Header image: Pazzi Isshokenmei
Looking for the latest list of dazzling new restaurants and menus? New restaurants in Hong Kong for July and August 2023.
July 2021:
11 Westside’s 4th of July Mexican BBQ
If you’re celebrating American Independence Day this year, we recommend 11 Westside’s fiesta on the 4th, with beers and margaritas aplenty. Each ticket ($300) includes a roast hog with tortillas and homemade salsas, salt-baked spuds, esquites (corn salad), chicken enchiladas, chips and salsa and kale salad – plus your choice of two drinks, either sin or con alcohol ($80 or $150). Seatings at 2pm and 4pm. Book online.
1/F, The Hudson, 11 Davis Street, Kennedy Town, no phone
ANAORI kakugama menu at Louise (6–18 July)
Japanese brand ANAORI is a leading manufacturer of carbon graphite products, and the brand has recently unveiled its flagship product – ANAORI kakugama – which combines natural materials, Japanese culture and history and modern technology in one unique minimalistic cube design. This cooking tool has superior heat retention that rivals even charcoal and is compatible with all heating sources including induction, gas and oven. ANAORI kakugama is versatile too, allowing chefs to grill, simmer, poach, fry and steam to their hearts’ content.
To showcase the potential of ANAORI kakugama, the brand has embarked on a six-month Naturality Tour this year, featuring 24 global chefs. Here in Hong Kong, ANAORI is partnering with Executive Chef Franckelie Laloum of Louise to present special dishes created by ANAORI kakugama. The ANAORI menu ($1,588/person) will be available at Louise from 6–18 July.
PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, 2866 0300, book online
The Aubrey Omakase Cocktail Bar
Maximal Concepts’ breathtaking upscale izakaya The Aubrey at Mandarin Oriental has another feather in its cap with the launch of its super-exclusive (only four seats!) Omakase Cocktail Bar. Here, Hotel Beverage Manager Devender Sehgal takes guests on a journey of premium Japanese spirits via a series of original cocktails – the first time we’ve seen the term “omakase” applied to drinks rather than food. Lesser-known liquors, including shochu, awamori and umeshu, and sparkling sake are put in the spotlight. The bespoke omakase cocktail menu ($1,580/person) is inclusive of light snacks. Open Thursday–Saturday evenings.
25/F, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central, 2825 4001, book online (bookings for the Omakase Cocktail Bar are released on the 15th of each month at 4pm for the following month)
Bengal Brothers
We see a new trend in the making: kati rolls! A few places around town are beginning to offer these Indian street-food wraps, and Bengal Brothers is the latest player in the kati world. House-made paratha flatbreads are filled with chargrilled meat or veggies, salad and Bengal Brothers’ signature chutneys and spice blend, then rolled – making for perfect on-the-go bites with tons of flavour. Friends and co-owners Tanvir Bhasin and Vidur Yadav know a thing or two about Indian cuisine, with Vidur previously the operations manager at Indian hotspots New Punjab Club and Rajasthan Rifles. What else is on the menu? Something called “first-class bowls”. We assume these are carb-free versions of the rolls with just the fillings (like taco bowls), but we’ll update you as soon as we know for sure. Open daily (date TBC), 11am–9pm.
6 Johnston Road, Wanchai, firstclass@bengal-brothers.com
Bentori
Chic little yakitori emporium (hey, that nearly rhymes) Bentori is located on one of Central’s narrow lanes. It’s a bit of a hidden gem offering authentic Japanese yakitori for pairing with the eatery’s selection of sake and refreshing sake cocktails. Open Monday–Saturday, 12–10pm.
10 Tit Hong Lane, Central, 2838 8865
Bretzel
We love the cool branding of this new Alsatian bistro in Sheung Wan. Bretzel is masterminded by two chefs who know their way around a French kitchen – Johan Ducroquet and Greg Alexandre of another nearby French hotspot, Bouillon. The signature here is Alsatian tarte flambée, a thin flatbread that is traditionally topped with tangy fromage blanc or crème fraiche, sliced onion and bacon lardons. Tarte flambée vs pizza – which will triumph? Open Tuesday–Sunday, 12–10pm.
22 Upper Station Street, Sheung Wan, 2886 8176, book online
Candour & Hjem
These two spots have joined Burmese restaurant Club Rangoon as part of newly launched hospitality group Common Abode’s growing portfolio. Common Abode’s founders, Nelson Htoo and Elin Fu, are determined “to craft exceptional experiences with a forward-thinking philosophy to deliver bold and creative outlets, bringing cool and unique concepts to Hong Kong’s crowds”.
Up first, on Monday, 12 July, Nordic-style café Hjem, which means “home” in Norwegian, will showcase dishes designed by renowned Finnish chef Jaakko Sorsa (we can’t wait to try the smørrebrød, or open-faced sandwiches, and giant cinnamon and cardamom rolls). Chef Sorsa is best known for his prolonged stint at Nordic fine-dining restaurant FINDS at The Luxe Manor in Tsim Sha Tsui, but he was also named Foodie Forks Chef of the Year way back in 2015. On the bevvy front, the café’s signature coffee-based drinks are made with local ingredients with flavour profiles that stem from Nordic cuisine, and there are “clean” cocktails with lower ABV percentages. Opening hours TBC.
