New Restaurants, Pop-Ups & Menus: November 2021

Header photo: Little Bao

22 Ships x La Palma charity lunch (28 November, 12–3pm)

Supporting victims of the recent Cumbre Vieja volcanic eruption on La Palma, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, 100% of the proceeds from this one-day charity lunch on Sunday the 28th at tapas bar 22 Ships by Chef Antonio Oveido, along with Chef Agustin Balbi of Andō and Chef Ricardo Chaneton of MONO, will be donated to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organisation that aids families in the wake of natural disasters by working with local chefs (WCK was first set up in in 2010 by celebrity chef José Andrés). Highlights of the six-hands, eight-course tasting menu ($1,588/person) include sopa de millo by Chef Chaneton, featuring Nomad caviar with corn soup and grilled avocado, langosta en salpicón by Chef Oviedo, a shared dish of grilled spiny lobster, and arroz caldoso by Chef Balbi, an individual portion of the chef’s signature Bomba rice dish with grilled carabineros and chistorra sausage.

22 Ship Street, Wanchai, 2555 0722, book online (advance booking required)

Akoya

Good-quality yakitori at wallet-friendly prices is the name of game at new Tsim Sha Tsui izakaya Akoya. The dimly lit space is perfect for date nights too. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 5:30pm–midnight.

3/F, 10 Prat Avenue, TST East, 3422 8885

Aqua + Hutong

Iconic Aqua Restaurant Group stunners Aqua and Hutong have moved from their long-time homes at One Peking in Tsim Sha Tsui to the top two floors of nearby H Zentre. The dazzling new design feature of Japanese-Italian restaurant Aqua, led by newly arrived Italian chef Andrea Mura, is the glam mirrored catwalk entranceway, pictured above. There’s also a fab outdoor terrace bar. Northern Chinese eatery Hutong has added a selection of new signature dishes and a wider array of dim sum, alongside a Chinese apothecary bar that extends out onto the outdoor terrace, complete with opium-bed sofas!

The spaces at One Peking where Aqua and Hutong once stood won’t stay vacant for long. Stay tuned for details on the two new culinary concepts by the restaurant group.

17/F (Aqua) & 18/F (Hutong), H Zentre, 15 Middle Road, TST, 3427 2288 (Aqua) or 3428 8342 (Hutong), see websites above for online booking details

Aulis Hong Kong’s dessert pop-up (17 November)

Aulis’ new dessert series will kick off with a one-day event on Wednesday, 17 November – a dessert pop-up ($680/person; +$380 for drink pairings) featuring this year’s winner of SCMP 100 Top Tables Best Pastry Chef, Mandy Siu, formerly Chef Pâtissier at L’Envol, joining forces with Aulis’ very own chef, Teigan Jai Morrison. Guests will get to watch demos by the two pastry pros, as well as dig into sweet welcome snacks, an innovative four-course dessert tasting menu and petits fours. From Chef Siu’s Jonyamiso (jonyan, miso ice cream, yeast cone, grated cheese) to Chef Morrison’s local fig-leaf custard tart, it all sounds quite magical. There will be six 75-minute sessions on throughout the day, from 12–9:30pm (hard-working chefs!).

UG/F, Sino Plaza, 255 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, 2817 8383, reservations@aulis.com.hk

Bacchus

A meeting of seasonally driven wines and Asian-influenced French cuisine, chic yet cosy Bacchus features one of the 852’s most extensive wine lists of over 800 labels from around the world. Dedicated wine educator and sommelier Hervé Pennequin – former Head Sommelier at Amber and the Hong Kong Jockey Club – leads the wine programme at this spot named after the Roman god of wine, hoping to introduce guests to uncommon grape varietals such as Marselan and Rkatsiteli and unfamiliar offerings from Bordeaux and Burgundy, all at prices that won’t break the bank. There’s even a wine-pairing suggestion for every dish! The menu has been created by experienced French chefs Laurent Varachaud and Mickael Messina to showcase seasonal ingredients infused with Chinese and Japanese flavours, from Japanese sea urchin and Black Angus sirloin rolls to Bacchus’ signature dish – Alain Senderens’ Apicius duck magret “revisited” – of honey-roasted duck breasts accented with orange- and cinnamon-flavoured white turnip and sautéed shimeji mushroom. We love the look of the lush outdoor terrace too, perfect for wine sipping as the weather cools down. Open daily from 11:30am for lunch and dinner sessions.

