3 June, 2014
Eat & Drink

Food News Flash – June: Hong Kong Restaurant Openings, New Menus and Happy Hours!

3 June, 2014

Summer’s here and that means a whole host of fresh new menus are descending on Hong Kong’s foodie scene. And with a new season comes new restaurant openings too! We’ve got the lowdown on Hong Kong’s best bites, delicious deals and moreish menus in this month’s Food News Flash. Thoughts of that trimmed beach bod will go out the window when you see what we’ve rounded up… June just got a whole lot tastier!


NEW OPENINGS

aberdeenstreetsocialAberdeen Street Social
It’s now open! Jason Atherton’s newest addition to HK’s dining scene is up and running, and it’s the talk of the town. Set in HK’s new creative hub, PMQ, Aberdeen Street Social brings a fresh take on modern British cuisine to the ‘Kong. This new ‘it’ restaurant is booked up for the next month, but if you manage to bag a table, the stunning dishes and delicious flavours will wow you. Try out their brand new lunch and brunch menus too!

Aberdeen Street Social, G/F, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2866 0300; www.aberdeenstreetsocial.hk

tailungfungTai Lung Fung
This popular Wan Chai bar that serves up home-brewed alcoholic drinks and local Hong Kong food has opened up a new venue, also at PMQ. The cool, vintage-style Hong Kong bar attracts the arty crowd, so if you’re looking for authentic Hong Kong food and drinks in a hip hangout, this has got to be next on your list!

Tai Lung Fung, 1/F, H107, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2572 2886; www.pmq.org.hk/shop/tai-lung-fung

burgers clubThe Butcher’s Club Burgers – Wan Chai
Calling all burger lovers – this one is for you! The Butcher’s Club serves up some of the tastiest burgers we’ve ever had, and that’s why we couldn’t be more excited to announce that The Butcher’s Club Burgers is having its soft opening later this week in Wan Chai! Expect juicy, quality burgers that will leave you wanting more…

The Butcher’s Club Burger Bar, G/F, Rialto Building, 2 Landale Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2528 2083; www.butchersclub.com.hk/burgers/story.shtml

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 7.20.35 pmEighteen Sharp and Franceso by Franck Muller
Swiss watchmaker, Franck Muller, has opened up a huge flagship space in Causeway Bay that boasts 6,000 square feet. This epic shopping destination will house not one, but two new restaurants to add to the unique experience they’re trying to create. Eighteen Sharp will be serving up contemporary Chinese cuisine, whilst Franceso by Franck Muller will fuse Italian fare with Japanese twists. 

Franceso by Franck Muller, 2/F, 15-21 Sharp Street East, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong;
Eighteen Sharp, 3/F, 15-21 Sharp Street East, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong; www.franckmuller.com/en/news/franck-muller-opens-worlds-first-four-storey-maison-in-hong-kong

nakedNAKED Gurume Gyarari
This new Soho spot is the brainchild of the people behind the hip and happening organic resto, Locofama, in Sai Ying Pun. NAKED Gurume Gyarari also uses quality, organic ingredients but focuses more on a Japanese style of dining. Having said that, some of the ingredients used have distinctively European flavours (we’re talking Iberico ham, homemade pasta and quails eggs), so there are some seriously interesting fusion-style dishes on offer. If you’re looking for a meal full of surprises, definitely try this one out. Stay tuned for our review!

NAKED Gurume Gyarari, 1/F, 28 Elgin Street, 2363 7299; www.naked.com.hk, www.facebook.com/GurumeGyarari

Screen Shot 2014-05-30 at 4.16.39 PMSchool Food
We’ve tried to hit up this insanely popular Korean resto in Times Square a couple of times, but it’s always busy with a giant queue! That’s why we’re happy to hear that they’re opening up two new locations in Hong Kong, and they’re both on the Kowloon side. Expect more of their adapted Korean street food and the same fun, fresh approach that their Times Square restaurant has. To celebrate the new openings, there will also be a number of specials available such as a beef burger with double cheddar and creamy cheese, fried chicken in three flavours and beetroot with crab meat mari… they’re pulling out all the stops!

School Food, Shop 107, Level 1, Phase 1, New Town Plaza, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong;
School Food, Shop L1-33, Level 1, Festival Walk, 80 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 2480 3666; www.miradining.com/school-food

sundaygrocerySunday’s Grocery
If you’re a big Yardbird fan, then you won’t want to miss out on their brand new venture in Kennedy Town. Sunday’s Grocery acts as half liqueur store, half casual sandwich joint, and is already proving to be very popular. This neighbourhood store really is convenient, and stocks quality products. We can’t wait to try the Banh Mi!

Sunday’s Grocery, 66-68 Catchick Street, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, 2628 6001; www.facebook.com/sundaysgrocery

vascoVasco Spanish Fine Dining
Another new opening at HK’s newest design centre, PMQ, will be Vasco. This fine dining establishment will offer contemporary Spanish cuisine from Chef Martin Berasetegui in a chic setting designed by the brilliant Joyce Wang. With two tasting menus, organic ingredients and a whole lot of style, this is definitely one to try out on a special occasion. Coming soon!

