 6763, diningphk@peninsula.com

Gelato Messina

Black Sheep Restaurants does gelato! This gelateria is a collab with Messina, a gelato icon in Australia, first opened Down Under nearly two decades ago. The HK outlet is its first overseas partnership. Messina is dedicated to making everything from scratch – this means they run their own dairy, strawberry and hazelnut farms, and all their add-ins (think cookies, brownies and coulis) are whipped up in-house. There are 40 flavours of Messina’s luscious freshly churned gelato available each day, including several HK-exclusive flavours like milk tea and egg tart. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 3–10pm (till 11pm Friday–Sunday).

37–43 Pottinger Street, Central

Green Common flagship (Central)

This plant-based pioneer is opening a two-storey flagship on Wednesday, 6 October, a one-stop shop with a retail area, coffee and smoothie bar (oat milk is the default!), grab-and-go selection and Asian fusion restaurant with its own vegan wine collection. Lolli-OmniPork (savoury lollipops), crispy wontons filled with OmniPork Luncheon, pickled veg and fungus, smoked Wellington (OmniPork Luncheon, mushroom and truffle sauce), chazuke (a classic Japanese dish made with OmniCrab mixed with tororo kombu) and HK-style pork chop with baked Omnipork chop rice are the stars of Green Common’s à-la-carte menu, and there’s a regularly changing four-course tasting menu available for dinner too. Open daily, 7:30am–10pm on weekdays and 10:30am–10pm on weekends and public holidays (ground floor) and 11am–10pm (first floor).

Shop G01 & 101, G/F & 1/F, Nexxus Building, 77 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, 2727 6682

Hanagai

A contemporary izakaya joining the ranks of Causeway Bay’s CUBUS, Hanagai presents a seasonal kaiseki menu by Chef Takeshi Suzuki. Private tatami rooms are a bonus. Open daily for lunch and dinner sessions + late-night drinks.

6/F, CUBUS, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, 3188 3350, 9866 7089 (WhatsApp)

Ho Lee Fook pop-up at Le Garçon Saigon (25–27 October)

In anticipation of its grand reopening later this year, Black Sheep Restaurants’ Ho Lee Fook is welcoming a new chef, ArChan Chan, at a three-day pop-up at sister restaurant Le Garçon Saigon. HK native chef Chan has spent more than a decade working her way up Singapore and Australia’s finest kitchens, and she’s now back in her home town to take Ho Lee Fook in a new culinary direction, returning to the eatery’s classic Cantonese roots. The five-course sharing-style menu ($888/person) features nostalgic dishes including supreme broth with crab and winter melon, wood-grilled oysters, sand ginger chicken and stir-fried lobster yi mein (egg noodles) with cheese and pea shoots, as well as a former Ho Lee Fook fave – prawn toast x okonomiyaki.

12 Wing Fung Street, Wanchai, 2455 2499, book online (bookings available for groups of 4)

HUE x Michter’s Distillery (Thurdays & Fridays until 29 October)

As the weather (slightly) starts to cool down, we think this seasonal supper ($550/person) at HUE sounds like just the autumnal ticket. On Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30pm until 29 October, diners can indulge in a selection of both sweet and savoury bites paired with four Michter’s whiskies and cocktails prepared tableside – think of it as the evening equivalent of a boozy afternoon tea! The supper experience also includes a brief presentation by a Michter’s rep on the history of the American rye whisky brand.

1/F, Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, TST, 3500 5888, book online (advance booking is required)

Ikigai Concepts

Opening on Friday, 1 October at Nina Mall in Tsuen Wan, Ikigai Concepts is a space for lovers of Japanese cuisine and lifestyle featuring five distinct zones: a cosy kushiyaki area for skewers grilled over binchotan charcoal, a teppanyaki bar, a washoku kitchen offering tempura and donburi and a seasonal omakase sashimi and sushi experience. The sake bar is at the heart of Ikigai Concepts, presenting around 30 sake labels and – this is fun – Sake Z, a dispensary matching each individual with the sake that best suits their taste using QR code technology. Open daily, 12–11pm.

Shop 211, 2/F, Nina Mall 2, 8 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan, 2618 2812

Impossible Pork bento box giveaway at Tong Chong Street Market (4–8 October)

From 11am–3pm on 4–8 October, there will be 100 bento boxes given away at Tong Chong Street Market to celebrate the launch of Impossible Pork. There will be a different theme each day: Monday (dim sum), Tuesday (classic Chinese), Wednesday (Southeast Asian), Thursday (Japanese and Taiwanese) and Friday (East meets West), with restaurants such as Tim Ho Wan, Quiero Más and Cô Thành participating. Following the launch week, Impossible Pork will continue to be served at Tong Chong Street Market until the end of October at a variety of vendors.

