Author: simon

Ruby Tuesday Tuen Mun Review

Ruby Tuesday are on a tear with the opening of a third new restaurant in less than a year. The success of the new style restaurant in K11 Art Mall saw the opening of a first Ruby Tuesday in what could be considered a very local market: Po Lam – Tseung Kwan O. The new outlet in Tuen Mun builds on those successes while incorporating new Covid protections and innovations to ensure the safety of customers and staff.

The Tuen Mun branch, located on the ground floor of Trend Plaza, is smaller than the other new outlets but incorporates the outdoor seating which has proven very popular among customers. While it may be a little hot (or wet), there are no fans, to sit outside in summer. The outdoor tables will surely be in high demand as the weather cools.

The feel of the new branch is a little darker than the bright openness of K11, the more notable difference though is Ruby Tuesday’s first open kitchen in Hong Kong. It’s not fully open, but offers diners the chance to see the kitchen crew in action and also a chance to see that Covid protocols are being observed in the kitchen and that the staff member tasked with keeping the broad swathes of stainless steel shining clean is on task.

As for the food, a new Express set lunch (available only at TKO, Po Lam and Tuen Mun) offers meals at prices similar to local chain outlets. And the staff were working hard to ensure that diners could enjoy their meal during a lunch hour.

It was steaming hot the day bc visited Ruby’s in Tuen Mun so we sampled Ruby’s range of (delicious) smoothies and iced drinks – the highlight being Ruby’s Passion a mango smoothie topped with passion fruit puree, the tartness of passion fruit reigning in the sweetness of the mango. The coffee frappuccino with ice cream was basically flavourless liquid and a disappointment compared to the rather nice one we enjoyed previously at K11.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210625-11pro-Ruby-Tuesday-Tuen-Mun-/i-7ZdJJw2

On a personal note, I don’t really see the point of trying to create ‘fake’ meat and have always found the results disappointing. Discussing this recently, a friend offered a suggestion, don’t think of Impossible as fake meat, think of it as something like tofu which can be prepared and enjoyed in many different ways. Seen and eaten in that way, it’s an enjoyable and textured alternative to meat. Ruby’s Impossible quesadilla was tasty and filling, while the newly added Butcher’s Steak offered a meaty and flavourful reminder that there really is nothing like meat.

bc hadn’t noticed it on the menus in previous visits, so we can’t say if it’s new, but several menu items had a Keto symbol to help those on that food plan.

One of the many small changes in recent years that have re-energised the brand locally and made it an enjoyable place for lunch and dinner where the food tastes as good as it looks.

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210625-11pro-Ruby-Tuesday-Tuen-Mun-/i-7qGnSjF

https://bcmagazine.smugmug.com/Bcene-photos/2021/20210625-11pro-Ruby-Tuesday-Tuen-Mun-/i-JSJJ2cn

Ruby Tuesday Tuen Mun

Location: Shop 39-40, Level 1, North Wing, Trend Plaza, Tuen Mun
Tel: 3598 3098

Tsuen Wan Waterfront Cycle Track Opens

The 2.3 kilometre-long Tsuen Wan Waterfront Cycle Track is now fully open. Running from Tsuen Wan Riviera Park to Bayview Garden the path forms part of the 82km New Territories Cycle Track Network. 

The new track as the name suggests runs along the waterfront and offers panoramic views of the Rambler Channel and Tsing Yi and connects to venues such as Tsuen Wan Riviera Park, Tsuen Wan Park and Tsuen Wan Sports Centre. Among the ancillary facilities along the route is a cycle practise area for those new to two wheels.

Check out the full New Territories Cycle Track Network at www.ntctn.hk. The route of the Tsuen Wan waterfront section has been uploaded to the HKeMobility app.

Revolution of Our Times 時代革命 to Screen at Cannes Film Festival

Described as ‘a film by HongKongers’, the Festival de Cannes will screen Kiwi Chow’s documentary Revolution of Our Times 時代革命 about the 2019 protests against the extradition law.

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Cannes. It is our honour to have the world premiere of Revolution of our Times Hong Kong has been losing far more than anyone has expected. This good news will be a comfort to many HongKongers who live in fear; it also shows that whoever fights for justice and freedom around the world, are with us! And HongKongers are staying strong!” said Chow in an email statement about the film’s inclusion in the festival.

This is how the film’s trailer is introduced on YouTube…

//“Hong Kong is on the frontlines of a global battle for freedom.” TIME Magazine

Over the past fifty years, Hongkongers have fought for freedom and democracy but have yet to succeed. In 2019, the “Extradition Bill” to China opened a Pandora’s box, turning Hong Kong into a battlefield against the Chinese authoritarian rule.

The award-winning director of “Ten Years: Self Immolator,” Kiwi Chow, made this documentary to tell the story of the movement, both with a macro view of its historical context and up close and personal on the front lines.

The 2019 movement is always labelled with the characteristics of “decentralized leadership”, “be water” (flexible tactics), “do not split” (unity but in different ways) and “blossoming everywhere” (protest all over the territory). The film covers seven teams of protestors with different stories which are put together as a comprehensive picture of the versatile movement.