Vasco, Shop H701-H708, 7/F, Hollywood Block, PMQ, Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong; www.pmq.org.hk/shop/vasco-spanish-fine-dining/ 

10418178_556182197823949_6038348599473911536_nBEP Vietnamese Kitchen
We don’t know about you, but Vietnamese is one of our favourite cuisines. Fresh summer rolls and vermicelli noodles make for the perfect summer dishes! The latest Vietnamese resto to hit Soho is BEP Vietnamese Kitchen, and it doesn’t disappoint. The spacious, cool but casual restaurant serves us fresh, tasty dishes that are packed full of flavour. Sip on a Jax Coco water, tuck into some filling satays and enjoy the relaxed yet modern environment – perfect for a casual dinner with friends.

BEP Vietnamese Kitchen, 9 Staunton Street, Lower Ground Floor (alley entrance), Central, Hong Kong, 2552 7533; www.facebook.com/pages/Bep-Vietnamese-Kitchen

guayGUAY
This casual new bar and eatery has opened up in the chilled out area of Tai Hang, near Causeway Bay. The neighbourhood atmosphere of the area makes this the perfect place to come for relaxed drinks with friends, away from the main hustle and bustle of the city. We love the sound of their cocktails and delicious Spanish tapas… bring on the weekend.

GUAY, 9A Sun Chun Street, Tai Hang, Hong Kong, 2618 8782; www.guayhk.com 

mamasanMama San
Chef Will Meyrick delivers tasty Asian dishes at this cool new resto. The funky interior harks back to 1920s Shanghai, and the delicious dishes and cool ambience make this the perfect Friday night spot. With flavours from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, China and Singapore, you’ll definitely have the ultimate Asian feast here.

Mama San, 1/F, 46 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2881 8901; www.diningconcepts.com/mama_san

NOMNOM – Not Only Meatballs
This new Italian restaurant is now in soft opening! Set in the heart of Central, NOM serves up classic Italian dishes in a modern way – the ultimate comfort food! They certainly live up to their name with dishes such as slow roasted Iberico lamb, Sicilan prawns risotto and chargrilled octopus on offer. And look out for the great wine list too…

NOM – Not Only Meatballs, 1-5 Elgin Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2540 7988; www.nom.com.hk

photo-53/3rds
Newly opened in an industrial building in Wong Chuk Hang, family-friendly café 3/3rds is the perfect place to stop for a quick bite. They’re serving up locally-sourced, organic soups and salads, as well as a selection of oven-baked pizzas. We especially love the sweet and savoury Parma ham pizza topped with generous shavings of Parma, arugula and Parmesan with a drizzle of honey.

3/3rds, 22D, Yally Industrial Building, 6 Yip Fat Street, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, 3462 2951; www.facebook.com/3thirdshk

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 6.52.15 pmZen Too
Chinese flavours are reinvented at Zen Too, the new concept from Zen Chinese Cuisine Restaurant Group. Internationally renowned for authentic Chinese cuisine for more than 30 years, Zen Too brings a modern twist to the table with imaginative dishes that carefully blend traditional Chinese flavours to create something new. The menu features unique dishes such as “Rock & Roll Oysters” and Chinese-styled “Bourguignon”.

Zen Too, 8/F, Soundwill Plaza II-Midtown, 1 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2845 4555; www.zen-too.com

 

NEW MENUS AND PROMOTIONS

RB33Kaetsu
The Grand Hyatt’s Japanese dining outlet Kaetsu recently launched a new weekend buffet for those seeking a wasabi kick for brunch. Set up in The Teppanroom, the lunch menu includes a delicious array of Japanese specialties, including sushi and maki rolls, mizuna and turnip salad, pan fried pork with ginger sauce, grilled yellowtail fish head and five kinds of Somen noodles. Each guest can also order 100g of grade A Japanese Wagyu beef in shabu-shabu, sukiyaki or teppanyaki style. The buffet is served from 12-2:30pm and is $780 per adult, $390 per child 6-12 years old, with a 10% surcharge.

Kaetsu, Mezzanine Floor, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Hong Kong, 2584 7722; www.hongkong.grand.hyattrestaurants.com

image014The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong Café 
From June 1 until July 31, The Ritz-Carlton is teaming up with French gourmet chocolatier Jean-Paul Hévin to serve a special afternoon tea in honour of the 2014 World Cup. The South American-themed menu offers a winning combination of sweet and savoury treats, such as duck fois gras puffs with cocoa nibs, smoked salmon marinated with vanilla cocoa oil and Brazilian coffee bread sandwiches. With Jean-Paul Hévin contributing a sophisticated selection of sweets, this is one scrumptious afternoon tea you won’t want to miss!

