WEEKENDER: Sunday brunch at The Principal, HITCHED! trunk show, Diamond Jubilee afternoon tea and more!

Brunch it up
Sick of the traditional brunch buffets in HK? Well, we have just the Sunday brunch experience for you! We’re already big fans of The Principal on Star Street (see our review here) and they’ve just introduced a fabulous new Sunday brunch for you to while away your weekend in style. Their degustation-meets-family-style menu features several distinct courses of authentic European dishes with an array of flavours and textures, including cold cuts, seafood, ceviche, innovative individual mains and a dessert selection (including yummy churros and chocolate – we’re sold!). It’s the hottest brunch in town – pair with some free-flow bubbly for the ultimate indulgence – so get your last-minute bookings in now!When: Every Sunday, 12-2.30pm
Where: The Principal, 9 Star Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2563 3444
How much: $590 per person; $690 including free-flow mineral water, premium tea or coffee, white or red wine, Brooklyn lager or Aubry champagne

Fashion, cocktails & summer
Pimm’s and lemonade anyone? Summer is here and what better way to enjoy it then over some afternoon drinks and socialising! Sassy swimwear fave Itsie Bitsie has teamed up with Rayne for a one off pop-up show with live mannequins and a glass of free champers on arrival (yes…we said free!). Running alongside the show will be the launch of Rayne’s after-work Wednesday menu and some new summerlicious cocktails… and who could say no to $30 cocktails?! If this is what’s in store for summer, then bring it on!

When: 6 June, 7-8:30pm
Where: Rayne, Shop F, G/F Yu Yuet Lai Building, 43 – 55 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry, with one glass of champers on arrival!

By royal decree…
Greetings from the Palace and on behalf of HM Queen, we cordially invite you to join us for a Diamond Jubilee Royal British Afternoon Tea in celebration of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s sixty year reign… and where better to have this fine event then at The Clipper Lounge in the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong! With dishes created by Executive Chef Uwe (who cooked HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip’s 50^th anniversary dinner!), your afternoon will be filled with deliciously scrumptious nibbles including a Welsh egg with caviar, scones, Yorkshire pudding and royal Victoria sponge – all washed down with the finest selection of tea (17 to be exact!) or a glass of champers. To compliment this very regal afternoon, you can also admire 27 works of art by royals past and present displayed around the Clipper Lounge. Check out our full review of the Diamond Jubilee tea (and plenty of pretty cakes!) here.

When: 1 June until 1 July, 3-6pm
Where: The Clipper Lounge, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2825 4007
How much: $288 for one person and $488 for two people; a glass of “R” de Ruinart Champagne will be included at $488 for one or $888 for two.

Something old, something new
Thinking of marriage or know of someone who is? HITCHED! is showcasing their chic and contemporary designer couture dresses handpicked from New York, Toronto and London at a special one-day Trunk Show. Even if you’re not headed up the aisle anytime soon, there will also be an eclectic mix of jewellery, handbags, swimwear and accessories all in the nick of time for, yep… you guessed it, SUMMER! There will be stalls by local designers such as Kaprice, g.lush, Katia Torralba, Beyond Dessert, Itsie Bitsie and LAByrinth, plus the chance to meet and chat with the founder of HITCHED! herself.

When: 3 June, 2-6pm
Where: Room 1501-2, Hing Lung Commercial Building, 72 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan,Hong Kong
How much: Free entry; payments for goods cash only; RSVP to [email protected]

Go exploring
There’s no need to stay cooped up with your air-con this summer – weather permitting, of course! We’ve rounded up our fave day trips in Hong Kong, plus our top five HK beaches too… so there really is no excuse for not getting out and about! If you fancy exploring further afield, we also recommend a girlie getaway at The Wynn or an urban sanctuary at The Banyan Tree in Macau, or fly away even further with our pick of the best short-haul destinations for a summer getaway.