New Sensations
Quick-fix sushi is the order of the day – literally – at Sushi Express (G/F 19-21 Tong Chong Street, Quarry Bay, 2563 3000) a new kaitenzushi venue. Kaitenzushi is the Japanese name for sushi served on a conveyor-belt, customers choosing from the selection as it rolls past them. The sushi items are on plates colour coded to denote price which makes bill tallies at the end of the meal easy. The whole enjoyable experience at Sushi Express leaves you at the sushi bar savouring selections of handmade sushi, sashimi, hand-rolled sushi and the speciality, boro sushi – sushi made with little rice balls. Prices range from $9-$35 per sushi dish. A word of advice: apparently in Japan it’s bad etiquette to pick up a plate off the belt, and then replace it having decided you don’t want it, so remember – choose wisely!
 They like it hot, hot and hot at Heat (G/F 54-62 Lockhart Road, Wanchai, 2528 0997) a suave new venue in the heart of Wanchai. In the space that used to be Klong, Heat is hoping to burn up the street with its feisty flavours behind the bar and on the plates. The menu is Asian inspired with touches from Japan through to Thailand and India, with one theme – spice! Manager Juri Kuzma wanted a menu that reflected the city we live in, which resulted in an eclectic and flavourful blend of spices from across the region infused into traditional dishes. Signature items to look out for include the prawns in rice paper roll served with sweet chilli sauce ($58) and the soft shell crab and avocado rolls ($60). We tried the pepper-crusted tuna skewers and mojito lamb skewers. The tuna was balanced by the flavour of the pepper, cooked to a perfect medium and the lamb mojito skewers were like nothing we’ve tried before. They were a blend of lime, mint and meaty flavours; each one developing in slow bursts with every bite – absolutely, lipsmackingly delicious.
The summer heats up as Spice (2/F 1 Knutsford Terrace, TST, 2191 9880) serves delicious Southeast Asian offerings from Indian, Thai and Malay cuisines. Take your pick from starters like the traditional Malay satay ($68), lamb sheekh kebab ($108) and crispy calamari ($68). For a main, sample the fiery flavours of the restaurant’s signature dishes: tandoori black cod tikka ($168), grilled salmon with Asian spices ($178) and Penang jumbo prawn ($178). Curry lovers fear not, a whole section entitled ‘awesome curries’ allows you to indulge in your favourite dish including beef rendang ($115), chicken makhani ($90) and seafood curry ($128).
Look forward to the return of El Pomposo, serving its special brand of Spanish tapas in the near future. The 97 Group was keen to resurrect the restaurant because of its popularity in the past, albeit in a new location – it’ll now be taking the place of Kabuki Lounge on the 8th floor of LKF Tower.
After a long period of renovation, Mozart Stub’n (G/F 8 Glenealy, Central, 2522 1763) is back! The Austrian fine dining venue has seen a sophisticated and stylish revamp of the interiors with a cool, crisp new look. Fret not, though – Austrian and German favourites are still on the menu. We like the look of the Tyrolian-cured ham platter with paprika cheese spread and schnaps ($108), fried Camembert with cranberries ($75), and the Wiener schnitzel ($180).
 Ever have that trouble where when you get to a restaurant you just don’t know what to order? Well, you won’t need to worry about that at Babek (G/F 9 Elgin Street, Soho, 2975 9332), a new venue with a unique dining concept – they tell you what to eat. The dinner menu at Babek is fixed into a special dining sequence that allows all the flavours to complement each other. The modern Indian cuisine here concentrates on kebabs. Starting with spiced pea paté, moving on to fish tikka, paneer shashlik and prawn peri peri style and finishing up with tandoori chicken, peshwari lamb chops and duck kebabs, the focus is on the flavour of the meat and the subtlety of the spices. Between the courses, palate fresheners – a trio of lassi shots and a lime sorbet – introduce a contemporary touch to Indian custom, but it is complemented with the traditional in Indian desserts like kulfi and accompaniments sheermal bread, naan and daal. The full experience (which includes unlimited refills) is $250, though a smaller meal with four courses is available for $175. Babek also boasts a wonderful open kitchen with a special ‘kebab bar’ and a dedicated chef and tandoor oven to provide that extra oomph to the experience. To grab a seat at the bar, it is best to make reservations and also to let the restaurant know of any allergy or dietary restrictions.
Revamps seem to be the order of the day, as El Cid Caramar is transformed into Costa Del Sol (Shop 102 Murray House, Stanley Plaza, Stanley 2899 0858). Expect a brand new interior and a fresh menu to tempt the palate, when it opens soon.
