On The Sassy Radar: Ronin by Yardbird, Eric Kayser bakery, Russell Peters comes to HK and more!

Need a quick shot of inspiration, girls? Here’s our top ten picks for this month’s food, books, fashion and nights out, all condensed and served up in yummy bite-sized pieces just for you… sweet!

HK’s resto scene just got even cooler! The folks behind Yardbird (including our former That Girl Lindsay!) will be opening their new joint, Ronin, in Sheung Wan in early Feb – and we’re already excited. Focusing on Izakaya style cuisine with an emphasis on fish and seafood, Ronin will also boast an artisanal selection of spirits and homemade infusions, including over 50 whiskies (with some rarities from already-closed Japanese distilleries). With only 14 seats plus standing room, we reckon the queues will be round the block – except this time, they DO take bookings (email [email protected] up to 7 days in advance)! Expect simple but perfectly executed dishes served alongside that trademark Yardbird buzzy atmosphere.

Ronin 8 On Wo Ln, Sheung Wan
2547 5263

Given up on the January detox? Then head over to new artisan bakery Maison Eric Kayser in Harbour City for carb overload! The French master baker has over 100 branches around the world but this marks his first in HK, which also includes a takeaway ‘Bakery Grab & Go’ and sit-down restaurant area. Kayser specialises in buttery croissants, rustic breads and fine pastries; we’re hearing particularly good things about his giant chocolate cookies and gourmet loaves. Will they be able to beat Le Salon’s croissants? We can’t wait to find out!

Maison Eric Kayser Shop G14-15, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 17 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
2736 2884

If you are UK-bound, but trawling through hotel or luxury travel websites is too time consuming and expensive, The Escape List is the answer to your prayers. Launched by Sassy’s very own Jaime and her friend Sam Goldman, this highly curated collection of affordable, luxury British hotels not only match their strict quality controls, but offer rooms for under £150 per night. With an initial collection of just 40 carefully selected hotels, B&Bs, inns and self catering properties throughout the UK from Cornwall to Glasgow, they also have a fantastic launch competition in place where you can win one of six UK breaks.

Calling all comedy fans! Legendary stand-up and HK fave Russell Peters is hitting town with his Notorious World Tour (which managed to outsell Madonna in Dubai!) – and after the first date (22 March) sold out in a flash, he has announced a second one, so mark Saturday, 23 March at AsiaWorld Expo in your diaries! We’re hoping plenty of his Canto jokes make the cut; tickets are on sale now at HKTicketing.

Tickets cost between $488-1088, book via www.hkticketing.com or by calling 3128 8288

Sassy girls know you can never have enough bags, but it lessens the guilt of purchasing yet another clutch when you know it’s raising money for a good cause. Kotur’s Pearce Minaudière to benefit FilmAid is a special edition of the design, that comes in gold and gunmetal versions. Proceeds from sales will benefit FilmAid, a humanitarian organisation that harnesses the power of film to bring hope and education to refugees and displaced persons in need around the globe.

Often, when cosmetics companies claim they are ‘giving back’, the small print reveals only a tiny percentage of sales gets donated to charity. However, MAC’s Viva Glam initiative sees absolutely 100% of the sale price of their Viva Glam products go directly to the MAC Aids Fund – and they’ve raised over $5.3 million in HK alone over the past 5 years. Take your pick from a pop of hot pink via the limited edition Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick or Lipglass or a super moisturising clear Lip Conditioner.

All Viva Glam products cost $145, available from all MAC locations in Hong Kong

I’ve been a long-time fan of witty Times columnist Caitlin Moran… and after her best-selling book How To Be A Woman (soon to be made into a movie), it seems like everyone else has caught on too. Her latest book Moranthology is a collection of some of her very best columns – including why David Cameron is ‘a C3PO made of ham’, the night she went clubbing with Lady Gaga and why libraries are amazing. Hilarious, moving and all in Moran’s unmistakeable voice, this will make your MTR journeys fly by!

Elad Lassry has developed a reputation for the wit and rigour of his investigations into how we perceive and conceive pictures. White Cube’s Hong Kong gallery currently has an exhibition of new work by Lassry, including pictures, sculptures and drawings, as well as perversely hybrid objects that radically question the distinction between these media. 

Until February 9, 2013 at White Cube, 50 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong

With a number of Oscar nominated films including Silver Linings Playbook and Beasts of the Southern Wild only opening in Hong Kong after the ceremony, take the time to see those released before. On Sassy’s must see-list are Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained, Zero Dark Thirty (which saw Jessica Chastain win best actress in a drama at The Golden Globes) Spielberg’s Lincoln and Flight. And while you’re at it, Youtube Tina Fey and Amy Poehler’s best bits hosting The Golden Globes – hilarious!

Want to get your groove on old-school style? Marking four decades of vinyl dance floor grooving in Hong Kong, legendary DJs Kulu, Andrew Bull, Chris Lee and Suiki Lor will be at KEE on Friday January 25 from 10pm. Non-members entry costs HK$200 with a standard drink, while members can get in for free and bring up to 3 guests.

For table bookings call, 2810 9000