Hong Kong, perhaps more than any city in the world, is infamously dense with people and restaurants. A frenetic, chaotic city that lives for work – the pace of life in Hong Kong is fast. Visitors in need of a severe debrief on how to get around in the skyscraper-rich metropolis of 7 million people sometimes suffer from dizzy spells. Vertigo? Yes. Hong Kong can do this to you.
The city is a sensorial feast. There is not one activity, recreation, cultural attraction or even vice you cannot enjoy in the former United Kingdom territory in the Pearl River Delta. That includes a vast panoply of diverse restaurants. From night market food stalls to the absolute cr?me de la cr?me in decadent luxury, where no detail is too diminutive, Hong Kong is a paradise for gourmets and gourmands.
Here are 5 notable restaurants in Hong Kong that, while a mild strain on the pocketbook, deserve a taste.
A former “Best New HK Restaurant” from the editors of Food and Wine magazine, Bo Innovation is exactly what the name suggests. A bold break from what has become predictable Chinese fare, especially to Western tastes, chef Alvin Leung serves up a wild interpretation of old staples, with new ingredients, presentations and hardware as his collective muse. For the ultimate experience at Bo Innovation, reserve the chef’s table in the kitchen salon and order the special menu, which starts at a reasonable HK$1,080. With eclectic preparations like halibut with toffee salsify, pork with black vinegar and gingko nut foam for dessert, the experience of Bo Innovation is sure to amaze.
The Peninsula in Hong Kong is famous the world over as the epitome of accommodation luxury in a city replete with it. The venerable hotel is a favorite with affluent visitors to the city who enjoy phenomenal views of Victoria Harbour and the formidable steel and glass skyline. Even if the Peninsula is beyond your budget, the food at Spring Moon is worth a trip. One of four premier restaurants in the hotel, one of which is the old French classic Gaddi’s, Spring Moon is decidedly up-market Chinese all the way. Part of the appeal is the decor, a time warp back to the opium den era of the 1920’s, with Art Deco details, Oriental rugs and beautiful sepia photographs. From what is widely thought to be the best Dim Sum in Hong Kong to sumptuous whole duck and even a tea sommelier, Spring Moon is a delightful treat.
One of the most famous chefs in the world, Pierre Gagnaire has been a pioneer in the realm of French cuisine for years. With a restaurant empire that spans the globe and a sphere of influence that is felt in culinary schools from the United States to Australia, a meal at a Gagnaire establishment is a must before you expire. When in Hong Kong then, do reserve a table at Pierre. The room is the first detail to hit you, where funky and modern twists meet warm tones. Impeccable service complements the avant-garde cuisine, typical Gagnaire from start to finish, with all the glorious and delicious staples gourmets yearn for, from caviar to foie gras. The difference at Pierre however, are the flights of fancy that actually work, like green olive sorbet and cold Roquefort shooters with root vegetable crisps.
The signature restaurant of the Hong Kong Four Seasons is awash with every luxurious detail you can imagine, from the tablecloths to the flatware, bread service, wine list and even the powder room faucets. Clearly, this is what it takes to compete in the world of first-class Hong Kong gastronomy. Caprice thankfully delivers in the food department, where it counts most. Lobster carpaccio with caviar and yuzu mousse and black truffle ravioli typify the throw-every-up-market-ingredient approach of the kitchen and represent delectable starters. Mains range from game like hare to wonderful takes on fish and seafood, from red mullet with aubergines to oysters in season. The views of Kowloon Bay provide a nice backdrop while you savor your meal.
In a bold attempt to capture the vibe of old Shanghai, the sublime Marco Polo hotel, a favorite in Hong Kong, has gone over the top. The Art Deco Ye Shanghai restaurant offers a wide array of Chinese dishes that break from the usual staples familiar to most Westerners. The homemade steamed dumplings can’t fly out of the kitchen fast enough and more exotic and traditional fare like sea cucumbers in chili sauce and baked crab are expertly prepared.
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Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Mmm…that food looks so good. Much more tasty looking to me than that scorpion in your other post, lol.