The burger joint on Star Street, Shake ‘em buns (G/F 5 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, 2572 6220) has just opened another venue in Causeway Bay – right across from Lee Gardens. It is a much bigger place, with more seating space and an expanded menu. New burgers included Hawaiian surfer girl ($60) – a cheeseburger with pineapple and bacon, south of the border ($60) – a hamburger with sour cream, guacamole and salsa, and gang bang ($98) – double patty bacon cheeseburger with fried egg. The snacks section has also been expanded so that when the liquor licence arrives, the bar snacks will be at the ready. The al fresco space in the back is not being used yet but we’re assured something is in the works – so watch this space…
Cuba might be on the other side of an ocean but you can experience a little bit of Havana closer to home at Castro’s (1/F 16 Ashley Road, TST, 2957 8041), a new bar that serves Latin-inspired snacks including the Cuban sandwich ($89) and fried chorizo ($42). While its decked out in Cuban paraphernalia, the biggest draw is the open fronts on both sides – huge windows look out onto the street below and give this place a light feel nicely matching its orange walls. The windows also mean that you can smoke the Cuban cigars they have for sale while enjoying your tapas and drinks. Look out for the tapas menu incorporating both Latin and Spanish ingredients debuting later this month.
May Promotions
It’s not often you’ll find a slice of New York down a side street in Tsim Sha Tsui but 798 Unit & Co (1/F 9 Hau Fook Street, TST, 2366 0234) seems to have replicated the feel of the Big Apple in the bistro unit. The monochrome checked mosaic floor tiles, crisp white linens and mirrored walls all contribute to an casual yet elegant feel. But the real show stopper is the open kitchen. With a large centre worktable with cooking stations around it, it’s the kind of entertainment and dining experience where the food is the show. Plus, all the cooks and waiting staff look uber smart in their chef’s whites. The menu isn’t too bad either with choices like grilled veal sausage served with mashed potato ($65), barbecue lamb loin ($105) and grilled wild mushroom risotto ($48). At lunch, a daily carving special ($88) is available and brunch ($98) is offered on weekends.
Weekends by the water are great, but even better with lots of food so check out Cadero Grill and Oyster Bar’s (G315 Harbour City, TST, 2721 2181) tea buffet, available on weekends and public holidays from 3pm to 5pm. Included in the spread are salads, open-faced sandwiches, hot dishes, including steak and lamb chops, and plenty of dessert choices. Also, waiters drop by your table with freshly made appetizers so you won’t miss out when they come straight out of the kitchen. Adults dine for $108 and children $78.
With summer approaching, Lumiere (Shop 3101-3107, Podium Level 3, IFC Mall, Central, 2393 3933) is introducing a six-course set dinner ($520) especially created by master chef Roland Shao with a fresh and healthy approach to Sichuan cuisine. The menu includes a creamy soya bean milk soup with fresh prawns and sea whelks, steamed stuffed giant king prawns, pan-fried duck breast served with a homemade mushroom chilli sauce, Sichuanese-style fish balls, organic black sesame noodles and finally sweet bird’s nest dumplings in ginger soup.
 After a long day of shopping, there’s nothing better than a good hearty meal – to keep your energy up for the next shopping trip… So is it a wonder that Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Restaurant & Bar (The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road Central, 3695 3389) has recently introduced a special prix fix dinner menu? The three-course meal ($250) is available daily and includes a tempting selection of starters, mains and desserts including crispy prawn wrapped with pasty and served with onion puree and prawn bisque, oven roasted sea bass with a peanut crust and peanut emulsion and a trio of spoons with crème brulee, vanilla cheesecake and chocolate and vanilla mixed fruits.
Classic Tastes
Only a handful of venues in HK can claim to be truly ‘established’ – so it’s even more of a surprise when you come across a street that has several of them. Ashley Road in Tsim Sha Tsui isn’t quite considered a dining mecca but it boasts five restaurants that have been around for nearly 30 years. Take a look at the eateries that have seen three decades…
La Taverna (G/F 36-38 Ashley Road, TST, 2376 1945) has been at Ashley Road for around 33 years serving its special home-style Italian cuisine. The restaurant sits below street level and as a result has an intimate feel – the low ceilings, dim lights and cosy surroundings all lend an air of a romantic Italian getaway to the place. Photos, pictures and posters adorn the walls alongside racks of wines, oils and vinegars all contrasting with the white stucco-style walls. On the menu, expect hearty comfort food with dishes like calamari and zucchini in garlic and white wine sauce ($120), sizzling shrimps in chilli and olive oil ($120), braised veal shanks with risotto ($195) and ravioli with salmon tartar ($135). La Taverna also offers a fish of the day (at market price) to be grilled simply with lemon and olive oil. Desserts again are traditional: panna cotta ($48), gelato ($48) and, of course, tiramisu ($60).
Weinstube (1/F Honytex Building, 22 Ashley Road, TST, 2376 1800) has been in its current location for about 25 years, says manager Ross Smith, but before that it was at street level – so it has been around for roughly 27 years. Not bad for a small pub that serves Austrian and German food. Smith says a lot of regulars have been coming for years to savour traditional
dishes like pork knuckle ($148), veal schnitzel ($145) and sausage platters (small $150/large $210). The selections for the set lunch vary on a daily basis and, as with all good pubs, a large collection of beers with a few German and Austrian varieties, including Warsteiner, is on tap. A sampling of the small selection of schnapps seems the perfect way to end a meal.
