Top image via uoginternationalstory

New additions to the only street in Hong Kong which still uses gas street lamps have come thick and fast in the last three months. Since Lifestyle Federation opened The First Floor (a private dining club meets restaurants meets artisan goods display) we were lured to visit the one way alley for more than just brunch at Duddell’s on a Sunday (though we would still gladly do that…on any day).

Here are four restaurants and bars which will give you a reason to head down to street named as such because it used to house the city’s only source of ice:

Beefbar

Beefbar have just (literally last week) opened doors to welcome the Hong Kong public after thriving in Mykonos, Moscow and Mexico (we would have thought Melbourne might have been a more fitting choice but in a starkly avant garde decision, a city not starting with M seems to have been the better choice for the Monaco based restaurant group). 

The charisma of Beefbar is spearheaded by chef Andrea Spagoni, and reinforced by an extensive list of quality and rare cuts from different regions, such as Black Angus beef from both the US and Australia, as well as Japanese Kobe beef.

Beefbar

Website or Tel: 2110 8853

Open Hours: Mon to Sat 12:00pm – 10:30pm; Closed on Sunday

The First Floor by Lifestyle Federation

The First Floor is part private members club, part artisan products showroom, part fine dining restaurant. Either call the make a reservation if already a The First Floor (TFF) member, or walk in and sign up to become one. They have a restaurant with seasonal, fine dining dishes as well as a number of products on display to purchase in addition to a central kitchen and work bench which diners can eat on or can be rented out for private use.

The food is seafood centric, though due to change with supply, drawing on elements of French and Japanese cookery. Head chef Kit Cheung knows his fine western cuisine, having built his career in Michelin starred restaurants such as Caprice and Spoon by Alain Ducasse.

The First Floor by Lifestyle Federation

Website or Tel: 2840 0032

22 Ice House Street, Central

Foxglove 

Foxglove is very cool. It is among a new wave of speakeasies in Hong Kong which are slowly but surely gaining the popularity that similar venues in New York and London enjoy. 

The story goes that there once was a gentleman named Mr. Minza, who travelled the world in search of adventure and all things beautiful. However, what he could never capture was the heart of his beloved, so he created Foxglove, named after his lost lover’s favourite flower, to win her back. At its natural state, the foxglove flower is potently lethal, but if used carefully, could also treat ailments of the heart. 

Hang out in Foxglove to the tune of live jazz in the main lounge, or enjoy rare Cognacs, spirits and Japanese cask-strength whiskies in the “red room”, an intimate 32-seater VIP alcove modelled after a vintage first class train cabin. 

Foxglove

Website or Tel: 2116 8949

6 Duddell Street, 2/F Printing House, 18 Ice House Street

Duddell’s

Not new, we know, but perhaps the harbinger of the restaurant revolution that has now overcome this heritage street in Central.

Duddell’s is JIA creation (the restaurant group which brought us Fishschool, Meen and Rice, Chachawan etc) and stays true to Yenn Wong’s style of sophisticated casual, with a menu focused on dimsum and nouveau artwork being a foundational feature. A recent collaboration was with Song Dong who uses edible ingredients as his chosen medium of art, allowing viewers to consume and contemplate his art as a spiritual process.

Specific props to the char sui bao, which is memorable for being really done right. The bun is steamed perfectly and the filling is tasty without being salty. 

Duddell’s 

Website or Tel: 2525 9191

1 Duddell Street