Candour sits in the iconic space on Peel Street that formerly housed Ho Lan Jeng. This uber-cool bar-lounge will offer an “urban” beverage programme, dishes inspired by local flavours and – this is the really unique bit – hip-hop culture. UPDATE: Candour will now open in late summer.
Candour: 65 Peel Street, SoHo, Central, 2362 8100
Hjem: 161 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, 2362 9183
Carbs
It’s been hard to stop drooling over all the insane pictures of Carbs that keep popping up. The brainchild of Wil Fang of Cookie DPT fame, Carbs is about, well, carbs in all their gut-busting glory. This translates to big, square slices of deep-dish, Detroit-style pizza (with choices like the cheekily named The Notorious P.I.G., topped with bacon, ham, chilli-infused honey and tomato sauce), tater tots, mac ‘n’ cheese, milkshakes and more carbalicious goodies. Open daily, 12–3pm and 5–9pm, during the soft-opening period.
Shop 3, G/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, 2886 2801
Carpe Diem 旅窩
Opened by a young couple who love travelling, this cosy little restaurant specialises in Taiwanese comfort food. Upon stepping into the bright, cheerful venue awash in soothing light wood tones and white accents, visitors are greeted by an entranceway lined with travel books. Carpe Diem’s menu is rooted in Taiwanese comfort food, ranging from crispy fried salt-and-pepper chicken to braised beef noodles. A thoughtful postcard accompanies the bill, showcasing the owners’ photography skills during their many travels. A perfect, tranquil escape for a spot of lunch or dinner. Open Monday–Saturday. 11:30am–9pm, and Sunday, 12:30–5:30pm.
42 Aberdeen Street, SoHo, Central, 9722 0366
CENSU
Congrats to Fukuro and Ho Lee Fook alum Chef Shun Sato for the opening of his first independent venture, intimate Japanese restaurant CENSU, on 15 July. We’re intrigued by Chef Sato’s experimental menu, which is inspired by both the chef’s father’s traditional izakaya cooking and his own experiences working in renowned kitchens around the world. One such dish, pictured above, is squid with white kimuchi. Kimuchi is Japanese-style kimchi, and the chef presents his white kimchi, fermented with green apple and daikon, alongside sliced squid sashimi prepared in ika somen style, to resemble very thin somen noodles. The rotating menu of specials is what we’re most eager to try, based on seasonality and the whimsy of Chef Sato. Natural wines, highballs and sake make for great drink-pairing options at CENSU. Open daily, 6pm–midnight (last call for food at 10pm).
28–30 Gough Street, Central, 2997 7009, info@censu.net
Cookie DPT pop-up at LANDMARK
Cookie DPT is going back to its roots, returning to the spot at LANDMARK in Central where the cookie pioneer was born. From 5 July, this is yet another spot to get your American-style cookie faves, but even better, this shop will also offer ALL of the brand’s other baked goods, which they’ve been slowly rolling out here and there over the past year. These exclusive treats include muffins, cinnamon rolls, brownies and Basque burnt cheesecake – wowsers! Open daily, 11am–7pm.
Shop 350, 3/F, LANDMARK ATRIUM, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central
Cookie Smiles 1st annual cookie-baking contest
To celebrate one year on the HK cookie scene, social enterprise Cookie Smiles is hosting its first baking challenge, asking the public (no pro bakers allowed!) to create and develop a new cookie recipe from a list of ingredients provided, which must include either rosemary or mint. There will be three rounds of challenges taking place at the Hong Kong New Oriental Culinary Art location in North Point or Complete Deelite in Central. The submission deadline is Saturday, 31 July, with three baking rounds scheduled for August, September and October. The winner will be announced at the final round on Saturday, 30 October. Prizes for first, second and third place include cash rewards and products/equipment. The entry fee is $350 (+$150 for top 20 qualifiers round).
Click here for further information and to register
Cornerstone’s 2nd-anniversary menu (until 10 July)
Fans of Shane Osborn’s charming Australian all-day bistro Cornerstone from the get-go, we’ll be sure to check out Head Chef Neal Ledesma’s very limited-run tasting menu celebrating the eatery’s two years in Hong Kong, where the dining scene is notoriously difficult to survive in, even during the best of times. Highlights from the three-course anniversary menu ($698/person), which presents past hits and signatures from the Cornerstone menu since 2019, include white asparagus with beurre blanc, cured egg yolk, chive and black truffle, red prawn tartare with coconut nage, papaya, pickled chilli and coriander oil and pan-fried stone bass with Tua Tua clams, girolles and courgette-basil purée. All vegetarian dishes can be made vegan upon request. Available for dinner Monday–Saturday, 30 June–10 July.
