Header photo: F.I.G.S’ scallop ceviche
818 THE SEAFOOD – new Chinese restaurant at Harbour City![]()
As its name suggests, 818 THE SEAFOOD (no website) is all about luxurious under-the-sea eats, with stunning harbour views to match. The menu is fully customisable based on preparation of the 30 types of seafood on offer, to include shellfish and a catch of the day. Crab is the prized speciality of Executive Chef Francis Chong; he handpicks a selection of Alaskan crab,
Australian snow crab, king crab and mud crab and has designed 12 culinary
executions to bring out the best flavour in each, from accented with butter and cream to baked with Sarawak white pepper. If your fellow diners land on the meatier side of the spectrum, Chef Chong offers signature Chinese dishes such as 48-hour smoked duck and crispy pigeon cooked with Chinese wine.
Where: Shop GW 4101, 4/F, Gateway Arcade,
Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 11:30am–3pm, 5:30–11pm; Sunday 11am–3pm, 5:30–11pm
For reservations: phone 3618 8168 or book online
Akanoshou – new Japanese restaurant in Causeway Bay![]()
Specialising in both teppanyaki and sushi omasake, Akanoshou by 1957 & Co. adds to Causeway Bay’s ever-growing high-end Japanese cuisine scene. In the bold, modern space, Teppanyaki Head Chef Chong Wai Cheong presents dishes the likes of teppan-grilled Wagyu sando made with premium Hida beef, Hida yakisuki (a riff on sukiyaki featuring marinated slices of Wagyu seared on the grill and served with a raw Taiyouran egg yolk) and crispy toro with seaweed crust, while Sushi Head Chef Okura Masataka (who has worked in Hong Kong since 1978 and was most recently the head chef at nearby Ta-Ke) prepares traditional Edomae sushi in a carefully crafted omakase menu highlighting the finest seasonal seafood delicacies from Japan. Uniquely, Chef Okura uses vinegar marinades to enhance the umami of certain kinds of fish as well as two types of shari (sushi rice).
Where: 6/F, HDH Centre, 8 Pennington Street, Causeway Bay
Opening hours: daily 11:30am–3:30pm, 6–11pm
For reservations: phone 2577 0611 or WhatsApp 6288 9686
BaseHall 02 – new food hall at Jardine House![]()
Food hall extraordinaire BaseHall debuted during the start of the pandemic over two years ago, and it’s proved so popular – despite the many obstacles the F&B industry has faced here in the 852 – that its sister venue has opened this month in the same Central location, celebrating home-grown culinary talent in a stylish, contemporary space. BaseHall 02 is split into two designated areas. The central counter kiosks feature six open kitchens offering elevated counter dining and drinking experiences by the likes of Japanese tonkatsu eatery Porker and Maru de Sankaku, a sea-bream ramen specialist. The more casual dice kiosks showcase fare by six iconic local eateries including Kamcentre Roast Goose, Ah Chun Shandong Dumpling and On Lee Noodle. Other features of BaseHall 02 include a dedicated retail area for rotating local brands and a pop-up event space in collaboration with Test Kitchen.
Next month, 18-seater restaurant and speakeasy Artifact will debut at BaseHall 02, presenting a unique caviar-focused tasting menu alongside a drink list focused on rare brown spirits. In the spring, a brand-new supermarket is set to launch.
Where: LG/F, Jardine
House, 1 Connaught Place, Central
Opening hours: Monday–Saturday 11am–10pm
CALLE OCHO – new Spanish restaurant in Causeway Bay![]()
It sounds like Pirata Group has another winner on its hands with the launch of tapas restaurant CALLE OCHO, named after the Madrid de Los Austrias neighbourhood – Madrid’s most famous tapas street. Inside the two-storey space with its striking tiled facade, Executive Chef Víctor Caballé Molina will be whipping up an Iberian storm, offering a wide array of tapas, Spanish sharing plates of charcuterie and cheeses, squid-ink paella and more that are priced from just HK$45. Bring on the sangria!
Where: Fashion Walk, 8 Cleveland Street, Causeway Bay
Opening hours: weekdays 12–3pm, 6–10pm; weekends 12–4pm, 6–10pm (soft-opening schedule from 15–31 January)
For reservations: phone 2638 8895 or book online
Clean Coffee – new branch in Tsim Sha Tsui![]()
Clean Coffee’s second shop (the first is in Sheung Wan, also boasting a laundry service) in Tsim Sha Tsui is billed as the world’s first tap-and-go coffee bar. This branch of the home-grown, sustainable coffee brand features automated hot and cold coffee and non-coffee drinks on tap, integrated with an Octopus Card payment system. Drinks can be refilled at the click of a button if customers bring their own cups, and disposable, fully recyclable cups can be purchased at Clean’s automated vending machine for just HK$2. Notably, oat milk is Clean Coffee’s signature milk, and they continue to claim the title of “(Probably) The Best Oat Milk
Latte in Hong Kong”.