G/F, One Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay

K11 MUSEA’s MUSE ROOMS (until 14 November)

The immersive MUSE ROOMS pop-up at shopping Mecca K11 MUSEA showcases cross-disciplinary collaborations with six celebrated artists – a’strict, Jon Burgerman, Nelson Chow, Tony Oursler, Hajime Sorayama and Joyce Wang – with several of these “dreamlands” having an F&B slant.

Joyce Wang’s “Dockside Dairy” (Promenade, G/F; 11:30am–10pm until 14 November) is a partnership with Cookie DPT, featuring a retro ice-cream kiosk made of terrazzo. Here, Cookie DPT’s beloved ice-cream sandwiches in nostalgic flavours – think Milo, taro and milk tea cookies and coconut, sesame and White Rabbit candy ice cream – can be savoured.

At Nelson Chow’s “Dreamscape” (Bohemian Garden , 7/F; 10am–10pm until 14 November), Elephant Grounds will be offering their new rose lemonade and pineapple-rosemary iced tea to complement the artist’s space-shuttle-inspired installation.

Artist-inspired coffees by CURATOR Art & Café are offered in collab with Tony Oursler’s “LOCK 2,4,6” (Garage, B2/F; 11am–9pm until 28 November), a multisensory maze of synchronised projections and superimposed graphics on shaped flat panels.

Then there’s Jon Burgerman’s “Candyland” (MUSE EDITION, G/F; 11am–9pm until 14 November), showcasing pick-‘n’-mix stalls and the artist’s colourful candy characters brought to life.

Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 3892 3890

KIOSK/NIGHT KIOSK pop-up by Cafe Life & Sake Central at HAUS (4 October–30 November)

HAUS continues its coffee-themed pop-up series with this partnership between Japanese patisserie and café CAFE LIFE and Sake Central, a day-to-night experience of coffee, cocktails and light bites. By day, KIOSK has a full barista programme featuring locally roasted beans and INARI tea, plus exclusive savoury pies (from beef to Japanese curry), salads and desserts. From sundown, NIGHT KIOSK showcases a selection of highballs, sake cocktails and more boozy tipples alongside soba noodles for snacking. Pop-up open Tuesday–Sunday (except public holidays) from 4 October–30 November, 10am–8pm Monday–Wednesday and 10am–10pm Thursday–Saturday.

Shop 38 & 40, G/F, Manning House, 38-48 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2598 7080

Lify Wellness pop-up in Central (from 19 October)

For the next three months, stop by this pop-up for a taste of wellness technology start-up Lify Wellness’ new sparkling tea tonics – all-natural, sugar-free drinks that incorporate daily does of collagen and vitamin C. These ready-to-drink carbonated bevvies are made with Asian herbs and plants, such as the Recover tonic, flavoured with oolong tea and goji berries. Lify speciality drinks will also be available, featuring probiotic boosts and fruit tea mixes, alongside healthy set menus. Pop-up open daily from Tuesday, 19 October, 11am–9pm.

98 Wellington Street, Central

Little BEDU

We’ve been big fans of Middle Eastern hotspot BEDU since its launch three years ago, and now in addition to the brand’s soon-to-debut revamped menus, they’re expanding with takeaway-only concept Little BEDU, just down the block. Little BEDU will offer fresh salads and rice bowls topped with BEDU’s signature dips and spiced proteins – either for pick-up or delivery via Deliveroo. We’re most keen to dig into the Jordan (pulled lamb shoulder, raisins, tomato, labneh) and Tel Aviv (fried fish, soft-boiled egg, hummus). Both BEDU and Little BEDU will continue to focus on sustainable sourcing, liaising with advisers like Peggy Chan and Zero Foodprint Asia to help to fund regenerative farming projects here, working with local farmers and exploring better waste management. Open daily from Wednesday, 27 October, 11am–10pm.

49–51A Gough Street, Central, 2320 4450

The Mandarin Cake Shop pop-up at LANDMARK (until 31 December)

We have another great spot in Central to pick up some of The Mandarin Cake Shop’s signature sweet treats by Mandarin Oriental Executive Pastry Chef Christophe Sapy, along with slow-drip coffee, bottled coffee cocktails and a range of six exclusive trifles in glass jars inspired by the traditional British dessert. Trifle flavours range from butterscotch banoffee to matcha and yuzu. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, a special pink trifle – Very Berry!!! – is available, with part of the proceeds donated to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. This pretty berry-flavoured number is made with layers of strawberry cream, berry compote and vanilla streusel. Come November, a bottled coffee negroni will be offered to support The Movember Foundation, which raises awareness for men’s health. The limited-edition trifles will be available from 4 October–15 November, and then in mid-November, an array of festive treats and hampers are set to be launched. Pop-up open daily, 10am–7pm.