3/F, Hollywood Centre, 233 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, 3750 5200, book online

Between Coffee pop-up at Pacific Place (until August 2022)

This speciality coffee shop offering Japanese-style café dishes will be popping up at Pacific Place for the next nine months. In addition to the brand’s signature coffee blends, coffee cocktails, wellness beverages and modern Japanese bites like strawberry sando and matcha tart, Between has launched two sandos that are exclusive to this pop-up: roast beef teriyaki and smoked salmon. This sounds like a great spot to refuel during the upcoming holiday shopping season. Open daily, 8am–7pm.

Shop 200D, 2/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty

Black Sheep Restaurants presents Chef Palash Dreams of Diwali (until 6 November)

Chef Palash Mitra of Black Sheep Restaurants has designed a range of festive offerings for Diwali this year. One option, for one night only on Thursday, 4 November from 6pm, guests can head to Rajasthan Rifles at The Peak for the Chef Palash Dreams of Diwali tasting menu ($628/person), a vegetarian-focused menu that also includes the restaurant’s very first chaat counter, where these savoury Indian snacks will be freshly made to order. Book online.

You can also choose to feast at home with family and friends by ordering either the vegetarian-friendly Dhanlakshmi menu ($478/person) or meat-centric Dhamaka menu ($558/person; 5-person minimum) via GO, available for delivery until 6 November with 48 hours’ advance notice.

For a smaller treat, GO is also offering the Mithai Box of Sweet Dreams ($488), created by the chef and his team at New Punjab Club, containing an assortment of kaju (pistachio and hazelnut) barfi and coconut barfi, popular Indian sweets.

BIFTECK

This French-Japanese steakhouse features the finest beef cuts from Japan, the USA, Belgium and Australia, complemented with creative sauces and sides. BIFTECK is the sister restaurant to fusion eatery Le Rêve, and Executive Chef Ken Kwok (formerly of VEA, CIAK, Beefbar and Wagyu Takumi) is the man behind this unique steakhouse concept. In addition to beefy signature such as the Japanese A5 “snow-aged” Wagyu and Australian Black Angus porterhouse, several of the seafood dishes – grilled Alaskan crab leg brioche with buttermilk-anchovy dressing and grilled Spanish red prawn udon with cherry tomato confit and spicy prawn oil – have caught our eye. Open daily for lunch and dinner sessions.

23/F, QRE Plaza, 202 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, 2246 8805, reservation@bifteck.com.hk

Brooklyn Yakuza

Founded by chef-restaurateur duo Arron Rhodes and Chris Grare, who also run Kinship and Smoke & Barrel, this is a funky, late-night Japanese-American izakaya concept with plenty of sake on board (the glass-blown sake cups are even handcrafted by Chef Rhodes). Leading the Brooklyn Yakuza kitchen is Head Chef Lorcan Tang, born and raised in Ireland to a HK Chinese family and a protégé of Michelin-starred Irish celebrity chef Kevin Thornton. The à-la-carte menu presents seasonal and locally courced small plates for sharing in cheeky sections including Cold Blood (mainly raw dishes), Fried 911 (from BFC, or Brooklyn fried chicken, to the Home Run corn dog in sushi rice), Grilled 911 (like black cod in bean-sprout risotto), OG Fuel (such as Wagyu beef cheek in roast garlic and orange glaze) and Booty Call (desserts). Brooklyn Yakuza also features Oyabun, an East-meets-West, Manhattan-inspired cocktail lounge bar where the flavours of Japan and the USA merge to the background of Japanese and American hip-hop and monthly DJ nights. Open Tuesday–Friday for lunch and dinner sessions, with brunch, dinner and late-night drinks served at the weekend.

G/F & 1/F, LKF 29, 29 Wyndham Street, LKF, Central, 2866 1034, book online

CARBON

Central’s newest lifestyle hub, CARBON (not to be confused with Black Sheep’s Carbone!), is set to open on Thursday the 11th at H Code. The 6,200-square-foot venue will feature a mix of entertainment, wellness and food concepts, with the addition of a 2,600-square-foot private rooftop geared towards events with local fitness and wellness partners. The restaurant and lounge will offer an extensive line-up of dishes, ranging from comforting but indulgent eats like porterhouse steak to healthful nibbles the likes of za’atar-roasted carrots and garden platters. There will also be a bevy of wellness drinks and detox smoothies served at the lounge, as well as bulletproof coffee and CBD-infused drinks. Regular DJ rotations featuring a mix of hip-hop, R&B, funk, soul, reggae and jazz ensure plenty of good-time vibes.

26/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, 6166 8585

Carne’s

An Argentinian steakhouse by the same team behind nearby The Patagonia, Carne’s is a recommended spot to for a wallet-friendly meat fix. The eight-ounce fillet steak with punchy chimichurri is priced at just $278 for lunch, and we love the sound of the beef empanadas and ceviche to start and the panqueques (crêpes with dulce de leche and vanilla ice cream) for dessert. Open Monday–Saturday and public holidays for lunch and dinner sessions.

