New Launches
The Chinnery gets a revamp
The iconic Mandarin Oriental bar has emerged from a welcome refresh that has maintained much of its colonial charm. While glossy mahogany fixtures and the collection of 19th-century paintings by British artist George Chinnery remain untouched, the subtle revamp embraces lush red wall panelling, luxurious mustard-hued leather seats, and a plush new carpet. In celebrating its reopening, The Chinnery presents a time-limited ‘Taste of The Chinnery’ menu filled with British pub classics and compelling new dishes. Be tempted by the much-loved lamb samosas and zingy steak tartare, whilst indulging in a luscious Bengali toothfish curry and what may very well be a top contender for the city’s best garlic naan.
1/F, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road Central; mandarinoriental.com
La Terrace by Louise
Watch the summer days go by from the sun-kissed garden lounge and patio of one Michelin-starred Louise’s new dining concept. Offering a casual yet sophisticated respite from the busy Central crowds, La Terrace by Louise serves up a delicate array of cocktails, mocktails and both small and larger plates. Standouts include a cheesy “arancini” unexpectedly filled with chewy tapioca balls, leek terrine with a luscious blanket of gribiche sauce, and spiced black pudding with shallots and red endives. Fans of Louise’ famous roast chicken can also order a half portion for the table, served with the signature chicken-oil infused Niigata rice.
PMQ, 35 Aberdeen Street, Central; @louise.hkg
The Laksa Club
What started as an if-you-know-you-know pop-up concept at Auor in late 2023, is now a permanent daytime fixture at the restaurant’s Wan Chai address. Chef Edward Voon draws on his childhood favourites, curating a lunch menu that revolves around a Hainanese chicken rice main and his interpretation of Singaporean laksa that sees a strong flavour of shrimp and mixed spices. Among the sides are an abalone salad, five-spice pork ngo hiang, juicy iberico pork skewers, and hawker-food favourite har cheong gai or fried prawn paste chicken wings, while dessert is a delightful pandan Japan-style cheesecake with coconut ice cream.
4/F, 88 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai; @the.laksa.club
Alice Pizza opens Central flagship
Less than a year after its official Asia debut in Wan Chai, Alice Pizza has set up its Asia and Hong Kong flagship in the heart of Central. The new two-storey branch features a vibrant exterior by Hong Kong artist Pei Chung, whose mural playfully marries Hong Kong iconography with the brand’s beloved pizzas. Inside, guests will be treated to five new flavours exclusive to the Central location, including the ‘Chef’s Choice’ of creamy ricotta and mozzarella with speck and porcini, and a mouthwatering cross between a crostino and a pizza.
18 Cochrane Street, Central; @alicepizzahk
Veda Café and Bar
Chef Avni Jhunjhnuwala is reintroducing Indian cuisine at Veda, an innovative fine-dining restaurant in the heart of Central. The refreshed concept curates a collection of modern, nutrient-packed vegetarian dishes and snacks. Veda beckons with its classy and cosy ambience, perfect for conversation. Start with texturally stimulating bites like crispy and minty pani puri, and creamy spinach ricotta momos. Aside from the range of hearty dosas, patrons savour the signature roasted aloo gobi featuring tender, sweet cauliflower in a curry leaf pesto and lentil stew. Diners can look forward to a rich finale – a decadent valrhona chocolate mousse that delights the senses with velvety chocolate, tangy berries, and crunchy almond brittle.
Ovolo Central, 2 Arbuthnot Road, Central; @vedahk
WAKARAN
WAKARAN, nestled in Wan Chai’s Ship Street, transports diners to the historical melting pot of Nagasaki Port with its vibrant fusion of Eastern and Western culinary traditions. Dive in with inventive appetisers such as the truffle sesame doughnut inspired by the yum-cha classic deep-fried glutinous rice balls “Jin Dui”. Move on to satisfying mains like the whole smoked pigeon marinated in Chiu Chow-style herbs, the tender Whole roasted dry “Ma Yau” fish, and the juicy suckling pig. Dessert offerings like the Ginger Rice Dumpling Bomb and Mango Pomelo Sago Cocktail provide a sweet, aromatic finish, making WAKARAN a must-visit for food enthusiasts seeking a unique dining experience.
Nespresso launches Unforgettable Mediterranean Summer collection
Nespresso is kicking off summer with a splash through its Unforgettable Mediterranean Summer collection, featuring refreshing flavours and stylish accessories. Inspired by scenic Mediterranean locales like the French Riviera, Greek Islands, and the Balkan Peninsula, this collection is designed in collaboration with Pantone Color Institute, painting the season in a vibrant palette of Mandarin Orange, Habanero Gold, Muskmelon, Aquarelle, and Blue Iolite.
The limited-edition range includes the new Sunny Almond Vanilla Flavour Over Ice for Vertuo, packaged in Habanero Gold. This smooth and refreshing coffee features a light-roasted blend of Arabicas, enhanced with the sweet, nutty notes of almond and the rich, creamy essence of vanilla. The tropical journey for your tastebuds continues with the Coconut Flavour Over Ice for Original, Tropical Coconut Flavour Over Ice for Vertuo; while the bold Cold Brew Style Intense for Vertuo punctuates the experience with its smooth, caramel-infused taste. Classic favourites like Freddo Delicato, Freddo Intenso for Original, and Ice Leggero, Ice Forte for Vertuo remain part of the summer lineup.
