Handover Celebrations
The view is as stunning as the food, so is there a better place to lookdown on the Handover annivesary celebrations than at Petrus (Level 56, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, 2820 8590) at $1997 per person. The restaurant is located on level 56 of the hotel and provides its diners with a view of Victoria Harbour, well in time for the fireworks – In fact it’s one of the best views of them in Hong Kong! Aside from the dishes, the menu includes a glass of Dom Perignon.

Watching the fireworks here poses a problem for people who don’t like the mass crowds on each side of the harbour – either opt for the television feed or find a different vantage point. One of the many companies offering junk trips to watch the handover fireworks is Saffron Cruises (2857 1311). Using a traditional junk packages costing $688 for adults and $350 for children (below 12) start at 5.30pm and ends at 10.30pm and include drinks and food.

In commemoration of the Handover, The Verandah (109 Repulse Bay Road, Hong Kong, 2292 2822) is offering an exclusive brunch on Saturday June 30, at $368 for adults and $184 for children. The brunch includes choices of seafood, sashimi, cook-to-order main courses and more. There will also be live entertainment by the New Orleans Jazz trio.

At sea level on Fenwick Pier is Quarterdeck (1 Lung King Street, Fleet Arcade, Fenwick Pier, 2827 8882) and their Handover offering is a $1997 dinner for two featuring four courses including green tea ham soup, duck or salmon, chococlate dessert plus of course you are in the perfect location to enjoy millions of dollars of fireworks over glass of wine.

Tasty Treats
Ever looked for una buena pizza, but not just wanted that to be the highlight of the meal? Here’s the answer. Go to Jardine House, Grappa’s Cellar (Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong, 2521 2322). It’s an Italian restaurant that insists on tradition and variety and only uses fresh ingredients, including imported products such as semolina flour and natural cheese flown in from Italy and USA. Not .only for traditional Italian cuisine, Grappa’s Cellar doubles up as ‘The Home of Enterntainment’ - ranging from dinner theatre to jazz. The ultimate dolce vita.

Hoi King Heen (Basement Two, 70 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong, call 2731 2883) is located in the Grand Stanford Intercontinental Hotel, Tsim Sha Tsui and offers Cantonese cuisine. Its furnishings – burgundy wood and soft carpet lure its diners into the ever aromatic and popular interior. Some of the signature dishes of the restaurant include crab claws and bean curd and abalone. The restaurant has an open glass-walled kitchen to offer its diners a view into the chefs at work. Hoi King Heen also caters for weddings and offers wedding menus.

Eating out in Japanese has always been chic – but even the most exotic sashimi can get boring. That’s why you should head for some difference - Moéh (R2 - 7/F Island Beverley, 1 Great George Street, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2882 2167) The restaurant serves Japanese food and is located in Causeway Bay. With a sleek design and a play on monochrome, the restaurant is a popular destination for any lover of sushi – and more! Its newest promotion includes a two person six course menu that serves dishes such as homemade cheese tofu, Enoki bacon wrap, chicken Yakitori at $278. Moéh also takes pride in serving the freshest – with fish flown in daily from Japan, sure to provide any client with a fresh tap into the taste buds.

Some might argue that the panoramic view of Victoria Harbour is Shooter 88 Harbour Grill and Bar’s (5/F, Elizabeth House, 501-502 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, 2893 4088) best asset, others will say the generous portions are. Suffice it to say, when you sit down to a meal, the restaurant integrates all your senses – so Shooter 88 won’t just serve classic American dishes like crispy potato skins ($48), it will also surround you with classic Hollywood posters and photographs, and background music from such greats as Elvis Presley. We were huge fans of Arthur’s Caesar salad ($88), now tossed with the fourth edition of a secret-recipe dressing and complemented with some great melt-in-your-mouth smoked salmon. Main courses like roasted prime rib ($168-$498), with an Alaskan king crab leg at additional cost, are flavourful and filling and seafood dishes such as baked classic lobster Thermidor ($228), with tender meat smothered in the creamy sauce and melted cheese are striking artistic presentations. Executive chef Lee Kwok Leung emphasizes aesthetics in all his dishes, which might be why we saw so many menu items adorned with brightly-coloured sweet peppers and why our attention was kept from wandering too often towards the huge windows and colourful city skyline.

Dinner Music
After his previous successful appearances, Jazz guitarist Eugene Pao will play at Le Rideau Theatre Café (Level 1 Hilltop Plaze, 49 Hollywood Road, SoHo, Central, Hong Kong, 2850 8833) every Thursday in July. The music will start at 9.30pm every week and entrance is offered at $100, on an at-the-door basis. Le Rideau Café is best known for being the only arts bistro in Hong Kong; a combined restaurant, lounge and performance venue. The restaurant menu is western – offering many pastas, meat and seafood such as Penne Alla Arrabiatta, Penne Alla Arrabiatta and Sautéed prawn Provencal.