G/F, The Putman, 202 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, 9144 2620

CHAAT’s Diwali tasting menu (4 November)

Get in there fast to book Chef de Cuisine Manav Tuli’s Diwali tasting menu ($1,288/person) on Thursday, 4 November, another culinary celebration in honour of the Hindu Festival of Lights. Highlights of CHAAT’s Diwali menu include lobster rasam (a clear and spicy lobster soup infused with black pepper), a family-style tandoori kebab platter, Kerala-style halibut polichathu, pan-fried in coconut oil and wrapped in banana leaves, and an East-meets-West berry shrikhand Eton mess. What a special feast!

5/F, Rosewood Hong Kong, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 3891 8732, book online

Chinese Omakase by Masterchefs (until 30 November)

Oftentimes, Chinese chefs don’t get the recognition they deserve in comparison to cuisines like Japanese and French, so we’re thrilled to see the Chinese Omakase by Masterchefs programme this month, featuring 18 Chinese chefs from top Chinese restaurants around town, including three-Michelin-starred Lung King Heen and two-starred Ying Jee Club. This ground-breaking culinary experience will offer six- and eight-course seasonal tasting menus crafted by each chef, with prices ranging from $1,000–3,000 per person and wine-pairing options available. Click here for more information on the featured chefs and booking details for all the restaurants.

Chueca

This chic tapas bar is named after the Madrid district where most of the city’s tapas bars are located. Chef Jordi Vallés, previously the executive chef of multiple restaurants across Aqua Group and Pirata Group, crafts both classic Spanish small bites and heartier dishes, ranging from ham croquettes to lobster rice. Brunch ($588/person) is a great option at Chueca, offering guests a seafood sharing patter, selection of tapas, main and dessert. Open daily, 12–11:30pm (from 11:45am at the weekend).

8–10 Gough Street, Central, 2703 0810, book online

DAM:A

By the Westside Hospitality group behind wildly popular Korean gastropub OBP comes DAM:A, described as a chef-driven noodle bar courtesy of chefs Waheeb Abrahams and Kevin “Ching” Lam. Consisting of Korean-inspired noodles, sharing snacks and daily specials, all with a unique South African twist, the playful dishes include the likes of noodle dish sulling, featuring South African M5 Wagyu with plenty of veg accoutrements in a traditional Korean beef broth, house-smoked lamb kalbi with pickled beets, perilla leaf and crab ssamjang and dubu kimchi – fried crispy tofu topped with kimchi coleslaw (which we tried and loved – addictive!). Open Tuesday–Sunday for lunch and dinner sessions.

110 Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun, info@damaramen.com (no bookings)

Deadly Rabbits Concepts

Any Monty Python fans out there? Ask for Alonzo’s SoHo branch is the latest addition to new restaurant group Deadly Rabbits Concepts, the fourth in this series of laid-back all-day Italian eateries, where signature dishes such as roasted Italian suckling pig, Alonzo’s carbonara and tiramisu take centre stage alongside a daily happy hour and weekend brunch menu. Ask for Alonzo SoHo is open daily, 11:30am–10pm (from 8am at the weekend).

The newly launched restaurant group was founded by Bart Szyniec and Giuliano Dacasto, paying tribute to their shared love of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, in which a killer rabbit guards the cave of Caerbannog. Get set for two more Deadly Rabbits concepts to debut in 2022. First up will be Porkcentric, focused on sustainably sourced nose-to-tail pork dishes. Capitalising on the frenzy for Japanese-style sandos, Don Sando will follow.

Ask for Alonzo SoHo: 18 Bridges Street, SoHo, Central, 8489 7847, book online

Deng G (K11 MUSEA)

Sichuan restaurant Deng G now has another branch across the harbour at F&B Mecca K11 MUSEA. This Michelin-recommended eatery was opened here five years ago by Chinese celeb chef Deng Huadong. The Sichuan menu is divided into eight sections of different flavour profiles, so it’s not all mouth-numbing spicy. Open daily, 11am–10:30pm (till 11pm Friday–Sunday)

Shop 412–413, 4/F, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, TST, 2545 3288, dng.k11@elite-concepts.com

Fiata Pizza

We have another top-notch pizzeria in SoHo with the debut of industrial-style Fiata, the brainchild of Chef Salvadore Fiata, formerly of nearby pizza joint Kytaly (RIP). We can expect the best of the best imported Italian ingredients on Chef Piata’s authentic Neapolitan pies, and there’s quite a selection of pizzas on offer, from classic margherita to carbonara. Open daily 12pm–12am.

