Header image: Smoke & Barrels’ hot brisket bun
In light of COVID-19, we encourage diners to take precautions when going out. You can also support your favourite restaurants by getting takeaway and delivery.
RELATED: New Restaurants October 2020
Al’s Diner
A phoenix has risen from the ashes! Al’s Diner, once an iconic Lan Kwai Fong watering hole known for its Jell-O shots and classic tunes, has relocated to SoHo and is now open for business! Many were sad to see the decades-old LKF location close, and while we‘re not sure if Al’s new spot will turn out to be as wild a nightlife destination, we do know that they’re serving up traditional American comfort food – think burgers, fries, ribs, shakes and ice-cold beer. Open daily from 11am until late.
9–13 Shelley Street, SoHo, Central, 2521 8714
Baked Indulgence pop-up
Top cookie contender Baked Indulgence, founded almost a decade ago when cookies were not the it things they are today, will be based at ifc mall for the next six months, from now until 10 February 2021. Cookie flavours range from BI’s ever-popular mainstays of chocolate chip, red velvet Nutella, matcha and hojicha to the brand’s new CookieMoon gift set in honour of Mid-Autumn Festival, with flavours including sesame ginger, custard and dark chocolate and walnut (pre-order online). Open daily, 11:30am–7pm.
Kiosk LA2, 1/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, 9706 0506
Bien Caramélisé
Former Grassroots Pantry pastry chef Jessica Chow has brought us the exquisite plant-based patisserie of Bien Caramélisé – a first for Hong Kong. The current menu, which changes seasonally, features millefeuilles in chocolate, vanilla and hazelnut praline flavours, gluten-free eclairs filled with chocolate custard or hazelnut praline mousseline, tarte au citron with bergamot and several more vegan-friendly beauties – all amazingly made without butter or eggs. Contact the shop for the opening hours (currently limited to walk-ins at the weekend).
1/F, Hentiff Building, 160 Prince Edward Road West, Mongkok, 5239 5198, jessica@biencaramelise.com
Blu Kouzina
Blu Kouzina, one of Singapore’s top-rated restaurants, is now serving Deliveroo customers in Wanchai! The first-ever international restaurant to launch through a Deliveroo Editions kitchen, Blu Kouzina and its branch-off concepts of Lucky Souvlaki and VIOS serve up authentic and healthy Greek and Mediterranean eats. Indulge in organic meat platters from Blu Kouzina, build your own kebab with Lucky Souvlaki or grab a nourishing bowl from VIOS to make those nights in feel a little more exotic!
Café Crêpe (TST)
Canadian import Café Crêpe arrived to Hong Kong a few years back, landing on Wellington Street in Central. Now there’s this branch at K11 Art Mall for those Kowloon side. The signature sweet and savoury crêpes are the real deal, but we’re also fond of the burgers and pastas, in particular the four-cheese cavatappi (otherwise known as mac ‘n’ cheese). Open daily, 11am–8pm.
Shop G29, G/F, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, TST, 2899 2286
COBO HOUSE
Founded by Janice Wong of Singapore’s 2am:dessertbar, COBO HOUSE is getting a big makeover this month, relocating with a brand-new face from a smallish space in Shek Tong Tsui to grand K11 MUSEA in Tsim Sha Tsui. The kitchen is now overseen by two local chefs – Ray Choi and Devon Hou – who have worked together at acclaimed restaurants around the world and were part of the opening team at Tate Dining Room here in Hong Kong, helping it to attain its Michelin star just six months after the restaurant’s debut. COBO HOUSE’s “unspoken” nine-chapter tasting menu called The Knife & Spoon, which will change every six weeks, focuses on a single ingredient in each chapter’s six- or eight-course tasting menu. Highlights of The Knife & Spoon: Chapter One, which places a spotlight on the seemingly humble egg, include century egg with Japanese crabmeat and fermented cherry tomato and soy sauce duck egg yolk with Japanese abalone, prepared both steamed and paired with kombu in risotto. We can definitely see the influence of Vicky Lau, Tate’s head chef, here. Open daily for lunch and dinner (brunch only on Sunday).