3/F, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2825 4008

Metro Tonkotsu Base

If you’ve ever travelled to Japan, you’ll know that the meals sold at train stations around the country could compete with some of the finest restaurants elsewhere. This unique railway dining culture debuts mid-month with Metro Tonkotsu Base at Telford Plaza, located just next to exit C of Kowloon Bay MTR station. This is the first overseas branch of Tokyo Tonkotsu Base, a popular ramen chain at Japanese railway stations throughout the country – with a record of selling over 100 bowls of ramen an hour! Tonkotsu Base is a partnership with IPPUDO, another beloved Japanese chain that’s also well known for its signature rich, Hakata-style pork-bone broth. And, just like in Japan, at the HK outlet, diners will be able to order via the self-service machine outside the restaurant! Open daily, 11:30am–10pm.

Shop G101A, G/F, Telford Plaza 1, 33 Wai Yip Street, Kowloon Bay, 2769 6318

Musubi Hiro’s chef takeover series (from 25 October)

Each month going forwards, Musubi Hiro will host a guest chef to present a limited-time musubi and snack. From Monday, 25 October for two weeks, the chef of the hour is Chef Agustin Balbi of Michelin-starred Andō, offering up tuna tartare musubi and Hokkaido scallop crudo. On Tuesday, 2 November, it’s Chef Satoru Mukogawa of Sushi Kuu, bringing along Japanese-inspired shrimp tempura musubi and sweet potato chips. The last guest chef in 2021 will be Alex Fargas of La Paloma, with Spanish-style offerings of crispy squid and paella musubi and Ibérico ham croquettes on 6–7 December.

37 Cochrane Street, Central, 5597 6911, book online

Nespresso’s PLANTbase pop-up at BASAO (5–17 October)

It’s almost like you’re in the minority these days if you order a coffee with dairy milk, so in a nod to the planet’s move to a more plant-based lifestyle, Nespresso is hosting this pop-up at BASAO in Causeway Bay to present classic coffee drinks made with non-dairy alternatives. Former Rosewood Hong Kong pastry chef Holger Deh will also preview his new plant-based pastry brand, Essentia by Holger Deh, here. Nespresso Ambassadors can visit the PLANTbase pop-up to redeem a complimentary sweet vegan treat by Essentia upon any coffee purchase by showing the Nespresso EDM or Nespresso & You app. Pop-up open daily from 5–17 October (except the 7th), 9am–6pm.

16 Pak Sha Road, Causeway Bay, 2952 3313

The Peninsula Hong Kong’s The Great Gatsby immersive dining experience at Felix (21 October–27 November)

Transport yourself to the golden age of the 1920s via a series of lavish dinner parties hosted by Jay Gatsby and his high-society pals at The Peninsula Hong Kong’s Felix, now transformed into a NYC speakeasy. Chef de Cuisine Juan Gomez’s creative four-course menu – Gatsby fried chicken, lobster toast with black truffle, pineapple upside-down cake and more dishes inspired by the roaring ‘20s – is matched by an immersive performance by Secret Theatre. Don your glam 1920s gladrags, with the best look judged by Jay Gatsby winning at staycation at The Pen. Tickets are priced at $4,400 for two ($5,550 for VIP tickets) and are available for booking on Thursday–Saturding from 21 October–27 November. For the VIPs, an NFT (non-fungible token), top-secret meeting with Jay Gatsby himself and bottle of champagne per couple are included in this special soirée.

28/F, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, TST, 2696 6778, book online

Ramen House Hototogisu

Ramen House is an offshoot of Tokyo’s Michelin-starred Konjiki Hototogisu, famous for its noodles made with clams and pork broth. At the new Ramen House, oysters take centre stage in dishes such as the signature ramen made with oysters, oyster sushi and oyster tempura. Open daily, 11am–10pm.

Shop A, G/F, Fashion Walk, 57 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, 2802 9278

Relish x La Taula’s pop-up vegan dinner (8 October, from 6:30pm)

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to show their support to this worthy cause, the owner of events company Relish, Abby Cadman, will be teaming up with raw plant-based chef Kanch Porta Panjabi, the founder of La Taula, to present a six-course fine-dining vegan dinner menu ($980/person) paired with free-flow organic wine (+$350) on Friday, 8 October. Notably, 40% of the profits will be donated to the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation.

