All posts tagged: fine dining

Fine Dining Redefined in Hong Kong

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When L’Estrange London first approached me for my recommendations on fine dining restaurants in Hong Kong, I blanked. Amber? Caprice? What other fine dining restaurants do I know? I couldn’t possibly bring myself to recommend places I didn’t even personally love, but I honestly have barely visited “fine dining” restaurants in the past 2-3 years. Thankfully, the important detail emerged as they were looking for excellent quality restaurants I feel comfortable in. Shifting dining trends in Hong Kong These thoughts of mine are anecdotal of the major shift in dining trends in Hong Kong, and around the world, towards more laid back spots which are still able to deliver top quality food. This was also exactly why I loved Tapisco so much, during my recent visit to Lisbon. The thing is, I used to fantasise about being taken to Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants at hotels for my birthday. But to suggest this today would have even my closest friends cringe at the thought of having to act so uncomfortably formal. Check out the full article …

Tapisco, Lisbon: The Best of Modern Portuguese Fine Dining

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Dining experiences are very personal and often subjective. With only three days in Lisbon, and endless lists of restaurants, I was starting to feel exhausted at the thought of deciding where to eat next. Except for a handful of wine bars, the typical recommendations were not speaking to me. For example, even though more than five people suggested Ramiro in the span of 24 hours (I’m sure it’s excellent), I just wasn’t in the mood for prawns, crabs and clams, no matter how big, fresh and juicy they were. Then I came across Tapisco and it was almost like I had a eureka moment. It wasn’t on any ‘Restaurants you must visit in Lisbon’ lists, but I stumbled across it when browsing photos on Instagram. This is usually my process of restaurant research – it’s painstakingly inefficient, but often accurately helps me find what I know I would personally enjoy. Striking the perfect balance I was immediately sold by the laid back bright vibes of Tapisco and photos of its squid ink paella. They had comfortable …

Imperial Treasure, Hong Kong: New Go-to Michelin-Quality Chinese Restaurant

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Even though Imperial Treasure was awarded Two Michelin Stars in Shanghai last year, and has been a household brand name in Singapore for many more years, I admittedly had not heard of this restaurant until it opened in One Peking Road in Tsim Sha Tsui recently. When I mentioned I was coming here to a Singaporean friend visiting town, the familiarity of the name had her burst into excitement. Apparently it’s her go-to Chinese restaurant in Singapore. Over there, they have established many different dining concepts: casual dim sum, hot pot, Peking duck and even congee. Presentable, yet still affordable While Imperial Treasure has a range of different concepts in Singapore, the one in Hong Kong is a higher-end Chinese restaurant – the type you would go to for a nice dim sum lunch or proper extended family dinner or even business meals. In fact, its beautiful views over Victoria Harbour means that it’s also appropriate to treat your colleagues or clients from out of town here. As I inspected the regular a la carte menu, I breathed with relief that it was not …

ON Dining: Fine Dining with the Best Selection of Cheese

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I had my eyes on trying ON Dining ever since it opened and my cheese-loving friend sent me photos of their cheese board. It’s not a new restaurant so that was a while back. I suppose the only thing that was delaying my meal here was knowing that it wouldn’t be a cheap meal – after all it did earn one Michelin Star this year. I won’t ignite the debate on how valuable that is, but after finally paying a visit, it’s definitely a place I’d return to and highly recommend. 29th Floor Ceiling-to-Floor Windows ON Dining is located on On Lan Street in Central and it was surprisingly convenient to get to from the office. You’ll never ‘discover’ this place because the street itself is not often frequented and the restaurant is located all the way up on the 29th floor. I loved the ambience of the restaurant and its bar. The decor was formal enough, but the place overall retained a hint of casual vibes, especially at the bar. The almost ceiling-to-floor windows meant that the …

DvF Afternoon Tea at Cafe Gray Deluxe: A Collaboration Not to Be Missed

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Cafe Gray Deluxe has always been high on my list of favourite restaurants. The food is as delicious as its view over Hong Kong harbour is beautiful – and that combination is rare. Heading into the restaurant with high expectations, their latest Diane von Furstenberg (DvF) “Fortuna” Afternoon Tea set still managed to impress me all over again. Cafe Gray often does collaboration with the most famous luxury brands – they did it with Elie Saab and Diptyque last year. Now I’m feeling extremely gutted for not trying it back then. The latest tea set collaboration is designed in line with DvF’s spring collection and the colours are so inviting and cheerful. It’s an afternoon tea that will promise perfect ambience and all things aesthetic. But more importantly, the set features a good variety of sweets and savouries. The food is among my favourite of tea sets I’ve tried in Hong Kong! Perfect scones and clotted cream Scones and clotted cream are the top most important components of any afternoon tea set (to me) and the …

Grand Hyatt Steakhouse: The Ultimate Steak Experience

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I always knew Grand Hyatt Steakhouse was one of the most “must-try” steakhouses in Hong Kong. After such roaring reviews, inevitably came the skeptics who felt it didn’t live up to expectations or that it was too expensive. Apart from other people’s disappointment, one reason I procrastinated my visit was because they do two sittings on weekends; I didn’t want to rush a HK$1500 dinner (return the table by 8:30pm) nor dine at an awkwardly late 8:45pm. But I finally gave in. When I compiled the Top Classic Steakhouses in Hong Kong, the “What about Grand Hyatt?” comments were bound to come. Given that I do sometimes disagree with restaurant reviews out there, I needed to give this place a try for myself. Expectedly Excellent Service We came as a big group of 8 on a Saturday. Traffic was unexpectedly smooth and we arrived at 8:15pm… 30 minutes before the start of the second seating at 8:45pm. But the service was great (as maintained throughout the night) and the table was ready. We were sat …

Best of Food, Travel and Lifestyle in 2015

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Happy New Year! It’s that time of the year (actually I might be a bit late) to reflect and look ahead… And to give you some inspiration and ideas to add variety to your 2016, here’s some of my best ideas for food, travel and life in general from 2015! Hope everyone had an excellent long weekend and feels refreshed for a new week and new year. Food Best Fine Dining Meal: Wagyu Takumi (Hong Kong) Labelled as the “Best Meal I’ve Had“, the dinner at Wagyu Takumi was hands down the winner of my eventful year of devouring food and gaining 1-2kg despite upping my exercise game. But at HK$2000 per person, I’m eagerly waiting for bonus pay day to visit again! Best Guilty Meal: Annie’s Burger (Nottingham, UK) I’ve had a lot of burgers in 2015. With all the new burger shops opening up in Hong Kong, who hasn’t? But none in Hong Kong were as evil (no doubt delicious) as the ones from Annie’s Burger all the way in Nottingham, UK! With …