Lonesomes this Christmas? Foodie selects Hong Kong’s best spots for expats seeking a taste of home. Here is our list of 18 Christmas Hot Spots for Homesick Expats.
By LTThomas
Brits
The Globe
The call of “proper chips” and “real ale draws” a steady stream of Brits to this place year round but as the nights draw in and the temperature drops down the bright lights of The Globe offer a festive porthole home. This is the place for pie, mash, gravy and mushy peas and if that isn’t enough the range of beers is pretty much unrivalled in Hong Kong. Plus they have board games if you need to re-enact the family traditions and a large screen showing films, sports and very occasionally (hugely but inexplicably popular soap opera) EastEnders.
Garley Building, 45-53A Graham Street, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2543 1941
www.theglobe.com.hk
The Pawn
With Michelin-starred British chef Tom Aikens at the helm and menus straight from the Home Counties this is the place to head for some upmarket British fare. Sink a few G&T’s before tucking into the “Juniper-roasted venison” or the more festive “Herb-brined roasted turkey, cranberry stuffing, roast potatoes, and gravy” this holiday season.
2/F & 3/F, 62 Johnston Rd, Wan Chai, 2866 3444.
Tel: +852 2866 3444
http://www.thepawn.com.hk/
The Chinnery Bar, Mandarin Oriental & The Foreign Correspondents’ Club
Ideal for those wanting to dine in historic surroundings. Plus both these spots offer hearty British food — including excellent curries — for those missing Blighty’s unique take on the traditional Indian cuisine (regularly hailed as one of the UK’s favourite dishes. NB. If you are not a member of the FCC – you’ll have to find one to take you).
www.mandarinoriental.com/hongkong/fine-dining/the-chinnery/
www.fcchk.org/
French
La Vache
From the Moulin Rouge-style signage and the delightful checked tablecloths to the reasonably-priced wines and steak frites dripping with sauces of your choosing, La Vache, is essentially a little corner of Paris in Soho. The steakhouse’s prices are reasonable and the menu is simple but well done – a formula which keeps the diners coming back (that and the fact they have an unlimited refill policy on their addictive fries). An ideal spot for a homesick Parisian in Hong Kong.
G/F, 48 Peel Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2880 0248
http://lavache.com.hk/
Pastis
The swelling French population in HK means there is not shortage of Gallic offerings but Pastis remains unrivalled as some sort of unofficial dining and drinking embassy or rallying point. Tuck into “Garlic Butter Snails from Burgundy” or the ” Traditionnel Boeuf Bourguignon” for a taste of the motherland. Plus the decor is adorable, the atmosphere is relaxed and the wines are rich and varied. This is usually the starting point for some crazy nights out.
75 Hollywood Rd, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2871 0045
http://www.french-creations.com/pastis
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon
If only a three Michelin star establishment will do then head right over to the Landmark in Central Hong Kong, which houses one of the masters of haute cuisine. The HK$2080 Decouverte Menu offers free-range quail and caviar as well as foie gras and Wagyu beef, and is a serious chance to indulge, but the A La Carte also has some real treats including roasted guinea fowl and steak tartare.
315 & 401, The Landmark, 15 Queen’s Road West Central, Hong Kong,
Tel: +852 2166 9000
http://www.robuchon.hk/
Italian
Otto e Mezzo
Named after the 1963 classic Fellini film, this granddaddy of Hong Kong’s Italian restaurants is almost too obvious to mention. Chef Umberto Bombano’s three Michelin star offering has become a favourite for business meetings but is ripe for reclaiming over the festive period. If you can’t decide what to eat – indulge and opt for the degustation menu.
Shop 202, 2/F, Alexandra House, 18 Chater Rd, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2537 8859
ottoemezzobombana.com
121 BC
Gather a large group of friends into this cosy space on Peel Street and enjoy the best of what Italy has to offer; from boutique wines to wondrous sharing plates from across every region in the country. The set-up has the feel of an upmarket dinner party but hosted by folk who really know their food and wine. Plus the lighting is just right for winter nights. Be warned – you will leave more inebriated than you realise. The HK$850 Christmas Eve dinner offers a coterie of treats such as Winter Black Truffles and Blue Swimmer Crab.
42-44 Peel Street Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2395 0200
http://121bc.com.hk/
Carbone
Okay, so this may be more “New York Italian” than “traditional Italian” but still offers some classics with generous portion sizes. The “Lobster Raviolli” is glorious while “Mario’s Meatballs” surpasses expectations – not least because they are enormous. The atmosphere is boisterous and the decor has a moody 1950s vibe. Grab some fancy drinks at the cocktail bar, and then cosy down in a booth to eat, drink and be merry.