Accompanying the coffee are summer-ready machines and accessories in Pantone’s cheerful colours, including the Vertuo Pop and Essenza Mini in limited-edition Mandarin Orange, and the updated Aeroccino 3 frother.
New menus, collaborations and more
111ones x Lam Tian Xing
Wednesday dinners have become an artful affair at 111ONES. Executive Chef Chris Chan takes inspiration from the works of friend and renowned Chinese artist Lam Tian Xing, conjuring delectable masterpieces of his own. With its delicate bed of tomato water jelly nasturtium garnish, the toro tartare captures the seasonal beauty of Lam’s ‘Livelihoods in the Pond’ ink painting, whilst a moreish scallop kilpatrick generous with pancetta and caramelised onions evokes Lam’s ‘Tai O People’ ink painting. This new five-course menu is available until August 14, 2024.
11/F, 18 On Lan Street, Central; 111ones.com
Seasonal cocktails at The Aubrey
Now ranked 10th place in this year’s Asia’s 50 Best Bars awards, with Beverage Manager Devender Sehgal placing in Bar World 100’s most influential list, The Aubrey has every reason to celebrate and they’re doing it the best way they know how—with incredible cocktails. Three pineapple infused delights have made their way onto the menu— the ‘Cheek to Cheek’ fuses Torikai shochu with crème of coconut, amontillado sherry and Japanese pineapple juice; the refreshing ‘Nago’ is made with mezcal, Japanese pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, tarragon sherry and shochu; and the ‘Utogi’ combines Earl Grey gin with rice shochu, lemon juice, roasted cumin cordial, and of course, pineapple juice.
25/F, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road Central; @theaubreyhk
Oysters galore at Casa Sophia Loren
Oyster lovers, rejoice! The Casa Sophia Loren has unveiled two free-flow oyster menus at its glamorous Woo Cheong Pawn Shop address. Every Saturday afternoon, guests can revel in the restaurant’s Riviera Weekend Brunch that offers unlimited oysters alongside mains like a zesty lobster spaghetti and charcoal-grilled lamb chop, with dessert to finish. Come Monday, patrons can still treat themselves to two hours of bottomless David Hervé N3 oysters at Casa Sophia Loren’s seafood bar, though limited to eight seats per weeknight.
60-66 Johnston Road, Wan Chai; heritage1888.com
Little Bao unveils seasonal menu
As Chef May Chow takes on the culinary hotspots of Asia this year, she unveils a brand new Little Bao menu inspired by her ongoing gastronomic journey. Characterised by daring flavours and a boundless creativity synonymous with Chow’s legacy, exciting new dishes include a savoury sourdough egg waffle with whipped bottarga dip, a binchotan-grilled Kagoshima char siu bao with ginger scallion mayo, and an insanely addictive bowl of “stir fried beef noodle” fries. Those with an extra adventurous appetite will find their match in the Singaporean fish head curry ice cream bao—a bold combination of banana caramel gelato, caramel sauce, crispy fish skin, and a tamarind curry jam made with Leela’s special korma spice mix.
G/F, 9 Kingston Street, Causeway Bay; @littlebaohk
Mother Pearl launches a trio of summertime sips
Mother Pearl kicks off the summer with three delicious machi concoctions! There’s the return of the crowd-favourite ‘Guava Gabrielle’ drink made with strawberry powder, vanilla rice froth, nata de coco and pink guava; the brand new ‘Pistachio Penelope’ featuring matcha pearls and pistachios galore; and the ‘Mango Madison’ crafted with a blend of blossom jasmine pure tea, golden pearls, coconut froth, and a trio of tropical fruits. Each drink revolves around Mother Pearl’s homegrown almond mylk machi, a zero-calorie and sugar free elixir key to guilt-free indulgence. The new seasonal drink series also sees a collaboration with French artist Elsa Jeandedieu, whose large-scale hand painted mural brings the Mother Pearl summertime spirit to the streets of Lan Kwai Fong.
Available across all Mother Pearl locations; motherpearl.world
CHOMP x TheMilSource host The Rescued Feast – The Second Bite
For the second edition of The Rescued Feast, food-saving app CHOMP and TheMilSource are headed to Soho House Hong Kong. Held at 7pm on July 25, 2024, this unique dining experience challenges Chef Chris Czerwinski of Soho House Hong Kong to curate an upscale 250-person menu using food surplus and food scraps from various sponsors including restaurants Smoke & Barrel and Jean May. The event also sees a raffle draw with prizes from the likes of Kapok, Feather & Bone and Anaphe.
Tickets are HK$500 with a complimentary drink and raffle ticket via ticketflap.com
Editor
Alyanna Raissa J. Payos and Kaitlyn LaiCredit
Lead image: Courtesy of La Terrace by Louise