2 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central, 6032 6626, book online

Gassan

Sibling to acclaimed Hiyama at Harbour City, Gassan is a trendy Japanese kaiseki restaurant themed after a fishing village, complete with a traditional yakatabune houseboat taking pride of place in the 3,000-square-foot space. There are four distinctive dining zones and experiences at this affordable eatery – an open, dimly lit main dining area resembling a park, a grand private dining chamber for groups of 14 that’s enhanced by changing seasonal backdrops and two “chef’s choice’’ sushi omakase experiences, with one dining space including the houseboat itself. There’s also an impressive wine cellar with harbour views housing a floor-to-ceiling collection of over 300 bottles and 50 labels of sake and whisky. Open daily for lunch and dinner sessions from Thursday, 18 November.

19/F, H Queen’s, 80 Queen's Road Central, Central, 3499 1427, gassan@thefoodstory.hk

Giovanni Pina Ristorante, Bar & Pasticceria (Central)

HK Island now has a branch of this long-standing Italian import, most famous for its pastries, cakes and gelato. We loved the house-made pistachio gelato and signature buttery, flaky cannoncini crema (custard rolls) at Giovanni Pina’s K11 MUSEA branch, and our infamous contributor David Greenberg waxed lyrical about the this new Central outlet’s shrimp fettuccine and French fries with truffled mayo. Open daily, 8am–10pm (from 11am on Sundays and public holidays).

G/F, Two Chinachem Plaza, 135 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, 2755 1088

Grill Manten-Boshi

Ooh, omurice! This Japanese omelette rice specialist will open its first HK branch at Harbour City on Friday, 12 November. Grill Manten-Boshi was founded all the way back in 1978 by Yoshinao Kubota, a protégé of Tokuzou Akiyama, chef to Emperor Shōwa. The restaurant’s most famous omurice dish features silky-soft egg topped with prawn, scallop, green peas and gravy. Open daily, 12–10pm (from 11:30am at the weekend).

Shop OT301–301A, 3/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 3751 5345

Honbo (Harbour City)

The dining options at Harbour City just keep getting better and better! Now, there’s the fourth branch of home-grown burger brand Honbo to tempt us, famous for serving up its USDA Double Gold Standard smash burgers, moreish sides and local craft brews – this time with harbour views. Open daily from 15 November, 12–10pm.

Shop GW2602, 2/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST

Indulgent Eats pop-up at HATCH (4–6 November)

HATCH’s executive chef, Jaime Young, is teaming up with Instagram star Jen Balisi of Indulgent Eats to showcase a tasting menu ($588/person) of dishes (plus a bonus item to be sold out of HATCH’s pop-up window) from her soon-to-be-released cookbook, Indulgent Eats at Home, inspired by viral IG recipes from around the world. Each of Jen’s five crave-worthy dishes (with the option to add a special sixth) is from a different chapter of the cookbook: crispy noodle-wrapped prawns, Filipino sizzling pork belly sisig, spicy tingly pork abura soba, tahdig (crispy Persian rice) with saffron-yohgurt lamb chop and mango float, her take on a popular Filipino dessert. We’ll keep the bonus item a secret, but priority will be given to those who have booked for dinner (or you can DM @eatdrink hatch to reserve one). Bookings at 6:30pm and 8:30pm on 4–6 November.

60 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central, book online

Kacho Fugetsu

Another stylish Causeway Bay izakaya – we can’t keep up! Spanning over 5,300 square feet over two split levels, contemporary “urban“ izakaya and cocktail lounge Kacho Fugetsu is one to watch. On the 25th floor, the Japanese menu has it all, from premium sushi and sashimi, to kushiyaki, to Japanese-style tapas, to new wave desserts. A menu signature is the osusume counter, featuring jet-fresh daily seafood that can be selected by type and cooking style. The dark and sultry cocktail lounge on the 23rd floor is accessed like a hidden chamber down through the stairs and into a corridor. Creative cocktails, an extensive sake list and Japanese gin, vodka and whisky are up for ordering here. The restaurant will be open daily for lunch and dinner sessions, while the lounge will open from 5pm–2am every day from mid-November.

23/F & 25/F, CUBUS, 1 Hoi Ping Road, Causeway Bay, 2872 8968, hello@kachofugetsuhk.com

Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba

The world’s largest mazesoba chain from Tokyo has landed in Hong Kong! Mazesoba is otherwise known as soupless ramen, and this dry mixed noodle dish is the speciality of Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba , which was opened nearly a decade ago by Japanese chef Takuma Ishikawa. Kokoro offers nine flavours of mazesoba, with all the noodles made in-house, including the star of this mazesoba show – premium Tokyo mazesoba, showcasing Japanese-style slow-braised char siu, minced pork, fish powder, seaweed, green onion, chive, bamboo shoot and minced garlic, crowned with a picture-perfect soft-boiled egg. Exclusive to the HK branch is the cold yuzu salted mazesoba, made with slow-cooked Japanese chicken and fresh yuzu juice. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11:30am–7pm.