Democracy and freedom are now facing an unprecedented crisis over the world. The film Revolution of Our Times is not only about the battle of Hongkongers but is about a war between all freedom lovers and dictatorships of our globe.//

Coverage of the documentary’s addition to the festival by Variety

//Cannes this year is chock full of issue-led programming about climate change, crises in Africa, diversity and equality. Few topics are as pressing or complex as the ideological clash between the liberal West and China’s modern brand of Communist-badged totalitarianism…

…Cannes is taking a significant gamble in giving the film the red carpet treatment. At a minimum, the festival risks a diplomatic complaint from mainland Chinese and Hong Kong authorities. China was previously so enraged by the Academy of Motion Pictures’ nomination of “Do Not Split” that the Chinese broadcast of the Oscars ceremony was cancelled and media were ordered to downplay the event.

It is likely that Cannes organizers have anticipated a negative reaction.

They’ve chosen to play “Revolution of Our Times” at the end of the festival, when the trio of mainland Chinese films have already played and can’t be withdrawn in protest. But there’s now a risk that China will boycott future editions of Cannes, just as it is punishing the Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan for the island’s go-it-alone tendencies.

One explanation for the inclusion of the film may lie in Cannes programmers Thierry Fremaux and Christian Jeune’s visit to Hong Kong during the protests. Walking through the battlefield of the streets, they became eye-witnesses to a painful but cinematic civil war.//

More coverage by The Hollywood Reporter

//Cannes has frequently stood with filmmakers facing political persecution in their home countries, such as Iranian director Jafar Panahi (This Is Not a Film) and Russian filmmaker Kirill Serebrennikov (Petrov’s Flu), both of whom were under house arrest and unable to attend the festival when their films were screened.

But Hong Kong’s protest movement has found precious few allies over the past two years, as Beijing has leveraged China’s outsize economic clout to attempt to punish any companies or individuals who dare throw their support behind democracy in Hong Kong…

…Hong Kong politics also are believed to have resulted in the 2021 Oscars ceremony being totally blocked from broadcast in mainland China and Hong Kong earlier this year. Broadcasters and regulators never supplied a reason for the mysterious suspension of the awards show in Greater China, but many connected to the industry believe it was intended as retribution for the Academy’s nomination of the Hong Kong protest film Do Not Split in the best short documentary category (past critical comments made by Oscar best director winner Chloe Zhao (Nomadland) about her home country also irked the authorities).//

images: Dear Bros

MCL Amoy Theatre

The new MCL Amoy Theatre opens in Kowloon Bay on 15 July. The three-screen complex has 603 seats and features as MCL puts it “the latest and best in cinema experience”. Each auditorium is equipped with 4K Laser projectors and Dolby Atmos sound. Opening ticket prices are $60

MCL Amoy Theatre
G/F, Phase III, Amoy Plaza,
77 Ngau Tau Kok Road,
Kowloon Bay,
Hong Kong

$5,000 Covid Vouchers – Registration Open

Registration for the first tranche of $5,000 Covid ‘vouchers’ is now open until 17 July. Sign up online or via the government’s iAM Smart app. Paper registration is also available, but you’ll have to wait until 1 September for your first payment.

Only adult permanent SAR residents and ‘new arrivals’ will be eligible and applicants will have to make a declaration that they are currently living in Hong Kong.

Octopus Card users will first receive HK$2,000, another HK$2,000 two months later, and then HK$1,000 several weeks after that. The vouchers can be collected by using Octopus card readers at MTR stations or in shops, or via the card’s app.

People who receive the vouchers via their AlipayHK, Tap & Go or WeChat Pay HK digital wallets will first get HK$2,000 and then HK$3,000 two months later.

www.consumptionvoucher.gov.hk

Very Hot Weather Warnings – But No Water

In recent weeks as temperatures have risen the government has issued almost daily Very Hot Weather Warnings.

Among the obvious, but welcome hot weather reminders is ‘Drink plenty of water’ which is sensible advice – except that the LCSD has closed all the public drinking fountains.

Far more people are likely to be injured or suffer from the heat than catch Covid-19 from the metal surface of a water fountain.

Hot Weather Warning

The Hong Kong Observatory has issued the Very Hot Weather Warning.

To prevent heatstroke, avoid prolonged activities outdoors.

If engaged in outdoor work or activities, wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-coloured, loose-fitting clothes. Stay in shaded areas as much as possible.

Drink plenty of water, and avoid beverages containing caffeine or alcohol.

If you feel sick, consult a doctor right away.

Lip Servants Release Debut Single Affectation / Stutter

With their roots firmly in the local punk rock scene, Lip Servants debut single is as they beautifully describe it “a nihilistic boogie to celebrate the end times.”

“An exorcism of grief and despair” the cascading torrents of seasick fuzz and propulsive powerhouse rhythms that are Affectation and Stutter are available for free on Bandcamp.

Lip Servants are Arthur Urquiola, Hans Schlaikier and Glen Lewis – familiar names to many from their previous bands Two Finger Salute, Star Whores and The Tracy Lörds- and you can catch them perform their debut tracks live at The Aftermath on 28 August, 2021.

InTaste a New Food Stand in Tuen Mun

Newly opened in Orchid Court, Tuen Mun is 燃味棧 InTaste a small takeaway food stand serving burritos, hotdogs and other tasty snacks.

This is the third iteration of InTaste for owner Kelvin Chui and features an expanded menu with the addition of hot dogs and assorted snacks to the menu. Portion sizes are good and served in as environmentally friendly packaging as possible.

Delivery is coming soon.

燃味棧 InTaste
Shop 5, Orchid Court, 14 Yan Oi Tong Circuit, Tuen Mun
Tel: 9303 6665
Open: 11:30am – 9:30pm