hong kong | Sugared & Spiced

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Grissini

Address: 2/F Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong / 香港灣仔港灣道1號香港君悅酒店2樓
Tel: +852 2584 7722
Hours: 12:00~2:30pm, 7:00~10:30pm
Website: www.grandhyatthongkong.hk
Price: [lunch] 388~420 HKD/set, [dinner] 800~1,600 HKD/person

Please note that this is an arranged tasting, so my experience is possibly more positive than a regular visit.

Addicted. One bite of this fluffy, chewy grissini, and I was addicted. It was with great mental control that I stopped myself from devouring another foot-long breadstick, so I can leave room for the Milanese specialties that were to come pouring out of the kitchen. I shifted my attention to other attractions of the restaurant – a dimly-lit romantic space, an extensive selection of Italian wine, an impressive floor-to-ceiling Vinotheque, and panoramic views of Victoria Harbour…

Grissini at Grand Hyatt

But the waiter brought us yet another batch of warm grissini, fresh out of the oven. Into the stomach they went.

Grissini

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2012/01/202015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Madam Sixty Ate

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Madam Sixty Ate

Address: Shop 8, 1/F J Senses, 60 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai, Hong Kong / 香港灣仔庄士敦道60號1樓8號鋪
Tel: +852 2527 2558
Hours: 12:00pm~12:00am
Website: www.madamsixtyate.com.hk
Price: [lunch] 148~178 HKD, [dinner] 400+ HKD
Visited on: 2011-09-12

Chef Director Chris Woodyard and Head Chef Andrew Braham have put in plenty of heart into Madam Sixty Ate, and it shows in the details. From the hand illustrated menu featuring cauliflower-tailed fish and bunnies nesting in pea pods, to the edible art pieces that come pouring out of the open kitchen, there are quirky personal touches sprinkled throughout the restaurant. It all starts at the elevator, where a pig (her name is Eliza) greets diners in her wooly attire.

Entrance

Love the bright, airy space.

Dining room

Love the wall paper.

Wall paper

Love the open kitchen.

Open kitchen

LOVE the hand-illustrated menu. Meet Pedro the Squid.

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2012/01/202015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Island Shangri-La

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Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong

Address: Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2877 3838
Website: www.shangri-la.com/en/property/hongkong/islandshangrila
Visited on: 2011-12-23

My stay at the Island Shangri-La Hong Kong was a short but sweet one. I was only there for one evening and didn’t have time to try any of the restaurants except for Cafe TOO for its breakfast buffet, but the experience was enough for me to understand why this hotel is ranked #5 out of 322 hotels in Hong Kong on Tripadvisor. Location-wise, it’s perfect – Island Shangri-La is at the heart of Central District, perched right above Pacific Place (one of my favorite shopping malls in Hong Kong) and near the Admiralty subway station. The decor is luxurious without being over the top, its warm vibe enhanced by the welcoming and attentive staff.

Island Shangri-La

Lobby area

Reception

Upon exiting the elevator on the 47th floor where our room was located, we were greeted with the world’s largest Chinese silk painting that spans 16 storeys in the atrium. Quite an impressive sight.

Atrium

The standard room is spacious and elegantly appointed with a mix of Asian and European furnishings. It of course comes with a view of the Victoria Harbour – no need to belabor the point.

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2012/01/152015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Plateau Spa at The Grand Hyatt

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Plateau Spa at The Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Address: 11/F Grand Hyatt, One Harbour Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2584 7688
Hours: 10:00am~10:00pm
Website: hongkong.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/pure/spas/index.jsp
Price: Plateau Massage (90 minutes) 1,380 HKD
Visited on: 2011-12-25

Tell me, does the following description not make you want to immediately make a reservation at the Plateau Spa at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong?