Where: Shop
12, B/F, Heath, 36–44 Nathan Road, TST
Opening hours: daily 8am–6pm (from 7 January)
To contact: email hello@youareclean.com
Crêpe Delicious – new branches in Mongkok & Sheung Wan![]()
Crêpe Delicious, a crêpe specialist from Canada, has launched two new shops in the 852, and to the delight of early risers everywhere looking for a decent breakfast, they both open from 8am on weekdays. In addition to serving up a creative selection of sweet and savoury crêpes, Crêpe Delicious’ menu runs the gamut from snacks and salads to pasta and risotto dishes. We’re also big fans of the eatery’s gelato sundaes and shakes.
Where:
• Mongkok: Shop 103, 1/F, MOKO, 193 Prince Edward Road West, 5693 7519
• Sheung Wan: Shop G–6, G/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, 6336 7290
Opening hours: weekdays 8am–10pm; weekends and public holidays 11am–10pm (MOKO), 12–10pm (Nan Fung Place)
F.I.G.S. Bistro Mediterranean & Apéro Terrace Bar – new pan-Mediterranean bar & restaurant at Cityplaza![]()
This spacious indoor-outdoor bar and restaurant by Silver Oak Group has quietly debuted at Cityplaza in Taikoo Shing – but we don’t think it will stay quiet for long. F.I.G.S., referencing the regions of France, Italy, Greece and Spain in the Med, is overseen by Group Executive Chef Gary Batra and Spanish chef Javier Pérez, who has worked at acclaimed restaurants both in Spain and Hong Kong, including our very own FoFo by el Willy. The day-to-night experience at F.I.G.S. runs from free-flow brunch, to lunch, to afternoon tea, to happy hour, to dinner, with an extensive menu ranging from French seafood stews and freshly made Italian pasta dishes to Greek-style grilled meats and Spanish tapas. The atmospheric outdoor terrace is a bonus.
Where: Shop 601, 6/F, Cityplaza One, 1111 King’s Road, Taikoo Shing, Quarry Bay
Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 12–10:30pm; Friday–Saturday 12–11:30pm
For reservations: phone/WhatsApp 6108 9153 or book online
GOGYO – new Japanese restaurant in Central![]()
This Japanese import was founded in 2003 by Shigemi Kawahara (aka the “Ramen King”) and is beloved for its signature kogashi (burnt or “black”) miso ramen inspired by the five elements. GOGYO has made a return to Hong Kong after three years, having first set up shop at ifc mall. Also on the GOGYO HK menu is a selection of otsumami plates as well as yakitori dishes created in collaboration with Hachibei, a yakitori specialist from Hakata. In addition, GOGYO is teaming up with experts in different fields, from local craft beer brewery Heroes Beer Co to kombucha brand Taboocha, for a bit of home-grown flair.
Where: Shop B2, B/F, Alexandra House, 16–20 Chater Road, Central
Opening hours: daily 11:30am–10:30pm
To contact: phone 2110 1906 or book online
iza’bis by city’super – new Japanese-European restaurant at Times Square![]()
The second restaurant by Japanese gourmet supermarket city’super, iza’bis is described as a cross between a Japanese izakaya and a European bistro, offering more than 150 dishes made with high-quality ingredients from around the world alongside a wine cellar featuring over 1,500 wines, sakes and spirits. Highlights include a selection of city’super’s very own brand of caviar produced by renowned French company Petrossian, a range of nine types of seasonal European oysters, dishes showcasing Yamagata A5 Otome Ushi Wagyu beef (including the luscious-looking Wagyu beef cutlet pictured above) and meat delicacies by the UK’s award-winning Daylesford Organic.
Where: B1/F, Times Square, 1 Matheson Street, Causeway Bay
Opening hours: daily 11am–10pm
For reservations: phone 2917 7254 or book online
Lady M – new branch at World Trade Centre![]()
World Trade Centre is the latest location of this cake boutique specialising in mille-crêpes cakes in a range of flavours. This branch of NYC-born patisserie Lady M boasts a spacious dining area. To celebrate the opening, the brand has launched an Insta-worthy drink dubbed the Strawberry Mille Feuille Latte, available until 28 February.
Where: Shop L2–08 & L2–19, 2/F, World Trade Centre, 280 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay
Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 11am–9pm; Friday–Saturday 11am–10pm
To contact: phone 2861 1866
mato – new coffee & wine bar in Central![]()
Led by experienced sommeliers Anty Fung and Wallace Lo and barista champion Pearl Lau, mato combines the best of both worlds for an all-day coffee-wine omakase experience. Coffee- and wine-pairing recommendations are offered based on guests’ food selections, which come in the form of Italian-Japanese pasta dishes and creative bar snacks. The bar showcases a rotating selection of single-origin coffee beans from around the world as well as a selection of more than 150 Old and New World wine labels. To celebrate the launch, mato has introduced the “Wine – all you can taste” promotion, priced at HK$350 for two hours of unlimited pours of six different wines each month.
