New Gig in the Old Clubhouse

We went along with our friends H and A for dinner at Derby Restaurant at the Hong Kong Jockey Club recently, checking out the tasting menu by their new chef Francky Semblat. Chef Francky shouldn't be an unfamiliar name for many who stuck around long enough, with him being a rare few holding the helm at a Michelin 3-starred restaurant in the region, being the executive chef at Robuchon Macao (first the Robuchon a Galera when it first opened in 2001 and later Robuchon au Dome across the street until 2015). 

For Old Time's Sake

My memory failed me when I was asked “So, when’s the last time you ate at Tokio Joe” at a recent visit to the restaurant. It must have been years, if not decades since I last set foot in this Lan Kwai Fong institution, right in the forefront of being the place to be some 25 years ago when it first opened its door (in 1995 – according to Google) and when “contemporary Japanese cuisine” was a thing. 

Gin Dinner

I don't know what got my attention first, whether it's the chance to preview a soon-to-be-opened restaurant or the unusual pairing of food with gin from one of my favorite makers, but anyway, this is our first time sitting down for a proper meal at Sake Central at PMQ, prepared by guest chef Shun Sato with a special menu paired with bottles from the Kyoto-based artisanal gin distillery Ki No Bi during their month-long pop-up promotion. 

Monday Night at The Chairman

I felt like this is becoming our routine monthly dinner gathering of sorts when we returned to The Chairman for dinner on a Monday night. With the skyrocketing popularity at the heel of the restaurant’s Michelin and Asia’s 50 Best Restaurant success (plus the strict rules related to COVID) such routine is getting more and more difficult and few and far between.

Birthday Omakase

Eating at Sushi Shikon has always been one of those “serious decisions” we contemplate every now and then – with the tab for its omakase menu comparable to a fancy weekend getaway nearby, it’s somewhere we saved for one of those rare special occasions that we didn’t mind splurging a little. 

Oyster Hut

I saw on Facebook about the opening of a Japanese restaurant specializing in oyster dishes and was curious to give it a try the other night with my friends S and J. There’s no lack of oyster bars around town but I couldn’t recall one in an izakaya setting and focuses on ingredients directly imported from Japan. 

Sichuan-Canto Dinner

Have heard so much about Mian, the new restaurant located on the site at The Murray at Mid-Levels, from many friends who have eaten there in the last few months with a unique combination of Cantonese and Sichuan dishes by Chef Siu. I was excited to have given it a try myself finally, courtesy of the restaurant with a bespoke menu with some of the signature dishes. 

Out of Expectation

We never got our chance to visit LPM Hong Kong at H Queen’s in its first two years of existence until our friends D and K suggested we ate there on a weekend evening recently. We have heard mixed comments about this place, ranging from decent food and ambiance, to horrid service and predictable menu, so that got us real curious which one of those would turn up this time. Luckily, we weren’t disappointed. 

Five Guys Dinner

I came to eat at Man Ho a few times already this year, but this time our friend KC worked out with Chef Jayson for a customized dinner menu showcasing a few signature dishes plus some that’s off-menu. And we got the private room for the five of us for our “Peanut Group” meetup.

Cafe with a Thai Twist

At the onset Lady Nara is definitely not the place I would choose to go – I thought with its fancy, garden-like décor with props everywhere for a cheesy snap, it’s more suited for those young IGers eager for those “candid”, “likes”-catching story posts swinging in those rattan couch or looking over the harbor view holding a colorful drink. And I was proven wrong with a meal there recently – well turned out it has all that I have mentioned, but they also got decent food and unique dishes that woo its customers and contributed to its popularity since they opened a few months ago at Harbour City.