49 Hollywood Road, Central, 6809 9771 (WhatsApp), book online
Coucou Hotpot‧Tea Break (Hysan Place)
The Coucou empire is expanding throughout Hong Kong, and we couldn’t be more chuffed. This is our absolute favourite spot for Taiwanese-style hotpot in comfortable, stylish surrounds. We also rate the brand’s Da Hong Pao bubble tea. The first HK Island-side branch of Coucou is scheduled for a 23 July opening at Hysan Place in Causeway Bay. Open daily, 11am–10pm.
Shop 1401–1402, 14/F, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, 2818 0698
The Daily Tot’s 1st-anniversary programme
What a first year it’s been for rum sanctuary The Daily Tot! To honour their achievements, they’re putting on a fab anniversary programme, starting with the Plantation Karnival pop-up from 17–24 July in conjunction with Plantation Rum and Proof & Company, showcasing a Jamaican-themed terrace and tipples by Tom Egerton.
On the 31st, we take a journey to Cuba as Havana Club takes over with a a curated menu by Luca Andrei and DJ Minou on the decks from 8pm.
If you have a sweet tooth, you’re in luck this month with these two boozy stunners: Cookie DPT’s rum and raisin cookie made with Bacardi Ocho and Tortuga rum cake straight from Barbados, including a pineapple-flavoured version served with a pipette of Stiggins’ Fancy Pineapple rum.
Shop E, LG/F, Felicity Building, 58 Hollywood Road, Central, 2366 6836, book online
DON DON DONKI (TMT Plaza)
At more than a whopping 28,000 square feet, this Tuen Mun Town Plaza location of Japanese discount superstore DON DON DONKI will have the largest sales floor area of any DONKI shop in Hong Kong when it opens at 10am on Tuesday, 20 July. This branch is set to showcase a dedicated Japanese yatai section, street-style booths inspired by the famous Dotonbori tourist area of Osaka, where Japanese street food can be purchased. Open daily, 8am–1am.
Shop UG001–UG023, UG/F, Tuen Mun Town Plaza, Phase 1, 1 Tuen Shun Street, Tuen Mun
Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong: ARGO & Gallery
The Four Seasons has just completed the first phase of its refurbishment programme, unveiling a set of completely redesigned guest rooms and suites. The hotel is also set to debut two new F&B concepts on Thursday, 15 July. First up is glam cocktail bar ARGO, which is described as “breaking new ground with pioneering programming, collaborations and cocktails inspired from exciting new sources and spirits” – read our review. Then there’s chic all-day café Gallery in the lobby, offering Asian-inspired comfort food and a bespoke coffee and tea menu.
8 Finance Street, Central, 3196 8888
Funky Monkey (Tung Chung)
Tung Chung is the newest locale for bar and restaurant Funky Monkey, opened by Nepalese bartender Gurung Dammarsing. This groovy, tiki-style spot joins its siblings in Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui, offering exotic cocktails and modern Nepalese eats like this gorgeous momo platter featuring steamed, deep-fried, pan-fried and chilli momos all in one. The Tung Chug shop has an intriguing signature dish called chatamari pizza. Chatamari is a popular street food in Nepal made with mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce and minced beef with herbs, topped with a fried egg. Regular Bollywood and reggae nights and soon-to-debut live music add to the fun, playful vibe. Open 11am–10pm, with a buy-one-get-one-free happy hour on from 3–8pm.
Shop 101, 1/F, T Bay, 9 Yi Tung Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island, 2427 1111, book online
The Great Rajasthan Rifles Cricket Championship (25 July)
In the spirit of friendly competition, Anglo-Indian restaurant Rajasthan Rifles is set to host The Great Rajasthan Rifles Cricket Championship on Sunday, 25 July (7:30am–3:30pm) at Easy Organic Farming in Shui Tau Tsuen. To enter, six-player cricket teams ($6,000/team) must provide their own equipment and cricket whites in order to vie for the grand Rajasthan Rifles trophy. Spectators ($600/person) are entitled to plenty of awesome food and drink, to include a light breakfast, hearty lunch and free-flow Pimm’s, G&Ts and non-alcoholic bevvies. Return transport by private bus from Central will be provided.
HOW to live well
Part of the HOW to live well concept store, featuring Japanese furniture and lifestyle products, this café serves up beautifully presented fusion eats in a stylish, relaxing space. Highlights include the signature Wagyu burger and scallop spaghetti. Open daily, 12–10pm.
Shop 201, 2/F, K11 Art Mall, 18 Hanoi Road, TST, 3705 3709
Hungry Dino
Currently ranked as OpenRice’s most-bookmarked restaurant, Hungry Dino began its life as a takeaway-only shop in Causeway Bay. It’s wildly popular for its wallet-friendly inari sushi, made using a sweet bean-curd wrapper that’s stuffed to the brim with colourful, creative fillings, plus rice bowls and bentos. The new two-storey space is edgy and filled with lots of greenery – an Instagrammer’s dream. Open daily, 12–2:45pm for lunch and 5:45–8pm for dinner, with pick-up also available (be sure to double-check the hours on IG before heading over).