Where: Shop G02, G/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central
Opening hours: daily 11am–11pm
To contact: WhatsApp 5977 3288
N+ Burger – new burger concept in Wanchai![]()
If you love yourself a good burger, check out N+ Burger, a new burger brand with its own pasture in Australia. The burgers are made with 100%-natural, high-quality Black Angus beef, homemade sourdough buns and from-scratch sauces – including BBQ, triple garlic and Thousand Island. Free-flow soft drinks are notable at N+, in particular their homemade sparkling lemonade.
Where: 32 Swatow Street, Wanchai
Opening hours: daily 11am–9pm
Special offer: from 12–21 January, customers can get 50% off selected N+ burgers.
To contact: phone 2529 9991
Regent Hong Kong – new five-star hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui![]()
Set to be THE opening of the year, Regent Hong Kong returns to Hong Kong with a bang, with the legendary hotel’s four dining destinations soft-opening on 26 December. Regent Hong Kong first opened in 1980 before being rebranded as InterContinental Hong Kong in 2001. The iconic restaurants returning this month are The Steak House, East-meets-West buffet experience Harbourside, Lobby Lounge (where afternoon tea and champagne toasts await) and – the jewel in the hotel’s culinary crown – two-Michelin-starred Yan Toh Heen, now known as Lai Ching Heen – returning to its treasured original name. Incredibly, Lai Ching Heen is still overseen by esteemed Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai, who first joined the Regent in 1980.
Where: Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST
Opening hours: varies
For reservations: phone 2313 2313 or email dining.regenthk@ihg.com
Rosita – new Latin American restaurant in Wanchai![]()
The culinary masterminds behind Michelin-starred Andō and MONO – Agustin Ferrando Balbi and Ricardo Chaneton, respectively – have partnered with Chef Marco A Livoti (previously chef at Sake Central and founder of cult brand Holy Cannoli) to bring us a taste of sophisticated Latin American cuisine. Rosita’s dinner tasting menus (HK$988/person for 6 courses; HK$1,288/person for 8 courses) are elevated with Japanese sensibilities from Chef Balbi complemented by classic French flair by Chef Chaneton. We envision a third Michelin star for the duo!
Where: 1–7 Ship Street, Wanchai
Opening hours: daily 6:30–11pm
For reservations: WhatsApp 9726 4188 or book online
RÚ – new Chinese restaurant at Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West![]()
This 11,000-square-foot upscale Chinese eatery under the leadership of Chef Edmond Ip has become the flagship restaurant of Nina Hospitality. At a mere 32 years old, Chef Ip has an impressive CV, with former stints at award-winning WING and Woo Cheong Tea House, where he was the executive chef. Featuring a whopping 90 items under 11 categories, the menu is comprised of a selection of sustainable seafood, vegetarian items and farm-to-table plates. Signature dishes include baked whole abalone puff, stir-fried spareribs with aged tangerine peel and balsamic vinegar and double-boiled chicken broth with bean-curd blossom and matsutake mushroom. The art of Chinese tea is also a focus at RÚ, with rare tea leaves presented uniquely by Tea Master Kelvin Ng.
Where: 7/F, Nina Hotel Tsuen Wan West, 8 Yeung Uk Road, Tsuen Wan
Opening hours: weekdays – 11:30am–3pm, 6–10pm; weekends and public holidays – 10:30am–3:30pm, 6–10:30pm
For reservations: phone 2280 2923 or book online
The Tea Room – new café space at The Upper House![]()
The Upper House has unveiled a relaxed, intimate café on the sixth floor designed by long-time collaborator André Fu. The stylish space features custom-made stools and lounge furniture in shades of dusty pink, sand and light oak. Local doughnut specialist Hole Foods is the first pop-up to set up shop here this month.
Where: 6/F, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty
Opening hours: daily 12–6pm
To contact: phone 2918 1838
Whale Club – new private members’ club in Central![]()
Brand-spanking-new private club Whale Club proudly describes itself as “an exclusive community for go-getters with exquisite and eclectic taste”. The swanky two-storey space features private rooms, a bar and gallery and a cigar room. On the F&B front, Executive Chef Andre L’Herminier helms the refined French-Asian restaurant, with the menu based around the seasonality of ingredients in France. Just beneath Whale Club is Whale Wine, a retail shop offering the best vintages from around the world, and then there’s Whale Wellness, a a unique combination of yoga and physiotherapy, and even Whale Hakuba, an eco-friendly ski-in, ski-out boutique hotel in Niseko, Japan.
UPDATE: now opening in February 2023
Where: G/F & 1/F, 29 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central
Opening hours: Sunday–Thursday 12pm–midnight; Friday–Saturday and public holiday eves 12pm–1am
To contact: phone 2506 0880
RELATED: New Restaurants, Pop-Ups & Menus: December 2022
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