The Ritz Carlton Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2263 2270; email [email protected] 

Havana outdoor terraceHavana
Havana’s all about starting the weekend early, and they’ve launched a series of happy hours and weekday promotions to get the party started! Monday Industry Nights features half off food and beverages while Tapas Tuesdays serves up unlimited tapas paired with a refreshing drink. Wednesdays’ Girls Night Out is all about catching up with the girlfriends outside of LKF with free-flowing complimentary mojitos!

Havana, 4/F, The Plaza, 21 D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong, 2851 4880; www.havanabar.com.hk

Screen Shot 2014-05-30 at 3.55.11 PM

Pierre Hermé Paris
Our favourite macaron store Pierre Hermé has announced Hong Kong’s first “Macaron Day” on Saturday, 21 June. Launched in Paris in 2005, Macaron Day is an annual event to honour the macaron while also supporting a good cause. For the first event in Hong Kong, Pierre Hermé will team up with Make-A-Wish, donating a portion of its proceeds for the day as well as offering one free macaron for every $20 donation. We’ve also learnt that Hello Kitty is to be the event ambassador… don’t forget to bring the kids!

Pierre Hermé Paris, Shop 1019C, Podium Level 1, IFC mall, 1 Harbour View Street, Central, Hong Kong, 2833 5700; www.pierreherme.com

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 6.53.54 pmYat Tung Heen
Craving Cantonese? Chill out with Yat Tung Heen’s Cantonese-inspired menu this summer, which balances yin and yang with cool summer soups like double-boiled duck soup and lily bulb winter melon as well as “body detoxifiers” like steamed black mushrooms and fish maw.

Yat Tung Heen, 2/F, Great Eagle Centre, 23 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2878 1212; www.honkong.eatonhotels.com

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 7.00.05 pmBerliner
White asparagus is one of the most celebrated ingredients of the season, and German restaurant Berliner is taking advantage with their special white asparagus menu, offering six scrumptious dishes for diners. Variations include Apple Wood Smoked Salmon with White Asparagus and Celery Root Remoulade and Pumpernickle Crumble.

Berliner, G01B, D Deck, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong, 2987 8203; www.cafedecogroup.com 

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 6.56.50 pmTsui Hang Village
You don’t have to be a fan of Chinese cuisine to love char siu, the popular barbecued meat oozing with flavour and succulence. For its 40-year milestone, Tsui Hang Village is highlighting the favourite Cantonese roast meat with a range of new recipes in its “love of char siu” promotion, running through 20 June. Stop by to sample steamed rice flour rolls with barbecue pork and glutinous barbecue-pork steamed dumplings.

Tsui Hang Village, 22/F, Lee Theatre Plaza, 99 Percival Street, Hong Kong, 2409 4822; www.miradining.com/tsui-hang-village

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 7.01.21 pmChez Patrick Deli
Seeking a relaxing outdoor terrace to have lunch? Look no further than Chez Patrick Deli at Brim28, the spacious alfresco dining landmark in Wan Chai. Chez Patrick Deli offers up more casual fare than its fine dining counterpart, and is the perfect place to enjoy a new menu of light summer dishes while soaking up the warm weather.

Chez Patrick Deli, Brim28, 1/F Causeway Centre, 28 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2877 0121; www.chezpatrick.hk 

seafoodFrench Window Brasserie and Bar
Seafood lovers will delight in the new summer menu at French Window, which features a grand three-tier seafood platter, steamed mussels in five variations, roasted bone marrow and a selection of homemade tartars. The beautiful dining room overlooks the Hong Kong harbour, so you can feast both your eyes and your palate!

French Window Brasserie and Bar, 3101, Podium Level 3, ifc mall, Central, Hong Kong, 2393 3812; www.miradining.com/french-window

The Principal_The Expedition_7. LambThe Principal
Fancy something out of the norm? For a unique epicurean journey, head to The Principal for their newly launched 10-course degustation menu. This intricately-designed tasting menu begins with a global tour of ‘street food’ for market-stall favourites and travels across East and West, drawing inspiration from exotic destinations such as New Delhi and the Canary Islands. $1,080 per person

The Principal, 9 Star Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2563 3444; www.theprincipal.com.hk

Screen Shot 2014-06-02 at 7.03.13 pmBoqueria
Experience Barcelona in Hong Kong with Boqueria’s recently launched “Sherry Flight”. For $148, diners can celebrate the versatility of sherry, paired with delicious dishes such as crisp toast topped with Cantabrian anchovies and 30 month aged acorn-fed Iberico ham. Choose from a number of drink variations featuring sherry, including a few citrusy, summer cocktails.

Boqueria, 7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong, 2321 8681; www.boqueria.com.hk

unnamedPapi
Cool off just in time for summer with Papi’s slew of new summer cocktails featuring infused Grappa and homemade syrups. The Italian restaurant is serving up traditional Grappa with a whole new take; we love the sound of their Infusion Grappatini, featuring pisco, fresh grape and homemade infusion grape Grappa for just $78.

Papi, 26/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2151 2868; www.papi-hk.com

leslie lauren sig final

Back to top
#SoSassy

#SoSassy

@SASSYHONGKONG