New Launches
Sophia Loren House
The Woo Cheong Pawn Shop’s Grade II historic four-storey address has been transformed into Sophia Loren House, a glamorous dining and entertainment concept inspired by the legendary Italian actress. While the third and fourth floors housing a lively performance space and chic rooftop area are yet to open, the Sophia Loren Pizzeria at street level is now serving up authentic gourmet pizzas bursting with the vibrant flavours of Naples. On April 29, guests can look forward to the opening of Casa Sophia Loren on the second floor, an Italian seafood restaurant made both cosy and chic with plush ocean blue seats and aqua-coloured light fixtures made from glass. The Sophia Loren House Hong Kong has become the very first international outpost for the Sophia Loren Restaurant brand, which boasts four stunning locations across Italy.
Woo Cheong Pawn House, 62 Johnston Road, Wan Chai; @sophialorenhongkong
Flat Iron Burger
After the largely successful Flat Iron Steak comes Flat Iron Burger, a new gourmet burger concept looking to raise the bar for burgers across the city. Brought to us by the culinary maestros behind The Butchers Club and The Butcher Club Burger, this new joint promises a mouthwatering experience with unparalleled value. Crafted with only the best of the best ingredients sourced from award-winning Queensland beef farmers, the Flat Iron Burger’s signature is a blend of prime wagyu or black angus beef that uses the rump, brisket and chuck cuts for textural variance.
The lunch deal is a steal, comprising a 60-ounce burger, fries and a homemade frozen custard, while a la carte selects offer a glorious range of flavours. Delight in a moreish combination of a black angus patty with truffle jam, bacon, fried onions and raclette cheese with The Pigalle N Cheese, or get a taste of Japan with the hefty Shinjuku Surf N Turf packed with a miso barbecue-glazed wagyu patty, shaved cabbage, tempura lobster tails and shichimi pepper aioli. Fries at Flat Iron Burger are more than just a side, with exciting twists like caviar mayo or furikake, and desserts are a true treat with indulgent concrete shakes topped with the likes of Portuguese egg tarts and chocolate oreo brownies. The joint also offers a full range of craft beers, classic cocktails and wine to help wash it all down.
G/F, 27 & 29 Elgin Street, Central; @flatironburger_hk
New menus
Leela
Weekends at Leela just got a whole lot better. The newly Michelin recommended restaurant has launched three unlimited alcoholic drinks packages to choose from as well as a heavenly range of weekend-only lunch specials. Diners are treated to a gastronomic journey through India with the likes of a Chettinadu prawns dosa, Goan roast beef shank asado, and kathi roll tacos made with buttery egg-layered paratha.
Shop 301-310, Lee Garden Three, 1 Sunning Road, Causeway Bay; @leela.hkg
Brut!
Head Chef CJ Jalandoni presents a vibrant seasonal menu refresh at Brut! Among the new innovations are a lively lamb roast with carrot mash, tamarind chutney and herbed coconut yoghurt dish exclusive to the tasting menu, and a calamansi, vinegar, ginger and garlic marinated mackerel served with buttermilk and cucumber—a punchy nod to his Filipino roots. Brut!’s new No Abv Pairing also offers diners an elevated yet alcohol-free dining experience, with original creations like a yellow beetroot, tamarind and mulberry leaf tea.
Shop C, 1 Second Street, Sai Ying Pun; @brut_hk
Bo Innovation
Embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other with Bo Innovation. Aptly named ‘The Artist’, the restaurant’s brand new lunch and dinner tasting menu sees Demon Chef Alvin Leung tap into his inner aesthete. Inventive dishes like the four-part Soup by Andy starter, Pollock Pollock noodles, and Autumnal Cannibalism meat mains pay homage to some of the most influential artists in the world (we’ll let you connect the dots on who). Adding to the sensorial experience, each dish arrives with a framed miniature version of the artwork it is inspired by, offering guests a greater sense of understanding and appreciation for the different layers of artistry behind each bite.
1/F, H Code, 45 Pottinger St, Central; @bo_innovation_central
Aera
Arriving just in time for their first anniversary is aera’s new lunch tasting menu. Comprising a total of six courses, the menu presents imaginative dishes that embody the essence of New Nordic cuisine. A combination of fruit tomato, pickled bell pepper and spring onion is bright and refreshing, while the dry-aged local threadfin with Hokkaido sea urchin beurre blanc and an artful soursop semifreddo with parmesan cheese sable, kombucha jelly and strawberry powder flaunt an elegant balance of flavours. Each dish is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate, with an artful interplay of spring colours and textures.
G/F, 6 Stewart Rd, Wan Chai; @aera.hk
Collaborations And Events
Movie Night at Duddell’s
Skip the cinema and head to Duddell’s for your next movie date. The one Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant has kicked off a monthly Movie Night series at their 4th floor salon with a screening of the classic Mamma Mia!. It’s an intimate affair, with only 30 guests at a time. Each Movie Night menu package includes two drinks and three light bites to be enjoyed prior to or after the screening. Guests can pick from a variety of dishes including fried shrimp toast with cheese and smoked duck breast with honey, while drinks are a choice between a popcorn old fashioned, lillet spritz, wine, or a spirit and mixer. Mark your calendars for the next two movie nights, scheduled for May 22 and June 19, 2024.
Duddell’s, Level 3, 1 Duddell Street, Central; @duddellshk
Hennessy x NBA
Hennessy and the NBA enter the fourth season in their global partnership with the launch of the Hennessy V.S.O.P NBA S4 Limited Edition. The bottle arrives in a cylindrical gift box that screams courtside chic, paying homage to the materials and visual design elements synonymous with basketball. Avid sports fans and cognac enthusiasts can get their hands on this new limited edition spirit at select retailers across Hong Kong.
Glenfiddich Zodiac Guest Shift Series
Glenfiddich unveils an astrology-themed Hong Kong monthly guest shift series! Kicking off the program is Pei Cheung of Bar Anima and resident mixologist Ho Chan at Library Restaurant and Bar, who have used Glenfiddich’s 12-Year-Old and special edition 12 Year Old Sherry to craft three unique cocktails for each of the three fire signs. Adding to the excitement of the first guest shift on 10 April are private angel card reading sessions by astrological soothsayer Myrilla Li, which come as a complimentary side to any order of the three themed cocktails. Those unable to make this first round can look forward to more creative Zodiac concoctions at the second Glenfiddich guest shift in May.
Library Restaurant and Bar 3/F, Manson House, 74-78 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Editor
Alyanna Raissa J. PayosCredit
Lead image: Courtesy of Leela