68 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, 3751 6966

Little Bao (SoHo)

The most anticipated opening of the month has to be the return of Little Bao to SoHo, opening on Wednesday the 10th at 6pm. This marks LB’s return to its roots, with the hip Chinese diner first opened by Chef May Chow in SoHo back in 2013 (the queues were then legendary for the chef’s creative Chinese buns). To commemorate the big return, the old classics are back, along with brand-new dishes such as skirt steak tataki, mixed seafood ceviche and crab bao. The new beverage programme is dedicated to small-batch brewers and distillers and independent wineries. Open Tuesday–Sunday, 12–4pm and 6–11pm.

1–3 Shin Hing Street, SoHo, Central, 6794 8414 (WhatsApp), book online

Little Napoli

This neighbourhood pizzeria in Happy Valley is serving up authentic Neapolitan pies by Napoli native chef Gavino Pilo, alongside ripieno fritto (pizza pockets) and the Italian baked sandwich known as the panuozzo. Each of Little Napoli’s charred, pillowy pizzas is quickly fired in a hand-built oven from Naples, topped with the best of the best ingredients imported from Italy. Takeaway pies come with scissors to maintain the perfect crust! Open Tuesday–Friday, 6–10pm, and weekends and public holidays, 12–2:30pm and 6–10pm.

8 King Kwong Street, Happy Valley, 6882 1823

The Lounge at Four Seasons’ Middle Eastern menu (until 30 November)

Middle Eastern dishes bring an injection of heady, exotic flavours to The Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong this November with unique lunch and dinner menus featuring live cooking stations. The line-up includes chicken shawarma, saffron biryani, roasted lemon fish, lamb kebabs and rose ice cream to tantalise the taste buds. Available until the end of November, take a culinary trip to the Middle East without the quarantine.

Lobby, Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, 3196 8882, book online

Matachli (The Upper House)

Matcha specialist Matchali premiered at The Upper House about a year ago, and the shop is returning to its roots on Tuesday, 2 November with a permanent indoor-outdoor space at the luxury hotel, where drinks are hand-whisked to order at the whisking counter. Try the seasonal pumpkin spice latte, a blend of fresh pumpkin, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg, for some autumn feels or the brand-new Dirty Matcha, which combines the brand’s classic matcha latte with a shot of Café Kitsuné espresso. Open daily, 8am–6pm (from 10am on weekends and public holidays).

6/F, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 9880 7661

MOTD x MobiChef’s Eight Shades of Chuan by Chef Xuelian pop-up (11–13 & 18–20 November)

Private dining venue MOTD has collaborated with MobiChef, a platform for local private chefs, to offer a Sichuan dinner experience called Eight Shades of Chuan by Sichuan chef Xuelian (one of the most popular MobiChefs!). The eight-course tasting menu ($880/person; +$380 for wine pairings) features flavourful (and not always spicy) dishes such as Sichuan-style abalone, steamed pork belly with rice powder and osmanthus ice jelly.

1/F, Union Park Tower, 168 Electric Road, Causeway Bay, 2335 5333, 6778 9807 (WhatsApp), book online

Musubi Hiro Games (13 November)

Let the games begin! This cool-cat musubi specialist is now hosting a monthly series of eating, drinking and graffiti art contests, beginning on Saturday the 13th from 4–7pm (with future Saturdays of 11/12, 22/1 and 19/2, so mark your calendar). On each date, Musubi Hiro will crown the Musubi Hiro Game Day Champion for each discipline – eating (4 musubi), drinking (3 beers + 3 glasses of sake) and culture (graffiti art). Great prizes include beer, sake, SEVENFRIDAY caps and apparel, CUZ Barber Shop vouchers, dining vouchers for Musubi Hiro, Musubi Hiro products and more. Those interested can enrol ($150/participant) by commenting on the designated Musubi Hiro Games Instagram post or by signing up on-site at the restaurant. There will be a grand finale after 12 rounds of a 12-month Musubi Hiro Games cycle!

37 Cochrane Street, Central, 5597 6911, book online

Percy’s

Inspired by radical English poet Percy Shelley (doubly cool when you check out the eatery’s street address), neighbourhood hang-out Percy’s places the focus on responsibly sourced seasonal seafood dishes paired with punchy drinks. The menu by Executive Chef Braden Reardon, formerly of Buenos Aires Polo Club and Carbone, features hot and cold small plates, large plates and selections from the raw bar, where unique dry-ageing and charcuterie techniques are employed. Open Tuesday–Sunday for dinner from 5pm.

