bc magazine

Megabites: 24 November – Beefbar, Osteria Felice, California Tower

Osteria Felice
The latest restaurant to open in the space in Hutchison House that housed the Bull and Bear for so many years is Osteria Felice the new outlet from the Epicurean Group. Literally translated it means ‘happy tavern’ and that’s what the Italian themed outlet is looking to provide. There’s a small bar offering innovative cocktails and a create your own martini menu and a large raised dining area. The menu created by executive chef Brian Moore features a wide range of dishes from anti-pasti to pizza, pastas to gourmet slow cooked delights. Food that can be enjoyed at lunch, a relaxed casual dinner or ‘proper’ meal out.
Osteria Felice: G/F., Hutchison House, 10 Harcourt Road, Central Tel: 2516 6166 www.osteriafelice.com

Beefbar
Originating in Monte Carlo a decade ago, Beefbar opened on Ice House Street this month – the latest outlet from the Lai Sun Group. The opulent interior of marble and brass is surprisingly relaxed, service is attentive but unobtrusive. An A3 style menu features premium quality Australian, American and Japanese beef front and centre but also offers a lot more than just beef. There’s a broad range of seafood and meat tartare, fish, veal and chicken. As well as the Ala Carte menu there’s a range of city themed two or three course set lunches.
Beefbar: 2/F, Club Lusitano, 16 Ice House St, Central.Tel: 2110 8853, www.beefbar.hk

California Tower
California Tower in Lan Kwai Fong officially opens on the 30 November, with 8 restaurants and bars. As part of their opening celebrations some of the outlets are hosting a series of workshops and tastings.

Townhouse
Make Your Own ‘California Tower’ Cocktail workshop, where participants will be taught how to produce a ‘California Tower’ drink – created specially to mark the Grand Opening. There will be a minimum of 10 people per workshop and bookings must be made at least a week in advance.
Date: November 2015 to January 2016
Venue: 23/F, California Tower
Cost: HK$180 per person, including the ‘California Tower’ cocktail created by participant and a snack
Language: English
Booking: +852 2344 2366; [email protected]

Zentral
Nightclub Zentral is putting on a Mixology Cocktail Class, where bartenders will teach drinkers the craft of creating a cocktail.
Date: 27th November, 4th & 11th December 2015
Venue: 4-5/F, California Tower
Cost: HK$110 per person
Language: English
Booking: RSVP with [email protected] or walk-in

Fovea
Fovea is hosting two workshops to showcase both its Chinese culinary and cocktail-making credentials. At the restaurant side, the Recognising New Age Chinese Style Cuisine class will see Fovea’s executive chef introduce creative cooking methods used to prepare special Chinese-style snacks. On the club floor, the Fovea Special Cocktails class is conducted by Fovea’s resident bartender. Participants will learn an easy way to make cocktails.
Date: 28th November 2015.
Recognising New Age Chinese Style Cuisine: 2-3pm
Fovea Special Cocktails: 5-6pm
Address: 1-2/F, California Tower
Language: Cantonese and English
Booking: Ms Vanessa Tam, +852 2549 9166; Ms Isabel Chau, +852 9105 8172

Scotland to Tour Hong Kong!

Hong Kong confirmed to host first ever One Day Internationals as Scotland to tour in January 2016.

The Hong Kong Cricket Association (HKCA) today announced that it will host Scotland’s men’s national team here in January 2016. The tour will feature the first ever One Day Internationals (ODIs) held on Hong Kong – or Chinese – soil.

The announcement was made after the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved the Tin Kwong Road Recreation Ground (known as Mission Road) as an ODI venue, the first in East Asia. The ICC had sent two representatives a fortnight ago – including former Australian Test Cricketer and now ICC Match Referee David Boon – to inspect the LCSD-run facility, which will also host the city’s inaugural First Class and Twenty20 International (T20I) matches during the same tour.