Shop 602, 6/F, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 2656 3088, book online
Cookie DPT pop-up (Lee Garden One)
Cookie DPT’s fab cookies will now also be available at Lee Garden One in Causeway Bay, from 7 September until 28 February 2021. Look out for the creative weekly flavours – from white miso filled with matcha ganache to Boston cream – as well as other newly launched baked goodies like cinnamon rolls and doughnuts. Open daily, 11:30am–8pm.
2/F, Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay
Dough Bros (Central)
The Dough Bros fam has expanded from Happy Valley to the outskirts of SoHo, bringing along its cracking hand-rolled sourdough pizza pies and doughnuts filled with custard, strawberry jam or Nutella. Pizza + doughnuts – what a combo! Open daily, 12–10pm.
68–70A Hollywood Road, Central, 2398 9042
Dough by Design
Another new doughnut shop joining the ranks is Dough by Design, launched by personal trainer Dan Yeung – life’s all about balance, right? Yeung’s doughnuts come in three
classic flavours – glazed, cinnamon and chocolate – and they’re fluffy yet substantial. Our personal fave is the aromatic cinnamon.
DPD
DPD is short for the quintessential HK-style café called a dai pai dong, but this DPD has quite the pedigree. It’s helmed by the former executive chef of Michelin-starred Ming Court at Cordis hotel, Jacky Tse Chi-wai. Chef Tse spent a number of years of his career cooking up a storm in Singapore and Thailand, so we can expect some Southeast Asian touches to the menu. We’re most looking forward to trying the chef’s take on Hainan chicken, brined with pandan, lemongrass and garlic, and his version of tom yum soup. Open daily from 7:30am until late.
Shop B2–B4, G/F, Far East Consortium Mongkok Building, 244 Portland Street, Mongkok, 2827 8638
Elephant Grounds Roastery
Elephant Grounds has opened up a gorgeous, 7,000-square-foot flagship in Sheung Wan with all the bells and whistles of an in-house coffee roastery and bakery and plenty of outdoor seating. EG’s beloved ice-cream sandwiches are a given! Open daily, 8am–9pm.
G/F, Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan
’ello pop-up
Doughnuts seem to be the latest baked good du jour, and ’ello mixes things up with inventive sweet and savoury doughnuts – from hazelnut, chocolate and banana and lemon pie to mala beef and egg and pork belly and kimchi – alongside some very interesting drinks. There’s a refreshing-sounding craft beer made with Korean sea salt and Yuja sour ale in collaboration with local Carbon Brews, a mango and red dragon fruit soda, a pineapple hibiscus tea with raspberry cheese foam and more. Or check out the colorful semifreddo crafted like mooncakes in flavours such as Baileys coffee walnut and rum raisin matcha. Open daily, 12–10pm, until 15 November.
B2/F Atrium, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, TST
Glasshouse Greenery
K11 MUSEA continues to go from strength to strength in its F&B offerings, with all-day-dining concept Glasshouse Greenery by Gaia Group the latest addition. The restaurant’s highlight is its lush garden terrace, where guests catch feast on modern East-meets-West dishes – perhaps Wagyu char siu rice with foie gras, Hainan chicken risotto or Peking duck pizza. The bevvy menu also deserves a look-in with its focus on using fresh herbs, floral teas, spices and Southeast Asian flavours. Oh and did we mention there’s live music on the cards? We’ll be there for sundowners! Open daily, 11am–11pm.
Shop 501, 5/F, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 2152 1518, greenery@glasshousehongkong.com
Green Common (Tsuen Wan)
Plant-based pioneer Green Common has opened its ninth grocery store and café at NINA MALL in Tsuen Wan. The shop’s new Fuelled by Plants menu is available exclusively at this branch until 7 September, when it will be offered at all Green Common shops and Kind Kitchen in Central. This protein-rich and cholestorol-free menu includes dishes such as Omni Charger (pictured above), a superfood bowl packed with OmniPork Luncheon, avocado, kidney beans and kale, alongside protein shakes. Open daily from 11am on weekdays and 10:30am on weekends and public holidays.