G/F, & 1/F, 18–18A Shelley Street, SoHo, Central, 2898 2699, book online

Perrier-Jouët’s multisensory dining experience (27 November & 18 December

Dubbed “The Art of Revealing Nature” by top champagne house Perrier-Jouët, this very special multisensory dining experience is a collaboration between Chef Jaakko Sorsa, photographer Justin Hui and harpist Elam Lai on the theme of awakening the senses. The six-course champagne-pairing menu ($2,200/person), held at Ocean Table private kitchen in Ap Lei Chau, pays homage to natural landscapes, showcasing a notable Perrier-Jouët cuvée with each dish.

Ocean Table by Tasting Kitchen, Unit 601, 6/F, Oceanic Industrial Centre, 2 Lee Lok Street, Ap Lei Chau, book online for 27 November, book online for 18 December

Pici x kapok 15th anniversary tasting menu (until 30 November)

Lifestyle shop kapok celebrates 15 years of style with a special collaborative tasting menu at Pici. Until the end of November, guests can indulge in a mouth-watering tasting menu ($290/person) featuring some of Pici’s crowd-pleasers such as tuna tartare, homemade meatballs, orecchiette ‘nduja, truffle tagliolini, ravioli carbonara, tiramisu and panna cotta. Shop at the Sun Street kapok store from now until 30 November and get $30 off the tasting menu and a complimentary welcome glass of Prosecco at Pici. The favour also gets returned, with guests who dine at Pici Wanchai receiving a 10% discount on purchases at kapok. Now, that’s symbiotic support amongst neighbourhood venues!

kapok: 8 Sun Street, Wanchai, 2549 9254

Pici: 16 St Francis Yard, Wanchai, 2755 5523

The Porter’s Ethereal pop-up (until 30 November)

In anticipation of the debut of The Porter later this month, described as a lifestyle/coffee concierge, at Taikoo Place, this celestial-themed pop-up will offer premium coffee, speciality drinks, a “cloud” cookie by Cookie DPT and vegan sweet treats by Moono. Open daily, 11am–5pm.

G/F, One Island East, Taikoo Place, 18 Westlands Road, Quarry Bay, 2844 6300

Preface Coffee & Wine (Causeway Bay)

Preface unites four of our passions – coffee, wine, food and technology – at its newest (and flagship) shop in Causeway Bay, spanning 5,500 square feet over six floors. The minimalistic concept features a multi-functional space, including grab and go on the ground floor and the futuristically designed Metaverse on the first floor for dine-in. Preface is the only place in Hong Kong to serve up fair-trade black honey-processed coffee from Indonesia, and the café’s dishes showcase local and sustainable ingredients. Come evening, Metaverse transforms into a wine bar, focusing on natural, biodynamic bottles and globally inspired light bites. This flagship will hold various workshops taught by programming instructors with MIT certification on popular technologies such as AI, NFT and more. Open daily from Sunday, 7 November, 8am–6pm on Sundays and Mondays and until 9:30pm from Tuesday–Saturday. Note that alcoholic beverages will be served from December 2021.

G–5/F, 11 Sharp Street East, Causeway Bay

Sake Central’s Matsuri 50 Sake Party (6 November)

There’s the chance to drink over 50 kinds of sake from around Japan at Sake Central’s latest sake party on Saturday the 6th. Each ticket ($208 early bird or $298 regular) also entitles you to your own special-edition one cup and passed snacks including nori crisps and sweet potato chips. Or order up some heartier bites – uni toast, oysters and more – from Sake Central’s special snack menu on the day. Three time slots: 6–8pm, 8–10pm and 10pm–late.

S109–113, 1/F, Block A, PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central, 2656 6552, book online

SAKImoto Bakery (ifc mall)

This Osaka import, beloved for its Japanese-style milk bread known as shokupan, has opened it third shop in the 852 at ifc mall in Central. In addition to its signature natural shokupan, milk-butter shokupan and handcrafted “jewel” jam collection, this new outlet is showcasing two exclusive maritozzo (Hokkaido cream bun) flavours – yuzu and hazelnut-chocolate – as well as daily special shokupan varieties, from choco to cheese. This branch of SAKImoto Bakery also offers sandos and salads to go. Open daily, 10am–8pm.

Shop 1062, 1/F, ifc mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, 2656 2187

The Salted Pig (MegaBox)

This is the fifth branch of quirky pork-centric restaurant The Salted Pig, a member of Shore Hospitality. In addition to the brand’s comforting signature dishes such as pulled pork nachos, crispy pork knuckle and bacon mac ‘n’ cheese, this shop offers an exclusive new grill menu, as well as veggie-friendly options made with plant-based OmniPork and Impossible Meat. Open daily, 12–10pm.