UG/F & 1/F, LL Tower, 2–4 Shelley Street, SoHo, Central, 9232 7623 (WhatsApp at least 1 day in advance)
Illy at HAUS pop-up (5–31 July)
Italian coffee brand Illy is teaming up with Mandarin Oriental for this pop-up at HAUS in Central, where premium Illy coffees and teas meet delicious baked goods and four varieties of grilled cheese – classic, truffle, pulled pork shoulder and pastrami – by the MO team. Open Monday– Saturday, 10am–7pm (the sarnies are on the menu from the 12th).
38–48 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2598 7080
Jyungin
We recently told you about our love for Hokkaido restaurant Obihiro Hageten at ELEMENTS, and now we have this cosy izakaya newcomer from Sapporo to compare it to. Jyungin’s menu is not your typical Japanese fare; signatures here include braised abalone with sake, an Ezo venison burger and Kuroge Wagyu beef offal stewed with miso. Traditional okonomiyaki is a less, shall we say, off-piste but equally popular dish here. This HK branch has been opened by Japanese owner Yohei Matsumoto together with local Elmas Lou, who lived in Japan for many years and founded Group 81 in 2006, an online shop specialising in Japanese products. Open daily, 12–3pm and 6–10pm.
33 Man Ying Street, Jordan, 2816 1278
K11 MUSEA’s Lake Como pop-up (9 July–12 September)
Dubbed VILLA MUSEA, this cool summertime pop-up at K11 MUSEA is a tribute to the glamour of the Italian Riviera, with the shopping mall’s transformation into a villa at the edge of the harbour. In addition to getting the chance to view a collection of rare classic European cars, you can stop for a drink and a bite at the Campari pop-up bar at Artisan Lounge, inspired by the iconic Camparino bar in Milan, where aperitivo culture was supposedly born in the early 20th century. Artisan Lounge is also set to feature a Summer Festa à-la-carte menu created by Italian chefs Alessandro Angelini and Luca De Berardinis of LucAle and an all-day Italian-inspired afternoon tea set. Pasticceria Giovanni Pina 1920 and VELO will be offering special Lake Como menus during the pop-up, and Dood Bottega Gelateria, The Fine Wine Experience and The Whisky Library have Italian F&B treats in store too, from Sicilian lemon sorbet to grappa. Open daily, 9 July–12 September.
Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 3892 3890, book a VILLA MUSEA tour online
Kerry Hotel’s Finnish Midsummer festivities (until 24 July)
Kerry Hotel’s cocktail bar Red Sugar goes Nordic this month. Head here for a celebration of Finland’s Midsummer (Juhannus) festival, with Head Bartender Simon Kong shaking up a selection of special cocktails made with Finnish distillates and liqueurs, complemented by Nordic-inspired bar snacks and themed decorations. Every Saturday and Sunday until 24 July, from 3–7pm, guests who order any item from the promotional menu can enjoy a complimentary beginner’s workshop of mölkky, a Finnish lawn-bowling game, at the bar’s outdoor terrace, coached by the Hong Kong Mölkky Association (yes, this actually exists). Open Wednesday–Friday, 4–10pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 2–10pm, until 24 July.
7/F, Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom Bay, Kowloon, 2252 5281, redsugar.khhk@thekerryhotels.com
King’s Arms
British pub culture comes to Tung Chung with the opening of sport-themed gastropub King’s Arms. Traditional pub grub the likes of all-day breakfast, shepherd’s pie and bangers and mash compete with signature Indian dishes such as chicken tikka butter chicken, lamb keema pav and anda pav and whole patrani sea bass wrapped in banana leaf. On the drink front, they’ve got more than 60 beers, on draught and bottled, alongside a massive selection of ale, lager and wine to wet your whistle. This seems like the place to be for happy hour, which is all day long (!) Monday–Thursday and 12–8pm Friday–Sunday. Open daily, 12pm–midnight.
Shop R&S, G/F, Seaview Crescent Plaza, 8 Tung Chung Waterfront Road, Tung Chung, Lantau Island, 2960 1977 or 2960 0911
KI NO BI Torii pop-at Tell Camellia (7 July–2 August)
Tea-inspired cocktail bar Tell Camellia has been revamped for this month-long pop-up with Kyoto gin distillery KI NO BI, even down to the bar’s entrance, which is now dominated by a traditional Japanese torii (gate). In addition to the four KI NO BI teatails on offer, there are workshops ($550/person) scheduled for Saturdays in July (10th, 17th, 24th and 31st) from 4–6pm that include a welcome cocktail, tea tasting, KI NO BI six elements tasting and hands-on cocktail making, a G&T tasting flight of three KI NO BI gins and a Sunday sando brunch collab with nearby Katsumoto Sando Bar, with three sando options – karaage chicken, A5 Wagyu and OmniPork – up for grabs. Open Monday–Saturday, 2pm–1am, and Sunday, 11am–2pm for brunch in July and 4pm–1am for drinks.
