WEEKENDER: Zara fashion tour, Restaurant Week bookings open, comedy festival and more

Feeling the mid-year blues? Stressed out at work and sick of the weather? Well, we’ve got five ways to have fun in Hong Kong this week, all in our Weekender…

Make it work!
Everyone after a quick fashion fix knows and loves Zara… but do you love them waaaay more than the average girl? If so, you need to hit the Zara Talent Tour! They’ll be hosting a bunch of style workshops, expert talks and networking events in their quest to find Hong Kong’s most fabulous fashionistas to join their team. Whether you fancy having a chat about fashion with other style mavens or have a burning desire to turn your Project Runway dreams into a reality, the Zara walk-in fashion centre is a must-visit! For all you Instagrammers, get snapping your most stylish outfits and hashtag #hktalenttour for a chance to attend a top secret Zara event… Time for some selfies, ladies! So what’s holding you back from starting that dream career in fashion?

When: Until 9 August, Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm; check the website for more details
Where: The Space, 210 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry!

Can I take your order? 
Calling all foodies! Hong Kong Restaurant Week is back – and booking starts next Wednesday! Restaurant Week gives diners the opportunity to try some of Hong Kong’s best restaurants at affordable prices (hallelujah!), with special three-course lunch and dinner menus on offer this summer from 5-11 August. With over 80 restaurants taking part – including Sassy faves Blue Butcher, Chez Patrick, Socialito and WHISK – it’s a case of fastest finger first in order to get a table at the most popular joints! P.S. Keen for an early bird special? American Express Cardmembers can get a head start with bookings from 26 July, whilst DiningCity Facebook Fans can reserve tables from 10am on 30 July when a secret code is released on their Facebook Page!

Where: Restaurants throughout Hong Kong; the full list will be available on the website from 31 July
When: Bookings start 31 July, 4pm; Restaurant Week 5-11 August
How much: Lunch $98-248, dinner $258-438; book online through www.restaurantweek.hk

Time for a giggle fest! 
Is the daily grind getting you down? Well, they say laughter is the best medicine (and hey, who doesn’t feel better after a good old giggle?), so head to The Fringe Club for a hilarious night out courtesy of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow. With a stellar line-up of award-winning Aussie comedians, including Daniel Townes, Frank Woodley and Kate McLennan (she is one crazy funny lady!), these two-hour shows will have you laughing until it hurts!

When: 26-27 July, 7.30 & 8pm, 28 July 5.30pm
Where: The Fringe Club, 2 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $250-$350, available from www.hkticketing.com, 3128 8288

In the heat of the night!
Fancy doing something totally different this weekend? Then check out BOING! – an exciting pop-up night market in Kwun Tong filled with loads of up-and-coming Hong Kong art talent. Over 50 new and emerging local artists will be displaying their works at booths they’ve designed themselves – definitely a fresh take on your usual weekend market! You could even make a day (or rather night!) of it and grab a meal at MC Kitchen or Made In HK beforehand… so take a break from the usual Soho scene and go explore Kowloon!

When: 27-28 July, 5-10pm
Where: Osage Gallery, 5/F, Kian Dai Industrial Building, 73-75 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry

Cosí romantico
Need some date night inspiration? Does chowing down (or if it’s date night, gracefully nibbling!) on some traditional Italian cuisine while being serenaded with by a live singer and musician sound like music to your ears? Italian resto Trattoria Caffe Monteverdi in ultra-hip Sai Ying Pun is hosting a unique “Musical Dining Experience”, where you get to enjoy a scrummy multi-course Italian meal with wine, drinks and classical Italian music performances thrown in too – perfetto! Sounds much more romantic than a Monday night meal in front of the telly, that’s for sure!

When: 29 July, 7.30pm
Where: Trattoria Caffe Monteverdi, 6A High Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong
How much: $750 per person (plus 10% service charge); call 2559 0115 to book