Gaylord (1/F Ashley Centre, 23-25 Ashley Road, TST, 2376 1001) is one of Hong Kong’s oldest Indian restaurants, established in 1972. The menu is a list of traditional flavourful and authentic North Indian dishes with a rich blend of spices and herbs. With the tandoor oven in the kitchen, the naans ($20-$28) are soft and slightly fluffy while tandoori meats in the mix grill ($175) retain their full flavours and juiciness. The menu is extensive with options for meat lovers, vegetarians and seafood enthusiasts covering the best that Northern Indian cuisine has to offer. While the food is a delight, the real show stealer might just be the Indian singers accompanied by Indian classical instruments tabla and harmonium performing every evening. Often, the singers will break away from the Bollywood songs that make up most of their act to sing traditional Indian ghazals – rhythmic poems about love. Classical music for classic food is what Gaylord is
all about.
 Jimmy’s Kitchen (1/F Kowloon Centre, 29 Ashley Road, TST, 2376 0327) isn’t just an Ashley Road institution, but a Hong Kong one too. The original was established in 1928, and the Kowloon branch opened 41 years later in 1969. Known for its suited waiting staff and steakhouse-style interiors, it has often been an appealing venue, especially for businessmen. Serving European style cuisine, it is now introducing a Sunday roast for lunch and dinner. The three-course menu ($198) consists of a choice between two starters – Billingsgate fish market chowder or Granny Smith’s field lettuce salad; two roast mains – either roasted prime rib beef or roasted spring leg of lamb, both served with accompaniments including creamed spinach, baked potatoes and roasted potatoes; and finally for dessert a traditional English bread-and-butter pudding.
Ned Kelly’s Last Stand (G/F 11A Ashley Road, TST, 2376 0562) is as infamous as its namesake but perhaps not for the same reasons. This well-known establishment is one of Hong Kong’s best proprietors of jazz with the band playing every night from 9:30pm to 1am. It’s more of a pub than a restaurant, an image confirmed by the ‘saloon’ style interior with dark woods and low lighting. Nevertheless, Ned Kelly’s still boasts a large food menu as well as American-style bar snacks. Classics like Irish stew ($98) and fish and chips ($98) sit alongside Aussie-themed items Wooloomooloo steak sandwich ($84) and Asian-inspired dishes such as chicken adobo ($85). This is the place to get your classic pub grub complemented by various lashings of beer and some good old jazz. It’s no wonder that the place is still around after 35 years.
 Philia (G/F 4-8 Arbuthnot Road, Central, 2147 2389) is celebrating spring the French way, with a special Le French May dinner on the 25th and 26th of the month. The ingredients of the sumptuous six-course meal ($398) will be flown in from France. On the menu is salmon and pigeon rillettes, followed by pan-fried foie gras and wild mushroom pie and oyster veloute with artichoke crisp soup. Lime sorbet is the palate cleanser before the main course – a choice between pan-fried citrus and saffron-infused sea bass with fennel and apple salad, or roasted suckling pig with candied yams, French beans and raisin gravy. Finally, dessert is mango mousse mille-feuille with white wine poached pear.
Le French May Eats
 Café de Paris (G/F 23 Elgin Street, Soho, 2810 0771) is running a special five-course set dinner ($450) throughout the month of May. Start with quinoa-crusted scallops on minted green peas and raspberry with a sprout salad, confit tomato and roasted garlic tart with zucchini and rocket salad with a Parmesan dressing and chilled red pepper puree with coriander Chantilly. For the main courses, choose either the rosemary-scented lamb rack with fennel, glazed onions and lemon or slow-steamed cod fillet with spring vegetables and sage beurre blanc. Wrap up the meal with a dark cherry clafouti and vanilla ice cream served with tea or coffee.
agnès b. le pain grillé (G/F 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, 2577 2718) is celebrating Le French May with signature dishes from the various regions of the Gallic nation. Offerings from Provence include warm baby artichokes in olive oil and white wine ($88) and from Normandy, braised ox tripe in cider ($165) and apple fritters with Calvados and fresh cream ($55). Dishes from regions of Burgundy, Champagne and Languedoc-Roussillon are also included on the menu. |
The Balcony (4/F The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Road, TST East, 2733 2033) has a summery twist to its usual dessert buffet ($138 adult/$98 child) with a tropical mango theme. The fruit’s flavour is infused in some dishes and a strong feature in others. Of nearly 40 types of mango-themed desserts, pandan leaf pancake with mango and coconut filling, mango pecan strudel, chocolate mango molten cake and mango lamingtons are just a few. A favourite with local crowds is sure to be the new addition: mango with lychee rice pudding. The buffet is available Saturday, Sunday and on public holidays from 2:30pm to 5pm.