LG/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street (entrance at 45 Cochrane Street), Central, 6038 4020, 9821 5501, info@tellcamellia.com (email to book the workshop)
La Rotisserie (Causeway Bay)
Marking its second launch this year and sixth outlet in the 852, French rotisserie chicken and duck specialist La Rotisserie has landed at Lee Garden One in Causeway Bay. This is the brand’s most spacious shop yet, featuring spit grills in the open kitchen, a sub counter dubbed La Sandwicherie and an extended salad bar. La Rotisserie CWB is also the first to include breakfast offerings until 11:30am, highlighting freshly baked croissants, danishes and more French-style pastries. Open daily, 8:30am–9pm.
Shop G12, G/F, Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, 9791 9043
La Vache! (Pacific Place)
We now have a third branch of Black Sheep Restaurants’ La Vache! to pop over to when a steak-frites craving strikes. Located a Pacific Place just below the cinema (where Plat du Jour used to stand), the Parisian steakhouse’s classic set menu remains – this means an organic green salad with walnuts and mustard vinaigrette, followed by USDA Prime rib-eye paired with free-flow fries that are as addictive as, well, you know (we suspect they’re dusted with chicken salt). Open Tuesday–Sunday, 12–2:30pm and 6–8:30pm.
Shop 007, LG1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2801 6122, book online
Lee Gardens Coffee Festival (22 July–1 August)
Java lovers, take note – this coffee-themed festival at Lee Gardens in Causeway Bay will feature 10 coffee vendors (including NOC, Cupping Room and 18 Grams), interactive workshops conducted by pro bariastas, a beautiful coffee truck and coffee-related items for sale. Open daily, 11am–9pm, 22 July–1 August.
1/F Atrium, Hysan Place, 500 Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay
Mama Mia Pizza & Pasta
Well known for its laid-back eateries with menus catering to one and all (think Jaspas, Mr Wolf and Wagyu Lounge), Castelo Concepts’ Mama Mia is the restaurant group’s first venue in Sheung Wan. The cheerful all-day diner runs the global gamut; there’s breakfast bruschetta and corn fritters in the morn, weekday three-course lunch sets and an à-la-carte menu featuring salads, pizzas, pastas and hearty mains. Open daily, 7am–11pm.
22 Possession Street, Sheung Wan, 2636 4555, mamamia@casteloconcepts.com
Musubi Hiro
We’ve always wondered why musubi, Hawaii’s take on Japanese rice balls, has played second fiddle to onigiri, so we’re happy to report on a cool new eatery, Musubi Hiro, opening on Saturday, 3 July, that specialises in a variety of made-to-order musubi, creative Japanese snacks and lots of sake and ice-cold beer. Classic Spam musubi is the OG here, but we’re also looking forward to trying this Japanese gastropub’s torched eel musubi, Wagyu and truffle musubi and the mysterious “super mega” deep-fried musubi. The funky interior is designed by local young artist Quill Wong. Open daily, 6–11:30pm Sunday–Wednesday and till 2am Thursday–Saturday.
37 Cochrane Street, Central, 5597 6911, book online
Nami
“Izakaya” seems to be the word of the day! Nami by Gaia Group presents skewers, tempura, sashimi, sushi and more Japanese food faves, with a special focus on seafood. The decor is described as cosy and inviting through the use of dark wood and an Edo-inspired design. Open daily, 11am–3pm and 6–10pm (all-day dining at the weekend from 11am onwards).
1/F, Soundwill Plaza II Midtown, 1–29 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, 2383 4038, hello@nami-izakaya.com
Nespresso Gourmet Weeks (12 July–8 August)
Making it first appearance in HK, eight top chefs around town will participate in Nespresso Gourmet Weeks from 12 July–8 August through a selection of special menus that use coffee as a key ingredient. These chefs includes Nespresso’s Chef Ambassador, Vicky Cheng of VEA, along with Olivier Elzer of L’Envol, Eric Räty of Arbor, Paul Lau of Tin Lung Heen, Hideaki Sato of Ta Vie, Agustin Balbi of Andō, Manav Tuli of CHAAT and Ricardo Chaneton of MONO. Championing sustainability, Chef Cheng will also spotlight vegetables like aubergine and bitter gourd grown on the Nespresso Farm right here in the 852, using recycled Nespresso coffee grounds as a fertiliser. Other participating restaurants will be recycling all their coffee capsules.
Follow Nespresso HK on Facebook and Instagram for more information on the menus and booking details
Okra’s sushi omakase farewell celebration (5–31 July)
After six years at the forefront of our city’s fickle dining scene, innovative Sai Yin Pun izakya Okra is shutting shop – but not before Chef Max Levy puts on a sensational series of sushi omakase farewell dinners ($2,500/person) from 5–31 July. From 3 July, Okra’s downstairs kitchen will close in order to offer these exclusive omakase dinners at its upstairs omakase counter. On the menu will be an ingredient-driven selection of omakase delicacies from land and sea as well as Chef Levy’s signature faves. To wet your whistle, we recommend Okra’s very own sake, brewed in collaboration with boutique partners in Japan.