HKCA CEO Tim Cutler commented on how important the approval is and also discussed other possible future international cricket events in Hong Kong. “The approval of Mission Road is a historic event for Hong Kong cricket and I would like to thank the HKCA staff and volunteers who worked on this project. Moreover, the assistance from the LCSD was amazing and this would not have been possible without their help, especially from Ms Ada Lau who oversee the ground’s management and Mr Cameron Hodgkins who heads up the Sports Turf Management Section”.

“It is fitting that the first nation to play ODI cricket against us here is Scotland. The Scots have long proud history in Hong Kong and we have already initiated discussions with various local Scottish community groups to ensure these matches are properly publicised and celebrated. We have some great ideas about how to make this a great event – a true festival of cricket – and we look forward to announcing more details soon.”

“I also think that the matches will actually be the highest (by world ranking) sporting event involving a Hong Kong team, ever hosted here. On the topic of grounds, we are continuing our discussions with the government and its appointed agents about accommodating cricket appropriately at the proposed Kai Tak Multi-Purpose Sports Complex. There is real opportunity here for us to develop a beacon here for cricket in East Asia whilst assisting the HKCA as it strives to be a leader for emerging cricket nations globally. There are numerous international cricket events that we could host in Hong Kong, with the right facilities.”

“With talk of cricket’s inclusion at the Olympics increasing, I think it is critical we do not overlook the opportunity to provide a world-class facility where we could also host women’s and under-age World Cup events. Twenty20 matches (or franchises) from the hugely successful Indian Premier League and Australian Big Bash Leagues are also an option. We could even provide a neutral test venue. All of these would generate immense global interest and the potential TV revenue alone makes this a very exciting prospect, along with the obvious exposure for Hong Kong itself.”

Cutler continued “Even in preliminary talks, the ICC is very excited about the prospect of Hong Kong being able to host such matches and we’ll ensure a direct line of communication is developed so that they can shed light on the potential with the government.”

Scotland’s tour in January will include the first class, four-day Intercontinental Cup match, two World Cricket League games which will hold full-ODI status and two Twenty20 Internationals. The two T20i ties are to be confirmed.

Hong Kong is currently 10th in the T20I rankings, and 16th in ODIs. Scotland are 12th and 14th in the respective tables.

After recent strong results in the UAE, Hong Kong could improve its ranking to 13th with wins over Scotland.

Proposed Tour Itinerary – Hong Kong v. Scotland
(All Matches at Mission Road, Tin Kwong Road, Kowloon District):

21 – 24 January: ICC Intercontinental Cup (Four-day, first class match)
26 & 28 January: ICC World Cricket League Championship (Fifty over, One Day Internationals)
30 & 31 January: Twenty20 Internationals

Women’s 15s Match Report: HKCC 5-48 USRC Tigers – 21 November, 2015

The weekend’s fixture saw the HKCC Ladies squad travel to King’s Park to play a USRC Tigers side sitting one place above them in the league.

HKCC had learned some valuable lessons from the previous weekend and had put that into practice in the training sessions leading up to the game. It showed from the off with HKCC putting pressure on the Tigers keeping them at bay, however fortune was not on HKCC’s side and a momentarily lapse in concentration led to Tigers taking a 5-0 lead with a break down the blindside wing.

The opening 25 minutes saw a tense battle between the two squads with HKCC playing some of the best rugby of their season so far, putting together phase after phase, gaining yard after yard ending in a superb team try finished off by Scrum Half Ashley Brooks.

The hard working start took it’s toll and as HKCC began to tire the Tigers were all too happy to take advantage, adding 2 unanswered tries and going in at half time 15-5 up.

HKCC tried to regroup at the break as injuries and players looked burnt out after the explosive beginning to the first half.

The second half continued in the same vain as the latter minutes of the first half with the Tigers showing no signs of slowing down adding three more early tries to take the lead to 34-5.

HKCC showed a lot of spirit, courage and determination trying not to be disheartened as they attempted to penetrate the Tigers defence but the fierce opposition had other ideas. The Tigers showed more clinical finishing to end the game 48-5.