22/F, Yally Industrial Building, 6 Yip Fat Street, Wong Chuk Hang, 3481 1924, book online (advance booking required)

Roganic & Friends of Sustainability series

Roganic has always been at the forefront of sustainability, and the Michelin-starred restaurant, which is also a Green Star recipient, has launched Roganic & Friends of Sustainability, a series of sustainability events and collabs throughout the month of October. These include the Climate Action Luncheon by Roganic x Whey x Andō x Grassroots Initiative ($1,880/person) on Sunday the 3rd, with all the fruits, vegetables and seafood utilised on the menu sourced within 160 kilometers of Hong Kong and all proceeds after food-cost deductions donated to Zero Foodprint Asia, which addresses greenhouse-gas emissions through investments in carbon farming.

On Thursday the 21st, Roganic will partner with Rosewood Hong to host a zero-waste cocktail dinner ($1,580/person), featuring three drinks made with ecoSPIRITS’ closed-loop technology paired with seasonal dishes that highlight local produce.

Finally, on Thursday the 28th, Roganic puts its local heroes in the spotlight by showcasing a dinner menu ($1,380/person) made up of the eatery’s favourite ingredients and produce by trusted HK suppliers, from New Age Organic Farm, to Peter’s Seafood, to Yi O Rice Farm.

UG/F, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, 2817 8383, book online

Root Vegan

Already pulling in rave reviews, Root Vegan is a plant-based eatery offering a melting pot of delicious East-meets-West fusion dishes. They also do a sideline in bagels, mostly in Asian flavours, with vegan cream cheese. The red curry tempeh with konjac noodles is a must-order! Open daily, 12–9pm.

Shop 102–103, 1/F, Sunwise Building, 112–114 Wellington Street, Central, 9850 9558

SAKEH

We don’t know many details yet about SAKEH, the new yakitori bar for sake lovers, but what we do know is that their IG feed is bomb and grilled skewers + sake is a pretty unbeatable combo. Open daily from 6pm.

G/F & 1/F, The Bauhinia Hotel, 5–9 Observatory Court, TST, 3709 9251, book online

SEN SEN SUSHI

Japanese superstore DON DON DONKI will launch its first restaurant in Hong Kong – SEN SEN SUSHI – at OP Mall in Tsuen Wan on Friday, 29 October at 11am. This is a lively kaiten-zushi (conveyor-belt sushi) eatery that spotlights over 100 menu items, priced from just $12 a pop. SEN SEN SUSHI seems like a fun place to nosh on sushi, with daily entertainment at 6pm, such as fish-cutting displays and roasting shows, and sound and light displays all part of the package (and it will hopefully tune out the dreadful DONKI theme song that’s played on repeat). Open daily, 10am–11pm.

Shop 2001, 2/F, OP Mall, 100 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan, 2652 2611

Seoul Recipe flagship (Lee Gardens)

With dedicated counters at several high-end supermarkets around town, we’re happy to report that Seoul Recipe now has another brick-and-mortar shop at Lee Gardens in Causeway Bay, joining its SoHo sibling. The gourmet Korean flagship features frozen Korean delicacies – from premium meats for KBBQ to mandu (dumplings) and tteokbokki (rice cakes) – plus a deli counter where you can buy the likes of freshly made banchan, salads and even soy-sauce-marinated blue crab to go. Open daily, 11am–8pm.

Shop LG09–10, LG/F, Lee Garden Two, 28 Yung Ping Road, Causeway Bay, 2535 5336

Sicilian

New restaurant group Cygnus Concepts, which opened Momoz earlier this year (definitely the best momos in town!), has turned its attention to the cuisine of southern Italy with the launch of charming eatery Sicilian on Hollywood Road. The kitchen is led by by Executive Chef Marco Furlan, formerly of Spasso, and the food highlight is the live pasta station. Creative cocktails are another focus, especially post-dinner. Open Tuesday–Sunday, from 7:30am on weekdays and 11am at the weekend.

G/F, Shama Place, 30 Hollywood Road, Central, 2682 3178, book online

Sick! Burger

Ma On Shan has a new homemade burger shop with some pedigree. A protégé of Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens and sous-chef at The Hong Kong Club, Chef Chunwan Lai now runs Sick! Burger, and his burgers look out of this world. The Sick! Chicken contains a fried boneless buttermilk chicken leg with sansho pepper, shiso leaves, masala curry, cumin, coleslaw and red onion relish. There are limited fresh buns every day, and they often sell out. Worth a trip!

Special offer for Foodie readers: from 4–8 October, if you order any burger, you’ll get a small order of chicken wings on the house!