G/F & 1/F, 110 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 2806 1038 (WhatsApp),
info@okra.bar
#onigiriforlove at BELOWGROUND (20 July–1 August)
If you’re a lover of Japanese rice balls, head to BELOWGROUND at Central’s LANDMARK for this charity event spearheaded by Chef Richard Ekkebus from The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Chef Matt Abergel of RŌNIN, Elliot Faber and Chef Vincent Ladislao of Sake Central and WAGYUMAFIA Hong Kong. A roster of nine renowned local chefs, including Umberto Bombana of 8½ Otto e Mezzo, Ricardo Chaneton of MONO and Vicky Cheng of VEA, will join hands with these hosts to create a series of limited-edition onigiri for sale, with all profits from the two-week event donated to Feeding Hong Kong and ImpactHK, two local charities dedicated to helping the hungry and homeless in the city. There will also be #onigiriforlove-branded sake from Sunday’s Distribution and drinks by Kimino to complement the onigiri offerings. This #onigiriforlove charity project first began in Japan by fellow chefs and friends Hisato Hamada and Yoshihiro Narisawa, and now the baton has been passed to us. Open daily, 11am–8pm, 20 July–1 August.
B/F, LANDMARK, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Central
Pane e Latte
Stanley is the lucky location of Pirata Group newborn Pane e Latte, and we know they’re onto a winner with this seafront all-day Italian bakery and café. We had a sneak peek at the gorgeous space, and we loved all the bread, pastries, foccacia, pizza and gelato we tried – especially these croissant bomboloni. Invented by the Pane e Latte team, this decadent creation, made with layer upon layer of flaky croissant pastry, is filled with an orange-blossom cream centre. We would be regulars if we had this charming spot in our ‘hood! Open daily, 8am–9pm.
G/F, U-C Court, 25 Stanley Market Road, Stanley, 2337 7221 (no bookings)
Patty Boi pop-up at HATCH (1 July)
On Thursday, 1 July (from 1pm till they sell out), Chef Russell Doctrove will once again bring Patty Boi to new pop-up space HATCH, honouring the cuisine of the Caribbean. Joining signature patties Island Kush (minced beef with bird’s-eye chilli, lime leaf, homemade curry paste and coconut cream) and Holy Grail (OmniPork with lemongrass, galangal, garlic and Thai basil) are punchy newcomers Jungle Spice (minced beef with a complex curry of toasted coconut, chilli and spices) and Pineapple Express (slow-roasted pineapple with dark rum and brown sugar).
60 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central, 9215 2680
Pazzi Isshokenmei
We’ve seen plenty of Japanese-French collaborative menus, but Japanese-Italian fare is still somewhat of a novelty in Hong Kong. Enter Pazzi Isshokenmei, the newest addition to H Queen’s delicious line-up of restaurants. The eatery is a mix of izakaya vibes and vibrant Italian flavours, with dishes the likes of Tokyo burrata, a pairing of Japanese peach and tomato with the creamy Italian cheese, and miso crab tagliolini, a hearty pasta dish of soybean paste and sweet crab. A “treasure chest” on wheels is presented tableside for freshly pressed handrolls catering to diners’ bespoke ingredient combinations. There’s also an invite-only cocktail bar, to be unveiled in early August. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
2/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen’s Road Central, Central, 2555 0666, book online
Pici’s summer surprises
Our fave place for pasta has some fun limited-time offerings on this summer. At the Pici branches in Central, Kennedy Town and Wanchai, we can look forward to a fab “cookie meatball” available as a dinner dessert option. It’s been created in partnership with Cookie DPT and is already an Instagram star. We’ll let you in on the secret – it’s actually chocolate chip cookie dough dipped in dark chocolate, topped with strawberry sauce and coconut shavings. In parallel, Pici Executive Chef Davide Borin will be popping up at Cookie DPT’s LANDMARK outlet on 15 July and Lee Garden One outlet on 22 and 29 July from 12–3pm to serve up a special pasta lunch set of spinach pappardelle with spicy pork ragu paired with a tiramisu cookie.
If you’re not living or working HK Island-side, you can head to the Pici branches in Tsim Sha Tsui, Lai Chi Kok and Shatin for the brand’s Seafood FEASTival, kicking off on 12 July. Pici’s culinary team have created a series of new under-the-sea dishes for the à-la-carte and brunch menus, to include fried calamari and ravioli topped with stewed octopus.
For all Pici locations, click here
Red Hall
Another hip hotpot restaurant that’s getting a lot of attention on social media, Red Hall is already well known for its spicy Sichuan-style hotpot and too-cool-for-school decor. “Damn it’s hot!” seems to be quite a fitting slogan… Open daily, 6–10pm.