Again this week saw some great phases of play for HKCC to take heart from particularly in the opening 25 minutes. What is needed is to play at that level for the full game. The Tigers showed they will compete with most teams will surely be amongst it at the end of the season.

Women of the match for HKCC:
Back – Angie Ng
Forward – Carolyn Champion

HKCC Ladies: Joan Yip, Wawa Li, Jo Harvey, Izzy Rivers, Nobuko Oda, Carolyn Champion, Zoe Wong, Lynda Nazer, Ashley Brooks, Tinley Wong, Brenda Chan, Emma Chung, Tissia Polycarpe, Serene Yee, Diana Li
Substitutes: Mhairi McLaughlin, Charlotte Berry, Hoi Yi Li, Elane Lau, Angie Ng, Kassie Chapel, Margaret Chan.
Try: Ashley Brooks

Hong Kong Succumb to Pakistan’s Pace in 64 Run Loss

Pakistan defeated Hong Kong by 64 runs in a thrilling twenty20 clash in Dubai on Monday.

Chasing 168 for victory, Mark Chapman scored a 39-ball half century and Anshuman Rath contributed 18 to anchor the Hong Kong innings, but the side lost wickets regularly to be dismissed for 103 runs in 17.1 overs.

Pakistan may have momentarily regretted electing to bat, with opener Ahmed Shehzad dismissed with the first ball of the match. However, Rafatullah Mohmand (25) and number three Sohaib Maqsood (25) steadied the ship, before Mohammad Rizwan starred with an unbeaten 38-ball 55.

Aamer Yamin added 27 more, while number eight Anwar Ali struck 16 from only eight deliveries to help boost Pakistan’s run rate in the final overs. Babar Hayat took a screaming catch to dismiss Anwir on the last ball of the innings, a catch that was also Haseeb Amjad’s third wicket for the day. Haseeb finished the pick of the Hong Kong bowlers with three for 38, which Anshuman Rath claimed two for 30, and Tanwir Afzal and Aizaz Khan took one apiece.

In reply, Hong Kong lost two early wickets and only had 11 runs on the board when vice captain Mark Chapman came to the crease. Opener Anshuman Rath added a vital 18 runs from 19 deliveries, but it was Chapman’s knock, which included five fours and two sixes, that got the Hong Kong innings back on track.

It was with a four that Chapman brought up his half century, but he was caught next ball to leave Hong Kong precariously balanced at 82 for six after 12.2 overs. Hong Kong’s tail failed to wag in the last few overs. Finally, Hong Kong closed on 103 all out after 17.1 overs.

Hong Kong has three T20Is remaining in its tour of the UAE.

Result
Pakistan won by 64 runs
Toss – Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first

Pakistan 167/7, 20 overs
Mohammad Rizwan 55*, Aamer Yamin 27, Rafatullah Mohmand 25, Sohaib Maqsood 25
Haseeb Amjad 3/38, Anshuman Rath 2/30, Tanwir Afzal 1/25, Aizaz Khan 1/32

Hong Kong 103 all out, 17.1 overs
Mark Chapman 50, Anshuman Rath 18, Waqas Khan 10
Bilal Asif 2/13, Shahid Afridi 2/21, Sohail Tanvir 1/8, Aamer Yamin 1/29

Fish, Chips and Minis @ Chater Garden – 22 November, 2015

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Sunday afternoon in Central, instead of just the normal Sunday crowds of Filipinas enjoying their day off, the area around Chater Garden and Square is packed with families. The road is closed for a Mini display and there’s fish and chips from The Chippy and bottled beers and ciders to enjoy. A wonderful example of how vibrant the area could be…
Click on any photo for the full gallery

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T20: Hong Kong lose to Oman by 6 Wickets

Oman’s Sultan Ahmed won the toss against Hong Kong’s Tanwir Afzal, and his bowlers did the rest as Hong Kong were soundly beaten in the first of three Twenty20 Internationals losing by 6 wickets in a match played at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

After losing the toss Hong Kong were asked to bat. Openers Anshuman Rath and Waqas Barkat could not set the same platform as they had in the second ODI against United Arab Emirates, Rath could only score 5 before being dismissed by Bilal Khan in the 1st over.