Shop 12, 11/F, MegaBox, 38 Wan Chiu Road, Kowloon Bay, 2770 2702,
megabox@thesaltedpig.com.hk

SAVVY

An interesting, contemporary three-part F&B destination – bar, lounge and restaurant – at Harbour City’s Prince Hotel (there’s direct access via the shopping mall), SAVVY’s culinary team is led by Chef de Cuisine Derek Ng, offering a smorgasbord of Asian and Western flavours covering lunch, tea and dinner. Signature dishes at the restaurant include lobster tom yum kung rice noodles, coconut beef rendang and grilled Australian Wagyu steak, while the bar acts as a noodle bar by day (Penang assam laksa or Sichuan dan dan noodles, anyone?) and a space for creative cocktails come sundown. Afternoon tea and sweet treats can be enjoyed in the bright, airy lounge. Open daily from 12 November, 12pm–12am.

Shop GW3209A, 3/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 2113 6188, book online

Shake Shack x HYPEBAE pop-up (5–7 November)

Shake Shack has come up with a snazzy shake dubbed Supernova (hint: it has a refreshing, tropical twist) for this three-day pop-up with HYPEBAE, a female-driven fashion, beauty and lifestyle platform that will be showcasing a limited-edition capsule collection – bucket hat, shades and Alpha Industries bomber jacket – in honour of the brand’s fifth anniversary. Open 5–7 November, 12–8pm.

1/F (opposite lululemon), Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty

Shangri-La’s A Festival of Wine (22–27 November)

Attention, oenophiles! A total of 14 different wine events over six days are set to take place at the three Shangri-La hotels in Hong Kong – Island Shangri-La, Kowloon Shangri-La and Kerry Hotel. These include wine dinners and lunches, tasting experiences and sabrage activities, all curated by Master Sommelier Yohann Jousselin and his team. Click here for the full list of activities and to book.

Sip & Slide

Has anyone ever experienced the childhood joy of a Slip ‘N Slide? We’re going off tangent, but we love the wordplay used in Sip & Slide’s name. S&S is brought to us by the folks behind Wingman, which can be found just one floor above in the same building, but this time the focus isn’t on wings but creative sliders, offering an extensive array of mini burger options catering to meat eaters, pescatarians, vegetarians and vegans alike. The comforting starters, sides and sweets also come highly recommended, as do the cocktails, which have been curated by JW Marriott’s bar manager. Open daily, 12–11pm.

5/F, Cheung Hing Commercial Building , 37–43 Cochrane Street, Central, 5171 6796, book online

SpiceBox Organics (TKO)

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, SpiceBox Organics has opened its third market and café, this time in the trendy ‘hood of Tseung Kwan O, offering freshly made gluten-free, vegan and organic selections in a 1,300-square-foot indoor-outdoor space. Some exclusive features to the TKO shop include freshly brewed kombucha on tap by home-grown brand Taboocha, eco-friendly and ethically sourced Sea Change wines by the glass and bottle, an extensive variety of bulk zero-waste products and self-service sparkling and flat filtered water by carbon-neutral company Belu. As at all SpiceBox Organics cafés, the menu includes salads, soups, hot main dishes, snacks, smoothies, coffees and teas. Customer faves include the tempeh burger, cauliflower or tofu-mushroom roti rolls and CBD organic ladoos (energy balls made with organic chickpea flour, cashews and almonds with CBD oil). Open daily, 8am–8pm.

Shop G10, G/F, Capri Place, 33 Tong Yin Street, TKO, 3485 8393

Sushi Hisayoshi

Chef Hisayoshi Iwa, sushi master and owner of Michelin-starred sushi restaurant Ginza Iwa in Tokyo, is bringing his elevated Edomae-style omakase experience to Harbour City this mid-November, with the premium seafood sourced from the chef’s most trusted sources throughout Japan. Four omakase menus overseen by Chef Iwa’s protégé, Tsukasa Kaneko, are available at Sushi Hisayoshi, featuring eight signature dishes of the celebrated chef. One masterpiece is the fermented otoro, pictured above, while the shirako tempura in white sauce and soft-braised octopus are further must-tries. Open from Friday the 12th for lunch and dinner sessions.

Shop GW111, G/F, Gateway Arcade, Harbour City, 3–27 Canton Road, TST, 2383 3366

Sushi Kumogaku

Rebranded from Sushi Mori, upscale sushi spot Sushi Kumogaku is overseen by Mori’s sous-chef and apprentince, Chef Kin. There’s a 12-seat sushi counter here, as well as a private room seating six. The sushiya’s decor is notable, decorated with antique Japanese furniture, handmade traditional incense burners and flower arrangements by a professional ikebana artist. There’s a single omakase menu for lunch and dinner, coming in at $880 and $2,500 a head respectively. Open daily for lunch and dinner sessions.