“Living the spa life is not only possible at the Plateau Spa at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, it’s encouraged. So don’t just book for an hour or three; make it an overnighter. The Plateau’s 14 spa residential rooms have futons, low and minimalist furniture, and a glass-sided infinity bath for two. You could settle in for an in-room massage, then soak in the bath and wake up to a healthy, alfresco breakfast on the balcony or outside under the trees.” (via)

Yes, very much so.

Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

The landscaping at Plateau Spa – complete with fountains, pools, and a waterfall – form a peaceful oasis. The environment is perfect for a quiet escape, whether you are staying for the night at one of the elegantly decorated residential spa rooms, or are in it just for a few hours of day spa treatment – both will transport you to another state of mind.

Treatment room

Upon entering the soothingly scented treatment room, a sense of relaxation settles. The hustle and bustle of Hong Kong? Out of sight, out of mind.

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2012/01/152015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Grand Hyatt

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Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

Address: 1 Harbour Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2588 1234
Website: hongkong.grand.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels
Visited on: 2011-12-24

Grand Hyatt needs no introduction. There is nothing bedazzling about the hotel in terms of architectural design, but if you are looking for consistent quality and attentive service, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong would be it.

Christmas decoration

Reception

Our Grand Deluxe Harbour View Room, furnished with a King bed with cozy duvet and feather pillows, also came with killer views of the Victoria Harbour. Business travelers would like the spacious workstation and the selection of magazines in the room – The Economist, Forbes, Newsweek, TIME…etc.

The room

Work station

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2012/01/052015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Cafe 103 at The Ritz-Carlton

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Cafe 103 at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

Address: 103F, The Ritz-Carlton, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon
Hours: 12:00pm~10:30pm, [chocolate afternoon tea] 3:00pm~6:00pm
Tel: +852 2263 2263
Website: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/HongKong/
Price: 328 HKD + 10%/person
Visited on: 2011-12-23

Cafe 103 at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is a must-visit destination for chocoholics. While it is also open for lunch and dinner, the cafe (formerly known as The Chocolate Library) is most famed for its chocolate-themed afternoon tea. During its first few months of opening, it was impossible to get a reservation at the cafe, and you literally had to come 2 hours in advance to secure a seat. Now that the hype has cooled down a bit, I can finally see what this is about…

Cafe 103

The cafe is adorned with a warm ensemble of chocolate-colored couches, and even the waitress’ uniforms and menus are in the same tone.

The Chocolate Library

Chocolate-theme recipes books scattered here and there. I’d like to take a few home, especially this one by La Maison du Chocolat.

Chocolate chocolate chocolate

As it was Christmas season, we were first treated to a plate of Christmas cookies – a most delightful start. For my drink, it was tempting to choose the signature hot chocolate, but anticipating the avalanche of chocolate treats that were to follow, I opted for a pot of Apple Fantastic instead.

Christmas cookie and tea

In keeping with the library theme, the tea set (328 HKD + 10% per person) is served in a miniature bookcase. Lift up the cover and – voilà! – three savory bites and seven chocolate treats daintily presented on a wooden bookshelf. Different chocolates with varying percentages of cocoa content are used to create an ensemble of pastries in this tea set. The result? Layers of chocolate goodness.

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2012/01/032015/08/31

[Hong Kong] 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA

hong kong

8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA

Add: Shop 202, 2/F, Alexandra House, Central, Hong Kong / 中環德輔道中5-17號歷山大廈2樓202號舖
Tel: (852) 2537 8859
Hours: 12-2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm
Website: www.ottoemezzobombana.com
Price: [lunch] 330 HKD/set (a la carte also available), [dinner] 800 HKD+
Visited: Dec 2011

I won’t be able to describe my dinner at 8 ½ Otto e Mezzo BOMBANA in much detail. It was one of those charming experiences filled with constant oohs and ahhs that in retrospect, everything is a blur – the copious amount of wine consumed that evening certainly contributed to the buzz. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

We were lucky to get one of the C-shaped booths in the corners, which provided a great vantage point from which to survey the entire dining room: a comfortable interior in a warm palette of bronze and cream, made festive by Christmas decorations here and there. The faceted mirror ceiling is a nice touch.