Shop 101, 1/F, NINA MALL 2, 98 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan, 2662 0553
Hot ‘N’ Meen pop-up
Hot ‘N’ Meen by Michelin-recommended Chilli Fagara has garnered some serious buzz on Deliveroo for its delivery-only noodles. This September, Hot ‘N’ Meen will pop up for a limited time daily at Chilli Fagara’s dining room, from 2–5.30pm. Those craving something spicy should definitely pop by for a late lunch to sample noodle dishes like rainbow meen, dan dan meen and chilli fish soup noodles, as well as fiery appetisers including pork and vegetable dumplings in artisanal chilli sauce and tangy riblets.
7 Old Bailey Street, SoHo, Central, 2796 6866, order on Deliveroo
Humble Pie
Popular Sai Kung bakery Ali Oli has launched its new delivery-only concept Humble Pie, based in Wong Chuk Hang, serving up savoury pies, sandwiches, soups, salads and desserts to Southside doorsteps. The hearty Aussie meat pie is a favourite here.
Kome Korner
Part of premium Japanese deli and grocery store GUU SAN, opening on Middle Road in Tsim Sha Tsui later this month, Kome Korner’s USP is healthy handcrafted Japanese rice balls, otherwise known as omusubi, to go. Notably, they promote the use of sustainable fish and plant-based ingredients. Open daily.
15 Middle Road, TST
Le Dessert pop-up
French pastry concept Le Dessert brings its delectable sweet treats to LANDMARK until 15 October, open daily from 10am. They’ll be serving up their signature pavlovas and jar desserts as well as the new and almost-too-pretty-to-eat summer pavlova made with vanilla Chantilly cream, fresh peaches and raspberries, slivered almonds and peach and lime coulis. These meringue delights come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to share or have them all to yourself! If you’d like to learn how to make a pavlova this pristine, you can also order a limited-edition DIY pavlova kit online.
3/F, LANDMARK ATRIUM, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 5182 7069 (WhatsApp)
Lounge Hakuba
Après-ski may seem like a dream right now with all the travel restrictions in place, but Lounge Hakuba sounds like it would make for a pretty darn good consolation prize. Named after the Japanese ski village of Hakuba, this cocktail lounge was founded by three outdoor enthusiasts with a mutual love for Japanese culture, skiing and camping. The wooden interiors are modelled after a ski lodge, while the spacious al-fresco area is chilled to the max. On the menu are Japanese-inspired cocktails and snacks, plus a bespoke shisha service where guests can personalise their shisha based on its flavour and strength. Open daily, 5:30pm–2am (3–9pm while government restrictions remain).
3/F, TOWER 535, 535 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, 2111 1707
Matchali pop-up
Following a successful pop-up at LANDMARK, home-grown matcha brand Matchali
will have a year-long pop-up at Pacific Place from 7 September, and this time, there will be a spacious seating area! Expect Matchali’s signature beverages like the iced matcha and starburst matcha, made with raspberry, matcha, mango and pea flower milk, and new drink additions including the apple hojicha cold brew and matcha chai latte. There will also be cookies courtesy of Cookie DPT and tea-inspired pastries and sweets such as matcha croissants, Earl Grey canelés and matcha sesame banana bread. Each drink is customisable, so go ahead and request oat or almond milk, a shot of collagen or even some CBD drops…
Shop 200D, 2/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
Mother Pearl
Could bubble tea ever be truly healthy? Mother Pearl strives to answer this conundrum with its bevy of vegan beverages using ingredients created in-house. As part of wellness brand PO House, Mother Pearl features “bubble teas” made with gluten-free oat milk, almond milk and hempseed milk alongside healthful additions the likes of chia, activated coal, turmeric, açai and fresh fruit and vegetable juices. Our favourite Grassroots Pantry chef, Peggy Chan, has consulted on the menu. In order to reduce food waste, Mother Pearl incorporates discarded ingredients within its sweet and savoury treats for a slice of goodness without the guilt. Open daily, 10am–8pm.