9th Floor, 33 Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2593 2593
http://carbone.com.hk/
Spanish
Zafran
Chef Pedro Samper’s cuisine is inspired by recipes his Grandma used to make, so for those seeking the taste of tapas from home – this is the ideal spot. The Wyndham street eaterie benefits from a buzzy spot bringing in a bar crowd looking for light bites, and food lovers seeking creative reinterpretations of classic dishes from the Basque and Catalan regions. The open bar kitchen lends a little theatre and flare to the ambience.
Basement, 43-55 Wyndham Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2116 8855
www.zafran.com.hk
22 Ships
There is a no reservations policy, but for many foodies, the promise of Spanish bites such as the Seafood Paella, the Iberico Pork Burger, and the Suckling Pig, are worth waiting for. The boujis restaurant has a nice vibe and is ideal for a quick fix of home after an afternoon shopping for gifts. The evenings draw a hipper crowd and a have livelier atmosphere for those in the festive spirit.
22 Ship Street, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2555 0722
www.22ships.hk
Catalunya
Head here for an authentic Spanish feast of a brunch or an intimate dinner. Expect to leave the former with stomach pains from over indulging on the vast range of plates, and the latter considerably more tipsy than when you arrived as the signature cocktails are lush but lethal. A celebration of the region and a celebration of food that will probably persuade you to book that Barcelona trip for the 2015.
Guardian House, 32 Oi Kwan Road, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2866 7900
www.catalunya.hk
Portuguese
Fernando’s
Hong Kong has a few perfectly reasonable Portuguese restaurants but for a real taste of the country, pack your passport and jump on a ferry to Macau. Head to Hac Sa Beach near the sleepy village of Coloane and spend the afternoon at Fernandos. This lovely family restaurant is a perennial favourite to spend sunny days – expect to forget you are even in Asia. Settle in the beer garden with a jug of Sangria, plates of chorizo, olives and cheese, before indulging in a plate of garlic prawns in clam and tomato sauce, mopped up with soft white bread.
9 Praia de Hac Sa, Macau
Tel: +853 2888 2531
www.fernando-restaurant.com
American
Dan Ryan’s Chicago Grill
The place to head for All-American staples and sides – think ribeye steaks, babyback ribs, barbecue chicken, as well as New England clam chowder, nachos, and jumbo shrimp cocktails. It’s not flash, it’s not fancy but it hit the spot and fill you up in the way only American diners know how.
112, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2845 4600
http://www.windy-city.com.hk/dans/index.php
Restoration
Craving some soul food? Then this New Orleans-style restaurant is your salvation with the likes of “Fried Chicken, Butter Biscuits and Gravy”, “Cajun Homefries”, “Creole Jambalaya”, and “Shrimp and Grits” plus the usual array of meats that any self-respecting American would require. For those really wanting to prove their heritage – Restoration offeres a number of all-you-can-eat nights too.
1/F, 63 Wyndham St, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 2536 0183
www.restoration.hk/
Main Street Deli + The Bostonian
These two delights form The Langham pretty much cover all bases for those from across the pond. New Yorkers should pop by the Deli, which has classics such as Pastrami Rye, Corned Beef, and Reuben-style sandwiches as well as Matso-ball soup and an awesome chocolate milkshake. You can order stuff to go. A more formal option is The Bostonian – if you’re in a group, the clam bake, which comes with a whole lobster – is pretty special. The HK$578 “Surf and Turf” is a good option if you’re gripped by indecision on which way the meal should go.
The Langham Hotel, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 132 7898
http://hongkong.langhamhotels.com/restaurants
Scandinavia
FINDS
Hong Kong’s first Nordic restaurant has been impressing diners for a decade now with its quality produce. Jaako’s salad – named after executive chef Jaakko Sorsa – is always a popular choice, as is the Cold-smoked Arctic Char, which is made up of smoked roe, pickled chanterelles, steamed egg, and a traditional Gräddfil Sauce. If you are craving real comfort food then order “Grandma Ida’s Meatballs” which are served with mashed potatoes, wild Lingonberries, and a cognac gravy.
1/F The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
Tel: +852 2522 9318
www.finds.com.hk
NUR
Okay so the menu may not be strictly Scandinavian (though there’s no doubting the salmon dish’s heritage) but the philosophy is. Chef Nurdin Topham, who hails Denmark’s world-class Noma as an inspiration, spent time exploring and experimenting with the science of food and nutrition at the Nordic Food Lab in Copenhagen has created to tasting menus. For Christmas they have a seven course tasting menu that draws on traditional flavours such as venison, oysters and pudding but with local influences, as is their concept. Each dish looks like a piece of modern art – and Topham often takes the time to come out and explain the thinking behind his approach.
3/F, Lyndhurst Tower, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852 28719993
www.nur.hk
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