1/F, Circle Tower, 28 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, 2151 1879
Relish’s one-night-only Portuguese pop-up (29 July)
Chef Fred Sistelo will be cooking up a Portuguese feast on Thursday, 29 July at event space Relish in Wong Chuk Hang. The Portuguese chef has pulled inspirations from his Mesa private kitchen to create the family-style menu ($600/person) – five starters, main and dessert – for this exclusive event. Guests will also get the chance to pair each dish with Portuguese wine for an additional $400. The festivities start at 6:30pm with drinks before moving on to dinner at 7:30pm. There will be entertainment and more drinks on the rooftop following the meal.
Unit 22D, 22/F, Yally Industrial Building, 6 Yip Fat Street, Wong Chuk Hang, 3481 1924, book online
RŌNIN’s farewell dinner to Chef Jowett Yu of Ho Lee Fook (30 June)
We love the spirit of community and friendship with this one! Chef Jowett Yu will soon be departing funky Chinese restaurant Ho Lee Fook (the eatery will return in the autumn with a new chef and a new look courtesy of designer Sean Dix), but before he does, nearby modern izakaya RŌNIN plans to send off the chef in style. For one night only, on Wednesday, 30 June, Chef Jow will transform RŌNIN into a “chizakaya”, bringing his own modern Chinese riffs on classic Japanese izakaya dishes to the table. Seating is very limited for this farewell menu ($1,500/person), so book online now!
8 On Wo Lane, Central, 6795 5615 (WhatsApp)
Soulgood Bakery pop-up at K11 MUSEA (until December)
From Instagram to K11 MUSEA! Soulgood Bakery came to life last year when baker Anjaylia started giving her homemade burnt Basque cheesecakes to friends and family who were feeling down during the pandemic, and the rest is history. At this six-month-long pop-up, these stunning cheesecakes come in a variety of flavours, in either four-, six- or eight-inch versions, and the six- and eight-inchers also boast oozing lava centres. Open daily, 10am–10pm, until December 2021.
Kiosk LA601, 6/F, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST
Studio City by Cali-Mex’s Borracho Brunch (24 July)
George Clooney in the house! Well, not Dr Ross himself, but his tequila brand, Casamigos. Kicking off on World Tequila Day – Saturday, 24, July – at Studio City by Cali-Mex, get yourself free-flow Mexican eats and margaritas while grooving out to throwback hip-hop and R&B at this Borracho Brunch (from $495/person), which is now on calendar on the fourth Saturday of the month going forwards. And what does borracho mean, you ask? It’s what all those margs will do to you…
Shop C, G/F, Food Street, 50–56 Paterson Street, Fashion Walk, Causeway Bay, 6050 9332 (WhatsApp), book online
Sunday’s Sessions: La Paloma at Cô Thành (10–11 July)
Chef Alex Fargas of La Paloma will be taking over the Cô Thành kitchen on the weekend of 10–11 July from 3pm till late, swapping Vietnamese for Spanish street snacks complemented by Sunday’s bevvies and a playlist of Spanish hip-hop and rock. Fried calamari sarnies + sherry cocktails sound muy bueno to us!
2–4 Kau U Fong, Central
TamJai SamGor (Central flagship)
This fast-casual local restaurant chain opened here in 2008, taking the city by storm, and it even expanded to Singapore last year. TamJai SamGor is beloved for its mixian rice noodles with customisable hot-and-sour soup base and bespoke toppings, from pork belly and fish balls to pickled cabbage and bean-curd sheets. This new HK flagship, opening on Friday, 9 July, is taking the spot on Wellington Street where Tsui Wah once stood, showcasing a giant TJSG neon sign that can’t be missed. The brand will debut an alcohol menu here in the coming months as well as pairing snacks. Open daily, 7:45am–10:30pm.
B/F & G/F, Hong Kong House, 17–19 Wellington Street, Central, 2712 9738
Tea Château
As firm tea drinkers, we’ve long been waiting for this tea capsule machine by Tea Château! Made in Hong Kong with top-tier tea leaves, Tea Château’s range of capsules is currently available in 13 different tea varieties and flavours, from traditional Chinese teas such as Longjing and Tieguanyin to “functional“ herbal and floral tea blends. At each of the brand’s nine shops around town (ifc mall flagship, YOHO, apm, K11 MUSEA, tmtplaza and counters at LCX at Harbour City, APITA at Cityplaza, city’super at New Town Plaza and city’super at Times Square), there is a tasting bar overseen by tea specialists where you can sip and savour the teas.