Shop G04, G/F, MOSTown, 18 On Luk Street, Ma On Shan, 9549 0903

The Sixteenth

As of Wednesday, 13 October, reservations are open for Pirata Group’s dining destination in Quarry Bay, The Sixteenth. There are four fab spots to choose from: La Favorita (flamboyant trattoria serving up nostalgic Italian eats), Honjokko (sushi and modern Japanese cuisine with a large wine and sake selection), TMK Funk & Rolls (funk-inspired branch of the popular handroll specialist) and Tempo Tempo (outdoor terrace bar with a focus on champagne cocktails and spritzes). Click on each of the links for menus and booking details and click here for more information from Foodie. The Sixteenth opens on Tuesday the 26th.

2/F, Oxford House, 979 King’s Road, Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay

Sooshi Gold

Sooshi Gold is an offshoot of popular Sushi Sooshi in Tsim Sha Tsui, and as its playful moniker implies, this new sushiya is swankier than its sibling – there’s no standing here. The 18-course omakase menu is priced at $998, which is a lot more palatable than most omakase spots around town (there’s also a 15-course option for $798). One of the signature dishes is called Sooshi Gold by Sushi Sooshi, a decadent roll of Wagyu, caviar and sea urchin, pictured above. Open daily, weekdays for lunch and dinner sessions and 12–11pm on weekends and public holidays.

148 Wellington Street, Central, 2666 9169, 9552 3778 (WhatsApp)

Sushi Kei

It’s hard to keep up with all the sushi joints popping up hither and yon, but Sushi Kei stands out from the pack. It’s helmed by a chef who apprenticed at Hokkaido’s two-Michelin-starred Sushizen. The high-quality omakase sushi at prices that won’t break the bank is already drawing crowds. Open Monday–Saturday for lunch and dinner sessions

151–161 Jaffe Road, Wanchai, 5440 4556

Test Kitchen’s Spark of Madness vegetarian pop-up (20–22 October)

Based on her newly launched Asian vegetarian cookbook A Spark of Madness, Chef Simran Savlani presents this three-day #AMadDinner pop-up at Test Kitchen, featuring a nine-course vegetarian sharing menu ($700/person) of dishes based on cuisines throughout Asia. Chef Salvani will also be launching and using her very own homemade, vegan, Asian-inspired Spark Sauces, an extension of her cookbook.

Shop 3, Kwan Yick Building Phase 3, 158A Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun, WhatsApp 9032 7268 or email vincentmui@testkitchen.com.hk to book

Urban Coffee Roaster x Miss Pisces Creations pop-up at SLEEEP Shrine

Dubbed breathe @SLEEEP Shrine, this lovely seasonal pop-up is jointly hosted by Urban Coffee Roaster, pastry production house Miss Pisces Creations and florist The Flower Catalogue. The SLEEEP Shrine co-living space is decked out with autumnal foliage (with some of the floral displays for sale), the playlist is chilled and MPC is offering her freshly baked pastries and new strawberry angel cake to complement UCR’s seasonal cinnamon latte. It’s giving us the feels…

31 Wing Wo Street, Central, 9288 5124

Venchi (ifc mall)

Italian chocolatier and gelato specialist Venchi has launched an exclusive treat at this luxurious new outlet at ifc mall – the Triple Pistachio gourmet come – made with the best pistachios in the world from Bronte, a small town situated on the slopes of active volcano Mount Etna in Italy. On the other side of the spectrum, this shop has also debuted the health-conscious –70% sugars collection made up of nine pieces of low-sugar and low-carb chocolate. Open daily, 11am–9pm.

Shop1055, 1/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, 2818 3108

Yamame

Yamame is another Japanese opening at CUBUS in Causeway Bay (see Hanagai above). This elegant eatery has something for everyone, with individual rooms devoted to robatayaki, sushi and teppanyaki. Open daily for lunch and dinner sessions.

3/F, CUBUS, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, 2887 8208 or 2887 8981

Zuma x Asahi Yokocho Terrace pop-up (21 October–31 December)

This pop-up sees Zuma joining forces with Japan’s number-one beer brand, Asahi, to create a nighttime al-fresco yokocho experience; yochoko refers to the many hidden alleyways found in Japan’s cities, and these alleys are packed with izakayas and bars that form a big part of Japanese night culture. Running from Thursday, 21 October until the end of the year, this authentic Japanese yokocho experience will land on Zuma’s terrace. The Yokocho Terrace menu includes sake and Asahi beer pairings and robatayaki skewers. Pop-up open daily, from 6pm till late.

6/F, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 3657 6388

RELATED: New Restaurants, Pop-Ups & Menus: September 2021

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