Babar Hayat joined Barkat at the crease and quickly raced to 16 with a run of boundaries before being caught in the third over. Hayat was the first of three wickets to fall for just 4 runs as Hong Kong were reduced to 31 for 4 as Barkat and Nizakat Khan quickly followed. Skipper Tanwir Afzal and Mark Chapman then put on 21 before Afzal perished caught at extra cover as he drove on the up. Chris Carter and Waqas Khan then began to rebuild the innings in a 36-run partnership, that lifted Hong Kong’s total to 92. But disaster struck in the 17th over as first Waqas Khan (19) was ran out and Chris Carter (15) was caught at long on by Adnan Ilyas. Hong Kong finally closed on 106 for 9 from their 20 overs probably 20 short of par for a wicket that was playing low and slow.

For Oman Bilal Khan (3 for 29) and Mehran Khan (2 for 20) were the pick of the bowlers

Hong Kong set about defending of the total as Haseeb Amjad and Tanwir Afzal kept things tight early which brought about the dismissal of opener Khawar Ali trapped lbw by Afzal as he looked to hit across a full ball.

Jatinder Singh (16) joined opener Aaqib Sulehri (12) at the crease and the pair took the total to 25 from 5 overs, before Sulehri was caught behind by Chris Carter to a superb diving catch to his right. Adnan Ilyas was removed by Skipper Afzal and Singh was bowled in the 10th over by Anshuman Rath after a period of pressure. This brought Zeeshan Siddiqui (33*) and Sultan Ahmed (37*) together and the pair set about building the match winning partnership of 30 for Oman, who eventually reached their target of 107 with 9 balls to spare.

Skipper Tanwir Afzal claimed two wickets while Aizaz Khan and Anshuman Rath chipped in with one wicket each for Hong Kong as Oman won the match by 6 wickets in Abu Dhabi.

Women’s Rugby Fixtures – 21 November, 2015

Megabites: Food News 21 November, 2015

Paradise Inn
Singapore-based Paradise Group has announced the opening of its second outlet in Hong Kong, Paradise Inn. Located at Olympian City the new outlet features Nanyang Chinese cuisine with a modern twist. Nanyang Chinese cuisine can be traced back to the 18th century, when large numbers of Chinese ventured across the seas to Nanyang regions of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand for trade. When the traders returned to China with ingredients and cooking styles techniques the Nanyang style of Chinese cuisine emerged.
Paradise Inn: Shop UG09, UG/F, Olympian City 2, 18 Hoi Ting Road, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon. Tel: 2177 0760 www.paradisegp.com

Howard’s Gourmet
Howard Cai, first established his “Howard’s Gourmet Workshop” in Guangzhou in 2005. Now Howard’s Gourmet is expanding to Hong Kong, the restaurant is now soft open in the CCB Tower Central, and it is slated to official open its door in early December. Mr Cai embraces two culinary philosophies: “Ingredients always come first”, “Tasty is the absolute principal”.
Howard’s Gourmet: 5/F, CCB Tower, 3 Connaught Road Central, Central. Tel: 2115 3388. www.howardsgourmet.com

Lan Kwai Fong Carnival
The korean themed Lan Kwai Fong Carnival 2015 will take place on the 21-22 November. This year’s carnival will feature the usual variety food and beverage treats, games booths, live music all with a Korean theme. Wo On Lane will be ‘transformed’ into “Myeong-dong”, the No.1 tourist destination in South Korea… with taekwondo demonstrations, Korean drum performances, K-pop dance groups and of course K-pop.

High Tide
After 6 years on Cheung Sha beach, Hong Kong’s landlords strike again as High Tide is closing on the 28 November, to re-open in Silvermine Bay in early 2016. www.hightidehk.com