25 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
Okra x Mizunara: The Library pop-up
Okra, Sai Ying Pun’s neighbourhood izakaya, will be hosting a pop-up in partnership with renowned Ginza-style whisky bar Mizunara: The Library. Head upstairs to Okra’s omakase counter to sample a creative, limited-edition cocktail bento featuring one whisky cocktail and three small otoshi (small Japanese tapas dishes) for $350. This pop-up is only accessible via reservation, and guests are asked to keep their cocktail bento experience to 90 minutes. Bookings can be made from 4–10pm on Monday–Saturday.
G/F and 1/F, 110 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 2806 1038 (WhatsApp), info@okra.bar
Palco Ristorante
After a 10-year residence on Hong Kong Island, modern Italian restaurant Palco has flown across the harbour to its new swanky oceanfront venue at Tsim Sha Tsui’s Ocean Terminal. With panoramic views and a large terrace for guests to enjoy the dazzling skyline, Chef Ken Lau impresses with his signature dishes, including the 24-month-aged Parmesan spaghetti, cooked inside a giant wheel of cheese. The squid-ink chip, loaded with fresh sea urchin, and the burrata served in the whimsical disguise of a tomato, are other highlights to try. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Shop OTE 403–404, 4/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 2382 3123
Protein & Plants
The name says it all. Grab-and-go Protein & Plants is heavy on protein and plant-based dishes in the form of build-your-own protein and salad bowls, burritos and quesadillas, Impossible burgers and more . Open daily from 11am.
87 Wellington Street, Sheung Wan, 6460 6338
Ralph’s Coffee pop-up
Designer coffee brand Ralph’s Coffee has found a new home until 14 February 2021 at Alexandra House in Central. Here, you’ll be able to purchase Ralph’s signature coffee creations, plus some exclusive specials such as the zesty tangerine cold brew, cold brew in can if you’re on the go and Ralph’s Roast drip bags for pourovers. Open on weekdays from 8am and on weekends and public holiday from 10:30am.
Shop 103, 1/F, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Road, Central, 6029 7956
Smoke & Barrels
Not to be confused with sit-down restaurant Smoke & Barrel (singular), which is by chef duo Chris Grare and Arron Rhodes of Kinship and is set to open next month on Wyndham Street, Smoke & Barrels (plural!) is a grab-and-go concept by Cupping Room and is located on Graham Street, also in Central. They serve up smoked meat platters, seriously drool-worthy sandwiches like the signature hot brisket bun and chicken, avocado and Gouda sandwich, New Orleans–inspired spirit-based slushies and chicory coffee and tempting sweets such as made-to-order beignets blanketed with icing sugar. Everything is crafted in-house, including all the sauces, which are available for purchase in bottles to go along with the packaged meat for takeaway in the connected retail space. Smoke & Barrels is also where the brand’s online Basque cheesecake concept, La Viña, operates. Open daily, 10am–6pm.
Shop 3, LG/F, My Central, 23 Graham Street, Central, 9612 0988
Superhooman
Superhooman, located within Tin Hau’s TUVE boutique hotel, is an offshoot of West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade’s Hooman by the Sea. This is another pet-friendly café/
bar that’s already gaining IG traction for both its beautifully plated dishes like the avo toast and açai bowls and its industrial-chic surrounds. Open daily, 9am–9pm.
6 Tsing Fung Street, Tin Hau, 9181 1193
Sushi Haru
Black Sheep Restaurants’ intimate Edomae-style sushi bar Sushi Haru – with just eight counter seats – is led by sushi master Motoharu Inazuka, who treats guests to a multi-course omakase menu that’s priced at $$898 for lunch and $1,500 for dinner – so you know it’s gotta be good. The menu features the best of the best seafood and produce from across Japan, with each ingredient sourced personally by the chef. Interesting to note is that the 250-year-old natural hinoki wood bar – usually used to construct shrines and other sacred spaces – accounts for more than half the design spend of the restaurant! Open Tuesday–Sunday for lunch and dinner.
M/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham Street, Central, 2111 1450, book online
RELATED: New Restaurants & Pop-Ups: August 2020
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