Hallelujah! Shed those tough winter layers (‘Au Revoir’ Canada Goose!) and spring into the season with seven things to try out this May! Whether you’re looking for a relaxed afternoon tea for two or a delish dish from the heart of France, these seven culinary offerings pack a mighty punch.
Say ‘ola’ to Sao Paolo in SoHo. First there was TokyoLima, then Djapa. Next up: Uma Nota. It’s Hong Kong’s latest Brazilian-Japanese derivative in town, serving up the hottest (and hippest) Nipo-Brasileiro street food and cocktails. Chef Dagoberto Torres (he apprenticed under D.O.M.’s Alex Atlas) dishes up a delectable Brazilian-inspired menu with the streets of Sao Paolo in mind. With signatures like Red Snapper, and Prawn and Calamari Ceviche with Aji Amarillo and Coriander, you’re bound to be surprised and delighted by the plentiful dishes on offer. We’re personally digging the Crackling Pork Belly with Spicy Tonkatsu Sauce. Satiating. Satisfying. DELISH.
Savvy Chope Tip: Art buff? Check out the impressive mural art adorning Uma Nota’s walls post-meal
Find it at 38 Peel St., Central
Click here for more info on Uma Nota
Pop on over to this breezy Kowloon nest perched 100 stories above sky at the grand dame of hotels in Hong Kong, The Ritz-Carlton. Soaring windows and beautiful onyx tables envelop the restaurant with natural light and a sense of airiness. If Uma Nota wasn’t enough Japanese flair for you, Café 103 showcases the full blossom of cherry themed Sakura Afternoon Tea. A culinary concoction of guest pastry chef Hideaki Tanaka from The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, this luxe afternoon tea incorporates the Japanese national flower in almost all of their sweet and savoury treats. Sweeten the deal by washing down your savoury treats with some Sakura-infused tea, and of course keep your eyes peeled for the Green Tea Sakura Strawberry Cake and the Soy Milk Panna Cotta with Sakura Jelly. Sneak in some poolside lounging or world-class shopping, before your flight —it’s all just a jump away in Ritz-y Elements and the nearby Airport Express Station.
The Sakura Afternoon Tea Set is available daily from 3:30pm – 4:30pm and costs HKD $378 for one or HKD $638 for two on weekdays, and HKD $398 for one or HKD $658 for two on weekends and public holidays.
Find it at Level 103, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Rd. W., Kowloon
Book a table at Café 103 and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
Kowloon Bay? I know. This Kowloon hotspot is a bit far away, but completely worth it to get up close and personal with French cuisine. Spacious, all white interiors, four large private rooms with patios, and an elegant Chef’s Table within the kitchen. Intimidated? Don’t be. Headed by Singaporean chef Edward Voon (yes, that Edward Voon—the Rising Chef of the Year!), this culinary hotspot serves sizzling signatures such as sumptuous Shrimp Crisps, and whimsical amuse-guele! Seafood is a sure specialty here—don’t miss out on the duo of Hokkaido Scallop and the Squid Tortellini. We can’t think of a better place to dive into the wondrous seafood than in Kowloon Bay!
Find it at G/F, Goldin Financial Global Centre, 17 Kai Cheung Rd., Kowloon Bay
Click here for more info on Le Pan
The Mirage’s Exquisite Provence-Inspired Dishes
Be whisked away to rural France with The Mirage’s Provence-inspired Champagne-Ardene set menu. Start the meal off with the classic and delectable Boudin Blanc—matching perfecto with the candied apple purée, heirloom carrots, and crushed ratte potatoes. Paired with The Mirage’s monthly specialties (think Pan-Roasted Duck Liver with a hint of Champagne Gel and Drunken Grapes, which balances the richness of the foie gras), it’s a sure winner worth washing down with a glass of Champagne Deutz s’il vous plaît.
The set menu is available from 1 – 31 May 2017 from 6:00pm to 10:30pm, and priced at HKD $448 per person.
Find it at 1/F, Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai
Book a table at The Mirage and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
Café Renaissance’s Champagne-Ardene Dinner Buffet
Oh là là. The hippest of Honker’s buffet galore, Café Renaissance’s Champagne-Ardene dinner buffet is a must-try in our book. We love the special showcase of French-inspired dishes such as the Pork Ham from Reims—a juicy marbled piece of meat that can be enjoyed alone as a quick snack or with a salad. Ease into your meal with the other specialty: The Patée. It’s a French stew of various succulent sausages and delish veggies. End on a sweet note by titillating and tantalizing your taste buds with a dénouement—Grapes Tart with Almond Cream. Light and refreshing, this dish is composed of grapes, apricot gel, pistachio, and almond cream enveloped over a crunchy tart. Creamy. Rich. Delicious.
Find it at Mezzanine Floor, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai
Book a table at Café Renaissance and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
What’s better than a sip of bubbly to elevate Cantonese dining to the next level at Dynasty? Discover the deliciously crafted 7-course menu paired with a bottle of N.V. Drappier Blanc de Blancs Signature Brut Champagne at Dynasty this spring. Savour Dynasty classics including Steamed Sliced Garoupa with Bean Curd in X.O. Chili Sauce or the delicious Baked Crab Shell Stuffed with Crab Meats and Onions. Our fan favourite, however, is Deep Fried Lobster Homemade Sauce and Deep Fried Bun—enveloped with sumptuous coconut milk, this jet-fresh dish matches perfectly with the lightly fried lobster. A true Cantonese delight!
Dynasty Champagne Pairing Duet available from now to 30 June 2017, priced at HKD $980 per person.
Find it at Renaissance Harbour View Hotel, 1 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai
Book a table at Dynasty and earn 2X Chope-Dollars with code TASTYBLOG
Resto pop-ups are all the rage these days. Singapore’s über popular The Naked Finn is swimming its way to Hong Kong this Spring, so what’s next? Employees Only. But this New York speakeasy is jetting back to Hong Kong post pop-up. Headed by a group of industry friends including Dushan Zaric, Jason Kosmas, Bill Gilroy, and Igor Hadziasmajilovic, Employees Only is quite well-known in the Big Apple for cocktails—with a creative twist. Look for West Village sip easy libations (read: Floral Provencal, Hi-Octane Fix, and Grand Marnier and Bitters). Drink hard. Play hard.
Reportedly near Lan Kwai Fong
Click here for more info on Employees Only