Corkage fee at Otto e Mezzo is charged not by the bottle, but by the number of people at the table (100 HKD per person), and in total we only paid 400 HKD of corkage fee for all three bottles we brought that evening (instead of 500 HKD/bottle charged by other high-end restaurants). It all started with a bottle of bubbly Egly Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru (thank you J & C :)

The amuse bouche may look like a chocolate truffle, but it’s actually a cube of chocolate foie gras.

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2012/01/012015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Caprice

hong kong

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Caprice

Address: 6F Four Seasons Hotel, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 3196-8888
Hours: 12:00pm~2:30pm, 6:00pm~10:30pm
Website: www.fourseasons.com/hongkong/dining/caprice/
Prices: [lunch] 460~520HKD + 10%/set, [dinner] 1000+ HKD
Visited on: 2011-12-23

Caprice barely needs an introduction. The only French restaurant in Hong Kong with three Michelin stars, Caprice is led by Chef Vincent Thierry (ex-Le Cinq of Four Seasons Hôtel George V, Paris), who orchestrates a contemporary French menu around seasonal and imported ingredients, many air-flown in from France. All these takes place in surroundings of opulent gold, custom-made Swarovski crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, a spectacular vista of the Victoria Harbour, and a chandeliered open-kitchen as the focal point. Even the air smells elegant.

Caprice

Swarovski chandelier

Open kitchen

It is also worth mentioning that the maître d’, pastry chef and sommelier all have Le Cinq on their résumés. An impressive lineup, for sure.

Plating

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2011/12/292015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Chez Patrick Deli

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Chez Patrick Deli

Address: 1/F, 5 Star Street, Wanchai, Hong Kong / 香港灣仔星街5號1樓
Tel: (852) 2527 1408
Hours: 11:00am~11:00pm
Website: chezpatrick.hk
Prices: [lunch] 90~220HKD, [afternoon tea] 90HKD, [dinner] 300~380HKD
Visited on: 2011-12-24

When I stumbled upon Chez Patrick Deli, I was instantly attracted by the warm glow that flowed through its floor-to-ceiling windows. In plain view – a rustic yet modern interior, wooden furnitures, dark timber fishes, pendant lighting. I just had to go in to find out what this is about.

Star Street

A quick browse of the menu will tell you what Chez Patrick Deli is: an all day French bistro serving homey dishes. The cherry on top? It’s got a grocery counter that stocks a fine selection homemade products – perfect for lunch or dinner takeouts.

Chez Patrick Deli

Interior

Pendant lighting

As it was 3:00pm in the afternoon, I sat down for an afternoon tea set (90HKD), which includes tea or coffee plus one “douceur” of your choice – tart, cake, crepe, floating island, creme caramel, or eclair. I opted for a cup of latte, though the tea selection by Mariage Frères was also very attractive, and certainly brought back fond memories of my evening in Ghent, Belgium.

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2011/12/282015/08/31

[Hong Kong] Kisses Cupcakes

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Kisses Cupcakes

Address: 24 Gough Street, Noho, Central, Hong Kong / 香港中環歌賦街24號
Tel: +852 2489 9899
Hours: 11:00am~9:30pm
Website: www.kissescupcakes.com
Prices: 25 HKD/cupcake
Date visited: 2011-12-24

Sift has long held the crown for making the “best cupcakes” in Hong Kong, but it seems like there’s a new contender in town. Recently opened on Gough Street is Kisses Cupcakes, backed by the folks behind Chikalicious, a small but popular dessert bar in New York City. Yup, Sift has got competition.

Kisses Cupcakes

Look how cute these are! From left to right: Ferrero Rocher, White & Black, and Triple Chocolate (the labels don’t match, FYI) – all at 25 HKD a piece.

Cupcakes!