8/F, The Steps, H Code, 45 Pottinger Street, Central, 6596 9170 (WhatsApp), book online

Test Kitchen’s Seafood & Sake pop-up (25–27 November)

This pop up at Test Kitchen is a nod to Chef Peter Lee’s love for both seafood and Chinese cuisine, with his innovative multi-course tasting menu ($1,280/person) featuring the likes of clams with tosa vinegar, cucumber and shiso, abalone with chicken pot, hoisin sauce and lettuce and sea urchin with shrimp-roe noodles and chicken fat. Optional sake pairings (+$480) can be added to perfectly complement the flavours of the seafood-centric dishes, curated by sake shop For Your Own Sake. The menu is available for dinner on 25–27 November (6:30pm reception, 7pm meal start time).

Shop 3, Kwan Yick Building Phase 3, 158A Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun, WhatsApp 9032 7268 or email vincentmui@testkitchen.com.hk to book

ThinkWine’s restaurant takeovers (11 & 18 November and 2 & 15 December, from 6pm)

ThinkWine’s restaurant takeovers are back, where, for just one night each time, chefs from acclaimed HK restaurants showcase 4–6 takeover-exclusive snacks to pair with the elegant bar’s newly updated and expanded wine collection. Up first this month on Thursday the 11th is Chef Jim Löfdahl from Frantzen’s Kitchen, followed by Chef Narisara Somboon from Chachawan on Thursday the 18th. In December, Chef Chetan Kohl of Musubi Hiro will stop by on Thursday the 2nd, ending the series on Wednesday the 15th with Chef Antonio Oviedo of 22 Ships.

2/F, LL Tower, 2–4 Shelley Street, SoHo, Central, 2886 3121,
drink@thinkwinehk.com

Tong Chong Street Market’s Coffee Festival (weekdays until 24 December)

Tong Chong Street Market’s Coffee Festival is a go-to for java lovers and those who champion sustainability. Featured coffee vendors include tech-enabled Flash Coffee from Singapore, Aussie-style café Fineprint and independent local roastery roastwork. In terms of food, vibrant Indonesian flavours from Potato Head Hong Kong and Texas-style BBQ from Brisket Brothers are on the cards in November. Market-goers can enjoy a $5 discount at selected food trucks if they bring their own coffee cups, and they’re encouraged to bring their own food containers or rent utensils at the market. On-site washing basins for cleaning and recycling bins are also available. Open weekdays (except public holidays), 8am–3pm.

G/F, One Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay

ToriHachi

We have another modern izakaya in our midst with ToriHachi, where creative yakitori and premium drinks take centre stage in a cool space designed in shades of grey with light wood accents. Chicken-skin lollipops ad tsukune Benedict – yum! The Quarry Bay izakaya is the sibling to T8 Japanese Cuisine, which opened last year to much acclaim in Lan Kwai Fong. Open daily for lunch and dinner sessions.

Shop G03, G/F, K11 ATELIER, 728 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, 3563 8532, 6019 5878 (WhatsApp)

TQM’s monthly music quiz (17 November & 16 December, from 7pm)

You better known your Britney from your Beyonce at Te Quiero Mucho’s cool new monthly music quiz, Sounds Familiar from the UK. Book a table for $800 and you’ll also get a round of beers, pitcher of margarita or bottle of wine + chips and salsa to share. The prizes are pretty great too.

2/F, The Sheung Wan, 286 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, 3423 3290, November booking link, December booking link

Unbothered

Stopping traffic (literally) with a spectacular opening ceremony recently is Unbothered, slotting in where The Coffee Academïcs used to be in Lan Kwai Fong. Founder Connie Lee is a certified CBD adviser, and the bar will offer a CBD-infused food and drink menu, including hangover tea, coffee and pastries, as well as a range of new CBD skincare products. There is ample space upstairs to hang out, and we look forward to a brunch menu with free flow coming soon. Open daily, 12pm–late.

UG/F & LG/F, 1 Lan Kwai Fong, LKF, Central, 9656 2563

Uoharu (Pacific Place)

Seafood-focused izakaya Uoharu from Tokyo has opened its second HK outlet at Pacific Place. New exclusive items include nigiri sushi, made using the freshest catches from Tokyo’s famous Toyosu Market, and plant-based items such as crispy OmniPork sando and spicy OmniPork gyoza. Open daily, 11:30am–10pm (closing between 3:30–5pm on weekdays).

Shop 001, LG1/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2803 7808, book online

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