For locations and opening hours, click here
Test Kitchen’s modern Korean pop-up (2–3 July)
Born in Jeonju, South Korea, considered the epicentre of Korean food culture, Test Kitchen’s Chef Hanbit is teaming up with her husband – accomplished chef Ching Tso (formerly of Arcane and LPM Restaurant & Bar) – to present a modern Korean dinner tasting menu ($1,280/person) on 2 and 3 July. Diners can look forward to classic Korean cold noodles (naengmyeon), chicken skewers with spicy chicken sauce and rice cakes, hay-smoked duck with honey mustard, rice and caviar, ginseng chicken congee with Australian black truffle and a fab seafood combination of soy-marinated Spanish red prawn and Australian crab – which can all be paired with the duo’s favourite bottles of soju ($580 for 6 kinds of soju)!
Shop 3, Kwan Yick Building Phase 3, 158A Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 9032 7628 (WhatsApp), vincentmui@testkitchen.com.hk
Test Kitchen’s Chef Cam x Chef Jenga x Perfume Trees Gin pop-up (22–24 July)
Next up for Test Kitchen this month sees local chefs Cam and Jenga debuting their East-meets-Weest tasting menu ($1,180/person) inspired by home-grown gin brand Perfume Trees Gin on 22–23 July, with highlights including applewood cold-smoked Gillardeau No.1 oyster with apple-shiso sorbet, kinmedai with aged tangerine peel, Longjing tea-infused fish broth and Perfume Trees Gin and M5+ Wagyu tenderloin with basil Perfume Trees Gin jelly. On Saturday, 24 July, Kit Kit Cheung, co-founder of Perfume Trees, will be making an appearance for a cocktail-pairing experience ($1,580/person) as part of the dinner menu.
Shop 3, Kwan Yick Building Phase 3, 158A Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun, 9032 7628 (WhatsApp), vincentmui@testkitchen.com.hk
Tong Chong Street Market’s Hot & Cold Summer
A range of both spicy eats and cold flavours is in store at Tong Chong Street Market this month from 5 July. Open on weekdays (except public holidays) from 8am–3pm, we can sample the likes of Sichuan-style cold noodles from Crazy Noodles, a spicy plant-based Miami Heat burger by Big Dill and HYPEBEANS’ cold-brew lemonade and charcoal sesame latte.
One Taikoo Place, 979 King’s Road, Quarry Bay
Twist & Buckle (Jordan)
Churro emporium Twist & Buckle has opened its second location at Eaton Food Hall in Jordan, just under a year after debuting its first branch in nearby Tsim Sha Tsui. This Instagram-famous churrería has launched a limited-edition ube churro at this shop – just check out that striking magenta-hued beauty! A churro filled with dulce de leche is another decadent newcomer we can’t wait to try, but we’re also partial to T&B’s cinnamon-dusted El Churro Original, glazed churros and churro sundaes. Open daily, 12–10pm.
Shop 2, Eaton Food Hall, LG/F, Eaton HK, 380 Nathan Road, Jordan, 2782 1818
Uma Nota’s Umakase dinner (19 July)
Uma Nota’s Brazilian-Japanese Umakase dining experience is back with a bang on Monday, 19 July. Six- and- eight course menus ($490 or $590/person) are on the cards, with the dishes whipped up by Chef Gustavo Vargas honouring the art of grilling. Fusion highlights include scallops in yuzu butter, pork shoulder and leek skewers, M5 Wagyu Sirloin with feijão tropeiro (beans, bacon and cassava) and a fitting ending of caipirinha sorbet. Sake- and wine-pairing packages can be added.
38 Peel Street, SoHo, Central, 2889 7576, book online
Verde Mar
First opening several years ago in Wanchai, bright and cheerful Verde Mar has relocated to the trendy Sai Ying Pun ’hood, offering authetic Mexican eats and more creative creations by native chef Eligio Escobedo. We’re keen to try the brunch dishes, including the chilaquiles and machaca (shredded spiced beef) with eggs, and the special avocado menu featuring avocado fries, an avocado smoothie and more avo delights. Open daily from 12pm for lunch and dinner sessions.
41 Water Street, Sai Ying Pun, 2810 0888, book online
Yakiniku Like (Metroplaza)
This popular yakiniku brand from Tokyo featuring individual grills and contactless ordering – perfect for our COVID times – has opened its second HK outlet at Metroplaza in Kwai Fong. In a first for the brand, this Yakiniku Like shop offers a 100% vegan menu option, joining forces with Japan-based food-tech venture Next Meats to give diners a plant-based meat set (pictured above) that includes karubi and harami. Yakiniku has usually been off-limits to those eating plant-based diets, so we say Yakiniku Like for the win! Discounts on selected sets apply until Wednesday, 7 July. Open daily, 11:30am–9pm.
Shop 112, 1/F, Metroplaza, 223 Hing Fong Road, Kwai Fong, 2471 1322
Yakitori25
This yakitori joint by the team behind Birdie in Central looks sleek yet chilled. It’s located in Circle Tower, the well-known building in Causeway Bay housing many Japanese eateries. Yakitori25 is notable for its use of binchotan charcoal, sure to please those seeking authenticity. Open daily, 6–10pm.
25/F, Circle Tower, 28 Tang Lung Street, Causeway Bay, 9808 7581
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